History - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Hagey Hall expansion building

Hagey Hall Hub located on Waterloo's main campus

Deepen your knowledge of history, conduct original research and enhance your understanding of yourself and the world around you with the PhD in History program.

The program is part of the Tri-University History Program, which combines the collective strengths of the University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Waterloo.  

With a distinguished faculty, world-class resources, and an unrivalled collaborative environment, the Tri-University PhD program offers an unparalleled interdisciplinary experience. You’ll experience the best of both an intimate departmental environment and the resources of one of Canada’s largest history graduate programs.  

In your first year, you’ll engage in three field seminars that will prepare you for teaching and research in your chosen field and provide the foundation for your major field exam. By dedicating the first year to the completion of your field seminars, you can devote the majority of your degree to research, teaching, and writing.

You’ll connect with distinguished scholars, engage in cutting-edge research projects, and cultivate a network that will advance your career potential.

Research areas and degree options

  • Canadian History
  • Cold War Era History
  • Early Modern European History
  • Indigenous History
  • Medieval History
  • Modern European History
  • Race, Imperialism and Slavery
  • Scottish History
  • War and Society
  • World History

Program overview

Department/School: History
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Doctoral, Joint, Research
Length of program: 48 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis

Application deadlines

  • February 1 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Robyn Wilkinson
robyn.wilkinson@uwaterloo.ca
519-888-4567, ext. 43328

Admission limitations

Due to funding restrictions, the Faculty of Arts is currently limiting the number of international students we can admit. Please contact the department's Associate Chair, Graduate Studies prior to applying to discuss your interest in this program.

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • Students will be admitted only after they have obtained a Master of Arts (MA) degree in which they have received at least an 83% standing. Only students who are graduates of accredited Universities and Colleges are eligible for admission. Since not all applicants can be admitted, close attention is paid to samples of applicants' written work, to applicants' transcripts and past record as a whole, and to their statement of research interests. Applications are considered by the Coordinating Committee of the Tri-University Graduate Program.
  • Students will not be accepted into the program without the agreement of the Coordinating Committee, the local Graduate Committee and the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the university at which they must register. No student will be assigned to a doctoral supervisor without approval from the supervisor.
  • Statement of the applicant's research interests.

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement
    • If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion
  • Transcript(s)
  • Writing sample (Sample of the student's scholarly writing)
  • References
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable

    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tuition and fees