Doctorat en études urbaines at Institut national de la recherche scientifique

Programme overview

90-credit PhD in urban studies offered jointly with UQAM, analysing the city in all its dimensions with experts from geography, sociology, economics, demography and political science.

Duration: 4 years full-time (1 year extension possible) / 6 years part-time | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Intake: Fall only (30 March) | Location: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

What you will study

Thesis-based programme with research axes including urban society, housing, local development, migration, urban economies, built environments and governance.

Career pathways

Government ministries, municipalities, international, non-profit and community organisations, educational institutions and the private sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Master's degree or equivalent in the human sciences, urban studies, urban planning, environment, tourism, architecture or administration; cumulative average of at least 3.2/4.3; research pre-proposal of about 3,000 words; written agreement of a supervising professor; three reference letters.

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.

Admission is possible for three terms: Fall (classes start 31 August 2026), Winter (classes start 11 January 2027) and Summer.

Application deadlines for 2nd and 3rd cycle: Fall term 30 March; Winter term 1 November; Summer term 1 March. Exceptions for international students: professional master's in water sciences 15 February (Fall); urban studies programmes 1 March (Fall) and 1 August (Winter, master's only). Applications received after these dates may still be reviewed.

Applications are submitted online through the IDE portal and an admission fee is paid by credit card via a link sent at submission. Candidates from INRS or the Universite du Quebec network, open-house participants and those who met an INRS representative at a recruitment fair are exempt from the fee. A research director must usually be identified before applying, except for professional programmes, DESS and short programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://inrs.ca/les-etudes/bureau-du-registraire

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