Custom-Designed PhD (Doctorat sur mesure) at École de technologie supérieure

Programme overview

Doctoral programme of 90 credits, authorised only in some cases when no regular ÉTS programme meets the training need and resources are available, that allows an original, coherent training plan. It builds advanced expertise in a specialised discipline or field and leads to a Ph.D. or a doctorate in a field of study. The official title includes the words 'sur mesure' followed by the integrating subject. Taught in French and English.

Study mode: full-time | Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

What you will study

90 credits: two mandatory 0-credit workshops (ATE800, ATE850), two graduate courses (6 credits) from the ÉTS course bank, a doctoral examination (9 credits, DGA1030) and a doctoral thesis in applied research (75 credits, DGA1095).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A master's degree (M.Sc.A. or M.Ing.) or equivalent in an appropriate field, with a letter of recommendation possibly required; exceptionally, a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field with the required knowledge, research training and an excellent academic record. An ÉTS professor must agree to act as thesis supervisor and applicants submit an approval form showing that no regular research programme can carry out the study project. Full-time enrolment is required (part-time only in very exceptional cases). Sufficient French is required, or English proven by an English-language university degree or a TOEFL/TOEIC test.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Academic year has three semesters: fall (September to December; 2026 classes start 31 August), winter (January to April; 2027 classes start 5 January) and summer (May to August; 2026 classes start 4 May). Some programmes do not admit students to the summer semester.

International PhD students: applications close 15 January for summer, 15 May for fall and 15 September for winter.

Canadian students: applications close 1 April for summer, 1 August for fall and 1 December for winter (summer excludes Bachelor programmes). International students: 1 December for summer, 1 March for fall and 1 July for winter.

Application fee is $57 for Canadian citizens and applicants through partnership agreements and $141 for international applicants, payable by Visa or Mastercard and non-refundable; a separate application is required for each programme.

Apply through the official page: https://www.etsmtl.ca/en/study-at-ets/applying-to-ets

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