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Canada · Ontario · U15 Research Giant & Home of Ivey Business School · Reviewed 14 October 2026

Western University (University of Western Ontario)

Founded in 1878 in London, Ontario, Western University (University of Western Ontario) is a founding member of Canada's U15 group of research-intensive universities. Consistently ranked among the world's top 120 universities, Western is internationally renowned for neuroscience and cognitive imaging at the Western Brain and Mind Institute, world-leading wind engineering at the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory, the renowned Ivey Business School, and musculoskeletal health research. Explore verified graduate degree pathways, guaranteed doctoral base funding packages, and world-class faculty profiles.

Official university portal ↗Graduate Funding & FacultyResearch checked, not sponsored

Verified degree programs and opportunities

Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:

Admissions, language requirements & application process

Master's admission eligibility
Four-year Bachelor's degree (Honours) from an accredited university with a minimum 70% average (equivalent to B standing or 3.0/4.0 GPA) across the last two years of study; competitive STEM programs typically require 78%+ (B+).
Doctoral admission eligibility
Recognized Master's degree in a relevant discipline with minimum 78% average (B+ or 3.3/4.0 GPA) and demonstrable thesis research capability.
Language proficiency
Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all bands) or TOEFL iBT 86 (minimum 20 in each section); higher for Computer Science (IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL 92).
Research statement / Proposal
Comprehensive 2-page statement of academic purpose detailing research questions, methodological approach, and alignment with Western faculty mentors.
Application fee
CAD $150 non-refundable application fee submitted via the Western School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies portal.
Required documentation
Complete official academic transcripts, curriculum vitae, 2 to 3 academic reference letters, and statement of research intent.

Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems

Tuition for research-based graduate students is offset by departmental funding packages and scholarships. For full-time doctoral students in good standing, Western guarantees minimum annual funding of CAD $24,000 to $28,000 per year for four years (comprising Western Graduate Research Scholarships, graduate teaching assistantships, and supervisor research stipends) plus international tuition differential awards.

Verified faculty profiles and research leaders

Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at Western University:

Dr. Adrian Owen

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging & Canada Excellence Research Chair; specializing in Consciousness, fMRI Neuroimaging, Traumatic Brain Injury.

Dr. Horia Hangan

Professor of Wind Engineering & Founding Director of WindEEE Research Institute; specializing in Wind Engineering, Tornado Simulators, Aerodynamics.

Dr. Charles X. Ling

Professor of Computer Science & Science Distinguished Research Professor; specializing in Machine Learning, Data Mining, Cognitive Robotics.

Important verification note

Facts reflect official Western University documentation reviewed 2026-10-14. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.

Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Editorial standards · Report an issue