Student Finances
Western recognizes that students who choose to undertake full-time graduate studies are choosing to delay their entry into the full-time workforce. To help
Additional funding support may be available from a variety of sources and can differ from student to student. Sources may include research grants, scholarships, and part-time employment such as teaching (GTA) or graduate fellowships.
Funding support packages are not intended to replace full-time employment income.
Guaranteed Base Funding
MSc - Domestic
WGRS support for domestic MSc students is $3,000/year (see WGRS eligibility note below). Additional funding sources for MSc students are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
MSc - International
WGRS support for international MSc students is $10,800/year (see WGRS eligibility note below). Additional funding sources for MSc students are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
PhD - Domestic
WGRS support for domestic PhD students is $7,000/year (see WGRS eligibility note below). Additional funding for domestic PhD students is set at a minimum of $16,360. The total guaranteed base funding for domestic PhD students is $23,360.
PhD - International
WGRS support for international PhD students is $4,500/year (see WGRS eligibility note below). Additional funding for domestic PhD students is set at a minimum of $18,860. The total guaranteed base funding for international PhD students is $23,360.
WGRS
Full-time students within the funding eligible period of our program (2 years for MSc students and 4 years for PhD students) and who are showing acceptable progression toward their degree are eligible for WGRS funding. Eligibility is reviewed on a termly basis.
WGRS funding will be reduced for Doctoral students receiving scholarship funding of $30,000/year or more, and will be removed for Master's student receiving scholarships of $27,000/year or more. See the Table of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Funding Formulas for more details.
Additional Funding Sources
Scholarships
There are a variety of competitive scholarship opportunities for students. Details can be found on Western’s Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website under Funding & Fees. In addition, several awards are available through the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Graduate Program.
Graduate Fellowships
A Graduate Fellowship is provided to students who have a guaranteed level of funding from their supervisor to assist with the student's research and training.
Graduate Student Assistantships (GSA)
A Graduate Student Assistantship (GSA) is an employment role under which students complete specific tasks or deliverables that are not directly related to the tehsis (often know as a Research Assistant).
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)
GTA positions may be available to students in year 2 of the MSc program (or years 2-4 of the PhD program). These positions are not guaranteed for Master's students. Earnings from GTA positions are over-and-above a student's funding package, unless written into the offer letter at the time of admission. Students are required to submit a GTA application to be considered for a Teaching Assistant position. The program will notify students when the application period opens.
Additional details can be found on Western’s Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website under Graduate Teaching Assistantships.
Tuition and Benefits
Tuition information can be found on the Office of the Registrar website. All graduate students gain unlimited access to the Western Student Recreation Centre that houses state-of-the-art facilities for aquatics, personal training, fitness and intramural sports. Graduate students (full-time) are provided with an annual London Transit pass providing bus service across the city.
Housing and Living Finances
London has all the benefits of a major Canadian city without the high costs of living. Many apartments and houses for graduate students are located within walking distance of the campus.
To help applicants/students with Financial Management, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies recently launched a Graduate Student Affordability Calculator. This tool is designed to help applicants/students get a better estimate of what it will cost to attend one of Western's graduate programs for one year.
There is a large array of parks and conservation areas and biking paths. The city is home to major summer festivals, theatre and sports teams. In addition, London has an international airport with flights to most major cities and frequent train and bus service along the Windsor-Montreal corridor. For more information see Living in London and Life & Community.
