## [PhD Program](/phd) SCARP's extraordinary PhD students conduct and mobilise original research with cunning new insights, and enter a broader world as planning scholars with the insights gained at UBC SCARP. ### [Read this page and still have questions? ](https://scarp.ubc.ca/events?keywords=&field_event_category_target_id=280) You can email admissions@scarp.ubc.ca with anything that still isn't clear. Or you can attend one of SCARP's or UBC's admissions infosessions. (Click here to see what's coming up!) - Overview - Applying ##### Overview ## Put Knowledge in Action For its intellectual contributions SCARP is recognised worldwide for being a bastion of progressive planning, community-engaged and participatory research, bridging theory and practice, and tackling the complex social, environmental, and technological issues facing our communities using innovative and ethical research design. Since SCARP began offering PhD degrees in 1971, our alumni now occupy many leadership positions in academia, government, and civil society. That’s because the questions asked at SCARP are not theoretical to us. Central to our vision of Planning is to put our knowledge in action and plan in partnership. [![Hyperlinked button showing students smiling arm in arm and inviting you to learn more about SCARP's values and Strategic Plan](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2025-10/strategic-plan.png.webp?itok=B8ck2qzu)](/node/410)## Curiosity, excellence, and courage in what we do Nurturing and mentoring PhD students are key to SCARP’s identity and culture. As a PhD student at SCARP you partake in Planning PhD-specific coursework that gives you a solid intellectual foundation within the planning discipline. Planning is, at its best, transdisciplinary. That’s why our faculty supervisors’ strongly varied expertise reinforces students’ interdisciplinary expertise. ## Learn in community with peers Our PhD program encourages inclusivity and relationship-building core to a lively intellectual environment. PhD students participate in: - Monthly research forums, where students have opportunities to present their work, receive feedback, and refine their ideas - Student-organized lecture series - An annual SCARP Student Symposium, organized by students and open to the broader community around a topic of contemporary interest - Social events for students and faculty to build camaraderie ## Full program overview The SCARP PhD program is primarily a research degree, with a flexible component of course work as well as certain specific Required Courses. Doctoral students work under the guidance of a Supervisory Committee consisting of at least three faculty members, including the Research Supervisor. Overall, Ph.D. candidates should expect to spend at least 3 years in the completion of their degree requirements. Typical programs run 4-5 years. To successfully complete the degree, students must satisfactorily complete the following: - Course work - A two-year pre-candidacy residence requirement - A comprehensive examination - A research proposal - Writing and defending a PhD dissertation The SCARP PhD Program is governed by the general policies and procedures of the UBC Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS) and their more specific elaboration by SCARP. ## On qualifying See the [minimum admissions criteria](https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission) for graduate studies at UBC. Beyond this, the SCARP Admissions Committee considers many factors in making admissions decisions. These factors include academic preparation, academic capability, experience, and fit with a prospective research supervisor and with the School. Please review the 'Applying' tab for details on any prerequisite requirements. ## Program requirements SCARP's PhD Program is governed by the general policies and procedures of the UBC Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS). See the [Handbook of Graduate Supervision](https://www.grad.ubc.ca/handbook-graduate-supervision) and [Policies & Procedures](https://www.grad.ubc.ca/faculty-staff/policies-procedures) webpages, as well as their more specific elaboration by SCARP (as detailed below and in the PhD Handbook) for Thesis Preparation, Internal Defense, Final Oral Defense, and Thesis Submission. The Chair of the SCARP PhD Program is responsible for ensuring that the administration of each student's program is in compliance with these policies and procedures. Students should be familiar with all information available. ### Course Requirements Students typically take 15-24 credits of course work in the first two academic years of SCARP's PhD program. #### Required Courses PLAN 559Design of planning- and policy-oriented research3 creditsPLAN 602Advanced planning theory3 creditsPLAN 603Planning colloquium6 credits over 2 yearsPLAN 649Dissertation *registration required throughout the program to maintain active status*0 creditsAdditional requirement: An advanced research methods course selected in consultation with your supervisor#### Additional courses - PLAN 505 (Planning theory, values and ethics) is recommended if you don't have a background in Planning, but optional depending on the faculty supervisor and student, and can be audited. - Students may select other appropriate courses in consultation with their supervisory committee. The exact form and structure of the student’s PhD coursework is left to the discretion of the student and their committee and depends on the student’s background preparation and research focus. PhD students generally use their courses to develop disciplinary expertise relevant to their area of research. #### Additional Requirements Doctoral students can proceed to candidacy (the research phase of the PhD degree) upon completion of: - Required coursework - The comprehensive exam - Defence of the research proposal ### Candidacy The basic requirements for the status of "Admitted to Candidacy" are: - All required course work successfully completed - Completion of the comprehensive examination - Successful defense of the research proposal - Completion of a two-year residency as a full-time student in the PhD program - Candidacy requirements should normally be completed within the first twenty-four months in the program and, in any case, within the thirty-six month limit established by G+PS. ### Thesis #### Preparation Detailed requirements for the thesis document have been established by the UBC Library. The Faculty of Graduate Studies has developed regulations that govern innovative thesis formats and media. #### Final Steps When a PhD student has completed a final draft of their thesis and all