Program Description
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Urban Planning, Policy and Design offered by the School of Urban Planning in the Faculty of Engineering is a research-intensive program that emphasizes interdisciplinary and hands-on learning opportunities. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in literature review, project evaluation, and information synthesis to pursue professional opportunities in academia or industry.
Keywords: Urban Planning; Urban Policy; Urban Design; Applied Research; Cities; Suburbs; Small Towns; Quebec; Canada; International
Unique Program Features
- The program aims to prepare students for interdisciplinary research and teaching on the management of urban development as well as for leadership in the design and evaluation of urban policies and plans for cities in North America and the world;
- The program provides students with opportunities to explore Montréal as a living laboratory for urban planning, policy, and design which equips them for advanced research and teaching on the processes that govern the management, development, and evolution of towns and cities;
- Students typically spend the first two years of study taking courses, preparing for their comprehensive examination and writing their dissertation proposal. The remaining two (or more) years are spent conducting research and writing a thesis;
- The program focuses on five areas of urban planning which include land use planning and urban design, environmental planning, transportation planning, international development planning, and lastly real estate and economic development.
University-Level Admission Requirements
- An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
- English-language proficiency
Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please visit the program website for more details.
Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.
Program Website
Department Contact
Graduate Program admissions.planning [at] mcgill.ca (subject: PhD%20in%20Urban%20Planning%2C%20Policy%2C%20%26%20Design) (email)
Available Intakes
Fall
Application Deadlines
| Intake | Applications Open | Application Deadline - International | Application Deadline - Domestic (Canadian, Permanent Resident of Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | September 15 | January 15 | January 15 |
| WINTER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SUMMER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.