Program Overview

Program Overview

The Civil Engineering (Water) - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is offered by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo. This program is designed for individuals driven by curiosity and a desire to solve challenging, complex problems in the field of water research.

Program Description

The PhD in Civil Engineering Collaborative Water program allows students to undertake independent and unique research, generating knowledge and finding real-world ways to apply it in their field. The program provides access to more than 140 faculty members involved in water research across Waterloo's campus, encouraging students to push the boundaries of their research.

Research Areas

The program focuses on various research areas, including:

• Environmental & water resources engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Structures
• Mechanics & construction engineering
• Transportation engineering

Program Structure

The program includes:

• In-class lectures
• Fieldwork
• Interdisciplinary group work
• Individual research seminars
• Two interdisciplinary courses that capture both theoretical and practical components

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements for the PhD in Civil Engineering Collaborative Water program include:

• A master's degree
• An 80% average in coursework
• Evidence of ability to pursue independent research
• Completion of the courses outlined in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar
• Review of recent submissions from the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate students in UWspace

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the program are:

• A master's degree
• An 80% average in coursework
• Evidence of ability to pursue independent research

Application Materials

The application materials required for the program include:

• Resume
• Program-specific questions (PSQ)
• Transcript(s)
• References (three references, at least two from academic sources)
• Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable (TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5)

Tuition and Fees

The tuition and fees for the program can be found on the graduate program tuition page on the Finance website. The program also offers a PhD housing guarantee for admitted students in fall 2026 and winter 2027.

Program Details

• Department/School: Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Faculty: Faculty of Engineering
• Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August)
• Delivery mode: On-campus
• Program type: Doctoral, Research
• Length of program: 48 months (full-time)
• Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
• Study option(s): Thesis

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for the program are:

• February 1 (for admission in September)
• June 1 (for admission in January of the following year)
• October 1 (for admission in May of the following year)