The Department of Mechanical Engineering accepts applications year-round for entry points in September, January and May. International applications received after the University deadlines will be accepted but offers might not be made in time for the desired entry point.

Check the list of important dates and deadlines on the Registrar's site. The major deadline to be considered for most of the University of Victoria Fellowships (one of the major scholarships) for all students is February 15 of each year.

Applicants from outside of Canada should note that it sometimes takes longer for all documentation to be received.

What kind of support is available for graduate students in the Faculty of Engineering?

We are firm believers that adequate financial support of graduate students is a crucial factor in contributing to their overall success. This support includes scholarships, research grants, teaching and research assistantships, and salaries paid by employers of part-time or co-op students. Visit each department's website for detailed information.

What are the admission requirements?

Check the Graduate Admissions and Records page for departmental admission requirements.

Can I take graduate courses as a non-degree student?

Check with each department. Students who wish to improve their academic background may be admitted as non-degree students. Applicants must meet the same entrance requirements and follow the same application procedure as degree-seeking applicants. Fees may be considerably higher.

How much are tuition fees?

Tuition fees are listed on the Accounting Services site.

Does the Faculty offer teaching or research assistant positions?

Yes. Check departmental career pages for possible research and teaching opportunities:

Does the Faculty have research laboratories?

Yes, we are proud of our state-of-the-art facilities in a new building. Visit each department's website for details on their labs

You'll find fully functional machine and electronics shops and a wide range of up-to-date computing equipment. As well, Electrical and Computer Engineering houses a scanning probe microscope and the largest anechoic chamber in Western Canada .

Do you require GRE and/or TOEFL?

GRE: Check the list of departmental requirements for information about whether the GRE is recommended.
TOEFL is a requirement of admission for applicants whose first language is not English.

What are the minimum GRE and TOEFL scores?

GRE: There is no minimum score required. The test is recommended to assist a potential applicant's verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.

TOEFL is a mandatory requirement at the University of Victoria for applicants whose first language is not English. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 575 on the paper-based test or a score of 233 on the computer based test (normally shown as 575/233).

For the new internet-based TOEFL, we require a minimum of 90 with the following minimum section requirements: Listening 20; Speaking 20; Reading 20; Writing 20. Individual departments may set a higher standard.

What if I have a low TOEFL and/or GRE score?

Your application will be refused if you do not have the minimum acceptable TOEFL score. If you have a low GRE score, your application may still be forwarded for further consideration if you meet the other admission requirements.

Which GRE test do you recommend - the General test or the Subject test?

Check with the appropriate department. The Department of Computer Science recommends the General GRE test.

Can I apply before getting TOEFL or GRE scores?

Yes, you can apply before getting your TOEFL test results. The results will, however, be required by the time your file has been evaluated and forwarded to the department for consideration. If your score results are lower than the requirement, you will need to arrange to take the test again.

How can I check my application status?

Once an application has reached Graduate Admissions and Records, you can check the status of your documents and/or admission decisions through uSource. Click on Graduate Admission Inquiry then My Status.

If the online status shows that your application has been forwarded to the department, its status remains unchanged until a positive or negative admission decision has been made. At this point inquiries about its status should be directed to the department's Graduate Secretary. If admission is denied, formal notification is from Graduate Admissions and Records.

Can I apply before finishing my undergraduate degree?

Yes, you can apply before your undergraduate degree has actually been granted. You need to have completed the majority of your degree and be finished your degree before the entry point to which you are applying.

You'll need to submit an in-progress transcript to Graduate Admissions and Records for a preliminary grade point evaluation. If you meet the minimum requirements, they'll forward the file to the department.

If the department decides to offer you a place in their program, the offer would be one of provisional acceptance only. The offer of full acceptance would take place once all outstanding documentation is received.

Note: International students may not be able to apply for a student visa with a provisional letter of acceptance.

I am an International applicant. What are the requirements?

You'll find information on the Registrar's site and the main UVic site about requirements for international applicants.

What is the application process?

You will need to provide:

Application Forms
Deadlines
Resume
Statement of Intent
References (Assessment Reports)
Documentation

Details on the Computer Science graduate application process are outlined in detail on their website. If you are applying to Mechanical Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering be sure to check the list of admission requirements.

How can I improve my chances of being accepted?

Aside from meeting the admission requirements for a graduate program, an important consideration in admission decisions is whether there is a good match of research interests/background with potential supervisors who are willing to take on new students.

You may wish to contact faculty members who are involved in research that you wish to pursue. Wait until after your application is assessed and forwarded to the department so potential supervisors can familiarize themselves with your application before meeting.

Be sure to indicate in your application whether you are able to support your own studies or have a scholarship. Faculty may be willing to supervise additional students if no support is required.

How can I prepare a good application?

Consider your application to graduate studies similar to a job application. Highlight your strengths and experience in your resume and summarize your GPA as it relates to Engineering, CSC and Math courses. Briefly explain your goals and why you prefer certain areas of research, including your flexibility and focus.

The application form and transcripts don't give an evaluator much scope to understand who you are and how you compare to other possible applicants. Your application can show a potential supervisor why you should be admitted or at least be given an interview. Clearly state any professional activities beyond course work, emphasizing industrial experience or work terms.

As an example, consider your grades. Universities use different scales for GPA and programs have different standards. You may have a stellar performance in all courses, or perhaps only in ENGR or CSC courses. Here are some ideas:

Convert your own grades to a percentage - we will trust you, and the formal transcripts will be checked eventually.
Calculate your percentage for the last 2 years and compare it to the cumulative and graduating ones.
Calculate your percentage in the relevant ENGR, CSC or MATH courses to highlight your proficiency in some areas.
Give a reasonable statement about your standing as compared to other graduates from your university department.

A good application conducive to a clear evaluation would contain:

the application form;
clear contact information, especially an email address;
an official transcript (sent directly to Graduate Admissions and Records);
an unofficial summary of the transcript (prepared by the applicant) with (translated) clear interpretation of course listings;
a one-page statement of intent summarizing your interests and plans. Many applicants write long essays while others ignore this step as they believe that only their technical abilities are on the table. See hints below on what to include.
a complete professional resume (2-3 pages);
reference forms;
any additional documentation which is relevant to your application.

Here are a few items you should consider including in your statement of intent:

What areas are you most interested in and why?
Why would you like to attend UVic?
What is your background? Do you bring experience from areas outside Engineering and Computer Science?
Are you already in contact with any faculty members here?
What are your career plans? Why do you want a graduate degree at all?

What is uSource and when do I need to use it?

The uSource portal is the central web-based access point to your life at UVic. uSource is a single-login site that gives members of the UVic community access to secured information on the UVic network, e-mail, online groups and basic course tools. uSource is where class registration occurs, class schedules are available, personal information can be changed, account balances are displayed, employee (TA/RA/Sessional) information/pay stubs are stored and much more.

It is vital that you register for uSource.

Step 1: Register for a NetLink ID online. You can apply for one as soon as you have a student number. Your NetLink ID will give you a UVic email address, remote access to UVic servers and, most importantly, access to uSource. Be sure to let your graduate secretary know your UVic email address.

Step 2: Register for uSource.

I've been accepted, how can I register in my courses?

Once you have your full or conditional offer of admission, you can proceed with online registration on uSource (see above). Contact your supervisor or Graduate Adviser to confirm which courses to register for. Your department will advise you of your registration dates through uSource. For more information on registration, see Graduate Steps to Register.

What is the exact last day to register for courses?

Check the list of all academic deadlines and mark these dates in your calendar. You don't want to be charged extra for a course you are not taking simply because you missed the course-drop deadline! Registration dates are set by your academic unit. Check your dates through uSource and if you are unsure, check with your grad secretary.

What are the important dates and deadlines I need to be aware of?

Check the calendar of important academic dates and be sure to put them in your calendar. You should also check the Fees and Funding section of the Graduate Studies site, and Student Awards and Financial Aid for information on scholarship and bursary deadlines. Don't miss out on important funding opportunities because you weren't aware of the deadlines!

Where can I find a form?

All graduate studies forms, including those needed to graduate, can be found on the Graduate Studies site.

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