Direct entry from bachelor's to PhD
Direct entry to a PhD program offers you the opportunity to bypass the traditional master’s degree and begin your doctoral studies immediately after completing your undergraduate degree. If you are a high-achieving student dedicated to making substantial contributions through research and are prepared to embrace the challenges of advanced study, consider direct entry to a PhD program as your next step.
Explore your options
As you approach the end of your bachelor's degree, it's highly recommended that you proactively engage with faculty members to explore the option of transitioning directly into a PhD program. Initiating conversations with the Graduate Program Director and potential supervisors can provide invaluable insights and guidance regarding this pathway. Don't hesitate to seek their advice and support in making informed decisions about your academic and professional journey.
How to apply
Applying directly from a bachelor’s to PhD involves a standard application process, with one notable difference: your admission application requires a recommendation letter from a research supervisor, affirming your research experience and capabilities.
Funding
Internal and external funding opportunities for direct entry students may vary depending on certain criteria.
Funding from Concordia
Your eligibility for various funding packages may vary depending on factors such as the institution where you complete your degree and other criteria.
Bachelor’s degree holders from a Quebec institution
You may be eligible for 5-year fellowship valued at $14,000 per year resulting in a total of $70,000 if:
You are admitted as a direct applicant from a bachelor’s degree to a PhD program.
You must have completed a bachelor’s degree in Quebec.
You do not have registrations exceeding 6 credits following your bachelor's degree and before enrolling in the PhD program. These registrations must be as a part-time, non-degree-seeking student (i.e., independent) in undergraduate or master's level courses.
- You do not have any registrations at the doctoral level before starting your bachelor's degree.
Bachelor’s degree holders from an institution outside of Quebec
A direct entry may be granted for a student who has not completed a bachelor's degree in Quebec, but they will not be eligible for a 5-year fellowship. The standard funding packages will be available via the program as per usual.
Bachelor’s degree holders from an institution outside of Quebec
A direct entry may be granted for a student who has not completed a bachelor's degree in Quebec, but they will not be eligible for a 5-year fellowship. The standard funding packages will be available via the program as per usual.
External funding
Funding agencies consider the potential challenges that direct entry students may encounter in the evaluation process. These students may find themselves at a comparative disadvantage when competing with students who have already completed a master's program, particularly in terms of publications and research experience.
To address this issue and promote fairer competitions, funding agencies offer direct-entry students the opportunity to apply for master's fellowships initially. Meanwhile, students can bolster their CVs, enhancing their prospects of securing funding for doctoral studies in later years. It's important to note that the requirements vary between the Tri-Agency and the Fonds de recherche du Québec.
Tri-agency
The student is eligible to apply to the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS M) program. By doing so, the student can maximize their potential period of funding by applying to the CGS M program for their first year of doctoral studies and apply for the CGS D program for the remaining years. It is up to the student to choose the level of award for which they apply.
Fonds de recherche du Québec
A student in a direct entry from a bachelor’s to doctoral studies must initially apply to the Master’s Training Scholarship competition if they are eligible otherwise. Funding applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program, even if they haven’t started it yet.
