phd in english literature in canada

PhD English

The Doctor of Philosophy in English is a limited enrolment program unique in Canada for its integration of literary studies with such fields as rhetoric, new media, and discourse analysis. The program draws students from across Canada, and has a very strong placement rate for its graduates, in high-quality academic and upper-level research positions.

The following is a brief summary of information about the program. Full program information and regulations are available in the  Graduate Calendar . Admission requirements and the application process can be accessed through Discover Graduate Studies . R equirements can be tracked with the help of our  department checklists .

Requirements

The following sections list the requirements to graduate from the PhD program.

Academic integrity  w orkshop  

All students are required to complete a University of Waterloo workshop on academic integrity and sign a pledge to conduct their research with scrupulous honesty. The workshop takes place before classes begin and students will not be allowed to take classes until they have signed the pledge.

Course work

Students must complete 6 term length courses.  

• 1 Literature (LIT)
• 1 Rhetoric and Communication Design (RCD) or Experimental Digital Media (XDM)
• 4 Elective (only one may be extra-departmental or a reading course)

Progress reports

All students are required to submit annual progress reports in April.  Progress reports may increase in frequency if program time limits are exceeded.  

Progress reports are intended to ensure timely progression through the program, and will differ from year to year as milestones are met and students gain professionalization experience. Please use and amend this sample progress report  as you see fit.

PhD students must submit an academic CV with their annual progress report. The CV is an important document that you should be developing from the moment you start the program, adding items as you go. The CV is the full record of your academic life: it will be required for scholarship applications, teaching applications, applications for academic positions, and, of course, as part of your annual reporting. Many online resources can show you what is required, but for your ease of use we have provided the basic CV template, with all the required categories and indications about what goes where and how to format it. Please use and amend this sample CV  as you see fit.

Professionalization training requirement

A course on the development of research skills and professionalization, to be offered to second-year PhD students in the winter term of every year, that will meet weekly. The course will cover such topics as: preparation for area exams, preparation of a dissertation proposal, bibliographical skills, teaching strategies, the job market (academic and non-academic), conferences, writing for publication, c.v. preparation, interview technique, and writing of grant applications.

Language requirement

Each candidate must attain or demonstrate basic competence subject to feasibility of testing by the University of Waterloo in a language other than English, excluding middle English but not Anglo-Saxon.

Proof of competence may take four forms:

• Successful completion of two term of undergraduate study in a language for basic competence or two terms of advanced undergraduate study for advanced competence.
• Successful sitting of an exam at the appropriate level set by a department of the University.
• Completion of degree-level study in that language at another university.
• Evidence of other kinds that is deemed sufficient by the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee.

This milestone must be completed by December 1 of the third year.

Comprehensive exam

Students sit a two-part comprehensive exam, consisting of a written exam and an oral exam. Those exam sittings take place in year two of the program, usually in May and June, respectively.

Candidates who fail the written exam may be eligible to write it again at the next formal sitting. Candidates who fail the oral exam will normally have another exam within two weeks.

For complete details on comprehensive exams, including procedures, reading lists, past exams, and timelines, see the Comprehensive exams page.

Dissertation proposal

Students must arrange for a supervisor and a dissertation committee, from members of the faculty, and under their guidance prepare a proposal.The final draft of the proposal must be submitted (in digital form) to the Support Services Coordinator by by the date announced in that year's exam schedule.

For more full details about the proposal, see the Dissertation page.

Dissertation

All students are responsible for original research and study on a topic that has been approved by their dissertation committee and the English Graduate Committee. A completed Dissertation should be between 200-400 pages in length, exclusive of bibliography and works cited.  The dissertation should be defended in the student's fourth year.

For more full details about writing, defending, and publishing your dissertation, see the Dissertation page.

