PhD Options

While the SALA does not offer PhD degrees, opportunities exist to pursue doctoral research directly or to extend the work of the the research degrees in other academic units within UBC, including the PhD program in the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program.

Prospective PhD applicants, especially those exploring environmental issues, may also wish to consider the PhD program through the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability.

Currently, formal application for doctoral study in Architecture or Landscape Architecture at UBC must go through one of the two programs above. SALA will only consider requests after a formal PhD application has been submitted to a UBC program.

Applicants wishing for a SALA faculty member as their graduate advisor, must submit the following information:

• Letter of Introduction, summarizing academic and employment background, and explaining the desire to study at the University of British Columbia. Already secured scholarships, fellowships, or other funding to help support the studies should also be explained this in your letter.
• Statement of Proposed Research (2-5 pages) to include articulation of academic goals, outline proposed research topic and approach, and indication why the research is useful or important.
• Proposed research supervisors with a statement explaining why these faculty are the most suitable supervisors. (For the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, please see the requirement for co-supervisors.)
• Three letters of reference from previous post-secondary faculty.
• One copy of an unofficial transcript with English translation. (Official transcripts will be submitted to one of the above programs with formal application.)
• TOEFL scores

Application Deadlines

The application deadline is one month prior to the application deadline of the PhD program. Online applications should be submitted early because a formal application is required prior to SALA review of the request.