The PhD Track Program is intended for exceptional undergraduate students with demonstrated research potential. Students interested in the PhD track should identify one or more faculty members as potential research supervisors as part of their application.
How to Apply
Apply to our MSc Program. When you apply, indicate your interest by responding to the question: Would you like the option to be fast tracked into the PhD program? You must also select one or more supervisor(s) from the list of supervisors.
Key Program Benefits
- Apply directly from a BSc program with the expectation of transferring to the PhD after one year (subject to satisfying program requirements)
- Competitive funding package
- One-on-one mentorship by world-leading faculty members
- Interact with amazing fellow graduate students
- Supportive environment: graduate student parental leave, collegial department, universal health care system
- Modern facilities, right in the center of a vibrant campus in a cosmopolitan city
Program Summary
Roughly, PhD Track students complete 1 year in the MSc program (PhD Track Year 0), take the Research Proficiency Exam (RPE), and then transition into Year 1 of the PhD program (Year 2 of enrolment in the Department). The RPE takes the place of the PhD Qualifying Exam, so by the time you begin your second year at UBC, you have already qualified. Given the higher expectations of PhD work, students in the PhD track must maintain an average of 85 or higher in their Year 0 courses.
Research Proficiency Exam
The RPE is similar to the dissertation proposal, but with expectations commensurate with its earlier stage, and with some emphasis on the content of Year 0 coursework. During Year 0 Term 1, you and your supervisor form a supervisory committee of 3 faculty. In Term 2, you begin work to formulate an RPE project. This project is completed by the end of the summer of Year 0, culminating in a written report and a defence. Students who pass the exam transition to the PhD program. In the case of a failure, the student remains in the MSc, and may use their RPE work as part of a project or thesis for the purposes of earning their degree.