MA/MSc in Geography in Canada at UVic Canada

Program Overview for MA/MSc in Geography in Canada:

In geography, you can study for a master's degree (MA or MSc) or doctorate that suits your research interests. It will address important issues that affect today's society, such as the protection and impact of climate change on human systems. Your degree will focus on research and will be supplemented by courses. 

Focus your research on the fields of human geography, physical geography, human-environment interaction, or geoinformatics. UVic is located on Vancouver Island, allowing you to easily visit marine and alpine ecosystems, freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, and temperate rainforests for excursions.

The MA and MSc programs are designed to develop your independent research abilities. You’ll focus on a specific area of geography under the supervision of a faculty member. Our research strengths include:

• Coastal systems
• Geomatics
• Human geography
• Physical geography
• Resources management

Your research will culminate in a thesis, which you’ll defend in an oral exam. You’ll have the opportunity to get out into the field, apply to work as a lab instructor, and attend the department’s colloquium presentations and other departmental events.

Areas of focus

• Coastal systems
• Human geography
• Physical geography
• Resource management
• Geographic information sciences

The eligibility for MA/MSc in Geography in Canada for both domestic and international student is:

Admission to the departmental graduate program is normally granted only to students having Honours or Major degrees with first or second class standing in geography (at least a B+ average; 6.00 GPA). Students from the British Isles, for example, are expected to have obtained at least an upper second class Honours degree. A promising student lacking such qualifications may be allowed to make up for this deficiency, being required to register as an unclassified student.

As part of the application requirements for graduate programs in Geography, all applicants must submit a brief letter of intent outlining their study background and areas of research interest.

Inquiries concerning the graduate program should be addressed to the Graduate Studies Adviser, Department of Geography, via email at: gradadvisor@geog.uvic.ca. Further information about the department is available through the department’s website.

Application forms for admission, which include indicating the need for financial assistance, can be obtained directly from the Graduate Admissions and Records website.

Deadlines

There are three possible admission dates to the Geography Graduate program: September, January, and May, but completed applications must arrive three months before the expected entry date for Canadian applications. Because of visa requirements, international students should complete the application process at least six months in advance. If a student is completing an undergraduate program, a letter of degree completion will be required. Applications received thereafter may be considered, providing space is available or will be considered for admission on the following admission date.

If a student has completed a core course or one similar topic as part of an earlier degree requirement, that course must be replaced by another of equal unit value. The choice, of course, must be made in consultation with the supervisory committee. Course replacement is requested via a memo from the Supervisor to the Graduate Adviser stating justification for the request, which the Graduate Adviser must approve.

These are the test eligibilities for the MA/MSc in Geography to qualify.

The international student tuition fees and costs for MA/MSc in Geography in Canada.

All graduate students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:

• You must list a potential supervisor on your application
• This faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission.

To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you've found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.

Contact the graduate secretary at geog2@uvic.ca or 250-721-7350.

Graduate students registered in full-time programs are automatically considered for a fellowship. This is based on a qualifying GPA.

Individual award amounts may vary depending on the program.

UVic Fellowship Awards

• Up to $17,500 per year (masters)
• Up to $20,000 per year (Ph.D.)

UVic Graduate Awards

• Up to $10,000 per year (masters and PhD)

Eligibility

• The minimum requirement for funding consideration is an A- average on the last two years of coursework
• Domestic and international students are considered equally for funding
• Full-time registration (3.0 units) for UVic Fellowship holders and at least part-time registration (1.5 units) for UVic Graduate Award holders
• Full-time registration for students registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) is 1.5 units

Every year we employ many graduate students to assist with teaching, research, and lab instruction.

• Their academic units hire teaching assistants (TAs) to assist with teaching and grading courses. These are unionized, hourly positions.
• Faculty members hire research assistants (RAs) to help with their research. These roles are sometimes called scientific assistants or laboratory instructors. RA salaries come from faculty members’ research grants. Because of this, RA hours, salary, and other details are worked out between you and the faculty member.

Work-study

The work-study program offers part-time jobs on campus that fit your course schedule.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a full-time student
• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Co-operative Education Program (co-op)

UVic is home to the largest graduate co-op program in Canada. You can add a co-op to your master’s or doctoral studies for work experience in your field of study.

Bursaries

We offer non-repayable bursaries based on financial needs.

To be eligible for a bursary, you must be:

• Already receiving the maximum government student loans available to you
• In full-time status as determined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
• In good academic standing