phd psychology salary canada

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PhD in Psycholo...

PhD in Psychology in Canada: A Comprehensive Guide to Study PhD in Psychology in Canada for International Students

Today’s world realizes the importance of mental health which is why psychology is a pivotal profession with increasing demand. Apart from being in demand, psychology as a profession is also one of the highest paying fields in Canada with average salary packages of 200,000 CAD per year . It is a vocational course that emphasizes the understanding of thoughts, emotions and behavior. If you have already climbed the ladder and earned a postgraduate degree in Psychology, a PhD in Psychology is all you need to become a practicing psychologist or psychiatrist in Canada.

There are a number of specializations in the field of psychology with some of the most popular ones being PhD in clinical psychology in Canada for international students, educational psychology, child psychology, social psychology, counseling psychology, experimental psychology, etc. to choose from. If you wish to pursue a PhD in Psychology in Canada, read this guide to learn about the various specializations, top universities, admission process and requirements, fees and funding, employment prospects, etc.

Why Study PhD in Psychology in Canada?

You must be wondering what makes Canada a lucrative option for studying PhD in Psychology. Here is the answer to your question

• Home to coveted institutions: Canada is home to some of the oldest and prominent institutions ranked among the top globally which promises world-class education to students. 18 Universities in Canada rank for Psychology as per QS subject ranking 2021.
• Affordable fees: Compared to other study abroad destinations like the US or UK, the cost of PhD in Psychology in Canada for international students is quite affordable. Not only this, you will also be able to save yourself from cutting a hole in your pocket by applying for funding available for international doctoral applicants.
• Good future opportunities: For Psychologists, over the period 2019-2028, new job opportunities in Canada (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 15,700 , while 13,700 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them.
• World-class facilities: The health infrastructure of Canada is supported by high-tech facilities. By pursuing a PhD in Psychology in Canada you will not only be practicing with experts in the field but also get the benefits of world-class infrastructure.

Suggested: Masters in Psychology in Canada

Eligibility Criteria and Admission Requirements for PhD in Psychology in Canada

The admission requirements in Canada may vary from one university to another. The general eligibility criteria for PhD in Psychology in Canada that must be fulfilled to get into any university across Canada are discussed below:

Master’s Degree

To apply for PhD Psychology in Canada, you must have a thesis-based MA or MSc in Psychology degree. You will need a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above to be eligible for admission or minimum overall average in the B+ range. Remember that the minimum requirement does not guarantee admission.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

All international students are required to fulfill this requirement to get into Psychology PhD programs in Canada. You are expected to have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 or overall TOEFL score of 90.

Test Scores

Some universities require GRE scores depending on the area of research and according to the recommendation of the research supervisor.

Visa Requirements

International students will have to apply for a Canadian student visa to be eligible to study in Canada. You will be able to apply for a study permit only after receiving the offer letter for admission. It is advisable to apply as early as possible to ensure sufficient time for processing the visa.

Documents Required

Keep the following documents handy while applying for admission to PhD in Psychology in Canada for international students:

• Transcripts from previously attended university.
• Master’s degree certificate
• English language proficiency test scores
• GMAT / GRE scores
• Letters of reference
• Statement of Research Interest
• Preference of supervisor
• Personal statement of purpose  
• Writing sample
• Criminal record check
• Copy of passport
• Financial statement

Suggested: Universities in Canada for PhD

Admission Process for PhD in Psychology in Canada

Majority of institutions in Canada offer PhD in Psychology only for the fall intake. The general application deadline for Fall is December 1. The PhD programs have limited seats which is why admissions are quite competitive. Try being an early applicant to be a step ahead of others in the admission process. It is important to be aware of the steps in the admission process for PhD in Psychology in Canada for international students:

• Check_the_available_intake_and_application_deadline_for PhD in Canada .
• Review_the_eligibility_criteria_and_admission_requirements_before_filling_the_online_application
• Complete_the_online_application_and_submit_the_non_refundable_application_fee
• Gather_the_documents_required_to_complete_the_application
• Apply_to_the_doctoral_program_with_your_research_project_and_look_for_a_suitable_supervisor_and_discuss_with_them_your_project
• After_submitting_your_application_track_the_progress_and_wait_for_the_admission_decision
• Once_you_receive_the_admission_decision_pay_the_enrollment_deposit_and_confirm_your_acceptance
• Obtain_the_letter_of_admission_and_proceed_with_the_application_process_for_Canadian_study_permit

Suggested: Intakes and Deadlines to study in Canada in 2022!

Top 6 Universities in Canada for PhD in Psychology

Take a look at the top universities for PhD in Psychology in Canada along with important details such as top courses, fees, rankings and more:

University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia is home to one of the top ranked Department of Psychology, praised for its research not only in Canada but worldwide. The department is run by 58 faculty members supporting 120+ full-time graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in research related to various disciplines with psychology. The key areas of research include clinical, cognitive science, developmental, health, behavioral neuroscience, quantitative methods and social psychology.

Simon Fraser University

The graduate programs in Psychology at Simon Fraser University are directed towards a PhD. The PhD program is based on the scientist-practitioner training model and accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and the American Psychological Association (APA).

