Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD 

• 4 courses
• Original research
• Thesis
• 4 years (12 terms)
• Full-time and part-time study available
• Choose from 14 areas of specialization, or apply to the collaborative programs in Nanotechnology or Quantum Information

Direct Entry PhD (from a Bachelor's degree)

• 7 courses
• Original research
• Thesis
• 5 years (15 terms)
• Full-time and part-time study available
• Choose from 14 areas of specialization, or apply to the collaborative programs in Nanotechnology or Quantum Information

PhD 

• An overall standing equivalent to 80% in either a relevant thesis-based Master’s degree or a University of Waterloo's Master of Engineering(MEng) degree that includes a completed ECE 699: Master of Engineering Project course.
• For degrees completed outside of Canada, refer to the international admission equivalencies web page.

Please note: the international admission equivalencies page lists equivalencies based on the minimum 75% overall required for Master’s degrees, rather than the 80% required for the PhD program.

Direct Entry PhD (from a Bachelor's degree)

• Exceptional Bachelor's applicants may be considered for direct-entry to the PhD program from a Bachelor’s program. Depending on your application, academic background and research experience you may be admitted or considered for an offer to our Masters of Applied Science program.
• An overall standing equivalent to 83% in a relevant bachelor’s degree.
• Evidence that the applicant is capable of independent research at an advanced level in a relevant field
• For degrees completed outside of Canada, refer to the international admission equivalencies web page.

Please note: the international admission equivalencies page lists equivalencies based on the minimum 75% overall required for Master’s degrees, rather than the 83% required for the PhD program.

• Transcripts
• Supplementary Information Form
• Resume (a CV is also acceptable)
• 3 references (at least 2 from academic sources), including 1 reference from Master’s supervisor) Note: Academic referees must have directly taught coursework or supervised research 
• English language proficiency (ELP) examination score
  • Determine if you are exempt from submitting an ELP examination score

NOTE: Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores are not an application requirement for our graduate program, but can be submitted as part of your application package.

Begin your application at least two weeks prior to the deadlines below to give your referees enough time to submit references on your behalf, and to ensure you have enough time to upload the documents required.

Application submission is currently open for the following start dates:

Note: Admission decisions are not made on a first-come first-served basis.

PhD applicants must be accepted by a faculty member in order to be recommended for admission. Applicants are not required to have a supervisor at the time of application.

Before submitting your application, review the faculty profiles within your preferred area(s) of specialization to determine which faculty members research interests align with your own, and to familiarize yourself with their work.

When completing your application, please list the faculty you'd like to work with in the "Potential Supervisors" field on the application. Electrical and Computer Engineering does not require you to communicate with a faculty member in order to list them as a potential supervisor.

Once you've submitted your application package, contact potential academic supervisors conducting research in your area(s) of specialization. You are not limited to contacting supervisors listed on your application. It is your responsibility to bring your performance and record to the attention of those faculty members under whom you would like to work.

Please visit our frequently asked questions (FAQ) web page which answers many common questions regarding admission into an Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate program. 

For any questions not answered on the FAQ page, e-mail the admissions coordinator. If you have submitted an application, please remember to include your 8-digit Waterloo ID Number in all correspondence.

Begin your application.