Application Process

In order to apply to graduate studies at Western, it is important that you understand the requirements and essential elements of the Western graduate school application. No application will be considered until it is complete. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents (e.g., transcripts, letters of recommendation, test results such as TOEFL scores) are submitted by the program’s deadline for application. The department does not waive application fees. The current application fee is $150.00

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator 

https://grad.uwo.ca/finances/affordability_calculator.cfm

Chemistry accepts applications for all 3 terms for DOMESTIC students; January, May, and September. Please use the dates below as guidelines for submitting applications in a timely manner.  International students may only apply for Fall Term admission. 

Application Timelines
Deadlines Fall Term Winter Term Summer Term
Master's (Domestic)  Opens Oct 1- Closes Aug 14 Opens May 1- Closes Dec 1 Opens Oct 1- Closes Apr 15
Doctoral (Domestic)  Opens Oct 1- Closes Aug 14 Opens May 1- Closes Dec 1 Opens Oct 1- Closes Apr 15
Doctoral (International)  Opens Oct 1- Closes Mar 1 N/A N/A

Special Announcement for International Applications

The Chemistry Department is currently not accepting applications for the International Masters Program; there are no funded positions available.  

A limited number of Ph.D. positions will be available for the 2024 academic year.  We encourage highly qualified persons who meet the admission requirements for direct entry to the Ph.D. program to apply.

The Application

*Note: The department will not pre-evaluate copies of transcripts to ascertain if you should apply to our program. A complete application must be submitted for review. If you wish to determine your GPA you can use World Education Services (WES) Please be advised this is a tool for estimated averages. The department relies on the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for official eligible averages.

**Note:  Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the program as space is limited and competitive.

The application process begins with the receipt of the application along with all application requirements. In order to be considered for admission to our graduate program, the following information must be submitted and on file for consideration in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by the stated application deadline. These documents become part of Western's files and will not be returned to or copied for the applicant. All documents should be uploaded online at the time of application.

Your guide to putting together a competitive and well-rounded application for graduate school.

A completed application provides Western with the following:
Personal Information
Basic information concerning your identity and contact information. 

Academic History
Please supply Western with a listing of all post‐secondary schools you have attended.

References
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will email your referees within 2 hours of entering or updating your reference information. Each reference will be collected by Western and distributed alongside your application once it arrives. No paper reference letters are required. If you notice that your referee/s have not completed the reference letter, you may wish to send them a gentle reminder as the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies only sends the initial request.

Supplemental Questions
Our graduate programs may ask you unique questions that reflect elements of the program you are applying to. The responses you provide are made available to the program during the assessment process.

Application Fee Payment
Western accepts two methods of payment in order to process your application.

  • Credit Card (Visa/MasterCard)
  • Money Order (this must be a money order or bank draft issued from a Canadian Banking Institution. Personal cheques will not be accepted.)

Supplementary Documents
Western makes it possible for you to submit your supporting documents in a digital format. This includes an academic record/transcript from each school you note in your Academic History and any additional documents required by the program you are applying to.Chemistry requires a CV and statement of interest.
Proficiency in English Scores 
if applicable (You must have the testing service send your score electronically to Western.)

Additional Content

Western makes it possible for you to submit your supporting documents in a digital format. This includes an academic record/transcript from each school you note in your Academic History and any additional documents required by the program you are applying to.

Chemistry requires a CV and statement of interest which can be uploaded online during the application process.

Transcripts

Western makes it possible for you to submit your supporting documents in a digital format.  You will want to be certain that each of your documents is saved as a .pdf file and that its size is less than 3000kb (3mb). Scanning in "gray scale" or black and white may produce the best results. Non-legible scans will not be accepted.

If you are offered admission, you are required to provide one official academic transcript from each post-secondary institution you have attended. An official transcript is a transcript in an unopened envelope with the institution's stamp on the seal.

Note: 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 is 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.

Electronic References

Western’s Digital Graduate Reference Process Western will email your referees within 2 hours of entering or updating your reference information within the application. Please be sure to communicate with each of your referees prior to entering them. Each reference will be collected by Western and distributed alongside your application once it arrives. No paper reference letters are required. Please be sure to provide an email address associated with the referee's institution or workplace. A unique link will be emailed to each referee, allowing them to log in to a secure site and submit an online reference or upload a reference document as an attachment. Some graduate programs have special requirements for references. You will be notified once each of your referees replies to our request.

Readmission/Reactivation

Students who have voluntarily withdrawn or who have been withdrawn and wish to complete their program must formally re-apply for admission via our application. Credit for previous work completed must be approved by the program and SGPS.

Admission Decision

Upon Western receiving your application, a confirmation e-mail will be forwarded to you providing you with information regarding your application profile at Western. This information is key to accessing your Western Personal Computer Account. Once you have activated your Computer Account you will be able to log into the Student Center, Western’s portal for student information.

As an applicant, the Western Student Center will allow you to:

  • Update personal information (including contact information)
  • Check your application status
  • Explore the Western course catalog
  • Accept an offer of admission

For an overview of activation and password requirements associated with your application, please visit Western Identity.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I am applying for one of your research programs, should I contact the professor first or apply?
Faculty members are unable to determine suitability until each application is assessed. Therefore, please submit a completed application first.

What is my GPA? How do I know if I meet the requirements?
International students may have a different grade-point system than Canada. Because of this, it can be difficult to determine if your grades will translate to the required average. If you wish to determine your GPA you can use World Education Services (WES). Please be advised this is a tool for estimated averages. The department relies on the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for official eligible averages.If you have questions about calculating your average, please contact gradapps@uwo.ca

I am an international student and have submitted my application, but I have yet to hear from the department about admission?
International applications must be complete by March 1st. Documents submitted after the deadline will not be considered. All International applications will be reviewed, and a decision communicated before April 1st each year.

If I submit my transcript and CV to the department, can the department let me know if I qualify before I apply?
The department will not pre-evaluate copies of transcripts to ascertain if you should apply to our program. A complete application must be submitted for review.

Do I require GRE?
No, our department does not require a GRE score.

My ELP scores do not meet your program requirements, can I still be accepted?
All international applicants must obtain the minimum scores in overall and individual sections of each test. We will not accept applications without eligible scores. A waiver will only be provided to students who have studied in a country where English is the first language at an English speaking university/college for a minimum of 2 years or more. You are not required to submit translations from Canadian universities. (I.e. transcripts in French)

How much is the application fee?
Currently the fee for Chemistry is $150. Information on application fees and other application requirements can be found on the SGPS's Admissions website. The department does not waive application fees.

How much is tuition?
Information regarding tuition can be viewed on the Registrar's Fee and Refund page.