• McGill University

The Graduate Department of Psychology at McGill University is one of the oldest and most well-known in North America. The university itself enjoys a great reputation as it ranks in the top 30 worldwide in QS Rankings 2022. It offers PhD in various specializations including Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Applied Child Psychology and Educational Psychology.

• University of Victoria

University of Victoria also provides a Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accredited program which is based on the scientist-practitioner model. With completion of a PhD in Psychology from University of Victoria, international students will automatically qualify for licensed practice across Canada and the US. The program will prepare you for working in both academic and clinical settings be it with families, communities or organizations.

• University of Guelph

The College of Social and Applied Human Sciences at the University of Guelph offers PhD in Psychology. Depending on your area of interest you can choose from one of the four specializations that include Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Applied Social Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science.

• University of Toronto

University of Toronto is the highest ranked institution in Canada. The program emphasizes experimental psychology with behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, developmental and personality as areas of specialization.

Affordability is a major factor for pursuing Psychology PhD in Canada after eligibility. As we have already discussed the tuition fee for various universities let us now take a look at the overall cost of studying PhD Psychology in Canada:

Cost of Studying PhD in Psychology in Canada

The cost of studying Psychology PhD programs in Canada includes the tuition fees and the cost of living. The tuition fees PhD in Psychology in Canada for international students is between 7,000 CAD and 17,000 CAD . 

• The cost for Indian students is around 412,000-10,02,000 INR. Another component of the cost of education in Canada is the cost of living. 
• The average yearly cost of living in Canada for international students is around 10,000-12,000 CAD i.e. 5,87,000 - 7,05,000 INR. The cost of on-campus accommodation is around 3,000 CAD - 7,500 CAD while private accommodation is costlier and the rent is around 8,000 CAD - 9,000 CAD. 
• Other cost of living expenses include food, utility bills, transportation, entertainment, health insurance, etc.

Scholarships for PhD in Psychology in Canada

The expenses of studying for a PhD in Psychology in Canada may be overburdening for students. But the good news is that there is a lot of scholarships for international students in Canada to fulfill their endeavors. You will also have access to a variety of merit and need-based funding opportunities from the university you apply to. Some scholarships that you must consider for studying PhD in Psychology in Canada are:

Career Opportunities in Canada After PhD in Psychology

The salary of an individual is predicted to increase by 23% after completing a PhD . After getting a PhD in Psychology, you are most likely to practice in your area of specialization or take teaching roles. On an average, a psychologist in Canada earns around 200,000 CAD per year with salaries starting from 104,000 CAD and going up to 305,000 CAD. Take a look at the table below to understand the average salaries for various jobs after Canada PhD Psychology:

Suggested: Part time jobs for international students in Canada!

PhD in Clinical Psychology in Canada for international students has recently gained a lot of popularity as it is one of the highest paying specializations with a lot of scope within the field of Psychology. With a PhD from Canada you will be academically prepared for facing practical situations and excel in your job no matter which corner of the world you are in. Therefore, it is a justified choice to study for a PhD in Psychology in Canada. PhD in Psychology is not a completely theory based discipline but involves a lot of thinking and assessment to be well-known in your job.

Frequently Asked Questions About PhD in Psychology in Canada

How much does it cost to pursue PhD in Clinical Psychology in Canada?

The cost of PhD in Clinical Psychology in Canada is around 9,000-17,000 CAD.

Do I have to register to practice Psychology in Canada?

Yes, a registration is required to practice Psychology in Canada. If your program is already accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association you will not have to undertake the registration process personally. Otherwise, you will have to get in touch with the respective regulatory body.

What is the duration for a PhD in Psychology in Canada?

The duration of PhD in Psychology in Canada is 3-5 years or maximum 6 years.

What are the top universities for PhD in Psychology in Canada?

Some of the top universities for PhD in Psychology in Canada are University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Montreal, McGill University, University of Victoria, University of Guelph among others.

Is a PhD in Psychology from Canada valid in India?

Yes, degrees from Canadian institutions are recognized worldwide. Therefore, your PhD in Psychology from Canada will not only be valid in India but also highly valued.

Articles you might like

• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Graduate Degree Programs

Canadian Immigration Updates

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

Go to programs search

Psychology is a diverse discipline that attempts to understand the basis of behaviour, thoughts and emotions. Psychology at UBC was introduced as a single course in 1915 and was initially offered by the Department of Philosophy. Over the years, the number of courses and instructors grew until we officially became the Department of Psychology in 1958.

Information on research areas offered in the department, as well as admissions-related information, can be found on the department website . Read the department program website carefully before contacting the department with specific questions that are not addressed on the website.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

UBC’s Department of Psychology is a top ranked research department in Canada and in the world. Our 58 faculty members and 130 full-time graduate students and postdoctoral fellows conduct research across the spectrum of psychology, representing seven sub-disciplinary specializations: Behavioural Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive Science, Developmental, Health, Quantitative Methods, and Social/Personality.

The strength of our graduate programs lies in the highly productive research faculty, well-organized programs of study, extensive opportunities for student-faculty interaction, and rich offering of research specializations. Our faculty are well known for their research expertise in health, happiness, language acquisition, gambling, child development, gender roles, environmental behaviour, neuroscience, and many other areas of psychology. Our research programs are well funded by major national granting agencies, and our faculty are committed to research excellence and interdisciplinary collaborations within UBC’s Faculties of Medicine, Science and Arts, the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability and many other institutions around the world.

