Graduate Studies

Overview

A student becomes a partner of the university after pursuing graduate studies. As the graduate studies embody collaboration, intellectual curiosity, original thinking and research excellence, graduate students are often considered to be academic colleagues contributing to the scholarly enterprise with their fresh ideas.

Who should pursue graduate studies?

Graduate studies are opted by many bachelor’s degree graduates having an interest in further learning and research. People, highly motivated and interested in intellectual pursuits can contribute to university research capabilities, the advancement of knowledge and building the department’s reputation for excellence through the pursuit of a graduate degree.

Graduate degree options

There are three general types of graduate degrees:

• Course-based master’s degree:
  This degree requires the successful completion of a specific program of graduate-level courses. It can be of one or two years duration.
• Research-based master’s degree:
  This degree requires the successful completion of both graduate-level courses and a thesis. It is of 2 years duration. Your thesis topic will be chosen in consultation with a graduate supervisor, although many universities require that you state your research interests as part of the application.
• Doctoral or PhD degree:
  This degree requires the successful completion of original research and the defense of a thesis that makes a substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the student’s chosen field of study. It usually requires either 2 or 3 years of full-time residency. It is not uncommon to require more time of directed research and writing for completing the doctoral thesis.

A thesis supervisor plays a critical role in helping you choose:

• An appropriate research topic;
• Designing and directing your research studies within a realistic period; and
• Providing you with professional training in your chosen field.

As your topic determines your career path, thoughtful planning and expert advice is required by your choice of program and thesis supervisor.

Theses at the master’s and doctoral level include oral defense before a board of examiners. The board comprises of departmental faculty along with scholars drawn from other departments and institutions. The option of full-time or part-time studies is also offered by some graduate programs. In addition, a number of Canadian universities offer master’s programs via distance education.

Choosing a program

You should begin your search by assessing the research and academic orientation of the university department where you plan to study. When searching for a suitable graduate program, we advise you to consider the reputation and strengths of the particular department and its faculty than the reputation of the university as a whole.

Gaining admission to graduate programs

Generally, admission to Master’s programs requires an honors baccalaureate (or equivalent) and high academic standing. Master’s programs having a professional focus often require work experience in the intended field of study. For a doctoral program, a high level of achievement at the master’s level is required.

Other factors which are a part of your application include an official transcript of marks, official test scores (which are required by certain professional master’s degree programs), letters of recommendation from faculty members or professional colleagues, and a personal letter describing your academic and career objectives and your reasons for applying to the program.

The graduate school admissions committee often looks for evidence that your goals are realistic; that the program is appropriate to your interests; and that you have the qualities required for successful completion of your studies.

Advantages

A Post graduate Diploma, Master’s or PhD degree is in high demand in the present scenario as skilled young people are very much in demand. Many graduates find jobs outside academe in the private sector job market when their skills are seen as matching up to the industry requirement. The graduate students are increasingly being recruited for filling management and other highly specialized positions. However, faced with a growing demand from students for university education coupled with an ongoing wave of faculty retirements, the demand in the academic job market also continues to grow.