Our faculty has myriad backgrounds and interests – part of learning to be a successful scholar is figuring out what kind of research sustains and excites you, and who among our faculty would like to work with you as a result. If you have a detailed idea of what we do and an emerging idea about what kinds of research questions you are passionate about, you are well on your way to determining if Ivey is a good fit for you.
The program is small and emphasizes collaboration between the faculty and students. We are looking for applicants with superior credentials who demonstrate a track record of excellence.
Sometimes people thinking about doing a PhD are surprised to learn what earning the degree actually involves. Before you spend a lot of time and money applying, find out about the degree and if it’s right for you.
Some great information on PhD programs can be found here:
- What is a PhD? by Marian Petre & Gordon Rugg (findaphd.com)
- Notes on the PhD Degree by Doug Comer (Purdue University)
- 9 Things You Should Consider Before Embarking on a PhD by Andy Greenspon (elsevier.com)
- 5 Questions to Answer Before Deciding to Study a PhD in 2021 by Julio Peironcely (nextscientist.com)
- Former Ivey professor Neil Bendle shares his thoughts on doing a PhD in Marketing
- PhD Admissions Guide by Scott Cowley (scottcowley.com)
- The illustrated guide to a Ph.D. (http://matt.might.net)
- Understanding who you might want as a supervisor (timeshighereducation.com)
The application portal for the August 2025 intake will be open October 15, 2024-January 5, 2025
Main Requirements
(Download an admissions timeline to help you plan the application process)
We favour applicants who can clearly articulate their scholarly goals and demonstrate a clear fit between their research interests and those of the faculty in their intended area of specialization. To be considered for admission to our program, applicants must submit the following documentation in their online application:
A Master’s degree from an accredited university or college is required. The applicant must have at least a B+ average (or equivalent). In exceptional cases, we will consider applicants who only have an undergraduate degree, but solely if their grades are truly outstanding.
Please upload a copy of each official transcript to the online application in the language of the issuing university. If you are admitted to our program, each University will need to provide us with official hard copies of all transcripts.
- Grading schemes: Most universities include a grading scheme on the transcript or as a separate attachment. We need this information to assess your eligibility for admission and funding. Be sure the transcripts you provide include a grading scheme.
- Transcripts not in English: Please upload a certified translated copy
- Enrolled in another program at the time of application: Please upload an official interim transcript with your application. If you are offered admission to Western, the offer will be conditional upon completing that degree. You will have to provide confirmation of completing the degree (and official final transcripts) before you may enroll at Ivey.
- If the transcript does not show the degree has been earned: Please upload an official copy of the certificate of completion and/or diploma in the language of the issuing university.
- If the university does not issue transcripts: Please provide an official letter from that university confirming the policy. In such instances, please also provide a list of courses you have completed and, where possible, course outlines for each.
We strongly prefer GRE, GMAT or GMAT Focus Edition scores with both verbal and quantitative components ranking at least in the 75th percentile. If applying for admission to a math-intensive program (e.g. Management Science), the quantitative component should be much higher (90th percentile +).
- Please upload a copy of your GRE, GMAT or GMAT Focus Edition report to the online application, and
- Arrange to have official results sent directly to us by the issuing authority:
- Tests may be taken online or at a testing centre.
- This requirement may not be waived or substituted.
- Test scores older than five years are not accepted.
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency through an English language test. All of our recently admitted students who took an English language test scored significantly better than the minimum requirement.
- Please upload a copy of your official test report to the online application, and
- Arrange to have official results sent directly to our office by the issuing authority.
- Test scores older than two years are not accepted.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
TOEFL Internet-based (iBT) score requirements:
- A minimum overall score of 100
- A minimum of 25 in each section
- Western's Institution Code for TOEFL is 0984; choose “Graduate Studies” or, if applicable, department code 99.
International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) Academic
Score requirements (academic NOT general):
- A minimum overall score of 7.5
- A minimum of 7 in each section
- IELTS Results Service Account name: Western University
Duolingo English Test
Score requirements:
- A minimum overall score of 125
- A minimum of 100 for each subscore
- After writing the test, send the score to us through your Duolingo account.
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
Score requirements:
- A minimum overall score of 70
- A minimum of 70 in each section
- Request that your CAEL score be sent to us when booking the test.
Request to Waive the English Language Test
If, during the previous two consecutive years, the applicant has studied and/or worked in a country where English is the primary language used*, they may submit a written letter within the online application requesting the English language proficiency test requirement be waived.
The request must be written by the applicant and include evidence of proficiency (e.g., photocopy of a previous English language test score, comments in appraisals concerning proficiency, number of years working/studying in an anglophone country, etc.). Requests are considered only if the applicant has been recommended for admission, thus it is important that the applicant makes a strong case. If the applicant is unable to demonstrate a proficiency in English to our satisfaction, admission will be denied. The program reserves the right to require remedial training for any student who shows an inadequate command of English after starting the PhD program.
*The list of eligible countries/regions is as follows: Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Ghana, Guyana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
As part of the application process, we ask candidates to provide a Statement of Research and Professional Interests. This statement is an important part of how we assess your application. It allows us to gauge your preparation, fit and so on.
Please upload your Statement of Research and Professional Interests to the online application. Your statement should address each of the topics below:
1. Why do you want to do a PhD at Ivey?
2. What is your current understanding of the discipline to which you are applying?
3. What are your research interests?
4. Which Ivey faculty members do you think would be interested in working with you and why?
5. Who, if anyone, at Ivey have you talked to about doing a PhD here?
6. If you were to graduate from our PhD program, what would be your career plans?
Statement must be written in three pages or less.
Please list three referees in the online application form, once this is done, an email is automatically generated advising both the applicant and referees of the submission. The referee will be provided with a link to the online appraisal form. If desired, they will also be able to upload and submit a written reference letters as a PDF file.
At least two of the three references should be from professors who know you well enough to evaluate your capacity to conduct independent scholarly work.
All three recommendations must be submitted on, or before, the application deadline.
Please upload your curriculum vitae to the online application.
Include your education, work experience, research and publications, awards/distinctions, and any other information you feel would support your application. On the first page, please include your full name, mailing address, email address, and phone number.
Other Documentation
Please upload a photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card, or a photocopy of your Record of Landing, to the online application.
Please select "Study Permit" in the online application for the status in Canada
If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you will need a study permit and/or a temporary resident visa to study in Canada. This process takes at least six months. Keep in mind that the PhD program begins in August, that means that if you receive an offer of admission from Ivey, you should familiarise yourself with the application process for this permit or visa as soon as possible. We encourage you to visit Western's International Student Services and Citizenship and Immigration Canada websites for further information. To give you an idea of how long applications for study permits at different visa offices have taken in the past, please visit processing times.
If accepted to our PhD program you must present your original valid Citizenship and Immigration Canada Study Permit to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies prior to the official start date of the term in which you begin your graduate degree.