I decided to study at UBC following a visit to the campus where I was stunned by the kindness of the administrators and staff as well as the beauty of the campus itself. The environment at UBC is one of welcome and ambition and I was confident that it was the right choice for me.

Chantelle Cocquyt

Quick Facts

Program Enquiries

Admission information & requirements, program instructions.

Please refer to the department website for all admissions-related information.

1) Check Eligibility

Minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 90

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 6.5

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Prior degree requirements.

A thesis-based MA or MSc in Psychology is required for applicants applying for the PhD program.  Applicants with only a BA/BSc degree must aply for the MA program as they are ineligible for the PhD program.

Other Requirements

GRE requirements vary depending on the area of research and/or intended research supervisor. Please visit the respective Research Stream page on the department website for area-specific GRE requirements.

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Applicants will not be admitted without identifying a faculty member as their intended supervisor.  Admissions decisions are made by prospective research supervisors; applicants are encouraged to reach out to them directly for further inquiries after reviewing the information on the department's website.

Criminal Record Check

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Research Information

Research focus.

We offer research-intensive graduate studies in seven sub-disciplinary specializations: Behavioural Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive Science, Developmental, Health, Quantitative Methods, and Social/Personality.  Please refer to the department's Research Streams page for more information.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial support.

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

From September 2024 all full-time students in UBC-Vancouver PhD programs will be provided with a funding package of at least $24,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships. Please note that many graduate programs provide funding packages that are substantially greater than $24,000 per year. Please refer to the department's Funding page  for additional information on funding opportunities.

Average Funding

• 32 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 32 students was $10,912.
• 37 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 37 students was $7,725.
• 18 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 18 students was $2,366.
• 51 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 51 students was $16,504.
• 22 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 22 students was $32,136.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

112 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 is in a non-salaried situation; for 5 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 106 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

The PhD in Psychology is designed to prepare students for employment in academic or private sector settings. Recent graduates have taken positions as tenure track faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, practicing clinical psychologists, biostatisticians, and public policy quantitative analysts.

Alumni on Success

Zak Witkower

Job Title Postdoctoral Researcher

Employer University of Toronto

Kristina Uban

Job Title Post Doctoral Researcher

Employer Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Julie Belanger

Job Title Director, Research and Evaluation

Employer Education Partnerships Group

Kirsten Dalrymple

Job Title Research Associate

Employer University of Minnesota

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion rates & times, upcoming doctoral exams, friday, 10 may 2024 - 12:30pm, monday, 27 may 2024 - 12:30pm - room 200.

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Alden, Lynn (Cognitive processes in the anxiety disorders, Social Anxiety Disorder, adult-onset Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, cognitive-behavior therapy)
• Baron, Andrew (cognitive development, infancy, childhood, adolescence, racism, race, stereotypes, cooperation, bias, innateness, science education, multiculturalism, gender, ethnicity, neuromarketing, attitudes, preferences, psychology )
• Biesanz, Jeremy (personality, Personality, interpersonal perception, accuracy, personality coherence, quantitative methods)
• Birch, Susan (Social perspective taking, social learning, social cognition, imitation, nonverbal behavior, confidence, communication, decision-making, impression formation, child development My primary area of expertise is the study of children and adults’ social perspective taking abilities (i.e., their abilities to reason about other peoples’ mental states–their intentions, knowledge, and beliefs) and how their abilities to take another person’s perspective impacts how they form impressions of others, learn from others, communicate with others, and informs a range of socials. Of particular interest is a) how children make inferences about what is credible information to learn (e.g., how they decide whether someone is a credible source of information based on how confident that person seems) and b) how a widespread bias in perspective taking referred to as ‘the curse of knowledge bias’ (a difficulty reasoning about a more naive perspective as the result of being biased by one’s current knowledge) can impair communication (both written and in person) and decision-making across a range of fields (politics, law, education, economics, medicine, etc.)., Development of language, learning, and social understanding in infants and children)
• Chen, Frances (Health psychology; social connection; social support; stress; coping; conflict and negotiation; hormones; Neuroendocrinology)
• Christoff, Kalina (brain, cognitive neuroscience, psychology, prefronal cortex, fMRI, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, executive functions, problem solving, reasoning, thinking, mind-wandering, attention, consciousness, real-time fMRI, trauma and PTSD, Cognitive and neural basis of human thought, reasoning and problem solving)
• Clark, Luke (Gambling, Problem Gambling, Addiction, Decision-Making, Reward, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms involved in gambling behaviour and disordered gambling)
• Dawson, Samantha (Psychology and cognitive sciences; Interventions for sexual dysfunction; Sexual function and dysfunction in individuals and couples)
• DeLongis, Anita (Psychology and cognitive sciences; social determinants of health; chronic illness; coping; couples; families; health; Health Psychology; marriage; social support; stress)
• Dunn, Elizabeth (Happiness, money and spending decisions, self-knowledge)
• Emberson, Lauren (Learning, Perception (audition, vision, crossmodal or multisensory), Language development, Face/object perception, Impacts of premature birth, Neural connecitivty, fNIRS, Neonatal and Infant development , Early adversity / Risk and resilience , Increasing diversity and representation in the neurosciences , Naturalistic neuroimaging recordings)
• Enns, James (Behavioural neuroscience of reward and motivation; attention; action kinematics; social perception; perceptual development)
• Floresco, Stanley Bogdan (Neural circuits subserving learning and executive functions, behavioural and electrophysiological analyses of limbic-cortical-striatal interactions involved in decision making and behavioural flexibility, animal models of schizophrenia and drug addiction)
• Goetz, Friedrich (Psychology, social and behavorial aspects; Geographical psychology; Causes and consequences of regional personality differences; Mobility and migration; Wanderlust; Courage; Entrepreneurship; Personality development; open science)
• Hall, David Geoffrey (Lexical and conceptual development, semantic development, language acquisition)
• Hamlin, Kiley (Psychology and cognitive sciences; Cognitive development; Moral Judgement and Duty or Obligation Morals; Infant / Child Development; Foundations of Religious, Mystical, Mythical and Moral Thoughts; Infant moral cognition; infant social cognition)
• Handy, Todd (aging and cognition, aging and exercise, cognitive neuroscience, attention, migraine, fMRI, Cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging, attention and its impairment in clinical populations, mind wandering, and real-world human behaviour)
• Heine, Steven (Culture and human nature in psychology, culture, how people strive to maintain a sense of meaning in their lives when they encounter anomalies which they are unable to make any sense of, how people understand essences and genetic foundations for human behavior )
• Hewitt, Paul (perfectionism, Therapy Perfectionism, personality vulnerability, depression, suicide in adults and children)
• Hoppmann, Christiane (Psychology and cognitive sciences; Aging Process; Social Aspects of Aging; stress; Health Promotion; social determinants of health; Health and well-being across the adult lifespan and into old age; individual differences in goals)
• Kerns, Connor (assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); childhood anxiety and stress-related disorders; trauma-related disorders; Autism; Anxiety; Comorbidity)
• Kim, Eric (Health psychology; Psychosocial, sociocultural and behavioral determinants of health; Epidemiology (except nutritional and veterinary epidemiology); psychological well-being; Purpose in life / Meaning in life; resilience; Optimism / Hope; Health Psychology; Social Epidemiology; Aging)
• Kingstone, Alan (Cognitive sciences; Brain mechanisms of human perception, attention, and behaviour in experimental & everyday situations)
• Klonsky, Elisha (Clinical psychology; Suicide (theory, motivations, transition from suicidal thoughts to attempts); emotion; personality.)
• Laurin, Kristin (Social psychology; Psychology of social class; Political psychology; Rationalization and system justification; Morality)

