Frequently Asked Questions

Application and Admissions Process

Is a Faculty supervisor required before submitting an application?

No, but we do strongly encourage all applicants to begin contacting potential supervisors at the time of application. We have a two-stage admissions process:

i. Determination of academic eligibility
ii. Faculty supervision agreement (required to attend the program)

What is the process to find a research supervisor?

Applicants should begin by reviewing the supervisor listings provided on our website.

When contacting a prospective supervisor, include a concise summary of your research interests (1-2 paragraphs), along with your CV and transcript.

How will I be informed of my academically eligibility?

Once your completed application has been received, it will be reviewed by the Neuroscience Graduate Program Committee. We strive to have applications reviewed and notification of eligibility sent with 6-8 weeks of receipt. An official University offer letter will only be sent once a supervisor has been confirmed.

What is the application fee?

The application fee is $170 Canadian Dollars. Fee waivers are not available.

What materials are required for the application?

A detailed overview of all required documents is available on the program's “Application Process” page.

Why does the program use a rolling admission process?

Early applications are encouraged for the best supervisor availability. Lab space will begin to fill and the process of finding a supervisor will become more difficult.

Early applicants will also be able to apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS).  Access to the application requires a person to be a current student or an applicant to the program.  

Who is eligible to serve as a referee?

Applicants must provide two academic referees who can offer substantive evaluations of their academic performance, communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and research potential. Research supervisors are preferred. Post-doctoral fellows, managers, and laboratory supervisors are not acceptable referees

If I apply by the deadline, may my referees submit their letters afterward?

Yes. Referees may submit letters after the application deadline; however, your application will not proceed to academic review until all required materials have been received.

For Master's applicants, how are undergraduate grades assessed?

For applicants applying in their fourth year of undergraduate studies, grades from the second and third years are generally used in calculating the admission average. Your admission average will be calculated by the admissions team in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS). If you have specific questions regarding what grades will be used, please email gradapps@uwo.ca.

What happens if I meet the academic admission requirements but cannot secure a faculty supervisor?

Although you may meet the academic standards for admission, you cannot be admitted to the program without a faculty supervisor. Admission is contingent on both academic eligibility and a confirmed supervisor willing to accept you into their research group.

Your application can be used for entry for up to one year. Contact the program office to discuss options if you find a faculty supervisor after the start term you applied for.

Is proof of English language proficiency required if I completed post‑secondary studies in English, but in a country where English is not the primary language?

Proof of English Language Proficiency will only be waived for students who have attended a post-secondary institution for 2+ years in a country where English is the primary language. Instruction in English in a country where English is not the first language will not be grounds for a waiver.

As an international applicant, am I required to provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for my study permit application?

Effective January 1, 2026, Master's and Doctoral programs at Canadian designated learning institutions (DLI) are exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement

All international graduate program applicants applying for a study permit after January 22, 2025, will require a PAL as part of their study permit application. International graduate program applicants who submitted their study permit application prior to January 22, 2025, are not required to submit a PAL.

For international graduate applicants to receive a PAL from Western, they must:

1. Accept their offer of admission.
2. Pay their $2,000 tuition deposit (Master’s programs only).
3. Complete the PAL request form via the Graduate Student Web Services Portal.

Western’s registered immigration advisors are available to support students and the Western community in navigating these updates. Updated details and instructions for students and applicants are made available on the Western International website as they are confirmed. In addition, immigration questions can also be directed to international student advisors at iss@uwo.ca.

We also recommend that you access this Government of Canada website to help you forecast how long it may take to process your study permit application.

Program Design

Is part-time registration available in this program?

No. The Neuroscience graduate program is offered only on a full‑time basis.

Is it possible to enroll in the program while participating remotely?

No. This is a full‑time, research‑based program that requires students to be physically present in their research laboratories and to attend all required courses in person.

What courses and program milestones are required for completion of the degree?

Students must complete the courses and academic milestones outlined in the program’s official requirements. These are detailed in the “Program Requirements” section of the Neuroscience Graduate Program’s Policies and Guidelines.

May students register for additional elective credits beyond the mandatory requirements?

Yes. Students may enroll in additional elective credits, and in some cases, supervisors or advisory committees may recommend specific courses. Students are encouraged to consult with their supervisor before enrolling in any additional courses.

Financial Support, Benefits and Cost of Attendance

Will I receive financial support as a graduate student in Neuroscience?

Yes. All full‑time Neuroscience graduate students who meet the program’s progression requirements receive a funding package. The guaranteed minimum funding level will be outlined in your official offer of admission. General information about funding is available through the program’s “Student Funding & Tuition” resources, and applicants may direct specific inquiries to the Program Office at neuroscience@uwo.ca.

What are the anticipated costs of attending the program?

Prospective students can estimate their expected expenses using the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) Graduate Student Affordability Calculator. This online tool provides guidance on typical costs associated with graduate studies at Western University.

Am I eligible to apply for scholarships prior to receiving an admission offer?

Yes. Applicants may apply for external awards, including Tri‑Agency scholarships and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), before formally receiving admission. Additional details are available through SGPS funding resources, and applicants are encouraged to discuss potential opportunities with their prospective supervisor.

o Tri-Agency Scholarships: https://grad.uwo.ca/finances/external_funding/triagency/index.html 
o Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS): https://grad.uwo.ca/finances/external_funding/ogs.html  

What are the current tuition fees for the program?

Tuition is assessed three times per year at the beginning of the Fall (September), Winter (January), and Summer (May) terms. The most up‑to‑date tuition information is available on the Registrar’s Office website.

Is a tuition deposit required as part of the admission process?

A non‑refundable tuition deposit of $2,000 CDN is required for international Master’s students upon accepting their offer of admission.

Tuition deposits are paid in the same methods used for regular tuition payments with online banking being the preferred method. If you are paying from a Canadian bank, you can find instructions here: Canadian Payments. International payments are detailed here: International Payments. Once submitted, the deposit appears as a credit on the student’s Western Student Center account.

Domestic Master’s and all PhD students are not required to submit a deposit.

How will my funding package be disbursed?

Funding packages typically consist of a combination of Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS) support, Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) earnings, and Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) payments from the supervisor. A detailed breakdown is provided annually.

WGRS and most GRF funds are applied directly to your tuition account as lump‑sum payments each term, while GTA earnings are paid in equal monthly installments on the second‑last banking day of each month during the contract period.

Will I have access to health and dental insurance coverage?

Yes. Graduate students are automatically enrolled in the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) Health & Dental Plan. Coverage details can be found on the SOGS website.

Am I eligible for a bus pass as a full‑time student?

Yes. All full‑time graduate students are included in the universal bus pass program. Additional information is available through the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS).