Admissions

Please upload a copy of each official transcript to the online application in the language of the issuing university. If you are admitted to our program, each University will need to provide us with official hard copies of all transcripts.

• Grading schemes: Most universities include a grading scheme on the transcript or as a separate attachment. We need this information to assess your eligibility for admission and funding. Be sure the transcripts you provide include a grading scheme.
• Transcripts not in English: Please upload a certified translated copy
• Enrolled in another program at the time of application: Please upload an official interim transcript with your application. If you are offered admission to Western, the offer will be conditional upon completing that degree. You will have to provide confirmation of completing the degree (and official final transcripts) before you may enroll at Ivey. 
• If the transcript does not show the degree has been earned: Please upload an official copy of the certificate of completion and/or diploma in the language of the issuing university.
• If the university does not issue transcripts: Please provide an official letter from that university confirming the policy. In such instances, please also provide a list of courses you have completed and, where possible, course outlines for each.

We strongly prefer GRE, GMAT or GMAT Focus Edition scores with both verbal and quantitative components ranking at least in the 75^th percentile. If applying for admission to a math-intensive program (e.g. Management Science), the quantitative component should be much higher (90^th percentile +).

• Please upload a copy of your GRE, GMAT or GMAT Focus Edition report to the online application, and 
• Arrange to have official results sent directly to us by the issuing authority:
  • GRE: Please quote the institution code 0984 and department code 4399 on your request form. Further information is available on the GRE site.
  • GMAT/GMAT Focus Edition: Please quote our program code on your request form: CMB-MG-20. Further information is available on the GMAC site.
• Tests may be taken online or at a testing centre.
• This requirement may not be waived or substituted.
• Test scores older than five years are not accepted.

• Please upload a copy of your test report to the online application, and
• Arrange to have official results sent directly to our office by the issuing authority.
• Test scores older than two years are not accepted. 

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based (iBT)

• TOEFL MyBest™ scores are not accepted
• Western's Institution Code for TOEFL is 0984; choose “Graduate Studies” or, if applicable, department code 99.

For tests taken before January 21, 2026,

• A minimum overall score of 100
• A minimum of 22 in each section

For tests taken after January 21, 2026,

• A minimum score of 4.5 in each section and overall 

International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) Academic
Score requirements (academic NOT general):

• A minimum score of 7 in each category and overall
• IELTS General, IELTS Indicator, and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted
• IELTS Results Service Account name: Western University 

Duolingo English Test 
Score requirements:

• A minimum overall score of 125
• A minimum of 100 for each subscore
• After writing the test, send the score to us through your Duolingo account.

Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
Score requirements:

• A minimum overall score of 70
• A minimum of 70 in each section
• Request that your CAEL score be sent to us when booking the test. 

Request to Waive the English Language Test

Applicants who have studied and/or worked in a country where English is the primary language* for the previous two consecutive years may request a waiver of the English language proficiency test requirement. To do so, applicants must submit a written document within the online application. Applications submitted without test scores and without a written waiver request will not be considered.

The waiver request must be submitted as a written document prepared by the applicant and must include supporting evidence of English proficiency. Examples of acceptable documentation include previous English language test scores, performance evaluations referencing language proficiency, or details outlining the number of years spent studying or working in an anglophone country.

Waiver requests are reviewed only after an applicant has been recommended for admission. Applicants are therefore encouraged to provide strong and thorough supporting documentation. If sufficient English proficiency is not demonstrated to the program’s satisfaction, admission will be denied. The program also reserves the right to require remedial language training for any student who demonstrates inadequate English proficiency after beginning the PhD program.

*The list of eligible countries/regions is as follows: Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Ghana, Guyana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Please upload your Statement of Research and Professional Interests to the online application. Your statement should address each of the topics below:

1. Why do you want to do a PhD at Ivey?
2. What is your current understanding of the discipline to which you are applying?
3. What are your research interests?
4. Which Ivey faculty members do you think would be interested in working with you and why?
5. Who, if anyone, at Ivey have you talked to about doing a PhD here?
6. If you were to graduate from our PhD program, what would be your career plans?

Statement must be written in three pages or less.

Please list three referees in the online application form, once this is done, an email is automatically generated advising both the applicant and referees of the submission. The referee will be provided with a link to the online appraisal form. If desired, they will also be able to upload and submit a written reference letters as a PDF file.

At least two of the three references should be from professors who know you well enough to evaluate your capacity to conduct independent scholarly work.

All three recommendations must be submitted on, or before, the application deadline.

Please upload your curriculum vitae to the online application. Include your education, work experience, research and publications, awards/distinctions, and any other information you feel would support your application.