+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

17ha15

Hero Member
Oct 15, 2018
219
15
I started my academic journey in Canada in 2017 as Masters candidate in Chemical Engineering (course based- 1 year program). I then transferred to Masters in Chemical Engineering (thesis based- 2 yrs program) in the same academic institution. I will graduate in January 2020. I want to continue further in my research as I want to apply for phd in chemical engineering. My supervisors told me its better for you to transfer from Masters in applied science to phd instead of finishing your masters then applying for phd, which would save me time. So, in this case I would have transferred two times in the same study permit. Is this eligible? Would the officer say that the student is not trying to finish his degree in a limited time? Note that there is a transfer option from MASc to phd in the chemical engineering website . I have a 4.0 GPA.

On the other hand, I have a semester where I left for medical reasons (summer 2018; I have an authorized leave), if I transferred to phd and then graduated, is the semester off I have taken counts that I wasn't full time studies in my phd or masters?? Or it wouldn't affect my PGWP since its a new academic program? please let me know if what I'm saying is right or not. Thank you and apologies for the long text.
 
Last edited:
Probably it depends on who will look at your case but when applying for PGWP you need to submit transcripts and letters of completion, what will your docs show? If it shows one program completed i.e your phd, with the transcripts showing a gap might be considered that you took unscheduled break. I dont think there is anyway to truly know how they will judge your case.

You should look at other possibilities of getting PR if you have a PHD you should have enough points.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 17ha15
You are clearly a genuine student who is doing a very advanced degree and you had authorized medical leave. I would explain that you were in medical leave and attach proof. I don’t expect it to be a problem.

Also think it will be fine to transition into the PhD program from your masters. You aren’t really changing courses just using your masters to save some time on your PhD. You will likely have to apply for your student permit extension as I imagine your student permit is expiring soon and you need to update your account online.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 17ha15
You are clearly a genuine student who is doing a very advanced degree and you had authorized medical leave. I would explain that you were in medical leave and attach proof. I don’t expect it to be a problem.

Also think it will be fine to transition into the PhD program from your masters. You aren’t really changing courses just using your masters to save some time on your PhD. You will likely have to apply for your student permit extension as I imagine your student permit is expiring soon and you need to update your account online.
Probably it depends on who will look at your case but when applying for PGWP you need to submit transcripts and letters of completion, what will your docs show? If it shows one program completed i.e your phd, with the transcripts showing a gap might be considered that you took unscheduled break. I dont think there is anyway to truly know how they will judge your case.

You should look at other possibilities of getting PR if you have a PHD you should have enough points.
Thank you so much guys for your feedback. I appreciate your advice. However, a part of my question wasn't answered, is it more safe to graduate as a master's student then I apply for a PhD? This will show on my new academic PhD transcript that I don't have any semester off. What do you think? However, transferring directly to phd from masters will save me one year of work and time. I'm very confused, any advice will definitely help me.

Cheers!
 
Thank you so much guys for your feedback. I appreciate your advice. However, a part of my question wasn't answered, is it more safe to graduate as a master's student then I apply for a PhD? This will show on my new academic PhD transcript that I don't have any semester off. What do you think? However, transferring directly to phd from masters will save me one year of work and time. I'm very confused, any advice will definitely help me.

Cheers!

Transfer directly into PhD. You only took a semester off and I assume you have proof of your treatment. You are a good student doing advanced degree Canada wants to keep you in Canada.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 17ha15
Probably it depends on who will look at your case but when applying for PGWP you need to submit transcripts and letters of completion, what will your docs show? If it shows one program completed i.e your phd, with the transcripts showing a gap might be considered that you took unscheduled break. I dont think there is anyway to truly know how they will judge your case.

You should look at other possibilities of getting PR if you have a PHD you should have enough points.
So, do you advise me to complete my Masters and then start phd as a new academic program? As this will show that I started a new academic program where no semester gap is shown in the new transcript. Thanks in advance.