PhD Program Timeline

• Year 1: Course work
• Year 2: Exams (one Fall, one Spring), Dissertation Proposal & Professionalization Training Requirement
• Year 3: Dissertation writing
• Year 4: Dissertation completion
• Year 4: Dissertation defense

Full time enrolment and Waterloo residency is expected for all three terms of all four years

• Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD)
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• Graduate Degree Programs

Go to programs search

The UBC English Graduate Program, one of the most vibrant and wide-ranging in Canada, has been awarding the M.A. degree since 1919. Students may earn the degree in each of two areas: English Literature and English Language. Indeed, the UBC English Department is one of the few departments in North America to offer a language program in addition to its literary programs.

English Language

The English Language program includes specializations in history and structure of language, discourse and genre analysis, and history and theory of rhetoric. Faculty members in the Language program teach and supervise research in descriptive linguistics, historical linguistics, cognitive linguistics, functional grammar, semantics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, stylistics, genre studies, and history and theory of rhetoric. Students in the English Literature program can take advantage of Language graduate courses; recent offerings include courses on reported speech and its rhetorical versatility across genres; the uses of classical rhetoric for contemporary critical practice; and cognitive approaches to the language of literature. By the same token, Language students can take advantage of the wide variety of Literature courses our department offers.

English Literature

The English Literature program includes specializations across the periods, genres, and major figures of British, North American and World Literature in English. Current research initiatives on the part of faculty include such diverse topics as the ecocritical study of Renaissance drama; the triumph of transport in Romantic poetry; the impact of radio and television on modernist poetics; the politics of post-identity in Asian American literature, and the role of war and its traumatic shocks in twentieth-century Canadian, U.S. and British literature. Graduate students can also choose to work across disciplinary fields, taking advantage of UBC's outstanding interdisciplinary programs in Medieval Studies, Canadian and U.S. Studies, Studies in Sexuality, and Science and Technology Studies, among others.

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

What makes the program unique?

The Graduate Program of the Department of English is a vibrant community of more than 50 graduate faculty and 100 graduate students. An active graduate caucus, extensive campus resources, and such local resources as departmental research seminars, a graduate reading room, and a dedicated graduate program office, ensure that our students are well-supported in a collegial atmosphere throughout their programs. A pedagogy training program prepares our students to teach both during and after their programs.

Pursuing a graduate degree has given me the space and resources to develop my ideas into work that I hope can make a positive impact

Olivia Dreisinger

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 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 : 104

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.5

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 not required.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Document requirements.

IELTS = 7.5 overall band score with no component less that 7.0.

2) Meet Deadlines

September 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

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 English (PhD)

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

Program components.

The English program now offers the opportunity to participate in the PhD Co-op program.

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 check with your prospective graduate program for specific details of the funding provided to its PhD students.

Average Funding

• 16 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 16 students was $11,126.
• 10 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 10 students was $6,645.
• 23 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 23 students was $21,501.
• 8 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 8 students was $27,112.

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

51 students graduated between 2005 and 2013. Of these, career information was obtained for 47 alumni (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016):

Sample Employers in Higher Education

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

Upon completion of their graduate degrees, students can expect further mentoring and support in the job search process. Former doctoral students of the UBC English program have obtained permanent positions at universities and colleges in Canada and abroad; recent appointments have included the University of Alberta, Simon Fraser University, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Victoria, the University College of the Fraser Valley, Kwantlen University, the University of British Columbia Okanagan, the Université de Moncton, Montana State University, and Whitman College. Our doctoral students have also been very successful in securing post-doctoral fellowships in Canada and the US.

Alumni on Success

Stephen Ney

Job Title Lecturer

Employer The University of British Columbia

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in English (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, monday, 16 september 2024 - 4:00pm - room 203, thursday, 19 september 2024 - 9:00am - 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.

