Interdisciplinary Programs

Interdisciplinary graduate studies are offered through a variety of options:

1. Students may undertake interdisciplinary studies as part of a regular existing program that is interdisciplinary in nature. These programs include Dispute Resolution; Indigenous Governance; Studies in Policy and Practice; interdisciplinary graduate program in Cultural, Social, and Political Thought.
   
   
2. Students may enroll in a program within a regular disciplinary department and engage in interdisciplinary research supervised by a faculty member associated with an interdisciplinary research center. Research centers at the University of Victoria include: B.C. Institute for Co-operative Studies; Centre for Addiction Research; Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology; Centre for Asia Pacific Initiatives; Centre for Biomedical Research; Centre for Earth and Ocean Research; Centre for Global Studies; Centre for Forest Biology; Centre for Health Promotion; Centre for Studies in Religion and Society; Centre for Youth and Society; Centre on Aging. 
   
   
3. Students may undertake an individual interdisciplinary studies program to pursue interdisciplinary research in an area that has not been formally approved as a regular graduate degree program by the University of Victoria Senate.  A unique proposal can be approved as an Individual Interdisciplinary Graduate program. Individual interdisciplinary graduate programs allow students to tackle research that spans between or brings together disparate fields of knowledge. Each student works with co-supervisors in two different university units, and each follows an individual graduate program designed in consultation with the supervisory committee. Interdisciplinary programs may be offered in a combination of departments of which one must have established graduate degree programs. It is the applicant's responsibility to arrange the details of the program. INTD programs are tailored to individual students, but are subject to all faculty of Graduate Studies regulations. Such programs therefore must have the academic rigour of any other graduate program. The Faculty and departments are under no obligation to arrange or approve interdisciplinary programs. The application process is therefore time consuming, as students must work to design a program of courses and research that will prepare them for the thesis—a program that must be approved by the INTD committee before the student will be accepted. The application and approval process typically takes four to six months. Approval is not guaranteed. Courses should not be started without formal approval of the program by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

All applications must be reviewed and approved by the Interdisciplinary Graduate Advisor. Applicants are therefore strongly urged to make an appointment with the Advisor for an information session early in the process: Dr. Lisa Surridge, intdadv@uvic.ca, 250-472-5209.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I apply to the individual INTD program? Download an application form and instructions here. (PDF, 37KB)

How do I change my program to add or drop a course? All individual INTD graduate programs have been approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and therefore cannot be changed without the approval of all committee members, the INTD Graduate Advisor, and the Associate Dean.  In order to make a change to an INTD program, please submit the following form to Graduate Admissions and Records: Download the form here.

How do I apply to do a Directed Studies course? Find the Graduate Course Change form (Pro-forma) here.

How can I obtain funding? Find fellowship and award information here.

More questions? Contact Dr. Lisa Surridge, INTD Graduate Advisor: intdadv@uvic.ca or by phone 250-472-5209.