Admissions
Program Inquiries
Interested in a particular program? Visit the program website to learn more:
Application Inquiries
Inquiries related to the online application can be directed to SGPS at:
Email: gradapps@uwo.ca
Phone: 519-850-2341
Fax: 519-661-3730
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization in all aspects of graduate and postdoctoral studies. For more information regarding these commitments please visit grad.uwo.ca/edi-d.
Sociology
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Meet Nicole Etherington, PhD candidate in Sociology

Supervisor: Dr. Andrea Wilson
What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
Be open-minded, take advantage of any opportunities that come along, know that your plans might change… and invest in a really good day-planner!
Where’s your favourite place on campus to work/study/research? Why?
I love my office in the Department of Sociology because it is in an area with fellow PhD students and has a great set-up in terms of space, technology, desks, filing cabinets, etc.
What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
The tremendous support I have received from my supervisor and the Sociology department as a whole.
What is your “dream” career?
It’s still a toss up between academia and policy, but whichever route I take, I want to be doing impactful research that can be applied in various ways to make a real difference in the world.
What idea, suggestion, or comment would you like to share with the Western graduate community?
Explore your options and never limit yourself. Also – this is a unique time in your life and should be enjoyed and celebrated – don’t let the stress we sometimes feel get in the way of fun!
Have you worked as a TA or RA? If so, how did this benefit your academic career?
I have worked as both and have developed my teaching and research skills as a result. I’ve learned a lot about interacting with students, developing less plans, working on large scale research projects, collaboration, organization, etc.
Do you engage in volunteer activities? If yes, what activities?
Yes, my dogs are registered therapy dogs and we visit seniors’ homes.
What are you most passionate about?
Dogs (especially rescues), music, my niece, soccer, social change – especially working to end gender-based violence.
Program Websites
Program Contact
Sandra Vilovski (svilovsk@uwo.ca)Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Sociology
Western UniversitySocial Science Centre Rm 5312
London, Ontario N6A 5C2
t. 519-661-2111 ext. 85144
f. 519-661-3200
Our faculty include award-winning, internationally renowned scholars in Social Inequality, Aging & Health, and Population Studies. We also have research expertise in areas such as youth and identity, criminology, and work. Furthermore, we are home to the Centre for Population, Aging and Health. We are active participants in the collaborative specializations in Migration & Ethnic Relations and Transitional Justice & Post-Conflict Reconstruction. Moreover, our researchers benefit from the Research Data Centre housed at Western and one of the top academic libraries in the country.
Upon completion, our graduates work in a variety of academic institutions, government agencies and private businesses around the world. The department houses a graduate student computer lab, office space, classrooms, research space and a lounge. With all of these facilities located on the fifth floor of the Social Science Centre, our students enjoy an inclusive environment and easy access to faculty members and facilities.
The Own Your Future doctoral professional development program creates career-ready graduates with the Power Skills necessary to excel in their studies and achieve their future goals. Assess your own strengths and opportunities for growth and focus on what you want to get out of your time here at Western. To learn more, visit www.uwo.ca/ownyourfuture.
Program Length
- 12 Terms
Program Design
- Full-time study
- Thesis-based
Funding Information
Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
Admission Requirements
- Master's degree or equivalent.
- At least a high second class standing (B+) in the master's degree.
It is preferred but not essential that this Master's degree be in sociology. Applicants who have taken sociological theory, statistics and methods are preferred.
Additional Requirements
- A writing sample (e.g. term paper, excerpt from MA thesis), maximum 20 double-spaced pages.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 625 for the paper and pencil version, 263 for the computer version, or 107 for the internet version. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
- The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Minimum acceptable score is 8 out of 9.
Application Deadline
- January 15 - Acceptance notification in late March
Late applications are still accepted under certain conditions. Please visit Sociology - How to Apply for more information.
Fields of Research
- Aging and the Life Course
- Health and Health Inequality
- Inequality, Power, and Social Regulation
- Social Demography and Migration
- Work, Occupations, and Professions