A Canadian Graduate Letter of Intent is a formal written document submitted by prospective graduate students to Canadian universities as part of their application to a master's or doctoral program. This letter, also referred to as a statement of purpose or letter of motivation, communicates the applicant's academic background, research interests, professional aspirations, and reasons for choosing a specific program at a particular Canadian institution.

Canadian universities are publicly funded institutions regulated by provincial education ministries, and the graduate admissions process varies significantly across provinces and territories. In Ontario, many graduate applications are processed through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC), while Alberta uses ApplyAlberta and British Columbia uses EducationPlannerBC. Other provinces, including Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic provinces, typically handle graduate applications directly through each university's graduate studies office. Regardless of the application pathway, the letter of intent remains a critical component of the graduate admissions package.

The letter of intent serves as the applicant's primary opportunity to distinguish themselves from other candidates beyond their academic transcript and standardized test scores. Canadian graduate admissions committees use this document to assess whether the applicant's research interests align with the department's expertise, whether the applicant demonstrates the intellectual maturity and self-direction necessary for graduate-level work, and whether the applicant has a clear understanding of the Canadian academic environment. The letter must demonstrate genuine engagement with the specific program and institution rather than offering generic statements that could apply to any university.

A Canadian Graduate Letter of Intent is required whenever a prospective student applies to a graduate program at a Canadian university. Virtually all master's and doctoral programs across Canada's research universities, including the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities (such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, and others), require a letter of intent or statement of purpose as a mandatory component of the application.

The letter is particularly important when applying for research-intensive programs where the applicant must identify a potential supervisor whose research aligns with their own interests. Many Canadian graduate programs operate on a supervisor-matching model, meaning that prospective students must secure a faculty member willing to supervise their research before they can be admitted. The letter of intent provides the opportunity to demonstrate familiarity with specific faculty members' publications, research labs, or ongoing projects.

Applicants seeking funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), or the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) should use the letter to articulate research goals that align with these agencies' funding priorities. Additionally, applicants to programs that offer teaching assistantships or research assistantships should highlight relevant skills. International students applying through the study permit process under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (S.C. 2001, c. 27) may also use this letter to demonstrate their genuine intent to pursue studies in Canada.

An effective Canadian Graduate Letter of Intent must begin with a clear identification of the applicant, including their full legal name, mailing address with Canadian postal code format, email, and telephone number. The letter must specify the exact graduate program and university to which the applicant is applying, using the institution's official name and department designation.

The body of the letter should include a compelling description of the applicant's academic background, including their undergraduate degree, relevant coursework, academic honours, and any research experience. Canadian graduate programs place significant emphasis on research potential, so the applicant should describe any undergraduate research projects, publications, conference presentations, or independent studies they have completed. If applying to a thesis-based program, the applicant should outline a preliminary research proposal or at minimum describe the broad research questions they wish to explore.

The letter must demonstrate specific knowledge of the target program and institution. Referencing particular faculty members, research centres, labs, or interdisciplinary initiatives at the university shows genuine interest and preparedness. The applicant should explain how the program's strengths align with their academic and professional goals. If the applicant has already contacted potential supervisors, they should mention these communications.

Motivation and future goals constitute the final substantive section of the letter. The applicant should articulate how the graduate degree fits within their broader career trajectory, whether in academia, industry, government, or the non-profit sector. The letter should be addressed to the appropriate admissions committee, professionally formatted, and submitted with all required enclosures such as official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae, and any required standardized test scores. The letter should conclude with a courteous expression of gratitude and anticipation of a favourable response.