• Akinwole, Tolulope
• Al-Kassim, Dina (Critical identity, ethnic and race studies; English language; Gender, sexuality and education; Human rights, justice, and ethical issues; anti-colonial; Artistic and Literary Movements, Schools and Styles; Artistic and Literary Theories; Arts and Cultural Traditions; Arts, Literature and Subjectivity; comparative literature: Arabic, English, French; feminist; Gender Relationship; Identity and Transnationality; Philosophy, History and Comparative Studies; postcolonial; psychoanalysis; queer theory; sexuality; Subjectivity)
• Anger, Suzy (Victorian Literature, Literature and Philosophy, Victorian Literature and Psychology, Victorian Literature and Science, Hermeneutics)
• Antwi, Phanuel (critical black studies; settler colonial studies; black Atlantic and diaspora studies; Canadian literature and culture since 1830; critical race, gender, and sexuality studies; and material cultures; )
• Badir, Patricia (English language; Canadian Modernism; Early Modern Drama; Early Modern Literature and Religion; Medieval Drama; Shakespeare; Shakespeare in Canada)
• Bain, Kimberly (History, theory, and philosophy of the African diaspora; Race, gender, environmental and medical racism; Anthropocene; Black arts and letters)
• Briggs, Marlene (war and conflict; cultural transmission and reception of the First World War (1914-1918) in modern and contemporary British literature )
• Britton, Dennis (early modern English literature; history of race; Critical Race Theory; Protestant theology; history of emotion)
• Burgess, Miranda (English language; Arts, Literature and Subjectivity; British and Irish Romanticism; history of feeling (affect, emotion, sensation); history of literary form; history of media and mediation; poetics; riparian and oceanic studies)
• Cavell, Richard Anthony (English language; Media and Society; Media Influence on Behavior; Media Types (Radio, Television, Written Press, etc.); media studies; media theory)
• Chapman, Mary Ann (Arts and Cultural Traditions; Arts and Literary Policies; Arts and Technologies; Arts, Literature and Subjectivity; Social Determinants of Arts and Letters; Artistic and Literary Marginality; Artistic and Cultural Heritage; Artist or Author Social Identity; Artistic and Literary Movements, Schools and Styles; Artistic and Literary Theories; Literary or Artistic Work Analysis; Literary or Artistic Work Dissemination or Reception Contexts; Literary or Artistic Works Analysis; Writing and Literary Experimentation; Poetry; Novel and Short Story; Essays; Gender Relationship; Audiences and Mass Media; Media and Democratization; Media and Society; Media Influence on Behavior; Civil and Social Responsibilities of Media; Stereotypes; Electoral System; Printing Art; Persuasion Strategies; Social Movements; Publics; Performance and Theatrical Productions; Social Networks; American Literature; Asian American Literature; Asian Canadian Literature; Suffrage; Public Pedagogy of the Arts; Public Humanities)
• Dalziel, Pamela (Victorian-literature, Victorian-culture, visual-representation, illustration, gender-studies, religion, interdisciplinary-studies, textual-criticism, scholarly-editing, Thomas-Hardy, Charles-Dickens, George-Eliot )
• Dancygier, Barbara (Linguistics, grammar)
• de Villiers, Jessica (Linguistics)
• Deer, Glenn (discourse studies, the rhetoric of power in narrative fiction, and postmodernism and Canadian Literature)
• Dick, Alexander (Literary or Artistic Work Analysis; Philosophy, History and Comparative Studies; Artistic and Literary Theories; Arts, Literature and Subjectivity; British Romanticism; Scottish Enlightenment; Literature and Economics; Literature and the Environment; Literature and Science; Scottish Literature)
• Dollinger, Stefan (English language; Language Contact and Linguistic Changes; Linguistic Variation and Society; Lexicography and Dictionaries; Language Interactions; Language Rights and Policies; Bilingualism and Multilingualism)
• Earle, Bo (British Romanticism, Critical Theory, Philosophy and Literature)
• Echard, Sian (English language; Literary or Artistic Work Analysis; Literary or Artistic Work Dissemination or Reception Contexts; Modes and strategies of dissemination; Poetry; Media Types (Radio, Television, Written Press, etc.); Anglo-Latin literature; Arthurian literature; History of the Book; John Gower; Manuscript studies; Medieval literature)
• Frank, Adam (American literatures; American literature and media, affect theory, modernism, science and technology studies)
• Frelick, Nancy (Renaissance literatures; Literature and critical theory)
• Gaertner, David (Indigenous literatures; Media, visual and digital culture; Critical identity, ethnic and race studies; Indigenous Literature; Digital storytelling; Digital Humanities; Speculative fiction; Reconciliation; New Media; Indigenous Cyberspace)
• Guy-Bray, Stephen (Renaissance poetry)
• Hill, Ian (rhetoric, persuasion, argumentation, technology, weapons, interrogation, political economy, war rhetoric, conflict rhetoric, dissent, mass movements )
• Ho, Janice (English language; twentieth- and twenty-first century British literature and culture; British and transnational modernisms; postcolonial and world Anglophone literatures; contemporary fiction; histories and theories of the novel; human rights studies; infrastructure studies)