Doctoral Citations

Sample thesis submissions.

• Examining the relationship between children's theory of mind and social-emotional functioning
• When people do allyship : a typology of allyship action
• Cognitive and affective dimensions of inattention
• Actual and anticipated reactions to engaging with and dismissing political opponents : who and where they come from, and why they matter
• Mechanisms underlying the interface between number words and perceptual magnitudes
• Trust and social class : the complex relationship between explicit stereotypes (about dispositions and situations), implicit stereotypes, and trust
• Memory network of social anxiety
• A cognitive framework of nudge and sludge
• Reward sensitivity and emotionally biased cognition in depression
• Seeing mind in all : subjective panpsychism and moral psychology
• Prosocial behaviour as an antidote to social disconnection : exploring the links between prosocial behaviour, loneliness, and social contact in daily life
• Bidirectional associations between social media use and psychopathology
• Just not that interested? : drivers of the gender gap in systemizing and empathizing interest
• SES, inequality and me : the effects of subjective socioeconomic status and perceived economic inequality on self-centeredness
• How does it feel to be greedy? : the role of pride in avaricious acquisition

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Arts in Psychology (MA)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

Further information, specialization.

Psychology covers most major areas of the discipline, including: behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognitive science, developmental psychology, health psychology, personality and social psychology, and quantitative methods.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

UBC offers a lot of opportunity for interdisciplinary research at least in the context of my work. The Department of Psychology has ties with, for example, the Centre for Brain Health and Sauder School of Business. I really look forward to collaborating with folks outside of the department so that...

Talia Morstead

My decision to study at UBC was driven in large part by my desire to work with Dr. Anita DeLongis, a foremost expert in the field of stress and coping. After coming across Dr. DeLongis’ work during my undergraduate studies and having the opportunity to volunteer in her lab, I saw that our research...

Bronwen Grocott

I applied to UBC because I wanted to work with my present supervisor, Dr. Joelle LeMoult. I was especially interested in researching social stress and depression using a mixed-methods, experimental approach and working with Joelle has made this possible.

Leilani Forby

Before I decided to pursue a graduate degree, I worked in the film industry and was required to do a lot of international travel. The business trips to Canada were always my favorite --- I fell in love with the cities and the people. When I decided that I would study how to support autistic...

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• 17 April 2024

Canadian science gets biggest boost to PhD and postdoc pay in 20 years

• Brian Owens

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau and finance minister Chrystia Freeland hold copies of the 2024 federal budget. Credit: David Kawai/Bloomberg via Getty

Researchers in Canada got most of what they were hoping for in the country’s 2024 federal budget, with a big boost in postgraduate pay and more funding for research and scientific infrastructure.

“We are investing over $5 billion in Canadian brainpower,” said finance minister Chrystia Freeland in her budget speech on 16 April. “More funding for research and scholarships will help Canada attract the next generation of game-changing thinkers.”

