FAQs

FAQs for Graduate Applications in the Department of Geography

1.     Do graduate degrees (MA, MSc, PhD) in Geography receive financial support?

Yes. All admitted graduate students receive financial support through a combination of funding sources:

·       Baseline Support: A combination of university support and supervisor grant funding.

·       Assistantships: Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and Graduate or Research Assistantships (GAs or RAs).

Teaching Assistantships are allocated based on course demand and available university funding, with priority given to incoming students. Graduate Assistantships are typically offered by faculty members using their research grants. Please note that TA and GA positions are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.

 

2.     Can I self-fund my graduate degree:

We do not permit self-funded graduate degrees, as we are committed to supporting our students in an equitable manner.

 

3.     Do I need a Geography faculty member to support my application?

Securing a prospective supervisor is a crucial first step. Your application will only move forward if a faculty member fully supports your file. In our department, admission requires meeting two essential conditions:

  1. A faculty member has reviewed your academic history and confirmed a strong alignment in research interests and skills.

  2. The faculty member has the necessary grant funding to support you financially.

If either condition is not met, your application will not proceed to the review stage.

We strongly recommend reviewing our current supervision opportunities in the "Opportunities" section at the bottom of the page and reaching out directly to faculty who are actively recruiting. This list is updated regularly as research grants and supervisory capacity change. You can also explore our full roster of instructors and researchers on our Faculty Webpage to review their expertise before getting in touch.

 

4.     What if I sent an email to a prospective faculty member and haven't heard back?

If a faculty member does not respond, it typically means one of two things:

  1. They are not accepting new graduate students or have reached their capacity.

  2. Your research interests or academic background do not align with their current research program.

Please keep in mind that our faculty receive dozens of inquiries every week, making individual responses to every inquiry difficult.

 

5.     What are the application deadlines?

The Department of Geography accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. However, please refer to FAQ #3—securing a faculty supervisor is a required prerequisite for your application to proceed for review.

 

6.     What are the minimum grades required for graduate admission?

Review the grade requirements with the School of Graduate Studies website.

 

7.     How do I get an application fee waiver?

Application fee waivers are not typically awarded. Any inquiry of fee waivers can be made to the School of Graduate Studies (sgs@mun.ca)

 

8.     What are the language requirements for Graduate Studies at Memorial University?

Review the language requirements with the School of Graduate Studies website.

 

9.     Are there any grants, bursaries, scholarships or awards available to graduate students?

  1. You can review the list of opportunities on the following searchable database.

 

Opportunities 

No Current Graduate Student Opportunities