Doctoral Citations

Sample Thesis Submissions

• The play of conscience : theological, jurisprudential and poetic iterations in English dramaturgy, 1515-1604
• The Arthur of the March of Wales
• Inheritances : negotiating kinship in Indigenous and other modernisms
• Voices on trial : the consequences of female speech in medieval romance
• Stories of lands, bodies and dreams : a Tmixᵂcentric literary theory
• "Token" in medieval and early modern English theatre and theology
• Who hears the listeners : decolonizing the process of dialogue in First Peoples’ literatures
• Stage and street : the cultural history of the early modern Thames
• Time and metaphor : reading and writing the computus in the British Isles, 600-1400
• "Hold ourselves together with our arms around the stereo" : listening for weak hope in contemporary song lyrics
• Telling animals : a histology of Dene textualized orature
• Scorching irony : anti-hypocrisy in antebellum U.S. literature
• The lyric selfie : mediating race and subjectivity in poetry from print to Web 2.0
• The turn to sacred address in transnational HIV/AIDS writing
• Leaky bodies reclaimed : biofluids, contagion, and Victorian England’s strange intimacies

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Arts in English (MA)

Further Information

Specialization.

English offers two areas: English Language and English Literature

The English Language program includes specializations in history and structure of language, discourse and genre analysis, and history and theory of rhetoric. Faculty members in the Language program teach and supervise research in descriptive linguistics, historical linguistics, cognitive linguistics, functional grammar, semantics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, stylistics, genre studies, and history and theory of rhetoric.

The English Literature program includes specializations across the periods, genres, and major figures of British, North American and World Literature in English. Current research initiatives on the part of faculty include such diverse topics as the ecocritical study of Renaissance drama; the triumph of transport in Romantic poetry; the impact of radio and television on modernist poetics; the politics of post-identity in Asian American literature, and the role of war and its traumatic shocks in twentieth-century Canadian, U.S. and British literature.

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 .

Leah Alfred-Olmedo

My choice to pursue my PhD at UBC was based on relationships, both within the university and without. I have a generative and supportive relationship with my supervisor, with other members of the English faculty, and with other graduate students at UBC. I feel that UBC works to foster and support...

Veronika Larsen

I completed my MA at UBC in 2021, and my time on campus has been quite wonderful. I decided to study at UBC largely because of the expert faculty members that I have learned from, and that I believe I can learn much more from. Members in my department continue to offer support from diverse...

Sydney Lines

I had been to Vancouver once before and loved the weather (I'm allergic to the sun). I was impressed by the UBC Arts PhD Co-op Program. My department often ranks among the top 20 in the world. But the truth is I did not believe I’d get into UBC, and I only applied three days before the deadline as...

Curious about life in Vancouver?

Find out how Vancouver enhances your graduate student experience—from the beautiful mountains and city landscapes, to the arts and culture scene, we have it all. Study-life balance at its best!

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program overview.

The PhD in English Literature will deepen your mastery of period- and area-specific archives and develop your skills as a literary scholar. You will investigate the cultural categories of literature and the media in both historical and contemporary contexts. Living and studying in the vibrant, bilingual city of Montreal, you will study literatures in English with a focus on interdisciplinary exchanges and cross-cultural environments. The program is of special interest to doctoral students seeking to work across discourses, media, or literary languages and traditions.

