Planning - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Environment 3

Environment 3 (EV3) Building located on Waterloo's Campus, across from Laurel Creek.

Advance and create new knowledge in the field of planning and work towards a career in academia or the policy world with the PhD in Planning program.

You’ll gain a practice-oriented and conceptually rigorous education that offers unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth.  

Through your research, explore some of the most pressing societal issues such as affordable housing, climate change, environmental conservation and policy, active transportation, urban economies, participatory planning processes, and equity and inclusion, among many other subjects.

While much of the research in the School of Planning is multidisciplinary, professors' research activities generally fall into two major theme areas; the physical/natural environment and the human and built environment. Funding packages are available for incoming planning graduate students who meet certain levels of academic merit and apply by the application deadline. Graduates from this program have gone on to work in a variety of positions in academic, government and private industry.

Research fields

  • Human and Built Environment

  • Physical/Natural Environment

Program overview

Department/School: School of Planning
Faculty: Faculty of Environment
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

  • January 15 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Tracey Beirness
env-plan@uwaterloo.ca

Alexander Petric

When my wife and I explored buying a home in the Region, even by pooling our resources with some of our friends, we could not find anything that would suit our needs.

Alexander Petric, School of Planning

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • A master's degree with excellent standing (minimum 80%) from a recognized university. Evidence of ability to pursue independent research is essential.

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Resume
  • 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
    • At least one substantial example of work completed during the last two years of academic study. Students with professional experience may submit a professional report of which they were sole or senior author.
  • References
    • Three references are required, at least two academic.
  • 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