Canadian PhD students and postgrads plan mass walkout over low pay

Postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers have been advocating for higher pay for the past two years through a campaign called Support Our Science. They requested an increase in the value, and number, of federal government scholarships, and got more than they asked for. Stipends for master’s students will rise from Can$17,500 (US$12,700) to $27,000 per year, PhDs stipends that ranged from $20,000 to $35,000 will be set to a uniform annual $40,000 and most postdoctoral-fellowship salaries will increase from $45,000 to $70,000 per annum. The number of scholarships and fellowships provided will also rise over time, building to around 1,720 more per year after five years.

“We’re very thrilled with this significant new investment, the largest investment in graduate students and postdocs in over 21 years,” says Kaitlin Kharas, a PhD student at the University of Toronto, Canada, and executive director of Support Our Science . “It will directly support the next generation of researchers.”

Although only a small proportion of students and postdoctoral fellows receive these federal scholarships, other funders tend to use them as a guide for their own stipends.

Many postgraduates said that low pay was forcing them to consider leaving Canada to pursue their scientific career, says Kharas, so this funding should help to retain talent in the country.

“This is going to move us from a searing brain drain to a brain gain, and position us to compete on the world stage,” says Chad Gaffield, chief executive of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, based in Ontario, which supported the campaign.

‘Determined to thrive’

The budget also includes marked boosts for basic research. There is an extra $1.8 billion over five years in core funding for the three federal grant-awarding research councils, as well as $400 million for upgrades to the TRIUMF particle accelerator in Vancouver, and more cash for several other large facilities and institutes across the country. There will also be more than $2 billion for the artificial-intelligence sector in Canada.

“[This budget] really emphasizes that Canada is determined to thrive in the twenty-first century based on science and research,” says Gaffield.

Canada announces new innovation agency — and it’s not modelled on DARPA

Others have pointed out that the vast majority of the money in the budget for the research councils is backloaded, with just $228 million coming in the next two years. This means that the gains will be slow, and could be vulnerable to changes in the political climate, says Alex Usher, president of Higher Education Strategy Associates, a consultancy in Toronto. “Do not count on this money being there after an election,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). Canada’s next federal election is due in October 2025, and the opposition Conservative Party is campaigning on reigning in spending.

The budget also makes some changes to how science funding is organized. Instead of ten different programmes for scholarships and fellowships, with differing levels of support, there will now be a single programme with just three levels — master’s degrees, PhDs and postdoctoral fellowships. Kharas says that this should simplify the system.

The government will also create a new “capstone” research-funding organization to better coordinate the work of the three granting councils and “help to advance internationally collaborative, multi-disciplinary and mission-driven research”, the budget says. It will also create an advisory Council on Science and Innovation, comprised of leaders from academia, industry and the non-profit sector, which will develop a national science-and-innovation strategy to guide priority setting and increase the impact of federal investments. “This should help move us towards a more efficient, well-coordinated and nimble way of supporting research in Canada,” says Gaffield. “I look forward to working with the government to optimize it.”

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01124-2

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Psychologist Salary Info: The 9 Highest Paying Careers

Which psychology jobs pay the best salary?

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Psychology can be a high-paying job, but it is important to recognize that there is tremendous diversity among psychology professions, and  salaries and yearly earnings are just as varied. In a struggling economy, many students have turned their interest toward some of the highest-paying careers in psychology. The highest-paying psychologist career salaries average around $167,000.

While many psychology careers have a higher-than-average yearly salary, it is important to remember that actual income depends upon various factors, including geographic location, employment sector, educational background, and years of experience.

Learn more about some of the highest-paying psychology careers, the typical salaries for such professions, and the educational requirements for entering these fields.

Psychiatrist

Average Salary:  $216,090 per year

Educational Requirements:  Considered a medical career, psychiatry is significantly tied to the study and application of psychology. Approximately eight years of post-undergraduate study. After earning a bachelor's degree, aspiring psychiatrists must graduate from medical school and then complete a four-year residency.

Psychiatry is one of the highest-paying fields tied to psychology. However, salaries can vary considerably within this field depending upon your specialty area , where you are employed, and the type of work you perform.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Average Salary: $105,310

Educational Requirements: In most cases, a master's degree in psychology is the minimum training required, although having a doctorate degree may be to your advantage. While there are opportunities available at the master's degree level, earning a doctorate degree in industrial-organizational psychology offers greater opportunities and higher salaries.

Industrial-organizational psychologists use their knowledge of psychology to tackle workplace issues. Increasing worker productivity, selecting the best employees for particular jobs, and developing market research surveys are just a few things that an industrial-organizational psychologist might do.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that I/O psychologists in the scientific research and development industry earned an average annual wage of $122,660. Those employed at colleges, universities, and professional schools earned an average of $110,070.

According to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology , the average salary for a doctorate-level consultant was $167,000.

Neuropsychologist

Average Salary: $90,460 per year

Educational Requirements: A doctorate degree in neuropsychology or clinical neuropsychology is needed to work in this field.

Neuropsychologists specialize in the study of the brain and cognitive science.   People who work in this field often perform cognitive tests, run brain scans, assess people suffering from brain injury, and study how drugs impact the nervous system. They may work at colleges and universities, hospitals, research centers, mental health clinics, and pharmaceutical labs.