Program details

Admission requirements, admission requirements.

• Master's degree in English or equivalent.
• GPA of 3.50 or above from a recognized university.
• Promise as a scholar as demonstrated by letter of intent and submitted writing sample.
• Proposed research that is relevant to the program.
• A feasible research proposal in terms of material resources including faculty supervision.
• Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.

Degree requirements

Degree requirements.

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.

Please see the English Courses page for course descriptions.

English Literature PhD (90 credits)

Independent Studies in English Literature

Special Topics in English Literature

Studies in Early English Literature and Medieval Literature

Studies in Renaissance Literature

Studies in Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature

Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature

Studies in Twentieth Century Literature

Studies in Poetry

Studies in Drama

Studies in Fiction

Studies in the History of Ideas

Studies in Shakespeare

Studies in American Literature

Studies in Canadian Literature

Studies in Post-Colonial Literature

Studies in Literary Criticism

Studies in Selected Areas

Application process

Your completed application will include:

• Application form and Fee
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
• Statement of Purpose (three pages maximum): Outline your academic background and, as specifically as possible, describe the research project you expect to focus on and the relevance of your proposed research to our program. The English Graduate Program Committee invites members of equity-seeking groups to identify themselves if they wish
• A sample of your written work. Fifteen pages maximum
• Transcripts  for all post-secondary institutions attended
• Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
• Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit  official language test scores , unless exempted.

Please apply  online . Read the  how-to guide  for application procedures. 

Application deadlines

Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of courses and read about upcoming, current and past course offerings

We are committed to providing financial support to all of our students. PhD candidates usually receive three-year funding packages, which include Concordia fellowships and English teaching assistantships. Students are eligible to apply for  graduate funding  (e.g., conference awards, accelerator funds) throughout the degree. We also assist you in the preparation of applications for external grants from  SSHRC   and the  FQRSC

Please consult the English Department’s  funding  page and  Financial Aid and Awards

Faculty research interests

Our faculty are accomplished scholars across many fields of literature. Learn more about us by visiting:

• Bookshelf of recent publications
• Faculty profiles

Student initiatives

Graduate students hold writing sessions and workshops, host literary and scholarly events, and publish a journal. Learn more about Concordia Write Nights , Headlight , and visit SAGE to get involved.

Your professional future

Our doctoral students will emerge prepared to enrich the social and cultural milieux of Montreal, Québec, Canada, and beyond, embarking upon careers as researchers, educators and writers either inside or outside of the academy.

Join the conversation

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The Department of English at the University of Toronto offers two doctoral streams, the PhD program and the PhD U (“direct-entry”) program.

Admission to the doctoral streams is highly selective.

The PhD program welcomes applications from our own English MA students and English MA students from other recognized institutions.

Candidates for admission to the PhD program must complete an MA in English at this or another university with a standing of A- or better and must satisfy the Department that they are capable of independent research at an advanced level.

The PhD program is designed for completion in five years ; it may extend, if necessary, to a maximum of six years.

PhD U (Direct-Entry) Program

The "direct-entry" PhD U program welcomes applications from exceptional students who have completed their undergraduate English BA degree but not an English MA, or who have completed an MA in a program related to but not in the field of English. (If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact the Associate Director, PhD , before applying.)

Please see the Application Information  page (under “Programs”) for further information about eligibility for the PhD U program, which involves an additional year of coursework and therefore tends to take an additional year to complete.

Upon registration, all doctoral candidates are assigned a mentor from the Department’s graduate faculty.

A thesis supervisor and supervisory committee are appointed at the end of Year 1 for students in the PhD program or the end of Year 2 for students in the PhD U program.

The Special Fields Examination is normally taken in March, April, or May of Year 2 in the program for PhD students or Year 3 in the program for PhD U students.

Program Requirements and Course Work

At the University of Toronto, the acronym FCE stands for “Full Course Equivalent.” A “full course” is weighted 1.0 FCE and meets for the full year (i.e., two terms or semesters). Almost all of our graduate courses in English , however, run for a single term and are thus called “half courses,” which are weighted 0.5 FCE. (“3.0 FCEs,” in other words, in practice means 6 single-term courses.)

