Admission Requirements

Candidates must at a minimum satisfy the general requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies as spelled out in Section II in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Regulations. Since this department usually accepts full-time graduate students only if it can fund them, standards are very high, currently an A- (3.70) or better average in the last two years. Both MA and PhD programs presuppose an acquaintance with English literature of different periods and nationalities. Applicants with other strengths but with limited historical coverage might still be accepted, but might be required to remedy deficiencies with one or even two of their graduate courses.

Students are reminded that the pragmatic, departmental deadline for applications is much earlier than the official Faculty of Graduate Studies one of June 30. Students who wish their applications to be competitive should submit them by January 15. Those who wish to be considered as candidates for Killam awards must submit complete applications by January 15. We strongly recommend that applicants apply for external funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Please consult the departmental website for full, updated information, including deadline dates and details.