PhD Programs

Minimum admission requirements:

  • Normally a Master's degree in Physics, with at least a 75% standing.

  • Students with an undergraduate degree in Physics may apply for admission directly to the PhD program. Successful applicants will have an outstanding academic record, breadth of knowledge in physics, and strong letters of recommendation.

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Physics subject test scores for all students who have completed their post-secondary education outside of Canada.

    • Due to COVID-19, the Physics subject GRE test requirement is optional for admission. You may choose to include the results of GRE tests if you have taken them, but the tests are not required for admission.

  • Three academic references

  • Proof of English language proficiency, if schooling outside of Canada and not in an English-speaking country. TOEFL 90 (writing 25 speaking 25), IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5)

PhD Physics

In the PhD Physics program students work closely with a graduate supervisor (determined prior to admission) to perform original research  in an area of physics, culminating in a PhD thesis. Research areas include:

Program requirements: Minimum of two courses (six courses if entering directly from a Bachelor's degree); research thesis; academic integrity module; comprehensive exam. For more information on program requirements, including, courses, visit the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Funding to cover the cost of tuition and assist with living expenses is provided for students admitted to this graduate program (typically $21,000 or more per year after fees and tuition). Funding is provided for 12 terms.

PhD Physics (Nanotechnology Specialization)

The Nanotechnology specialization is a collaborative program offered through six member departments in Science and Engineering, and the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology. Students take a diverse array of graduate courses in nanotechnology, in addition to core physics courses. 

Students work closely with a graduate supervisor (determined prior to admission) to produce original research in an area of Nanotechnology, such as Bionanotechnology, Soft Matter physics or Quantum Materials, culminating in a PhD thesis.

Program requirements: Minimum of two courses (six courses if entering directly from a Bachelor's degree); research thesis; academic module; comprehensive exam; nanotechnology seminar. For more information on program requirements, including, courses, visit the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar

Funding to cover the cost of tuition and assist with living expenses is provided for students admitted to this graduate program (typically $21,000 or more per year after fees and tuition). Funding is provided for 12 terms.

PhD Physics (Quantum Information Specialization)

The Quantum Information specialization is a collaborative graduate program offered through six member departments in Science and Engineering, and the Institute for Quantum Computing. Students enrolled in this program take core and specialized graduate courses in Quantum Information.

Students work closely with a graduate supervisor (determined prior to admission) to perform original research in an area of Quantum Information, culminating in a PhD thesis based on original research.

Program requirements: Minimum of two courses (six courses if entering directly from a Bachelor's degree); research thesis; academic module; comprehensive exam; Quantum Information seminars . For more information on program requirements, including, courses, visit the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar

Funding to cover the cost of tuition and assist with living expenses is provided for students admitted to this graduate program (typically $21,000 or more per year after fees and tuition). Funding is provided for 12 terms.

Accelerated Doctoral Program in Physics

The Accelerated Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) allows students registered full-time in a Master of Science (MSc) Physics program to transfer directly into the PhD program without completing the MSc degree (note that this option is applicable to all three of the Physics PhD programs).

The student must show the potential for independent research necessary to complete a PhD. The student's supervisor and advisory committee members must support the request and the criteria will be used to assess that potential for the accelerated PhD are:

  • A preliminary research proposal that is appropriate for the PhD and is acceptable to the committee and the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies
  • Completion of at least two graduate level courses and a grade of at least 80% in each (Courses and milestones taken during the MSc will be transferred to the PhD program, however, the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) will need to be completed again)

An MSc student can request the acceleration up to three full-time terms after initial registration. A request to accelerate can only be made once. See "Transferring from MSc to PhD" for more details.

Funding to cover the cost of tuition and assist with living expenses is provided for students admitted to this graduate program (typically $21,000 or more per year after fees and tuition). Funding is provided for 15 terms from the start of the MSc program.