We believe that adequate financial support of graduate students is a crucial factor in contributing to their overall success. For this reason, we normally accept graduate students only if they can be guaranteed support during their studies. The amounts quoted below are subject to change and dependent upon continued funding by the University and granting agencies.
Please use the Resources Menu to your right to explore our programs in more detail.
Financial support normally comes from four main sources:
Student financial support is the sum of:
NSERC Scholarship. If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada and your GPA is higher than 85%, you should consider applying for an NSERC post-graduate fellowship. The NSERC scholarship is very competitive and mostly based on academic performance. The deadline for applications is usually around late September of the year before entrance to a graduate program. Talk with an academic advisor in order to submit the best application possible. Details are available from us, your local University or the NSERC website.
Incoming students who hold NSERC post-graduate awards are also normally awarded the President's Research Scholarship of $4000 for each year the award is held. (Note: Doctoral level Canada Graduate Scholarship Award holders are not eligible to receive the President's Research Scholarship.)
| NSERC Award | President's Award | Teaching Assistantship (TA) | AIS | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc (PGS M) | $17,300 | $4,000(+extra) | $2,792 | $642 | $24,734+ |
| MSc (CGS M) | $17,300 | $4,000(+extra) | $2,792 | $642 | $24,734+ |
| PhD (PGS D) | $21,000 | (+extra) | $2,792 | $642 | $42,434+ |
| PhD (CGS D) | $35,000 | $4,000(+extra) | $2,792 | $642 | $28,434+ |
University of Victoria Fellowships. The University of Victoria awards a small number of fellowships each year. They are open to domestic and international (Visa) students. The fellowships are currently $13,500 for one year for MSc students and $15,000 per year for PhD students. Fellowships for PhD students are renewable for a second year subject to their achieving first-class results (A-) on courses and a recommendation from the department.
| Fellowship | Research Assistantship suggested (RA) | Teaching Assistantship (TA) | AIS | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | $13,500 | $4,600 | $2,792 | $642 | $21,534 |
| PhD | $15,000 | $4,600 | $2,792 | $642 | $23,034 |
University of Victoria Graduate Awards (formerly Pacific Century Scholarships). The University of Victoria and the B.C. Government award a limited number of scholarships. They are open to both domestic and international (Visa) students. These awards are currently $10,000 per year for MSc students and PhD students, renewable for a second year, subject to achieving first-class results (A-) on courses and a recommendation from the department. To apply for one of these fellowships or scholarships, indicate your interest on your application form, but you must apply before February 15.
| Fellowship | Research Assistantship suggested (RA) | Teaching Assistantship (TA) | AIS | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | $10,000 | $7,800 | $2,792 | $642 | $21,234 |
| PhD | $10,000 | $7,800 | $2,792 | $642 | $21,234 |
Standard Research Support. If you do not receive any scholarship support, you may be offered research grant support (or from some alternative source funding, e.g. an industrial grant or contract) directly from your admitting supervisor. Separate application forms are not required.
Domestic MSc students receive $13,392 in Research grant support, international MSc students $14,026. Domestic PhD students may receive $14,586 in Research grant support, international PhD students $15,273. (The difference in amounts is geared to offset the differential in the fee structure).
The UVic fellowships and UVic awards are awarded mainly on the basis of academic excellence to applicants who apply for a September entry point. In addition, a supervisor usually adds research grant support. The suggested minimum top up amounts vary from $4,300 to $7,800.
| Research Assistantship (RA) | Teaching Assistantship (TA) | AIS | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | $13,392 | domestic | $5,585 | $1,284 | $20,261 |
| $14,026 | international | $5,585 | $1,284 | $20,895 | |
| PhD | $14,586 | domestic | $5,585 | $1,284 | $21,455 |
| $15,273 | international | $5,585 | $1,284 | $22,142 |
Other Scholarships. Other scholarships are available from various funds and they may change in their applicability and restrictions. Other sources can also be explored by looking at the UVic awards website.
A student may qualify for even more than the amounts shown. This support is guaranteed for the first year of studies. In subsequent years, your support level will be maintained as long as your progress is satisfactory and funds are available.
A student is normally expected to work as a teaching assistant for the department as part of the graduate program and to provide financial support.. An offer of admission normally guarantees a minimum of 240 TA hours per year. The work is usually distributed over the three terms, but the workload never exceeds 12 hours per week for 10 weeks in a single academic term (120 hours per term).
The rates for TA work are set by the union (CUPE) contract with the university. A student can normally expect support consisting of a minimum of 240 hours of TA employment for at most two years of a Master's program, or for at most four years of a PhD program. UVic Fellowship or Awards holders and NSERC scholars may also apply, but the guaranteed minimum is of 120 hours of TA employment for up to two years of a Master's program, or for up to 4 years of a PhD program.
You must apply separately for a TA position as soon as you are given admission to the graduate program.
You may also be eligible for an "academic income supplement" (AIS) from Graduate Studies. AIS is pro-rated based on the number of Teaching Assistantship (TA) hours of work, provided one is a registered full-time student in the term in which the AIS is assigned. The exact amount of the AIS is dependent upon the amount of TA work. TA work and AIS payments are available only to full-time students who are on campus.
An MSc degree with a Co-operative education option which also provide financial support. Arrangements to enter such a program, which involves one or more work terms in addition to traditional academic terms, are made after the student has completed at least one regular academic term.
Please visit the information on Graduate Co-op.