How to apply

Applications

Before completing an application, you are strongly advised to establish contact with potential supervisors. It is a good strategy to identify whether the potential supervisors with whom you wish to undertake research have available positions and can fund your studies.

You will need to indicate an area of specialization in the application and indicate potential supervisors. 

In order to apply, please see the online application procedures. Please review the application requirements for the Masters program or Doctoral program. 

Vision Science is a competitive program. Having the minimum requirements will not guarantee acceptance. Before an offer of admission can be made, there must be a faculty member willing to act as supervisor and fund your studies. All completed applications are circulated to faculty members to find a supervisor conducting research in the area an applicant has indicated interest. Faculty members will consider an applicant's academic background, experience, interests and research potential when making an admission decision.

Incomplete applications will cause delays; please ensure you follow online application procedures carefully and include all required documents.

Application deadlines

Application forms and supporting documents are due by the deadlines outlined in the table below.

Students who meet these deadlines will be eligible for consideration for any major awards and scholarships (OGS, Tri-Agency Scholarships and internal UW awards) to which they have applied.

Starting semester Application deadline**
Fall (Sept - Dec) February 1st
Winter (Jan – Apr) June 1st 
Spring (May - Aug) October 1st 

** For Domestic students (Canadians and Permanent Residents) applications will be considered after these deadlines, although this may impact your eligibility for major awards and scholarships in your first year.

Check the Graduate Office's Academic Term Deadlines for additional important dates.

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

Learn more about the current ELP requirements.

Test scores are valid for two years from the test date. Applicants should upload a copy of the test score in the application and make arrangements for an original report to be sent directly from the testing agency to:

Graduate Studies & Post Doctoral Affairs
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave. W.
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
N2L 3G1

Still have questions?

Contact our graduate & research coordinator via email at: graduatestudies.optometry@uwaterloo.ca