The application deadline for Canadian citizens and Permanent residents is February 1st and December 1st for International candidates.
We only accept new applicants for the fall semester (September). There are no admissions in the winter (January) or in the spring/summer (May) semesters.
To be considered for admission, applicants must hold an honour’s bachelor’s degree in international development and globalization or a related field or an undergraduate law degree (LLB/LLL or equivalent) with a minimum average of 75% (B+) calculated in accordance with uOttawa Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies guidelines.
Candidates can find an Admission equivalencies tool on the uOttawa Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website which may help determine whether your degree could be a valid basis for admission. If you feel that you have the appropriate background to be accepted, we encourage you to submit an official application (and all supporting documents) by the given deadline.
An honours bachelor’s degree indicates the need for a 4 years bachelor’s degree, it is not necessary to have a thesis completed for admission to the program
The admissions committee evaluates the overall file of applicants. Students having completed an honours bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) in another discipline but who have a strong academic background, experience in the field of globalization and/or international development and compatibility with the program's focus will also be considered, on a case-by-case basis.
Candidates are evaluated on their application as a whole. Prior work experience is not an admissions requirement. If you have relevant work/volunteer experience you can outline that in your letter of intent or resume.
All that is required by the application deadline is the online portion of the application. Supporting documents (such as transcripts) can arrive later. Please note that your file will not be evaluated for admission until all documents have been received by the Graduate Studies Office at the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Our program has limited enrolment and admission is granted on a competitive basis. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
We do ask that candidates choose an option at the time of their application. This option may, however, be modified during the course of their program. The following table highlights the differences between the Major Research Paper and Thesis Options:
Thesis
Major Research Paper
Course Work
4 mandatory courses
2 electives
Thesis
4 mandatory courses
4 electives
MRP
Supervision
1 supervisor, 2 readers
(all must be Professors with supervisory rights)
1 supervisor, 1 reader
(do not have to be Professors with supervisory rights)
Final Product
Longer paper
100 pages = 25,000 to 30,000 words
Shorter more focused paper
50 pages = 12,500 to 15,000 words
Defence
Oral defence after submission
No oral defence
No, the MA program does not require students to have an active knowledge of their second language (either English or French). You have the opportunity to complete the program in the language of your choice.
Students whose first language is neither English nor French are exempt from the language proficiency requirement if they have attended an academic institution in either English or French.
No tests are required.
You can find more information regarding fees for graduate studies on the University fees website.
At least one letter should come from a professor. The second letter may be a professional recommendation.
Your statement of interest should be no more than a page or two and should include the following information:
Your expectations of our program in relation to your own goals;
Your chosen field of interest and research, if known;
Any relevant academic and/or practical experience that would not be mentioned on your résumé;
An explanation of lower grades in any given semester and/or academic year.
Proficiency in other languages, if not mentioned on your résumé;
Admissions documents can be sent to the following address:
Graduate Studies Office
Faculty of Social Sciences
120 University, Room 3021
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1N 6N5
Applicants can upload their supporting documents directly in uoDoc which is found in uoZone. When you login to uoZone you will see a list of grey tabs at the top of the page, you will select the "Applications" tab and then "uoDoc". Once in uoDoc you will be able to upload your supporting documents.
Please consult the University of Ottawa’s website on financial assistance for both Canadian and International students.
You can contact the secretariat of the School of International Development and Global Studies at sidgs@uOttawa.ca or 613-562-5680.
