The program information below is valid for the winter 2024 term (January 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024).

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

Graduate research fields

  • Ethics and Political Philosophy
  • Language, Logic and Metaphysics
  • Mind and Cognitive Science
  • Philosophy of Science and Mathematics
  • Admit term(s) 
    • Fall
  • Delivery mode 
    • On-campus
  • Program type 
    • Master's
    • Research
  • Registration option(s) 
    • Full-time
    • Part-time
  • Study option(s) 
  • Minimum requirements 
    • The average required for admission to the Master of Arts (MA) in Philosophy program is 78%.

    • The typical background for MA students is a four-year Honours Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

    • Applicants with a three-year general BA in Philosophy may also apply and may be accepted as “qualifying” students who will take a qualifying program that normally includes a minimum of eight specified undergraduate courses over a minimum of two terms. Completion of a qualifying program does not automatically entitle students to proceed towards the MA. Students who wish to enter the MA program after completing a qualifying program must apply again in the normal way.

    • Applicants with a 4-year Honours Bachelor’s in another field who have a philosophy minor or significant philosophy background are encouraged to apply. Applicants should keep in mind that reference letters from philosophy professors are strongly preferred. Depending on the amount of philosophy background, these applicants may be admitted either as regular students or as “transitional” students. A transitional student will normally be required to complete selected graduate or undergraduate courses, to be specified in writing at the time the student is recommended for admission, in addition to the usual requirements of the MA program. A transitional student is admitted directly into the MA program and is eligible for funding.

    • Applicants with a 4-year Honours Bachelor’s in another field who have only some philosophy background may also apply and may be accepted as “qualifying” students who will take a qualifying program that normally includes a minimum of eight specified undergraduate courses over a minimum of two terms. Completion of a qualifying program does not automatically entitle students to proceed towards the MA. Students who wish to enter the MA program after completing a qualifying program must apply again in the normal way.

  • Application materials 
    • Supplementary information form
      • Statements answering the questions below (at most 250 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.
    • 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 
    • Number of references:  3
    • Type of references: 

      academic

  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)