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On-Campus GDPA
On-Campus GDPA courses are offered during the summer term in May and June. These are intensive one-week courses (Monday - Friday all day).
Attendance and participation are expected and evaluated as part of the final grade for each course. On top of the in-person learning mentioned above, significant work in the form of readings, quizzes, and independent and group assignments take place outside of class time.
Classes generally are comprised of no more than 30 students, allowing ample opportunity for class discussion and individual attention. The intensive learning environment is a strength of the program, and the professional contacts and friendships formed during the GDPA are one of the program's lasting benefits.
Most students take two courses in their first summer term and two courses the following summer term. There is flexibility for students who need to extend their progression beyond two years.
Application Components
In order to apply to graduate studies at Western, it is important that you understand the essential elements of the Western graduate school application. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents (e.g., transcripts, references, test results such as TOEFL scores) are submitted.
Western accepts two methods of payment in order to process your application.
- Visa or Mastercard
- Money order or bank draft from a Canadian Banking Institution.
Western is unable to accept payment through alternate methods.
The application fee is non-refundable.
Applicants are required to upload copies of their transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the application process.
- If your transcript is not in English, you must also provide an English translation processed by the issuing institution or a third-party translation service.
Official transcripts after admission
If you are offered admission, you will be required to provide an official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, other than Western.
An official transcript is a transcript in an unopened envelope with the institution's stamp on the seal, or an electronic transcript sent directly to gradapps@uwo.ca by the institution's Registrar.
Western also accepts electronic transcripts issued directly through third-party transcript distribution services such as MyCreds or Parchment.
References are collected through Western's online reference system.
- You will be asked to provide your referees' contact information within the application. Please provide an email address associated with each referee's institution or workplace.
- Western will email your referees within 2 hours of you entering or updating your reference information within the application, regardless of whether you submit it. Be sure to communicate with each of your referees prior to entering their information.
- Your referees will receive an email containing a unique link to our online reference form, which is comprised of questions selected by the graduate program and includes a space to write or copy/paste a letter of reference.
- When your referee submits their completed form, you will receive a notification email. We will add the submitted reference to your application within 1-2 business days.
- You will receive an email notification when a referee submits the completed form.
You may submit your application before your references have been received, but all references must be submitted by the application deadline.
Applicants whose first language is not English should carefully review Western's English language proficiency requirements before applying.
Applicants whose first language is English are not required to submit proof of English language proficiency with their application.
Graduate School Application Guide
Ready to Apply?
The application portal is OPEN.
Applications for 2027 will be accepted between October 1, 2026 and February 1, 2027.
On-Campus GDPA applicants apply to start in Summer Term (May).