University Career Pathway
Types of Degrees
There are 3 different degrees that you can achieve through a university pathway: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, and Ph.D.
Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor's degree is an undergraduate degree that requires 3 to 4 years in a specific field in college or university. It is the first step towards graduate studies such as Master, doctoral or even degrees in professional fields such as medicine or law.
​
While you're working towards your bachelor's, you can also participate in lectures, labs, research, discussion groups, and co-op programs.
​
Canadian Bachelor's Degrees are globally recognized and equivalent to undergraduate programs in other countries.
Master's Degree
A master's degree can be achieved after completing your undergraduate studies. It usually requires 1-3 years of full-time study. For most programs, a bachelor's degree is typically required before you can start getting your Master's.
​
Students will have to lectures, complete assignments, visit research sites and sometimes travel worldwide as part of their training.
​
Students must also complete a heavily weighted dissertation/thesis, an academic paper summarizing all the research they conducted during their Master's.
​
Benefits include:
-
Improves your standing in a competitive field
-
Ideal for students who are unsure what they want to do after their undergraduate studies
-
Receive higher salaries than those only with a bachelor's degree
Ph.D.
A doctor of philosophy, or a Ph.D., can be achieved after 3-7 years of full-time study with guidance from a Ph.D. advisor.
​
Ph.D.s are recognized internationally and put you at the top of the field. Once completed, students are formally known as "Doctors."
​
To apply for a Ph.D., you will need personal statements, academic references, and a Ph.D. research proposal that includes extensive research relevant to your thesis/dissertation, research methodology, and other resources.
​
The first two years consist of a small portion of coursework and a qualifying exam. Moreover, the study mainly collects and analyzes data from your research and writing your dissertation.
​
At the end of your Ph.D. study, you will have to complete a dissertation ranging from 50 to 300 pages and defend it by presenting it in front of a significant examination panel.