The University of Guelph is one of Canada’s most prestigious public research universities and a destination for students seeking a world-class education supported by generous financial aid opportunities. Located in Ontario, Canada, it has been recognized for its openness to international graduate students, where people from diverse backgrounds come together, gain hands-on experience, and build meaningful careers in Canada and beyond. Through a range of scholarships, the University of Guelph helps students study without bearing the full burden of tuition costs.

For many international applicants, these funding opportunities can cover a substantial portion of tuition and educational expenses.

The University of Guelph is internationally recognized for academic excellence across multiple disciplines. According to the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, Guelph ranks first in Canada for Veterinary Sciences and Food Science and Technology and places among the world’s top 50 universities in Agricultural Sciences.

Applications are currently open for the Spring and Winter intakes, with deadlines in September and November respectively. Across 130 graduate programs in science, engineering, business, social sciences, and the humanities, the University offers two formats of graduate study. These are:

Course-Based Programs: Course-based programs, which may also be referred to as graduate diplomas, course-based master’s programs, or professional master’s programs, primarily involve coursework. Most course-based programs at the university can be completed within 12 to 16 months of full-time study.

Thesis-Based Programs: These programs combine coursework with research under the supervision of a faculty member. Most thesis-based master’s programs can be completed within two years, while PhD programs typically take five to seven years. These programs help students develop advanced research, analytical, and academic writing skills.

The university is currently accepting applications. Applicants are advised to complete their applications through the university’s website and submit the following documents:

Transcripts: Applicants are advised to upload a copy of their transcripts through WebAdvisor. If the transcript is in a language other than English, a certified translation must be uploaded alongside it. However, when an official transcript is issued in French by a Canadian institution where French is the official language of instruction, no English translation is required. Please note that transcripts uploaded by applicants are considered unofficial. They are only considered official when forwarded directly by the issuing institution to the University of Guelph, bearing the institution’s seal and the signature of the Registrar.

CV/Resume: Requirements vary by department. Applicants should check with their respective departments to determine whether a CV or résumé is required.

English Language Requirements: English language test results are required if English is not your first language. Required scores vary by department, so applicants should review their departmental requirements carefully. Test scores are valid for two years from the test date and must remain valid at the time of application. Applicants should upload a PDF copy of their test results to WebAdvisor. If admitted, they must arrange for the official score report to be sent directly to the University of Guelph using Institution Code 0892. Please note that letters from universities stating that English was the medium of instruction are not accepted as proof of English proficiency.

GRE and GMAT: Some departments require GRE scores as part of the application process. Applicants should consult their departmental websites for specific requirements, as some departments require only the General Test, while others require both the General and Subject Tests. Educational Testing Service (ETS) uses Institution Code 0892 for the University of Guelph and Department Codes 99 or 01 for the Graduate Studies Office when reporting GRE scores. GRE scores remain valid for five years from the test date.

Similarly, some departments require GMAT scores. Applicants should consult departmental websites for specific requirements. The University of Guelph’s Institution Code is 0892. GMAT scores are valid for five years from the test date.

Portfolio: Some departments require additional materials to complement an application. For example, the Studio Art MFA and Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) programs require applicants to submit portfolios. This list is not exhaustive, so applicants should consult departmental websites for specific admission requirements.

References: The University specifies a minimum of two and a maximum of three academic references for admission to graduate studies, although requirements may vary by department. If a department requires more than three referees, additional references must be submitted directly to the department. Once referees are identified, they will receive a link to the Referee Assessment Form within five working days. The form must be completed before the application deadline. Please note that applications will not be forwarded to departments until all referees have submitted their assessments. If applicants apply to more than one program, the same referees will be used for each application. Referees will receive a separate request for every program to which the applicant has applied.

Statement of Purpose: Applicants should refer to their departmental websites to determine whether a Statement of Purpose or Statement of Research is required. If required, it will appear on the WebAdvisor checklist.

Supplementary Documents: Some departments require additional application materials to assess applicants fully. The name of this document may vary by department. For admission purposes, any additional information required for evaluation will be referred to as a supplementary document. Applicants should consult departmental websites for specific requirements.

Writing Samples: Applicants should refer to their departmental websites to determine whether writing samples are required. Some departments may require more than one writing sample. If a writing sample is required. Visit school website here.