Clinical Psychologist

Average Salary: $81,330 per year

Educational Requirements: In most states, clinical psychologists must have a doctorate degree in psychology. In addition to this education, they must also complete one to two years of supervised residency and pass state licensing exams in order to practice as a licensed clinical psychologist.

Clinical psychologists are trained in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness. This is also the largest area of employment within psychology. Clinical psychologists work in various settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, and private practice.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that in May 2019, those employed in individual and family services earned an average of $85,140. Those employed in the offices of other health practitioners earned an average of $100,300 per year.

Engineering Psychologist

Average Salary: $79,818 per year

Educational Requirements: Entry-level positions require a master's degree, but those with a doctorate will find greater employment opportunities and better salaries.

Engineering psychologists work to improve the design of systems, operations, and equipment in order to increase efficiency, improve productivity, and minimize injury. As with other specialty areas of psychology, the area of employment plays a major role in determining salary. Engineering psychologists who work in the private sector earn considerably more than those employed in university settings.

Counseling Psychologist

Average Salary: $72,540 per year

Educational Requirements: A PhD, PsyD , or EdD degree is required to become a counseling psychologist.

Counseling psychologists perform many of the same tasks as clinical psychologists such as offering psychotherapy and mental health treatment, but they typically work with clients suffering from less severe forms of mental illness.

While mental health is one of the largest areas within counseling psychology, some people in this field opt to conduct research. They also teach university courses or provide vocational counseling.

Forensic Psychologist

Average Salary: $59,440

Educational Requirements: While there are some jobs available with a master's degree, you will typically need a doctorate degree in clinical, counseling, or forensic psychology.

Forensic psychologists deal with psychological issues related to the law. Some of the duties that a professional in this field might perform include developing psychological profiles of criminals, dealing with child custody issues, investigating child abuse, providing expert testimony, preparing witnesses to testify in court, and offering training to law enforcement.

School Psychologist

Average Salary: $58,360

Educational Requirements: Most states require completing a 60-credit school psychology specialist program, which leads to a master's or EdS degree. Approximately 32% of school psychologists hold a PhD , PsyD, or EdD degree.

School psychologists work within the educational system to diagnose and treat behavior and learning problems in children. They often collaborate with other professionals, including teachers and doctors as well as parents, to help kids overcome social, emotional, behavioral, and academic problems.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, jobs in this field are expected to grow by approximately 10% over the next decade.

Sports Psychologist

Average Salary:  $55,000 per year

Educational Requirements:  Most jobs require a master's or doctorate degree in sports psychology or in related areas such as clinical or counseling psychology. Sports psychologists  are interested in the psychological components of sports and athletics.  

Professionals in this field often focus on topics such as  motivation  and athletic performance. They utlizie their knowledge of psychology to help athletes perform better or to help people recover from sports injuries.

While salaries for sports psychologists typically range between $60,000 and $80,000, those working with professional athletes often earn over six figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

While specific salaries vary depending on factors including experience and location, psychiatry tends to be the highest-paying psychology-related career.

They can! However, it is important to recognize that individual salaries vary a great deal. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for psychologists is $81,040. However, the lowest paid 10% made less than $47,850 per year. Your own salary may depend on factors such as your specialty, training, experience, area of employment, and geographic location.

Psychology can be a good career if it is suited to your interests and goals. The field is expected to experience modest growth in the coming year, and there are always opportunities for growth depending on where your interests lie. The growing need for mental health services and an aging population means that there will be a need for trained psychologists.

A Word From Verywell

Choosing a career is a big decision, and the salary is just one of many factors you need to consider. Money is an important component, but factors such as job outlook and quality of life are also essential.

So is becoming a psychologist worth it? Only you can decide. Think about how a particular career may suit your personality and goals in life before committing. In the end, the best job for you is the one you will enjoy the most and fulfills your personal and professional needs.

Zavlin D, Jubbal KT, Noé JG, Gansbacher B. A comparison of medical education in Germany and the United States: from applying to medical school to the beginnings of residency. Ger Med Sci. 2017;15:Doc15. doi:10.3205/000256

Torpey E. Business careers with high pay.  Career Outlook,  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016.

Kossek EE, Baltes BB, Matthews RA. How Work-Family Research Can Finally Have an Impact in Organizations. Ind Organ Psychol . 2011;4(3):352-369. doi:10.1111/j.1754-9434.2011.01353.x

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational employment and wages, May 2021: 19-3032 industrial-organizational psychologists .

Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. The SIOP income and employment report is here !

Harvey PD. Clinical applications of neuropsychological assessment. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012;14(1):91-9.

Wahass SH. The role of psychologists in health care delivery. J Family Community Med. 2005;12(2):63-70.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational employment and wages, May 2019: 19-3031 clinical, counseling, and school psychologists .

Iudici A, Salvini A, Faccio E, Castelnuovo G. The clinical assessment in the legal field: An empirical study of bias and limitations in forensic expertise. Front Psychol. 2015;6:1831. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01831

Burrow-sanchez J, Call ME, Adolphson SL, Hawken LS. School psychologists' perceived competence and training needs for student substance abuse*. J Sch Health. 2009;79(6):269-76. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00409.x

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists: Job outlook . Occupational Outlook Handbook .

