Prospective Students
What are the admission requirements for the PhD program?
Requirements for PhD in Oral Health Sciences.
What are the application deadlines?
Students can apply for admission for the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. However, students are strongly encouraged to apply for admission for the Fall semester. The deadline for admission for the Fall semester is January 15. Please consult the Apply Now page for more information on application deadlines for the Winter and Summer semesters.
How long does the program last? What are the time limits?
Typically, our students graduate complete the requirements of the PhD program in PhD 5 or PhD 6. Students must complete the requirements of the PhD program by the end of PhD 7. Please discuss the tentative duration of your PhD with your supervisor during the application process.
The object of these regulations is to encourage candidates to complete their theses and qualify for their degree without undue delay.
As per GPS policy, students who do not complete their degree requirements by the end of PhD 7 will be withdrawn from the University and will lose their student status and access to McGill facilities and support. International students on study permits will also be required to leave Canada.
How do I find a supervisor?
Please note that our graduate programs assess applicants on a continuous (rolling) basis. That is, any application that is completed on McGill Admissions Platform will be available to all professors in our Faculty for review.
We encourage you to review our researchers’ profiles. If you are interested in a specific professor, please contact that person to discuss the possibility of supervision.
Please indicate the name of the researcher you would like to work with in your online application. This will allow your application to be prioritized to this professor first.
It is in your best interest to submit a completed application on McGill's Admissions Platform as early as possible since selection to our programs is highly competitive. Please pay attention to the application deadlines for each semester of study.
What topics should I discuss during the interview with my potential supervisor?
Possible topics of discussion include: the supervisor-supervisee relationship, research topics, and funding and grant applications.
Can I have more than one supervisor?
Yes, you can have more than 1 supervisor. However, if you have 2 supervisors, 1 will be the primary supervisor and the other will be the secondary supervisor.
How do I apply?
Graduate students must apply via McGill's Admissions Platform.
Please also consult the Faculty’s Apply Now page.
Can I defer admission by a term?
Deferrals will be accepted on a case by case basis. After 2 deferrals, you will need to reapply to the program. Contact the gradofficer.dentistry [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Studies Officer) for more information.
When will I know if I have been accepted into the program?
McGill has a two-step admission process. The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences does the first review of applications. Only those applications that the Faculty recommends are sent to GPS. If an application is not recommended, the candidate is not admitted.
The final decision regarding admission rests with GPS, which conducts its own review of applicant files and makes all formal offers of admission. Usually, GPS’s decision is sent to the student within 2 to 6 weeks of the date of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences' recommendation. Typically, GPS supports the Faculty’s recommendations. See the Apply Now page for more information.
Applicants will receive an email from the Admissions Office when a decision has been made. Final decisions are available in Minerva. Decisions are never disclosed over the phone.
What do I do after I have been accepted?
Candidates who are offered admission are given a deadline by which they must accept or decline the Faculty’s offer. This deadline is indicated in the letter of admission. If we have not received a response by the indicated deadline, our offer of admission will be withdrawn.
How do I connect with current students?
Please visit the McGill Dental Graduate Student Society and Graduate Student Forum webpages for contact information.
Current Students
What documents do I need to submit to the Faculty at the start of my program?
The signed Letter of Understanding for Advisors/Supervisors and Graduate Students and PhD Committee Membership form must be uploaded to myProgress by the end of your first semester in the program.
The Graduate Student Project Description must be submitted to your Advisory Committee by the end of your first semester.
What are the key dates for Fall/Winter/Summer semesters?
All notifications pertaining to dates/registration are sent by the gradofficer.dentistry [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Studies Officer) via email. Please refer to the Key Dates page for more information.
When are the add/drop deadlines for classes?
Please visit the Key Dates page for more information.
What are the requirements for graduation?
The PhD program requires a minimum of 18 credits for graduation. Please refer to the PhD curriculum for more details. The program includes required courses (12 credits), complementary courses (6-12 credits), a comprehensive examination, the production and defense of a written thesis.
How many classes should I take per term?
The required courses are offered in the semesters listed on the PhD curriculum page and in the eCalendar. Complementary courses may be taken at any time during the program.
How do I select complementary courses?
You should discuss this with your supervisor(s). For a list of complementary courses, please consult the PhD curriculum page or the eCalendar.
Is there a list of courses previously approved as complementary but not listed on the website?
There is no such list. You are advised to discuss the possibility of taking a course not listed as an approved complementary course on the PhD curriculum page with your supervisor.
Can I take courses offered by other faculties at McGill?
Yes. You can apply to take any course at McGill as long as the course is relevant to your thesis or program of study, you have the necessary prerequisites, you have permission from your supervisor, and you have permission from the course instructor. Please discuss this option with your supervisor.
Can I take more than the required number of complimentary courses?
Yes, but please meet your program requirements first. Some courses may not be counted towards your program and you may be charged additional fees.
Can I take the same course twice?
No – university regulations do not allow you to register for the same course more than one time during your degree progression. If you do register for the same course twice, the duplicate entry will be removed from your transcript and will not count towards your credits.
What is the minimum grade I must maintain?
