Applying for graduate programs in Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a graduate program of study in physics focused on several experimental and theoretical fields of contemporary interest.

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Where to submit applications

Applications to the Department of Physics and Astronomy must be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

In addition, the Department of Physics and Astronomy requires submission of additional documentation as detailed in the following sections.

Admission requirements

Please review the general admission requirements. International students should check the English language test requirements and the list of exempt countries.

Steps to follow

Step 1: Get in touch with a prospective advisor

To get in touch with a prospective advisor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, please send an email to Gerald Gwinner, associate head (graduate studies), at gwinner@physics.umanitoba.ca with the subject line "enquiry". In the main body of the email, please include your name and accessibility needs, but nothing further. You will have the opportunity to provide information in the form we send you.

Please note that this is not an application.

Notices:

  • You can, of course, contact an individual researcher in our department directly.

  • The Department of Physics and Astronomy cannot admit graduate students without the formal commitment of an advisor.

  • Direct application to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies without prior contact with a potential advisor may not succeed and will result in the loss of the application fee, independent of your qualifications.

Step 2: Apply

Once you have an informal understanding with an advisor to take you on, apply formally to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Ensure that you also complete the following additional requirements.

  • Inform the Department of Physics and Astronomy by email that you have sent a formal application; include your name, address, email address, proposed advisor, and the exact date of your application.
  • Submit a curriculum vitae (CV).
  • Submit a letter describing your career goals and research interests, showing how these relate to the research program of your proposed faculty supervisor.
  • GRE physics subject test score for PhD applicants is preferred but not mandatory; please inquire with potential advisors about their preference.

Step 3: Stay in contact

Stay in contact with your potential advisor during the admission process to make sure that things move forward.

Step 4: Final approval

Once the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies has verified the completeness of your application, the potential advisor can make a formal commitment (or the application is circulated in the department to find an advisor), and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will proceed with the final approval, at which point you will be notified.