Röthlin P, Birrer D, Horvath S, Grosse holtforth M. Psychological skills training and a mindfulness-based intervention to enhance functional athletic performance: design of a randomized controlled trial using ambulatory assessment. BMC Psychol. 2016;4(1):39. doi:10.1186/s40359-016-0147-y

American Psychological Association. Hot careers: Sports psychology .

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. 

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Webinar recordings, stay up to date on hr news, psychologist, $105,158 (cad)/yr, $50.56 (cad) /hr, $3,228 (cad) /yr.

The average psychologist gross salary in Canada is $105,158 or an equivalent hourly rate of $51. In addition, they earn an average bonus of $3,228. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Canada. An entry level psychologist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $74,030. On the other end, a senior level psychologist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of $130,408.

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Based on our compensation data, the estimated salary potential for Psychologist will increase 10 % over 5 years.

This chart displays the highest level of education for: Psychologist , the majority at 35% with masters.

Typical Field of Study: Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services

Cost of living is calculated based on accumulating the cost of food, transportation, health services, rent, utilities, taxes, and miscellaneous.

Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's second-largest country by total area, with the world's longest coastline. Its border with the United States is the world's longest international land border. The country is characterized by a wide range of both meteorologic and geological regions. It is a sparsely inhabited country of 40 million people, the vast...

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• PsyD vs PhD

What is Salary Outlook for PhD in Psychology?

In any field, the time and financial commitments involved in earning a doctorate are intense. But for people in most careers, earning a doctoral degree represents the educational pinnacle of achievement. In the field of psychology, there are two main degrees that serve this role — the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) or the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

Let’s learn more about the Ph.D. in Psychology degree, including what prospective students should know about their options, as well as what types of salaries they can expect to earn with career avenues that will open up after they complete this challenging degree.

What’s On This Page

Psychology doctorate options, psychology phd career tracks, psychology phd salary overview.

The two main types of psychology doctorates, Ph.D. and Psy.D., are similar but have some notable differences, and those differences likely will guide the decision of which degree type is right for you.

Ph.D. degrees are the more common and traditional type of psychology doctorate, while the Psy.D. was developed in the early 1970s. The biggest difference is that most Psy.D. programs are built around ensuring that students gain hands-on clinical experience, such as by providing direct mental healthcare to actual patients and clients. This is less common in Ph.D. in Psychology programs, which tend to focus much more heavily on the academic and research side of the equation.

So generally, if your intended psychology career path will include a large dose, or consist entirely, of lab or academic research, or you hope to teach at the collegiate level, a Ph.D. in Psychology will probably be the best choice for you. That said, Ph.D. programs are often more rigorous and selective than Psy.D. programs, so your options may be limited by the institutions offering programs in your state and online.

It’s also important to note that Ph.D. programs will typically take at least five years and could take as long as eight years, while Psy.D. programs tend to be closer to five or six, with some being designed to take as little as three years. Most Ph.D. programs will require doctoral candidates to teach, which also usually helps offset the cost of their education, and graduate fellowships and assistantships are much less common in Psy.D. programs.

And given that the Ph.D. is the much more storied type of psychology doctorate, it still commands a certain cache in many circles that Psy.D. programs don’t yet inspire, so earning a Ph.D. often is a signal of higher stature within the field of psychology, which could allow professionals to boost their wage expectations.

There is no single career path for prospective Ph.D. in Psychology students to follow, and chances are good that whatever type of role or focus area you’re interested in, there are plenty of roles you could fill.

Ph.D. Career Options by Industry

Career paths and educational choices will depend significantly on each person’s individual areas of interest. For example, those who want to focus on research into the biological impacts of the human mind on behavior may want to consider Ph.D. programs in neuropsychology or experimental psychology. But those who want to work in the corporate world would probably find more value in an industrial-organizational Ph.D. in Psychology degree.

Here’s a look at some of the most common focus areas within psychology Ph.D. educational programs:

• Developmental
• Quantitative
• Industrial-Organizational
• Neuroscience
• Attention & Perception

Statistically speaking, those with higher academic achievement tend to make more money. In fact, according to the most recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median annual income level for those with a graduate or professional degree, such as a Ph.D. in Psychology, make about double the median income level for high school graduates. Those with advanced degrees also make considerably more than those who have only a bachelor’s degree — $72,492 vs. $54,628.

Let’s look at what a possible Ph.D. doctorate-holder could earn depending on their state, according to data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . To calculate a rate across a few jobs, we calculated an average annual salary for the following jobs in each state (rates for a few jobs were not available in some states, so those were not included):

• Clinical, School or Counseling Psychologists
• General Psychologists
• Human Resources Managers
• Mental Health Social Workers
• Postsecondary Psychology Professors

Psychology Ph.D. wages are highest in New Jersey and California, and Rhode Island, D.C. and New York also offer average wages in the six figures. Average wages are lowest in Montana and West Virginia, though psychology Ph.D.-holders in those states can still expect to make more than the average worker.

Average annual psychology Ph.D. salary by state

The overall national average annual wage for the selected jobs is about $84,000, with Human Resources Managers having the highest average wages and Mental Health Social Workers averaging the lowest.