The program requirements (except for ENG9900H) for the PhD are usually completed within the first two years of the program.

The minimum course requirements for the degree are as follows:

• ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series (0.25 FCE); taken in Year 1 of the program
• ENG9900H Teaching Literature (0.5 FCE); students have the option of taking this required course in either Fall of Year 2 or Fall of Year 3
• 3.0 additional FCEs in English, as approved by the department; the department strongly encourages students to complete these 3.0 additional FCEs in Year 1
• Every student must complete at least 2.0 FCEs outside the chosen field of study over the course of their graduate training. The student is encouraged to combine these courses into a minor field. Graduate courses taken as part of the master's program may be counted in this connection, but the following courses may not be counted: ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English , ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series , ENG9900H Teaching Literature .

Language Requirement: PhD students must also demonstrate reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 3 of registration. With the permission of the department, another language (including Old English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the PhD program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B and maintain an average grade of at least A–.

PhD students may take up to 1.0 FCE of coursework outside of the Graduate Program in English, with the approval of the Associate Director, PhD.  

Cross-listed courses (that is, courses taught by English graduate faculty in other units) and courses required for a collaborative specialization are equivalent to English courses and may be taken without special permission from the Department.

PhD U (Direct-Entry)

The program requirements (except for ENG9900H) for the PhD U are usually completed within the first three years of the program.

• ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English (1.0 FCE); taken in Year 1 of the program
• ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series (0.25 FCE); taken in Year 2
• ENG9900H Teaching Literature (0.5 FCE); students have the option of taking this required course in either Fall of Year 3 or Fall of Year 4
• 5.0 additional FCEs in English, as approved by the department. In Year 1, in addition to ENG6999Y the student must complete 2.0 FCEs. In addition to ENG9400H, students must then complete the remaining 3.0 FCEs by the end of Year 3. The department strongly encourages students to complete these 3.0 additional FCEs in Year 2.
• Every student must complete at least 2.0 FCEs outside the chosen field of study. The student is encouraged to combine these courses into a minor field. Neither ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English , ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series , nor ENG9900H Teaching Literature  may be counted towards a minor field.

Language Requirement: PhD U students must also demonstrate reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 4 of registration. With the permission of the department, another language (including Old English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the PhD U program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B and maintain an average grade of at least A–.

PhD U students may take up to 1.0 FCE of coursework outside of the Graduate Program in English, with the approval of the Associate Director, PhD.  

Supervisory Committee, Special Fields Examination, and Thesis Information

Along with the information provided under the headings below, please carefully consult these two important documents:

Finding a Supervisor

The Graduate English faculty is extensive and extraordinarily wide-ranging. Students are advised to consider all potential supervisors from among faculty holding the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

Every PhD student is assigned a mentor, who is one source for information about potential thesis supervisors. Above all, coursework offers the chance to explore intellectual affinities with potential supervisors, and the Director and Associate Directors of the graduate program can offer useful advice.

Members of the Graduate Faculty are always willing to discuss thesis topics and supervision with candidates, and asking a faculty member to read and comment on a fellowship proposal is an excellent way to begin to gauge the potential of a supervisory relationship.

Students should initiate discussion of a thesis topic with potential supervisors early in the second term of the first year of the PhD program (or second year for direct-entry students).

The Thesis Topic

Careful consideration in the process of choosing a thesis topic is critical for all doctoral candidates. Select a subject that excites your curiosity, engages your interest, and represents your current thinking and expertise. A thesis topic should emerge from coursework and intellectual growth during the first stages of the program.

Even candidates who enter the program with ideas about a thesis topic are advised to test them further against their own development, the current state of scholarship in the field, and available faculty and archival resources

Form A: Preliminary Thesis Proposal and Supervisory Committee Request List

After securing a thesis supervisor and developing a thesis topic in consultation with that supervisor, the student and supervisor work together to submit Form A to the Department by May 15 of the first year (or second year for PhD U students) .

