Applications for the degree of Master of Environmental Studies (MES) and Environmental Studies PhD are processed through the School of Graduate Studies at Queen's University. Students are accepted to the programs with a named supervisor in the PhD and research-based MES or advisor in the course-based MES program. Please make contact with our Faculty in the area of research that interests you. Provide some information about yourself and see if there is a spot in a research program for you.
- The academic year begins in September, so this is the normal date of admission each year. Admission in January or May is possible upon request. Supervisor/advisor support must be arranged for these alternate start dates.
- Before applying, study the list of faculty and their research interests on our Faculty/Research page and make contact to see if there is a spot for you in their research and they have sufficient funds to support your stipend and research costs.
- Internal fellowships and scholarships may available
- We accept international students into the program each year ONLY IF sufficient funding is available.
- The academic year begins in September, so this is the normal date of admission each year. Admission in January or May is possible upon request. Supervisor/Advisor support must be arranged for these alternate start dates.
- Before applying, study the list of faculty and their research interests on our Faculty/Research page and make contact to see if there is a spot for you in their research and they have sufficient funds to support your stipend and research costs.
- Internal fellowships and scholarships may be available for
- Information for International Students is detailed in the International Section of the School of Graduate Studies Site. It may also be helpful to review Immigration requirements if you are planning to study in Canada from abroad.
Step 1: Statement of Interest
Please read The School of Graduate Studies admission requirements. While you may proceed directly to the Application it is recommended that you first send the Graduate Assistant an outline of your academic background and research interests. Please include an unofficial copy of your transcripts and CV. The information will be sent to faculty who will study it to see how you might fit into our program. You are of course always welcome to contact individual faculty directly. Candidates that meet the School of Graduate Studies' basic requirements and have an interested faculty member are encouraged to fill out the complete application, which does have a fee. Offers are made only to applicants who have secured a supervisor for the research-based program or an advisor for the course-based program but you can complete your application at any time.
Step 2: Application
To be considered for admission you are invited to go to the School of Graduate Studies' web site to complete an application for admission. You are required to pay the application fee upon final submission. Instructions about supporting documentation that is required to process your application are displayed on screen upon submission, and you can check online at any time to see if we have received it. You are responsible for ensuring that all required documentation is received by the School of Graduate Studies. All undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be submitted in duplicate. Referee forms are provided in the online application. Two academic references are required for students still in an academic program. Applicants who have been out of an academic program for more than one year may contact the Department for permission to include a non-academic reference. Hard copy references on letterhead are acceptable. You may include more than two references but your application must be complete before an offer can be made. This means that all documentation including extras must be received.
All required supporting documents, letters of reference, transcripts and test scores (if applicable) should be mailed directly to the School of Graduate Studies at the following address:
School of Graduate Studies
Gordon Hall, Room 425,
Queen's University, Kingston,
Ontario Canada
K7L 3N6.
Applicants living in Canada or north-eastern U.S. are encouraged to visit Queen's to meet the faculty and current students. Our department may be able to reimburse you for a part or even all your travel expenses. Please make arrangements with individual faculty members.
When you are ready, apply through the School of Graduate Studies Online Application
Applicants for graduate studies in the School of Environmental Studies must have, or expect to have a four year Honours degree (or the equivalent) with a Second Class standing (B+ 75-79%, GPA 3.3/4), or with qualifications accepted as equivalent from a recognized university. The GRE is not required or used.
The following English Language Proficiency tests are accepted by the School of Graduate Studies:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Cambridge English Language Assessment
TOEFL & IELTS
For the internet-based TOEFL applicants must meet the minimum in each category and overall:
- Writing (24/30)
- Speaking (22/30)
- Reading (22/30)
- Listening (20/30)
- Overall (88/120)
English test score minimum of TOEFL 600 paper or 250 computer based, IELTS Band 7.0. This is for the academic version of TOEFL.
PTE Academic
The School of Graduate Studies will accept a new test of English language proficiency, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) for applicants who must provide such test results.
The minimum overall score for the PTE Academic for applications to all graduate programs shall be 65.
Exemptions
Any applicant who has recently studied for at least one complete year at a university where English is the official language of instruction may be exempt from the English Language Proficiency Test. An applicant requesting a waiver of the test for this reason should do so in writing and submit it with the application. The Director, Admissions and Student Services of the School of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the department, will make determinations in these cases.