Program

The Master of Water Security (MWS) has one intake per year—September.
Applications for the 2024–2025 academic year are now open.
Deadline for international applications is March 15, 2024.
Deadline for domestic applications is June 15, 2024.
You do not need a faculty supervisor to apply for this program.

Note: Any application documents that are intended to be personal statements (e.g., Statement of Intent, Statement of Research, etc.) must be written by the applicant. Any such documents that appear to be produced by generative artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT) may be rejected.

Program Expected Length Project and/or thesis Course based Delivery
MWS 24 months Project On campusOnline

The MWS is a cross-disciplinary, project-based professional-style program that is completed in 24 months of study. Graduates are prepared to address complex water problems, with training in science, engineering and policy analysis enabling them to investigate water security issues of regional, national and international significance. Graduates are ready to pursue careers as water scientists, managers and policy-makers with the necessary expertise needed to tackle the complex water problems facing us now, and in the future.

The program is a joint initiative between the School of Environment and Sustainability and the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS)—a world-leading research centre focused on addressing issues such as climate change and water resources, flooding and drought, and the social and policy environment surrounding water management. USask has one of the highest concentrations of faculty working in water research worldwide and is the destination point for those seeking integrated, comprehensive training in water security.

Tuition

This program is 36 credit units.

Program Canadian students International students
Master of Water Security (USask Campus)  per credit unit $378.60 CAD $851.85 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 2023 Winter 2024 Spring 2024 Summer 2024
Student fees $497.88 CAD $659.51 CAD $35.00 CAD $35.00 CAD

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.

There is no intake for Master of Water Security (Beijing Normal University Campus) for September 2022. The program is currently under review.

MWS students taking ENVS 806 will be required to pay an excursion fee.

Admission requirements

Master of Water Security (M.W.S.)

  • A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 60 credit units)
  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
  • A four-year degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
  • For all students, a written statement of why they want to join the program; and an online or other interview may also be required
  • Students must have completed a course at the undergraduate level (100-level or equivalent) in both mathematics and statistics with at least 70% (USask grade system equivalent)

Application process

Submit an online application

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 $120 application fee. 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, and upload the documents outlined below.

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.

Uploading documents

Post-secondary Transcripts

If you receive an offer of admission, you will then be required to have your official post-secondary transcripts sent (by mail in a sealed envelope directly from the institution) to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place 
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9

  • Transcripts usually indicate the institution’s name, grading scheme (typically on back of transcript), your name, course names, numbers, credits, and the grades you have received. Depending on the country or institution, some features may not be available.
  • Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
  • If you are a current University of Saskatchewan student completing your undergraduate program then a letter of completion of degree requirements will be required from your college.

Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

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

  • It is your responsibility to have completed an official and approved test with the appropriate score 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.

Uploading documents

If you receive an Offer of Admission you may be required to have your official language test scores sent to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building - 110 Science Place
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9

In addition to the above official documents, please upload the following documents:

  • A curriculum vitae or resume
  • A statement/letter of intent (one to two pages in length) that includes:
    • Specific areas of interest that could lead to a project topic
    • A description of why the applicant wants to pursue professionally-oriented graduate study in the interdisciplinary context of the School of Environment and Sustainability
    • A description of any employment or study experiences that relate to the professional interests described

Contact

School of Environment and Sustainability
Room 323 Kirk Hall
117 Science Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8

Program Director
Dr. Andrew Ireson
Email: andrew.ireson@usask.ca

SENS Admissions Team
Email: sens.admissions@usask.ca
Telephone: 306-966-1985