As part of the process of completing Form A, the student should consult with four (or, at a minimum, three) additional members of the graduate faculty to gain further perspectives on the design and viability of the project. On the form, the student lists the names of the faculty members consulted and the names of up to four faculty members to be considered as potential members of the supervisory committee. (The names of the faculty consulted and the potential committee members are often, but may not necessarily be, the same.)

The Preliminary Thesis Proposal is a statement of approximately 1-2 single-spaced pages outlining the focus and approach of the proposed program of research. Successful proposals will be written in clear, concise prose. As its title suggests, the proposal is preliminary: the position paper component of the Special Fields Exam (at the end of the following year) will provide the opportunity for revision and expansion. Students should feel free, if it in fact reflects their current thinking, to adapt their Program of Study from a SSHRC or Plan of Study from a OGS proposal. As above, be sure that your Thesis Proposal reflects your current thinking, growth, and knowledge of the field.

Form B: Supervisory Committee and Special Fields Reading List

After Form A has been received, the Director and Associate Director, PhD, will determine the composition of the supervisory committee (usually the supervisor plus two additional members). Early in the summer, the candidate should then meet with the supervisory committee as a group to discuss the proposal, draw up an initial list of texts for the Special Fields Examination (see below), and develop a plan of work.

In late summer or early fall the student consults with the committee once again to complete Form B, which must be submitted to the Department by October 1 of the second year of the program (or third year for PhD U students) .

Please see below  for further information about the Special Fields Examination.

Special Fields Examination

Please carefully consult Description of Special Fields Exam and Timeline for Thesis Proposal, Reading List, and Special Fields Exam  (revised August 20, 2024).

The Special Fields Examination must be completed by the end of Year 2 (or Year 3 for direct-entry students) and will normally be taken in March, April, or May of that year.

The Special Fields Examination both prepares students for teaching and scholarly work in a particular field and facilitates the transition to writing the doctoral thesis.

Accordingly, the Special Fields Reading List, which forms the basis for the examination, comprises between 80 and 100 texts, roughly two-thirds (55-65) in a major field and roughly one-third (25-35) in a minor field. Students construct their own lists in consultation with their supervisor and thesis committee.

Thesis Supervision

It is critical to the success of the working relationship between supervisor and candidate to develop an initial agreement about the method and scope of the research, and to clarify the expectations of supervisor and candidate: about the kind and amount of advice that the candidate wants and the supervisor is able and willing to offer; about the involvement of the members of the supervisory committee; about the frequency, regularity and contents of consultations; about an appropriate time scheme for the completion of the thesis; and about the way draft work is to be submitted.

The candidate meets with the supervisor and individual committee members according to the schedule they have established, but the candidate must meet with the full supervisory committee at least once every year in order to meet SGS registration requirements.

Please carefully consult the following SGS publications:

• Supervision Guidelines
• Graduate Supervision Guidelines — Faculty Edition
• Graduate Supervision Guidelines — Student Edition
• The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision

Thesis Submission Guidelines and the Final Oral Examination

In preparation for the submission of the thesis and for information about the Final Oral Examination, students should carefully consult the following documents:

Please see as well the guidelines listed on the School of Graduate Studies Producing Your Thesis page.

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English (PhD)

Program description.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English offered by the Department of English in the Faculty of Arts is a research-intensive program that emphasizes intensive and comprehensive learning opportunities. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in literature review, critical thinking, and academic writing to pursue professional opportunities in academia or industry.

Keywords: literary studies, theory, and history, cultural studies, drama and theater, gender studies, medieval and early modern studies, Victorian studies, modernism and the twentieth century, decolonization and contemporary cultures, digital humanities.

Unique Program Features

• The program brings together three different but related areas of study: Literature, Drama and Theatre, and Cultural Studies;
• The Department has major collaborative research projects with the Burney Centre, the McGill Medievalists, the Bibliographic Society of Canada, and research teams on Shakespeare and Performance, Early Modern Conversions, Interacting with Print, Eating in Canada, and Novelists on the Novel;
• All applicants are considered for funding.

