Selecting your graduate program is the first step in your academic journey at Queen’s. With over 100 graduate programs across six faculties, Queen’s has an option to fit your goals. Visit our Programs and Degrees page to explore specific programs and find contact information for each. Once you’ve found a program of interest, check its website for details on upcoming webinars and campus visits, which are a great way to learn more and connect with the program directly.

Want to see how Queen’s can support you beyond the classroom? Grad Maps offers program-specific advice on academics, research, networking, and launching your career, helping you plan your path at Queen’s and beyond.

Some graduate programs require applicants to identify a potential supervisor prior to applying. Review specific graduate program websites to determine program requirements. Speaking with your current mentors, attending graduate recruitment fairs, and asking questions of potential supervisors will help clarify your options and expectations and give you a chance to get to know the communities in which you may choose to work. For detailed instructions on how to contact supervisors, please visit our Contacting Supervisors page.

Deadlines: The application portal typically opens in September each year with deadlines occurring early in the new year. Please refer to the degree program websites for deadlines. Most acceptances to programs are made in March. Applications should be made early in the year if you wish to be considered for fellowships or awards.

Completing an Application: Once you have reviewed the degree programs available and decided to apply, you are ready to begin the online application. If you cannot access the online application, please contact or email the graduate assistant in your program of interest for a paper application.

Accommodations: The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs places great importance on accommodating disabilities and special circumstances to ensure applicants can access and complete their application for graduate studies. Any applicant with requests for accommodations should email the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Director of Admissions and Student Services.

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In addition to your application form, you will need to submit:

1. Transcripts
2. Letters of Recommendation
3. Additional Information and Documentation Needed by the Degree Program

Transcripts: Include official, up-to-date transcripts for all current and previous post-secondary studies. How to submit transcripts:

1. Upload to the online application as PDF files.
2. If a transcript(s) cannot be successfully uploaded, applicants are responsible for ensuring that official transcript(s) are sent to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs by all universities previously attended. All hard copy transcripts must be received in sealed envelopes.

Final Transcripts: Original official transcript(s) showing degree completion and conferral are required from all applicants who accept an offer of admission to graduate studies at Queen's University before they start their program of study. Final transcripts are to be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs from the issuing institution(s).

Issuing university(s) can send final transcripts by email or mail.

Other transcript notes:

• Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation provided by the institution issuing the transcript.
• Photocopied transcripts or those printed from a university website are not permitted.
• Degree and graduation certificates must be included if the transcript does not indicate the type of degree and date granted.
• Transcripts submitted with applications become the property of Queen's University, are subject to verification, are not available for copying, and will not be returned to the applicant.
• When sending transcripts via Parchment, MyCreds, and other transcript issuing services, do not select Queen’s University in their ‘Send To’ option as this will direct the transcript to Undergraduate Admissions.  Select Send To Third Party (or similar wording) and  enter sgspa.reception@queensu.ca.

Current or previous students of Queen's University do not need to submit transcripts from Queen's. The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs will access the student record through SOLUS.

Letters of Recommendation: For applicants to research programs, two current academic recommendations are required from professors under whom the applicant has recently studied. It is recognized that certain applicants to some programs may have difficulty obtaining academic references and that it may be more appropriate to get references from professionals or supervisors. In such cases, references from other sources containing information acceptable to the Department/Program or School and the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs may be considered. However, all effort should be made to include academic recommendations.

Two Professional letters of recommendation (e.g., letters from an employer or workplace supervisor) can be submitted in support of applications to professional graduate programs. For applicants who apply to a professional graduate program, a Professional reference form will be generated for their referees.

In all cases, the information in recommendations should relate to the ability of a prospective student to undertake the work in the program to which they are applying.

Once an application is submitted, referees will receive instructions to complete the online reference form via a secure portal; reference letters can be uploaded (if wished). Letters of reference sent by email will not be accepted.

Photocopied letters or letters issued more than one year before the application date will not be accepted.

Reference forms from other universities will not be accepted.

Some departments/programs have special requirements regarding letters of recommendation (e.g., three letters may be required, etc.). It is the applicant's responsibility to consult the appropriate department’s/program's application procedures for details.

Additional Information and Documentation Needed by the Degree Program: Some departments/programs require additional documentation such as a current course list, GRE, or written sample of work. Review the department’s/program's application procedures for details. Please note that all required test scores must be received directly from the testing agency before your application is complete.

If you are an Indigenous student and wish your application to be considered under the "Indigenous Student Admission Regulation" then you must self-identify as Indigenous upon application for admission to Queen’s University School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

English Language Comprehension: At Queen's, English is the language of instruction and communication, except for the language departments. Proficiency in English is a prerequisite for admission. Some programs require satisfactory achievement on the GRE. Please check with the degree program for specific testing needed and scores.

Those applicants whose native languages do not include English will need to earn satisfactory standing in an English Language Proficiency Test as part of the application process, and before final acceptance is granted.

Applicants must meet the minimum score requirements of the department to which they wish to apply. These minimum scores are listed on the individual Program websites.

The following English Language Proficiency tests' results are accepted by the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs:

• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test). Average overall score of 4.5. Applicants must have the minimum score in each section: Writing - 5, Speaking - 4, Reading - 4.5, Listening - 4.5.
• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) - 7 (minimum overall score)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - 65 (minimum overall score)
• Canadian Academic English Language (Computer Edition) (CAEL CE) – 70 (minimum overall score)
• The Cambridge English Assessment -  185 (minimum score). 

Please note that if a final grade of 80% or more in ESLA 140 or ESLA 150 from Queen's University's English for Academic Purposes Program is achieved at the time of application, an English language test score may not be required. See Queen's University School of English for details.

How to Submit English Language Test Scores: The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs can access test scores directly from TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, and CAEL CE databases. We do not require hard copies of your test scores sent from the testing centre.

TOEFL, PTE Academic, and CAEL CE

Please ensure that you have the testing centre release the TOEFL, PTE Academic, or CAEL CE score to Queen’s University (0949) and inform the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (following submission of your application) that your score report is available to retrieve electronically from the official testing centre site. Email: sgsapp@queensu.ca

IELTS

Please provide the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs with the TRF number found on your IELTS score report (following submission of your application) in order for us to obtain your IELTS test score electronically from the IELTS site. Email: sgsapp@queensu.ca

Hard copy test results: If you did not arrange to have the results of your English language proficiency test accessible to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, you must request that the testing agency send us a hard copy official test results document either by email sgsapp@queensu.ca or through regular mail (address below).

All required test scores must be received directly from the testing agency before your application is complete.

The online application will walk you through each step in the process, including how to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation and other documentation. Create an account using an email address you will be able to access in the future.

Paying the Application Fee: The non-refundable application fee of $120 CAD can be paid by Visa or Mastercard.

The application is considered complete when the application fee is paid, and all documentation is received by the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

After you submit your application, an application number will be emailed to you. You can continue to log into the application portal to view the status of your application, and if any further documentation is required.

Application Portal

When your online application is complete and all documentation is received, the degree program will assess your application for admission. You will be informed of the decision by the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs by email.