You must obtain a grade of B- (65%) or better in all courses that are part of the PhD program, including complementary courses. Refer to Program Requirements for Graduate Degrees for more information.
Can I exclude a certain course from my GPA calculation?
Contact the gradofficer.dentistry [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Studies Officer) to discuss your situation. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Can I defer an exam?
Please visit the Deferred and Supplemental Exams page, and contact the gradofficer.dentistry [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Studies Officer).
How do I get a letter confirming my status at McGill?
You can easily get a copy of an official letter confirming your enrolment status at McGill by logging into Minerva. For more information on the steps to follow on Minerva, or if the letter available on Minerva does not meet your specific needs, please visit the Enrolment Letters page.
Research
What steps do I need to follow before I start my research?
PhD students are expected to finish their required courses and pass the comprehensive exam by the end of the second year of their studies. During this time, your supervisor(s) can advise you about research. Depending on your research, field, and supervisor(s), you may need to prepare to start your research before you finish your coursework.
If my research involves animals or human subjects, how can I get ethical approvals?
Please visit Ethics and Compliance for general information.
Please visit the appropriate page for information on research involving:
- Animals
- Human Participants
- Export Controls and Controlled Goods
- Protected/Classified Information and Security Clearances
Please also consult the following pages for information on:
Can I do my research outside McGill?
Students can look for limited-time study opportunities at other universities. These opportunities should be discussed with your supervisor.
Scholarship and Financial Aid
What is the fee structure for PhD programs?
Please visit the Fee Calculator page.
How do I access my e-bill and pay fees online?
Please visit the e-Billing page.
Where can I find job postings to become a TA?
Please consult the job offers at McGill.
Advising
Are there any programs available for incoming international students?
We recommend you browse the International Student Services’ website for more information, particularly The Buddy Program.
If I have a conflict with my supervisor, what should I do?
We recommend that you visit the Graduate Supervision website to familiarize yourself with the roles and responsibilities of supervisors and supervisees. If you have a conflict with your supervisor(s), you can discuss the situation with the simon.tran [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Program Director) and, if necessary, the associatedeans.gps [at] mcgill.ca (Associate Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies).
Thesis and Oral Defence
Where can I find general information and resources about writing a thesis?
Please visit the Thesis page.
What are the general requirements for Doctoral Theses?
Please visit the General Requirements and Thesis FAQs pages.
How do I go about preparing my thesis?
Please visit the Thesis Preparation page for more information about thesis components, length, and format and discuss these topics with your supervisor.
How do I submit my thesis?
Please consult the Thesis FAQs and Overview of the initial thesis submission process through myThesis
What is a Thesis Examination?
Please visit the Thesis Examination page.
Who can be a Thesis Examiner and what is the process to contact and nominate them?
Please visit the Thesis Examiners page. For more information about who can be an external examiner, please contact the gradofficer.dentistry [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Studies Officer).
What are the University’s regulations concerning theses?
Please visit the Thesis Regulations page.
What is the deadline to submit my thesis?
Please visit the Deadlines page.
You can submit a thesis anytime during the year. However, for each of the three annual dates for conferring degrees/convocation, there are deadlines for initial submission and for deposition of the final, corrected version of the thesis.
Submitting your thesis involves a number of people and procedures. This may take several weeks. Please do not wait until the deadline to submit as you may encounter delays.
Who do I contact with questions concerning my thesis that are not related to research?
Please contact the gradofficer.dentistry [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Studies Officer).
Where can I find information about the oral defence and the membership of an Oral Defence Committee?
Please visit the Oral Defence page and contact the gradofficer.dentistry [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Studies Officer), who will be instrumental in helping you through these steps.
Where can I find information about oral defence proceedings?
Please visit the Oral Defence Proceedings page for an overview of the process and download the “GPS Oral Defence Proceedings” document linked on that page.
What are the possible outcomes of my oral defence?
Please visit the Oral Defence Outcomes page.
Miscellaneous
Can graduate students attend undergraduate classes of interest to them?
Please visit the GPS Registration page for more information.
Which buildings should I be familiar with?
Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry
What kind of student organizations can I join?
As a graduate student, you are a member of McGill’s Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS). The PGSS website has information about your health plan and student activities. As a graduate dental student, you are also part of the McGill Dental Graduate Student Society.
This is my first day in the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences and I have just met my supervisor(s). What should I do next?
You should attend McGill’s Graduate and Post-Graduate Studies’ Orientation. The gradofficer.dentistry [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Studies Officer) will send information about the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences’ Orientation. You may also consider reaching out to the MDGSS.
Can I have access to the official McGill letterhead?
As a graduate student, you are not allowed to use the official McGill letterhead. If you need a letter with the McGill letterhead, please contact the gradofficer.dentistry [at] mcgill.ca (Graduate Studies Officer).
However, graduate students can order business cards.
What are my potential career paths after obtaining an PhD degree? What do graduates do, or what have they done, after graduation?
Please consult the Career Planning Services website for more information. You may also consider discussing your Individual Development Path with your supervisor.
Is student housing available?
Yes, both on and off-campus. Please visit the Student Housing page for more information.
Can I take a leave of absence?
Please visit the Leave of Absence and Vacation Policy page for more details.