PhD in Chemistry In Canada: Best Doctorate Degrees & Top Universities

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Pursuing a PhD in Chemistry in Canada will give you the edge you need to stand out. Canada boasts of advanced facilities, resources and a strong research and development infrastructure will add value to your career.

There are many top universities in Canada that have bagged top ranks in the QS World Ranking for Chemistry for the year 2022.

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List of Universities for PhD in Chemistry in Canada

Below is a list of all universities that should be on your list while exploring Canada as an option for a PhD in Chemistry:

University of Toronto

The Chemistry department at the University of Toronto offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry. The university enjoys a rank of 19 globally for showcasing excellence in Chemistry. The state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories are well constructed for all researchers to carry out cutting-edge research in the field.

Popular categories: Specialisations under the program include topics like Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Organic and Biological Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymers, etc.

Eligibility criteria: It include a minimum of A-minus in master’s degree or bachelor’s degree for all specialisations, along with some specific coursework requirements for each specialisation. Submitting a thesis at the end of the program is a minimum requirement for all fields.

The University of Toronto offers a plethora of job opportunities to its domestic and international students by forming tie-ups with several industries, government laboratories, hospitals, and other universities. Additionally, students also receive complete and competitive funding through various scholarships, fellowships, and teaching assistant jobs.

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University of British Columbia

The Doctor of Philosophy taught at the University of British Columbia is one of the best universities for Chemistry. The university has obtained a world ranking of 38 for offering its students great facilities and resources to grow professionally.

Popular categories: The main subject areas in the PhD in Chemistry are Chemical Synthesis, Applied Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, and Chemical Physics.

Eligibility criteria: To be eligible for the program, students must have maintained an average of B+ grade in their previous academic degree. The students should also have a minimum overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS with no band less than 6.0.

After successfully completing the PhD in a particular field of study in Chemistry, students in the department of Chemistry go on to work in the roles of principal scientist, research scientist, investigator, senior chemist, professors, etc. Renowned employers of the university’s graduates include Harvard University, Sciex, and Gilead Sciences. 

The University of British Columbia provides admitted PhD students with a handsome stipend along with opportunities to work in positions of Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA).

McGill University

McGill University offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry and holds the 60th rank globally in Chemistry. The university has an academically enriching environment that pushes its students to excel in their specialisations. The faculty members are extremely dedicated and help students produce outstanding original research in the discipline.

Eligibility criteria: As a part of the program requirements, students must present a thesis that adds to their knowledge of the subject. An oral defence exam is also conducted with a panel of experts. There are also many comprehensive examinations conducted by the faculty of science in which the students should score well.

After the program, students end up working in various roles across the private, academic, government and industrial sectors. The university has a graduate funding unit for graduate and postdoctoral students that help them gain various scholarships and fellowships to sail through their years of research.

University of Alberta

University of Alberta’s PhD program in Chemistry is an intensive course that shapes students into fine researchers over the duration of the program. The intensive teaching techniques coupled with the best resources have contributed to the university getting the 81st rank globally in the list of top universities for Chemistry.

Popular categories: Various specialisations and research interests of the faculty include Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry.

Eligibility criteria: The program requirements include a number of graduate seminars and PhD seminars that all students must attend to enhance their subject knowledge. In addition to writing and defending their thesis by the end of the PhD, students must also complete four one-term graduate programs.

The pass-outs of this PhD program take up positions as accomplished scientists and academicians ahead of their counterparts in their specialisation.

University of Ottawa

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Chemistry is jointly offered by the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. This program is globally acknowledged for the leading-edge research conducted by its faculty members and PhD students. The QS World Ranking for this university is 126.

Popular categories: Various specialisations and major research areas encompass Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Biological Chemistry.

Eligibility criteria: Applicants must have a master’s degree in Chemistry or an equivalent with a minimum average grade of B+. The applicant must also be able to identify one supervisor willing to supervise their research and thesis. In addition to these requirements, students should showcase proficiency in the English and/or French language (depending on their choice of supervisor and their medium of instruction).

There are many funding opportunities available at the university that will help postdoctoral and graduate students focus on their higher studies without worrying about finances.

University of Montreal

With a world ranking of 142 for Chemistry, the University of Montreal is a preferred study abroad destination for many PhD in Chemistry in Canada candidates. The program positions its students well to enter the job market as competitive and knowledgeable experts in Chemistry.

Eligibility criteria: Although the university is primarily a French-language institution, many courses like the PhD in Chemistry have the option of a bilingual medium of instruction to help international students and domestic students from outside the region. Eligibility requirements require that the students have an MSc or equivalent degree with an average of 3.3 out of 4.3 or an equivalent score.

Doors to many opportunities open up after doing the PhD in Chemistry from the university. These include jobs in nanoscience, biotechnology, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, etc. The university offers its international applicants a host of funding opportunities (scholarships, jobs, fellowships, etc.) that help ease the financial strain during the long course of the program.

University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is well reputed for encouraging its students to take up original research in many unexplored fields of science. This clearly shows in the extended support that the expert faculty members offer their students.

Popular categories: Some interesting fields of study include clean energy, health science, the chemistry of the quantum-nano world, organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, etc.

Eligibility criteria: To be eligible for the program, students must have a four-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.70 GPA or a master’s degree with a minimum 3.3 GPA out of 4.0 (or equivalent). An IELTS score of 7.0 is also required to display English language proficiency.

As a part of the career outcomes, alumni of the program end up working as a director of research, industrial process chemist, scientific advocate, project leader, research scientist, etc. The university also provides its students with scholarships and other forms of financial support to help bridge the gap between tuition costs and take up higher studies.

Conclusion

A PhD in Chemistry in Canada is often considered the final degree of the Chemistry discipline. By conducting original research, students become experts in their specialisation, which helps them secure satisfying and lucrative jobs.

So, if you are a prospective PhD student in the Chemistry field, do explore these top universities and begin your study abroad journey by consulting LeapScholar early on!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the average salary of someone with a PhD degree in Chemistry (in Canada)?

The average salary after completing a PhD in Chemistry in Canada is difficult to calculate because of the diverse roles available. However, on average, a chemist would make around CAD 59,000 to CAD 78,000 annually.

How much does it cost to go through school and get a PhD degree in Chemistry?

The cost of getting a PhD in Chemistry in Canada is around CAD 8,000 to CAD 20,000 annually, depending on the course and university of choice.

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Kanika Singh

Kanika took a detour from academics for the corporate world. Now she works as a senior editor specialising in content creation, marketing, and strategy.

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