Average annual U.S. salary, selected psychology Ph.D. jobs

In every state, the selected psychology Ph.D. jobs are expected to see openings rise over the next several years. But in some states, growth will be much more rapid on average. Across the five jobs, the fastest average growth rate is expected in Utah, where the jobs will expand by an average of nearly 32%, while the slowest growth rate is projected to be in Mississippi.

Average projected growth in job openings by state, 2018-2028

The overall average growth rate of the five jobs is about 12% nationally, with job openings for Mental Health Social Workers growing by an average of nearly 17%, the highest of the five jobs.

Average U.S. projected growth in psychology Ph.D. job openings, 2018-2028

For most people, a high wage is far from the most important reason to pick a career or even a particular job. But the time and financial investment involved in earning a Ph.D. can be daunting, and knowing there’s a strong potential to earn a comfortable living for years to come is a good motivator to stick with the doctoral process.

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Canada pledges dramatic pay rise for PhDs, postdocs – but many will not benefit

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The Canadian government has pledged a significant investment in its graduate students and postdoctoral scholars after more than two decades of stagnation . Its 2024 budget proposal , announced on 16 April , provides C$825 million (£481 million) over the next five years to support next-generation researchers by increasing both the number and value of stipends. However, the pay rise will only be seen by graduates who win scarce Tri-Council grants, although it is hoped that as these stipends rise others will need to too to compete.

The budget, which the House of Commons must pass before it is finalised, would provide nearly C$200 million per year, increasing annual master’s and PhD scholarships to $27,000 and $40,000, respectively, and postdoctoral fellowships to $70,000. The budget’s passage is not guaranteed – it needs the support of at least one of three political parties other than the ruling Liberal party.

Source: © David Kawai/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, and Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, presented the budget on 16 April. The package included funding that ended over 20 years of stagnation in PhD and postdoctoral stipends

The planned increases represent a dramatic jump. Currently, the typical annual stipend in Canada is around C$17,500 for master’s students, C$24,000 for PhDs and C$45,000 for postdocs. The government is also proposing C$1.8 billion to the different funding agencies in Canada over five years to increase core research grant funding.

The funding surge is expected to increase the number of research scholarships and fellowships provided by the government, building to approximately 1720 more graduate students or fellows benefiting each year.

Graduate student and postdoc pay in Canada has remained unchanged for over 20 years . A national survey last year by the Ottawa Science Policy Network found that nearly 90% of graduate students in the country reported feeling stressed and anxious about their finances, and almost one-third said they have considered leaving academia due to financial pressures.

‘These fellowships had the same value for many years, which means their ability to support students had, in many cases, fallen below a livable amount,’ explains Bruce Arndtsen , a chemistry professor at McGill University. ‘Many departments and institutions therefore needed to top these fellowships up from research grants simply to get to our normal stipend level.’

Most chemistry graduates ineligible for raise

Such a significant increase to graduate student stipends in Canada will give top students a competitive stipend and enable Canada to to better retain these students, Arndtsen adds. ‘It will also allow the use of grant funds to better support their research activities rather than topping their fellowship up to needed levels.’

However, he notes that these stipend increases will only apply to the select few who win prestigious Tri-Council awards, and the majority of chemistry graduate students in Canada do not receive these top fellowships but are instead paid from research grants. In fact, Arndtsen notes that funding for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s major chemistry funding programme has also remained stagnant for decades, and he expresses hope that these grants will receive a similar increase in the near term.

Anne Labarre , a sixth-year PhD chemistry student at McGill who is involved in computational drug discovery, celebrated the government’s announcement. Labarre says the PhD stipends at her chemistry department are currently fixed at around C$26,000 per year and emphasises that this increase is significant considering the recent inflation and rent increases in Montreal.

Matthew Berg, who received a PhD in biochemistry from Western University in Canada in 2021 and is now a postdoc at the University of Washington in the US, is optimistic. ‘These increases are going to set the bar for where funding should be for trainees in the sciences and in graduate school,’ he states. ‘Right now, a lot of Canadian graduate students struggle,’ Berg continues. ‘We’ve heard stories of students having to rely on food banks and different support systems in order to just make it through their degree.’

Last year there was a nationwide walkout of students and academics in Canada who were demanding more federal funding for graduate students and postdoc researchers. This month, graduate teaching assistants at Western University went on strike to protest what they deemed unfair wages. Meanwhile, a union representing striking academic workers at York University in Toronto, including teaching assistants and graduate workers, appeared to have reached a tentative deal on 14 April after being on strike over pay since late February.

Berg says he was lucky – he received one of one of the elusive federal awards to support him as a PhD candidate in Canada, which he says was worth about C$35,000 annually for three years. As a postdoc in the US, Berg says he currently receives significantly better compensation, with a stipend equivalent to more than C$90,000.

‘My dream after my PhD is to move to back to Canada and be a professor there,’ he says. ‘But it does make me nervous how difficult it is to get funding there and I don’t want to run a lab where my students are struggling to survive.’

Michel Cayouette , the vice president of research and academic affairs at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute, says the C$1.8 billion funding boost is great news but will be insufficient to allow supervisors to increase the value of their trainees’ stipends to the amounts announced for award recipients. ‘This means that the vast majority of students and postdocs will continue to struggle financially,’ Cayouette warns. ‘There is therefore more work to do in coming years to fill the gap in funding and ensure that all trainees receive a liveable wage.’

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