How to Apply for an M.Sc. or Ph.D Program

Thank you for your interest in Western. Your application form must first be completed online at the Faculty of Graduate Studies website. Other required supporting material should be sent to:

Chair of Graduate Admissions
Department of Chemistry
The University of Western Ontario
1151 Richmond St
London, Ontario
Canada N6A 5B7

If you have any questions regarding the application process at any time, please do not hesitate to contact Darlene McDonald at dhagen@uwo.ca

Application deadlines

At Western, there are three academic terms per year. September - December, January - April, and May - August. You can start your graduate studies at the beginning of one of the terms, that is the beginning of one of January, May, or September.

For Canadian citizens and landed immigrants, the deadlines are: November 1 for a January start, July 1 for a September start, and March 1 for a May start.

However, for international applicants, studies must begin in September to be eligible for scholarship support. Applications are evaluated as they arrive, but the completed application package must be received by March 1 for a September start. Under exceptional circumstances, which must be explained in the application, international applicants may be given permission and funding for a January or May start.

Application procedures

1. Complete the online application at the Faculty of Graduate Studies website

2. One official transcript
One set of your official transcripts must be enclosed in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution. They may be included in your application package (as long as they have not been opened), or they may be sent to us directly from the issuing institution at the address above. DO NOT EMAIL, FAX OR SEND PHOTOCOPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS.*Western considers a transcript official only if it is received in a university envelope that is sealed and signed on the flap by the official person in the office issuing the transcript. If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English, a certified translation must also be included. (Non-English transcripts from institutions within Canada do not require a translation.) All documents and transcripts submitted to The University of Western Ontario become the property of the University and will not be returned.

Applicants who attended institutions outside of North America must send one set of official transcripts in the native language and one set of official transcripts in English. If the institutions do not issue official transcripts in English, then notarized English translations should be sent.

3. Photocopies of university degrees (if applicable)
Please include a photocopy of each of your university degrees, if they have been conferred.

4. Two letters of reference
Please choose referees who are able to provide an evaluation of your research and academic abilities. One letter MUST be from your current or immediate past supervisor. The referees submit their confidential letters online using the link sent to them at the email address you provide in your application. If paper references are submitted they should be confidential and sealed by the faculty member writing the reference.

5. Curriculum vitae or resume
Any format is acceptable. Please include details that highlight your research experiences and particular skills, for example, familiarity with specialized instrumentation and laboratory techniques. Also, publications and presentations (include full author lists and titles). For any thesis work that is in progress or has been completed, include the title of the thesis and the supervisor(s). Finally, indicate the disciplines of chemistry that you're interested in pursuing your graduate program in, for example, organic, analytical, etc.

6. Landing papers (if applicable)
For landed immigrants only, please include a photocopy of both sides of your landing papers. If you are applying to be a Canadian landed immigrant, but have not been granted landed-immigrant status, you will need to apply as an international applicant.

7. Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
Both landed immigrants and international applicants require proof of English proficiency. Please have your official score sent to institution code is 0984, department 62. Click on Do I Qualify on the left for more details.

8. Application fee (if applicable)
There is no application fee to apply to the UWO Chemistry Graduate Program.

9. Complete your application package
Supporting documents, such as transcripts, CV and statement of interest should be mailed to the address above. Applications will not be evaluated until all of the above documents are received. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOUR APPLICATION IS COMPLETE. We suggest that the supporting materials be sent by registered mail, so that you can check its delivery status.

Please remember that the transcripts and letters of recommendation are confidential and must not be opened. GRE scores are not a requirement, but we recommend that you include them if you have them.

10. How and when will applications be evaluated?
Applications will be evaluated as they arrive, but the deadlines above must be met.

Once your complete application is received, your file will be reviewed by the Coordinator of Admissions. If you are deemed eligible, your file will be circulated among the faculty and they will have the opportunity to sign up as a potential supervisor. If you are accepted, you will receive an official offer letter from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies via the student center, as well as a letter from the department,which will list the faculty members interested in supervising you. This is when you will contact the faculty members listed to discuss possible projects, etc.

If you are interested in visiting the department after sending in your application, please contact Robert Hudson at Robert.Hudson@uwo.ca to make arrangements. In many cases, some or all of your travel expenses will be paid for.