Program

Make connections and create impact across disciplines through Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. This individualized graduate program brings together techniques, tools, and theories from different fields, opening space for research and creative work that moves beyond traditional academic boundaries. By working at the intersections of disciplines, students advance understanding in ways that are only possible through interdisciplinarity.

Why choose USask for Interdisciplinary Studies?

  • Foster new areas of learning where you are not restricted by traditional academic boundaries.
  • Strengthen your research at a leading Canadian research university (U15).
  • Opportunity to work with expert faculty across disciplines at USask.

Quick facts

  • Expected length Thesis-based Project-based Course-based
    M.A. 2 years
    M.Sc. 2 years
    Ph.D. 4 years
  • Degree requirements
  • Class delivery in-person
  • Supervisor approval is required to apply
  • Deadlines and admission details below

Groundbreakers in interdisciplinary discovery

Work at the intersections of disciplines to bring ideas, tools, and theories together and advance understanding beyond a single field.

Individual Interdisciplinary programs

Students gather around a table for a collaborative discussion in a bright study space.

The College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) at the University of Saskatchewan encourages re-alignment of traditional disciplines into new patterns, crossing department and college boundaries where this will foster new areas of learning. To facilitate this, CGPS provides opportunities for students to develop individual interdisciplinary programs leading to the M.A., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees.

The individual interdisciplinary graduate program is administered by CGPS through the Interdisciplinary Studies Committee. Students in interdisciplinary graduate programs are not restricted by traditional academic boundaries.

Research supervisors

Approval from a faculty supervisor is required before applying, as admission into the Interdisciplinary Program is not possible without one in place.

To find a supervisor, you can contact faculty members whose research aligns with your interests and share your academic background and research goals with them. If a faculty member is accepting students and agrees to supervise, they will guide you through the application process and collaborate with you to develop your program proposal.

Tuition and funding

Funding

Students wishing to be considered for scholarship, regardless of the term in which they intend to start their program, need to have their application for admission accepted by USask by March 15.

Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.

Tuition and fees

Thesis or project-based master's program

Students in thesis and project-based master's programs are assessed tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.

Term Canadian students International students
September 1 - December 31, 2026 $1,902.00 CAD $4,279.00 CAD
January 1 - April 30, 2027 $1,902.00 CAD $4,279.00 CAD
May 1 - August 31, 2027 $1,902.00 CAD $4,279.00 CAD
Total per academic year $5,706.00 CAD $12,837.00 CAD

Student fees

In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.

Fall 2026 Winter 2027 Spring 2027 Summer 2027
Student fees $617.36 CAD $854.96 CAD $46.75 CAD $46.75 CAD

Tuition is typically billed and due in instalments, four times per year. Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.

Thesis or project-based master's program

Students in thesis and project-based master's programs are assessed tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.

Term Canadian students International students
September 1 - December 31, 2026 $1,902.00 CAD $4,279.00 CAD
January 1 - April 30, 2027 $1,902.00 CAD $4,279.00 CAD
May 1 - August 31, 2027 $1,902.00 CAD $4,279.00 CAD
Total per academic year $5,706.00 CAD $12,837.00 CAD

Student fees

In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.

Fall 2026 Winter 2027 Spring 2027 Summer 2027
Student fees $617.36 CAD $854.96 CAD $46.75 CAD $46.75 CAD

Tuition is typically billed and due in instalments, four times per year. Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.

Doctoral program

Doctoral students are assessed tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program. Both international and domestic PhD students pay the same rate.

Term
September 1 - December 31, 2026 $1,879.00 CAD
January 1 - April 30, 2027 $1,879.00 CAD
May 1 - August 31, 2027 $1,879.00 CAD
Total per academic year $5,637.00 CAD

Student fees

In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.

Fall 2026 Winter 2027 Spring 2027 Summer 2027
Student fees $617.36 CAD $854.96 CAD $46.75 CAD $46.75 CAD

Tuition is typically billed and due in instalments, four times per year. Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.

Admission requirements

  • A four-year Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least 80% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 60 credit units)
  • Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English

  • A four-year Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least 80% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 60 credit units)
  • Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English

  • A master's degree from a recognized university
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least 80% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 60 credit units)
  • Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English

Application process and deadlines

Deadlines and important dates

Students may be admitted to three terms each year. The deadline to apply depends upon the term you would like to start your studies.

Start Term Application Deadline

Fall
September

April 30

Winter
January

September 30

Spring
May

December 31

Find a supervisor

Potential students must identify a supervisor before applying. Applications submitted without supervisor approval will not be processed. See Research supervisors above for more information.

Submit an online application

International students - Master's and doctoral students applying for a study permit do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma students, as well as Visiting Research students studying over six months, still need a PAL. Review federal international study permit policies before you apply.

Before beginning your online application, be sure that you have carefully reviewed all program information and admission requirements on this page.

During the application, you'll be asked for:

  • Personal information such as your name, address, etc.
  • Contact information of your three referees
    • For your letters of recommendation, two of your referees must be academic contacts, and the third may be academic or professional
  • Your complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions

The application takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may save your application and return to it later.

At the end of the application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee: $125 for domestic students and $145 for international students. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.

Submit required documents

Once you've submitted your online application, you will have access to upload your required documents, and provide the contact information for your references. To do this, go to the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab in your application.

Preliminary Statement of Marks

  • Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
  • The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college and must include a grading key/legend.
  • All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
  • Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
  • Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:

  • Completing a relevant test with the appropriate score is required before the application deadline.
  • Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
  • Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.

In addition to the above official documents, you will work with your supervisor to develop a program proposal that the Indisciplinary Studies Committee will review.

Explore related programs

Contact

People discussing ideas with laptops and notebooks in a tiered lecture hall.

If you are a potential applicant and have questions about applying to the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate program, you may contact us at interd.applications@usask.ca