Philosophy - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PAS Building

Psychology, Anthropology and Sociology (PAS) Building on Waterloo's South Campus, across from Laurel Creek.

The PhD in Philosophy will prepare you to conduct rigorous independent research and explain complex ideas to a variety of audiences. 

As a PhD student in Philosophy, you will take a seminar course in your first year. In your second year, you take two specialized research area courses, defend a dissertation proposal, and then write the dissertation.  

Program highlights 

  • Seminar offerings tend to include a high proportion of topics with interdisciplinary and/or practical-oriented content 

  • Professionalism seminar with a focus on philosophy 

  • Research area courses to deepen your areas of specialization and competence 

  • Dissertation can be a traditional monograph or a “integrated thesis” whose chapters are in the style of journal articles. 

Guaranteed funding 

All PhD students in the Department of Philosophy receive a standard annual funding package.

Research areas and degree options

  • Ethics and Political Philosophy
  • Language, Logic and Metaphysics
  • Mind and Cognitive Science
  • Philosophy of Science and Mathematics

Program Overview

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

Application Deadlines

  •  February 1st, 2024 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Ashley Price
adprice@uwaterloo.ca

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

Review the finding a supervisor resources

Admission requirements

  • The average required for admission to the PhD in Philosophy program is 80%.
  • The typical background for PhD students is a Master of Arts (MA) in Philosophy.
  • Applicants with a Master’s in a related discipline are encouraged to apply. Depending on the amount of philosophy background, these applicants may be admitted to the PhD in Philosophy program or may be admitted to the MA in Philosophy program. (A separate application to the MA program is not required.)

Application materials

  • Resume
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • Statements answering the questions below (at most 300 words for each answer):
      • Question 1: Please provide a brief statement of interest that outlines the areas of philosophy you hope to pursue in the program
      • Question 2: Please explain why the University of Waterloo's Department of Philosophy is a good place to pursue such a project, and why your background makes you well suited to pursue it successfully.
    • Review the writing your personal statement resources  for helpful tips and tricks on completing this form
  • Transcript(s)
    • From previous institutions.
    • At the time of applying, an unofficial transcript is fine; if and when a student is enrolled they will be asked to submit official copies.
  • Writing sample
    • A philosophy paper of around 2500 words is desirable; longer and shorter papers are acceptable too, but please don't send anything longer than 5,000 words.
  • References
    • Three academic references are required
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tution and fees