How to Find a Graduate Supervisor in Agriculture (Canada)
A Step-by-Step Guide for International Students
If you're an international student dreaming of pursuing a Master’s or PhD in agriculture in Canada, this guide is for you. One of the first and most important steps in that journey is finding a professor who can supervise your research.
This is what this article is all about. So, let’s get started by walk through the process:
Step 1: Know What Type of Program You’re Applying For
Before anything else, figure out whether you’re applying for a course-based or a research-based graduate program.
Course-based programs (usually labeled as “non-thesis”) are more like professional degrees and often don’t require a supervisor. Research-based programs (thesis or project options), on the other hand, do require you to have a supervisor who’ll guide your research work throughout your degree.
For example, if you're planning to study courses like crop breeding, animal science, soil science, or food systems, you'll likely need a research-based program and a supervisor.
Step 2: Know What You Want to Research
You don’t need to have your entire research project figured out, but it helps to know what fits your career journey. For instance, if you are curious about sustainable livestock feeding systems or maybe you're passionate about regenerative crop production, or agri-tech innovations like drones and precision farming, you can write down two or three areas you're most interested in. This will help you to narrow your search to professors working in those spaces.
Step 3: Choose Where You Want to Study
Now that you know what you want to study, it’s time to figure out where to study. Canada is home to several world-class universities with strong agriculture programs. Start exploring schools like:
University of Saskatchewan – College of Agriculture & Bioresources
University of Manitoba – Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Each university has a faculty page or research section where you can find faculty profiles. You also visit this page to know more about Canadian cities and cheapest universities as you consider your options.
Step 4: Search for Professors Who Match Your Interest
Once you’ve chosen your target schools, it's time to dig into their websites and find faculty members who are doing work that aligns with your interests.
Look for their:
Research interests
Recent publications
Lab websites (if available)
Supervision of past students
List of past or current students (you can contact these on LinkedIn to find out more...)
Google Scholar is also helpful here. Just type in the professor’s name to see what they’ve been publishing. If someone’s work really speaks to you, make a note of their contact information. Keep a spreadsheet of names, schools, research interests, and emails so you can stay organized.
Step 5: Prepare a Strong Set of Documents
Before you start reaching out, take time to prepare a few key documents:
Your academic CV (include relevant experience, research, awards, etc.)
A 1-page research interest statement (briefly describe what you’d like to explore)
Your unofficial transcripts
English proficiency test scores (if already available). Check if your country is exempted from this requirement by the school your are interested in.
These documents show you’re serious and help potential supervisors quickly assess whether you might be a good fit for their lab.
Step 6: Craft a Thoughtful Email
This part can feel intimidating, but don’t worry, professors are used to receiving these emails, and many welcome them!
Keep your message short and professional. Start by introducing yourself—your name, your degree, and where you’re from. Then explain what drew you to their work and how your interests align. Make it clear you’re looking for a supervisor for graduate studies, and attach your CV and research interest statement.
Subject line idea:
Prospective MSc Student – Interest in Sustainable Livestock Systems
You don’t need to tell your life story, just enough to spark their interest.
Step 7: Follow Up Gently if You Don’t Hear Back
Professors are often very busy and receive many inquiries, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get an immediate response. If it’s been about 10–14 days, send a short, polite follow-up email.
If there’s still no reply after that, it’s okay—just move on to someone else on your list. It’s all part of the process.
Step 8: Be Ready to Meet or Answer Questions
If a professor replies with interest, they may invite you to a virtual meeting or send you some follow-up questions.
Be ready to:
Talk about your goals.
Explain what excites you about their research.
Ask a few questions about their lab, supervision style, or available projects.
If you have submitted a research interest statement, be ready to answer questions in relation to it.
It’s a two-way conversation—you're learning about them, too!
Step 9: Ask About Funding Opportunities
In many Canadian universities, supervisors may have research grants or scholarships available for their students. Others might suggest you apply for external scholarships like:
Vanier Graduate Scholarships
Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)
Mitacs Globalink
University-specific entrance awards
Don’t be shy about asking whether funding is available—it’s an important part of the process.
Step 10: Apply to the Program
Once you have a supervisor’s support, go ahead and submit your application through the university’s graduate portal.
You’ll need to:
Complete the online application form
Pay the application fee
Upload your transcripts, CV, research statement, and other required documents
Mention your supervisor’s name in the appropriate section
If everything’s in order, the department and the graduate school will review your application and hopefully offer you admission.
Not every seed sprouts on the first try, but with the right care and timing, growth always finds a way.
If It Doesn’t Work Out the First Time…
That’s okay! It happens. You can:
Apply to course-based programs (where a supervisor isn’t required).
Try again for the next intake.
Attend IYCA mentorship webinars or events.
Volunteer or work on a Canadian farm or agri project to gain local experience.
Need help along the line? IYCA is here for you
We know many international students come with passion and agricultural knowledge but face barriers to navigating the Canadian system. That’s why IYCA exists. We would be happy to help you bridge that gap.
Email us at admin@iyca.ca
Visit www.iyca.ca to explore our mentorship program, career guidance, or past webinar where this topic was thoroughly addressed.
You're not alone, and we’re rooting for you!