The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Information provides opportunities for advanced scholarly inquiry into theoretical aspects of information and in the empirical investigations of information in various contexts. This includes research on the social, cultural, and technical aspects of information as well as research on related concepts, processes, and activities.
PhD students come from different backgrounds and with different areas of interest. Therefore, the curriculum both fosters a common conversation about the field of information and supports the development of individual research projects. The focus of the program is to enable the student to achieve competence in order to carry out the research and writing of an original thesis in information.
PhD Program (No Concentration)
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Information's additional admission requirements stated below.
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Average of at least A– in an appropriate master's degree program (Information, Library and Information Science, Informatics, Communication, Computer Science, Cultural Studies, Data Science, Engineering, English, History, Media Studies, or similar) or equivalent. Equivalency is normally determined by the number of courses and/or credits taken.
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Admission is limited to graduates with a strong record of academic achievement and a demonstrated interest in research. Applicants are evaluated based on their personal statement, academic record, research statement, writing sample, and three academic letters of reference. Potential supervisors may also request a personal interview. Please review the Supporting Documents section of the admissions website for detailed information on the required application materials and what to include in each document.
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All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests. Scores must be from tests taken within the last two years.
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:
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Paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 with 5.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
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Internet-based TOEFL exam: 107/120 with 24/30 on the speaking section and 27/30 on the writing section.
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International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.
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Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.
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English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.
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Admission procedures are described in the General Regulations section of this calendar.
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Doctoral students are admitted for a September start.
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Meeting the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Information and the School of Graduate Studies does not guarantee admission.
Completion Requirements
To achieve candidacy, students must fulfil the following:
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Complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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One course from the following areas (1.5 FCEs in total):
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One additional course (0.5 FCE) from any of the above areas
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1.0 elective FCE
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Complete other courses appropriate for the student's research.
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Pass a qualifying exam.
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Present and defend a thesis research proposal.
Upon achievement of candidacy, students must:
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Complete a thesis and pass a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time
PhD Program (Direct-Entry)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Information's additional admission requirements stated below.
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Average of at least A– over the final two years in a four-year bachelor's degree program. Applicants may wish to review the Faculty's research clusters when deciding on the appropriateness of their bachelor's degree.
-
Admission is limited to graduates with a strong record of academic achievement and a demonstrated interest in research. Applicants are evaluated based on their personal statement, academic record, research statement, writing sample, and three academic letters of reference. Potential supervisors may also request a personal interview. Please review the Supporting Documents section of the admissions website for detailed information on the required application materials and what to include in each document.
-
All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests. Scores must be from tests taken within the last two years.
-
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:
-
Paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 with 5.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
-
Internet-based TOEFL exam: 107/120 with 24/30 on the speaking section and 27/30 on the writing section.
-
-
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.
-
Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.
-
English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.
-
-
Admission procedures are described in the General Regulations section of this calendar.
-
Doctoral students are admitted for a September start.
-
Meeting the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Information and the School of Graduate Studies does not guarantee admission.
Completion Requirements
To achieve candidacy, students must fulfil the following:
-
Complete a total of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
-
One course from the following areas (1.5 FCEs in total):
-
One additional course (0.5 FCE) from any of the above areas
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2.5 elective FCEs
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Complete other courses appropriate for the student's research.
-
Pass a qualifying exam.
-
Present and defend a thesis research proposal.
Upon achievement of candidacy, students must:
-
Complete a thesis and pass a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time