Supervisory Committee members have approved it the thesis must be sent to The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS) for transmittal to the External Examiner and for the final UBC Oral Examination. If a student wishes to proceed directly to the UBC Defense, the Supervisory Committee must agree that the thesis is ready and submit a memo to that effect to the PhD Chair (or Department Head, in cases where the PhD Chair is supervisor). The thesis transmittal memo and the final thesis are due in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies a minimum of six weeks before the University final oral examination. #### University Final Oral Examination The final step in the Doctoral Program is a formal oral thesis defense administered by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Regulations pertaining to the University's final oral examination can be found in a reference booklet entitled " The Final Oral Examination Guide for Doctoral Candidates ". Important timelines highlighted in the booklet are: Three months before the expected completion of the thesis, the Appointment of External Examiner form must be submitted by SCARP to G+PS Six weeks before the final oral examination, submit the thesis and departmental memo to G+PS. Six weeks is the earliest date that a defense can be scheduled after the thesis has been transmitted to the External Examiner by G+PS. Four weeks before the final oral examination, the Research Supervisor must confirm the date and time of the final oral examination and submit the Examination Program and the Approval of University Examiners forms to G+PS. Timelines are subject to change. Students should check for documentation updates a minimum of six months prior to their expected thesis defense date. Formal [Preparation and Submission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies](http://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-students/dissertation-thesis-preparation) ## Courses [SCARP Course listings](/courses) ## Tuition [Full-time Studies (Schedule A)](http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=14,266,773,1451) [Up-to-date fee information (Additional student fees may apply)](http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/tuition-fees-cost-living/graduate-student-fees) [Cost of Living information for Vancouver](http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/tuition-fees-cost-living/cost-living) ##### Applying ## When do I apply?: Please revisit this page in September for our Fall 2027 admissions deadlines. In the meantime, you're welcome to reach out to prospective research supervisors you think speak to you! ## Application Requirements ### 1. G+PS admissions requirements Please [consult or contact the UBC Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies](https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission) to understand their requirements, such as: - *Application fees* - *Online application problems* - *Minimum academic requirements* - *Transcript requirements* - *Translations of transcripts* - *Letters of Reference requirement* - GRE requirements - Evidence of English Language requirements ### 2. Research Statement of Intent Applicants are required to prepare and submit a research statement of intent (approximately 1,000 words). The statement should outline the thesis project you wish to undertake, the research methods you expect to use, and how the work builds on or draws from your previous training or experience. ### 3. Evidence of Research Competence Applicants must submit a copy of their Master’s thesis for their application. Previous academic publications, or previous academic projects are also considered acceptable writing samples. ### 4. CV/Resume Each applicant must submit a CV/resume detailing educational background, work and/or volunteer experience, publications, and any academic or professional awards earned. ### 5. Deferred Admission It is not possible to defer admission. If you are accepted but do not register you may apply again by submitting a new application form and paying the fee. Your admission would be considered along with others applying for that year. ### 6. Time of Admission Applicants selected for consideration for admission will be invited to an interview with their prospective research supervisor and Program Chair. Final admission decisions will be made after the interview. Applicants admitted to the program will commence full-time studies in September. The School of Community and Regional Planning does not admit students at any other time of year. ## How to apply If you would like to apply for the next intake, please review the following steps. 1. ### Make contact and forge a connection Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to prospective supervisors to determine if there is overlap in research interests and intellectual approach and to see if prospective supervisors are taking on PhD students in any given year. The [Faculty Directory](https://scarp.ubc.ca/faculty) and each faculty members’ bio gives you some initial information on each faculty members’ research specialties, research inquiries, and lens in the world of planning. 2. ### An Expression of Interest It is **highly recommended** that you submit an optional [Expression of Interest](https://scarp.ubc.ca/phd-program-pre-application-form) to apply (which opens every year on second Thursday of September). The Expression of Interest: - Helps match you with the best research supervisor based on your interests - Provides an understanding of your interest in the program earlier - Assess your fit with a Research Supervisor and the Program without having to pay the full application fee Expressions of Interest are due every year at the end of November. Full applications without an Expression of Interest will be accepted, but this step is highly recommended. Those whose Expression of Interest is considered promising will be invited to submit a full application during the official application period. You can still apply if you have not been invited to do so by a faculty member. 3. ### Apply The option to submit your formal application will appear on this webpage once the application period begins. Please note that full applications AND referee letters are due on the same date. 4. ### After you apply Check this webpage and email periodically. Please check your online application regularly for updates, as protocols may be subject to change. Due to the volume of documents received we are unable to confirm receipt of documents by email or phone. - [About our current PhD students](/phd-students) - [SCARP PhD alumni doctoral citations](/doctoral-citations)