PhD in Engineering at École de technologie supérieure

Programme overview

A 90-credit full-time doctorate (Ph.D.) in applied engineering at ÉTS Montréal, comprising 15 academic credits and 75 thesis credits. It is offered through the Construction, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Software Engineering and Information Technology Engineering departments, with courses available in French and English.

Faculty: ÉTS Montréal | Intake: Fall (application deadline August 1), Winter (December 1), Summer (April 1) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

What you will study

Students take 15 academic credits chosen from ÉTS departments and other Montreal universities, plus a 75-credit thesis, and present a literature review and thesis project statement in an oral examination. Research areas include health technologies, aerospace, sensors and networks, infrastructure, sustainable development, quantum engineering, software systems and cybersecurity, and advanced materials and manufacturing.

Career pathways

Researchers in industry and academia, and R&D roles in fields such as health technologies, aerospace, ICT and artificial intelligence.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Master's degree (M.A.Sc. or M.Eng.) or equivalent in an appropriate field; a letter of recommendation may be required. In exceptional cases, a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field with exceptional grades and the necessary training for research. Direct entry from an ÉTS thesis master's is possible under certain conditions. Applicants must have an ÉTS professor agree to act as thesis director and must commit to full-time registration. Admission is possible on the basis of English, shown by a degree from an English-language university or an English exam.

Domestic applicants: CAD 14,000 for the whole programme (2026). Tuition only for 2026-2027 as stated in the ÉTS cost-of-studies tables; indicative level-wide figure ('costs and durations are approximate'), excludes institutional fees, insurance and other expenses. Rate for Quebec-resident students. Total. Doctorate: 9 Source

International applicants: CAD 17,900 for the whole programme (2026). Tuition only for 2026-2027 as stated in the ÉTS cost-of-studies tables; indicative level-wide figure ('costs and durations are approximate'), excludes institutional fees, insurance and other expenses. Rate for international students. Total; full-time doct Source

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

Explore more study programmes

Engineering