How to Apply: International Graduate Applicants

The first big step of the application process is finding the perfect program for you!

Once you’ve found a program you’re interested in, check the Admission Requirements section on the Program Details page to make sure you’re eligible to apply and will meet all of the program prerequisites.

In addition to your program prerequisites, you must also make sure you meet the country-specific admission requirements, faculty course requirements, and the language requirements for your program.

Some thesis-stream Graduate programs require you to find a supervisor as part of the application process. If your program requires you to have a supervisor, review the Faculty Members section on your chosen program’s page to find a list of Faculty members that are assigned for supervision in your program.

When contacting a supervisor, make an effort to understand their research and current projects. Being professional and well-informed will increase your chances of securing a supervisor. Some things to consider when contacting a supervisor:

• What research are they working on?
• Do you have mutual colleagues?
• Have you published papers in their field?
• Are you fluent in a language the supervisor speaks?
• Is your email concise and professional?

Questions about securing a supervisor? Contact the Program Coordinator listed on the Program Details page. 

Once you’ve decided on one or more programs, you can apply for them online through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC). Just create an OUAC account and complete the Graduate Application.

An applicant can apply to a maximum of two graduate programs. To be considered for additional programs, contact admissions@laurentian.ca once you have submitted your application.

Deadlines

The application deadlines depend on when you plan to begin your studies. Below are the general deadlines to submit your completed application:

• September intake - June 15
• January intake - October 15
• May intake -  February 15 (where applicable)

Important Note: Some programs have their own program-specific deadlines and don’t follow the deadlines listed above. View the full list of program-specific graduate application deadlines.

You did it! You’ve applied to Laurentian! Within a few days of completing your application, you will receive an email from the Office of Admissions with your Laurentian student number and a link to the myLaurentian Portal, where you’ll manage your application.

If you’re new to Laurentian, you will need to create a student account. If you’re a returning student, you will be able to access your existing account.

Log in to the portal, and in the Documents folder, review your acknowledgement letter. The letter provides further instructions on completing your application.

Continue to check the portal regularly to:

• Submit all required supporting documents on your Applicant Checklist
• Send out the reference forms to your referees
• View new messages and documents sent by us
• Track the progress of your application

Note: Each graduate program has its own unique list of required documents. It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit the documents by the published deadline.

Didn’t receive an email? Check your spam folder or send us an email at info@laurentian.ca.

Take advantage of the several graduate scholarships and bursaries that Laurentian has to offer. Not only do our scholarships provide financial support, they also recognize your hard work and exceptional academic achievements.

Work as a teaching assistant while you complete your thesis-based graduate program. If you’re a full-time Masters and PhD graduate student with an average of 75% or above, you could be eligible for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship position in your field of study during the fall and winter terms.

Note: Students in essay or course-based graduate programs are not eligible for the Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

Thinking about living on-campus during your studies? Life in residence offers many advantages: a welcoming environment where you’ll meet students with shared interests, as well as close proximity to classes, health and fitness facilities, study spaces, and a multiplicity of resources.

Once your application is reviewed, a decision letter will be posted in the myLaurentian Portal in the Documents folder, which will tell you whether you received an offer of admission. Read the offer carefully, as you might receive a conditional offer and be required to submit documents before registering for courses.

To accept your offer, log into the portal and follow the instructions to accept your offer.

To reserve your place in your chosen program and receive your Letter of Acceptance (LOA), submit the tuition deposit as outlined in your Offer of Admission. Read the tuition deposit policy.

A study permit is an immigration document that gives you status and permits you to live and study in Canada. You must have a study permit if your program or course of study takes more than 6 months to complete.

Note: You must have a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the university to apply for a study permit. The LOA will be published once you have confirmed your acceptance and paid your tuition deposit.

If you received a conditional offer, read your offer letter carefully and be sure to meet all of the conditions and submit all necessary documents by the deadlines indicated on page two, or your offer will be rescinded.

Some of the documents you may be required to submit include:

• Official transcripts
• World Education Services (WES) course-by-course evaluation
• Language proficiency test scores

For more information about admission conditions and to learn how to submit documents, see the Types of Offers and Meeting Your Offer Conditions page.

Once you’ve accepted your offer and have submitted your required documents, you can begin your journey to Canada and to Laurentian University.

To ensure a smooth transition, follow the steps on the Newly Admitted International Students page. It covers everything you need to know, from applying for a study permit to attending orientation.