Frequently Asked Questions / Inquiries

If your question is not answered below, please click here for an inquiry form.

Questions:

1. What is my commitment to MIRARCO if I do my research with MIRARCO while doing my coursework at Laurentian?
2. What is my commitment to the University, while completing my coursework?
3. Will I have to write a TOEFL exam to attend your University?
4. What fees will I have to pay to be enrolled at Laurentian University?
5. Can I do a PhD at Laurentian?
6. When can I start my coursework at Laurentian University?
7. What is the minimum funding I will receive at MIRARCO?
8. How can I contact a professor at Laurentian University?
9. May I apply for graduate studies before I have completed my degree?
10. When I am paying for my admissions application, who do I make the cheque payable to?
11. How can I get more information on graduate studies at Laurentian University?
12. What scores are deemed acceptable on the TOEFL exam?
13. Are there services available for International students?

Answers:

1. Q. What is my commitment to MIRARCO if I do my research with MIRARCO while doing my coursework at Laurentian?

   A. When joining the MIRARCO team, all students are required to do at least 10-15 hours of graduate research per week in addition to their coursework. This research will be as closely related to their field of studies as possible.
   
   

2. Q. What is my commitment to the University, while completing my coursework?

A. When you become a graduate student, there is an opportunity to become a Graduate Teaching Assistant. The GTA will receive $6750 over two terms and is required to work 12 hours/week for a University class as an assistant to the professor.



3. Q. Will I have to write a TOEFL exam to attend your University?

A. All foreign students will be required to write the TOEFL exam prior to attending any Canadian University. However, there may be exemption if the student is a permanent resident, has completed one year of schooling in Canada in English, or can provide proof that their previous studies in their home country were in English.



4. Q. What fees will I have to pay to be enrolled at Laurentian University?

A. Canadian: The fees for a Master program that a permanent resident of Canada will have to pay are approximately $2900/year.
Foreign: The fees for a Masters program that a non-Canadian student must pay are approximately $5800/year.



5. Q. Can I do a Ph.D. at Laurentian?

A. Laurentianl University currently offers a Ph.D. in Geology. For other Ph.D. fields Laurentian University offers cross-appointment opportunities with the University of Alberta, the University of Toronto, and Queen's University.

6. Q. When can I start my coursework at Laurentian University?

   A. Coursework for Graduate studies at Laurentian University is available in the fall and winter terms. Students can start in either the fall or winter term.
   
   

7. Q. What is the minimum funding I will receive at MIRARCO?

   A. Should a qualified candidate be identified, MIRARCO will supplement various support the graduate student receives to bring the students total funding up to the current NSERC minimum level of $17,500. Should the candidate be an NSERC recipient, MIRARCO will match this funding, for an additional $17,500, bringing the students total funding to $35,000.
   
   

8. Q. How can I contact a professor at Laurentian University?

A. Through the Laurentian University web site, you can visit the department that you are interested in. From that you may select the professor who you would like to contact.



9. Q. May I apply for graduate studies before I have completed my degree?

   A. MIRARCO, and Laurentian University will be unable to fully process any applications that do not include a completed transcript, thus a student will not be able to apply until they have finished their degree.
   
   

10. Q. When I am paying for my admissions application, who do I make the cheque payable to?

A. All cheques and bank drafts may be made payable to: Laurentian University.



11. Q. How can I get more information about graduate studies at Laurentian University?
    

    A. Through the Laurentian University School of Graduate Studies web page, you will be able to find out the various programs offered along with several other pieces of information.
    
    

12. Q. What scores are deemed acceptable on the TOEFL exam?
    

A. For paper based testing we require a minimum score of 550, while for the computer based test we require a minimum score of 213.



13. Q. Are there services available for International students?

    A. Laurentian International offers a variety of services to the students, including housing, financing advice and much more.