Program Overview

Program Overview

The PhD program in German Studies at the University of Waterloo is designed to prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities both within and outside academe. The program encompasses applied linguistics, literary and media/film studies, and fosters productive independent learning and scholarship.

Research Fields

• Applied Linguistics/Second Language Acquisition
• Literature and Film Studies

Program Details

Department/School

The program is offered by the Department of Germanic & Slavic Studies.

Faculty

The program is part of the Faculty of Arts.

Admit Term(s)

The program accepts students in the Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), and Spring (May - August) terms.

Delivery Mode

The program is delivered on-campus.

Program Type

The program is a doctoral, research-based program.

Length of Program

The program is 48 months in length for full-time students.

Registration Option(s)

Students can register as full-time or part-time.

Study Option(s)

The program offers a thesis-based study option.

Application Deadlines

• 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)

Admission Requirements

• A Master of Arts (MA) degree or its equivalent in German with a 78% overall grade average.
• A study proposal.

Degree Requirements

Students must review the degree requirements on the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that can be anticipated as part of completing the degree.

Application Materials

• Statement of Interest: A statement of maximum 500 words explaining the student's interest in and fit for the program.
• Transcript(s)
• Writing Sample
• References: Three references are required, with at least two being academic.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency: If applicable, students must provide proof of English language proficiency, with minimum scores of TOEFL 90 (writing 25, speaking 25) or IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5).

Tuition and Fees

Students must visit the graduate program tuition page on the Finance website to determine the tuition and incidental fees per term for their program. They should also review living costs and housing, including the PhD housing guarantee program for admitted students.