The University of Saskatchewan is one of the oldest universities in Canada, established in 1907. Located in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, it is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities. On its website, the university states that it is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. As one of Canada’s 15 leading research-intensive universities, USask provides a highly collaborative research environment with some of the best facilities and analytical tools in the country.

USask has its strengths in the medical field. As it states on its website, “We are one of Canada’s top medical/doctoral universities with a broad combination of human, animal, and plant studies all on one campus.” It also has strong programs in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Indigenous Studies, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, and Environmental Sciences.

The University offers scholarships to international applicants through its Graduate Scholarship, which is awarded to thesis-based students. Other funding opportunities come through departmental awards, entrance scholarships, and external Canadian scholarships. International PhD applicants can also apply for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, which provides CAD 50,000 per year for three years to deserving students.

The application fee for international applicants is CAD 145. Payment is required before your application can be submitted and processed. When preparing your application, plan to pay your application fee online using Visa or Mastercard. International students also have the option of paying through Flywire. The university provides an alternative for applicants who are unable to pay the application fee online by asking them to contact +1-306-966-5788 for assistance. Like many Canadian universities, the University pegs its Fall application deadline early. Applications generally open in November and close in January for the September intake each year.

To apply for admission, the following documents must be submitted online:

Transcripts: Upload a copy of your most recent transcript showing grades for all the courses you have completed and listing any courses still in progress. The transcripts you upload will be considered unofficial or preliminary but may be used to make conditional admission decisions at USask’s discretion, pending receipt of your final, official transcript(s).

After receiving an offer of admission, arrange to have your final, official transcript(s) sent directly to the University of Saskatchewan by the institution(s) you attended. Your institution(s) may send official transcripts electronically to admissions@usask.ca, via courier, or by mail. Ensure you request your transcripts early enough for them to arrive before any deadlines. Alternatively, if you belong to a MyCreds member institution, arrange for your official transcript(s) to be shared electronically with USask through the MyCreds portal. Once shared, USask will receive updates automatically.

Recommenders: Two or three people must attest to your ability to handle the rigorous demands of the graduate program. Ideally, the email addresses provided for your referees should be their professional email addresses from their post-secondary institution or organization. When you enter your referees’ contact information in the “Recommendation Requests” section under the “Supplemental Items & Documents” tab, they will automatically receive an email requesting that they submit their letters of recommendation. Your application will remain incomplete until all referees have responded. In the “Recommendation Requests” section, you can check the status of your recommendation letters, send reminders to your referees, or cancel requests and create new ones if you need to replace a referee.

English Language Proficiency: The language of instruction and examination at the University of Saskatchewan is English. To understand, communicate, and succeed in your program, you may be required to provide proof of English language proficiency. You can satisfy this requirement by meeting one of the following standards:

• Successful completion of at least one year of full-time study in a degree program at a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the official language of instruction and examination.
• Successful completion of a minimum two-year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada where English is the official language of instruction and examination.
• Successful completion of a minimum three-year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution outside Canada where English is the official language of instruction and examination.

Where English is not the primary language of instruction, one of the following test results must be submitted:

• IELTS (Academic): Overall Band Score of 6.5
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Overall score of 176
• CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment): 70
• Duolingo English Test (DET): 120. Note: Effective January 1, 2026, an overall score of 120 with a minimum score of 100 in each section is required.
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): Overall score of 63

Statement of Purpose: An academic essay detailing your research interests and goals, and explaining how the University of Saskatchewan will help you achieve them through your chosen field of study. Although there is no official word limit, a statement of approximately 1,000 words is generally preferred.

Resume/CV: This requirement varies by department. Some departments require a resume or CV, while others do not. Some prefer a portfolio instead. Both documents provide an overview of your previous work and accomplishments. Where a resume is distinct from a portfolio, a resume is a concise document summarizing your work experience, awards, achievements, and impact.

Writing Sample: USask generally prefers an academic essay in which the applicant analyzes a particular issue. The purpose is to assess how well and how deeply the applicant can analyze and discuss an issue.