University-Level Admission Requirements

• An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
• English-language proficiency

Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please visit the program website for more details.

Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.

Program Website

PhD in English website

Department Contact

Graduate Program gradstudies.englishlit [at] mcgill.ca (subject: PhD%20in%20English) (email)

Available Intakes

Application deadlines.

Note : Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.

Application Resources

• Application Steps webpage
• Submit Your Application webpage
• Connecting with a supervisor webpage
• Graduate Funding webpage

Application Workshops

Consult our full list of our virtual application-focused workshops on the Events webpage.

Department and University Information

Graduate and postdoctoral studies.

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

English & cultural studies.

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PhD program in English & Cultural Studies

Our vibrant graduate studies community fosters curiosity and critical thinking in the study and research of literature and cultural production.

My program at McMaster taught me a breadth of skills beyond what you see on the surface from a history degree.

Stephanie Carpenter '05

Honours BA in History with a Minor in English

If you're looking for a program that gives you flexibility to think with both literature and culture while growing your close reading skills, this might be the one for you!

Emily Meilleur '21

BA in English & Cultural Studies

Humanities degrees help empower people who want to make a difference in this world.

Emily Lackie '11

Combined Honours in History and English

About the Program

McMaster’s PhD in English & Cultural Studies fosters interdisciplinary exchange and prioritizes opportunities for students to develop as researchers, teachers, and public intellectuals. The program is small enough for students to build strong relationships with peers and our faculty, while being large enough to support a wide range of research specializations.

We encourage prospective applicants to consult this guide to our areas of faculty specializations and supervisory interests. Our department’s areas of supervisory strength include early literatures; critical race studies; critical pedagogy studies; environmental humanities; gender, feminist and sexuality studies; global Anglophone literatures and cultures; Indigenous literatures and cultures; and decolonial studies.

The department offers multiple opportunities for academic, pedagogical, and professional development, including:

• Coursework through which students develop conference paper-length research projects
• Funding for conference and research travel
• Grant writing and publication workshops
• Guaranteed paid Teaching Assistantships (Years 1-4)
• Possibilities to apply to teach your own course as a Teaching Fellow
• Options to participate in conference organizing and serve on key student, departmental, and faculty-wide committees

Milestones at a Glance

Year 1: Complete five elective courses , submit preliminary thesis proposal , and submit Comprehensive Examination reading list . Year 2: Complete one required course (English 702 Doctoral Research Seminar), complete Comprehensive Examinations, submit detailed thesis proposal . Year 3: Continued research and writing of thesis; submit first draft of a portion of work to supervisor. Years 4+: Continued research and writing of thesis; opportunity to apply to teach your own course. Submit and orally defend the dissertation .

More information

Program Details and Additional Opportunities

Supervision: Incoming PhD students are assigned a supervisor as part of our admissions process. Students thus receive focused mentorship from the very start of the degree through to completion.

Courses: PhD students complete six graduate courses : five elective courses in Year 1 (click here for sample Course Outlines ), and in Year 2, our cohort-building professional development focused Doctoral Research Seminar . In elective courses, students explore final paper topics and methodologies that connect course themes to their own research interests, providing breadth while simultaneously helping to consolidate directions for dissertation research.

Comprehensive Exams: PhD students in our program demonstrate comprehensive knowledge related to their specializations in Year 2 by writing a Field Paper and a Topic Paper , and by defending both in an oral examination.

• The Field Paper is designed to develop broad expertise in the wider field of knowledge the candidate’s research will engage.
• The Topic Paper describes how the candidate’s dissertation will intervene in this field and the particular contribution it will make. Writing the topic paper helps prepare students for developing the detailed thesis proposal.

Dissertation Writing: After completing their comprehensive exams, students submit a detailed thesis proposal and write a thesis (200-250 pages) to be defended in an oral examination. Students receive ongoing individualized mentorship in research and professionalization from members of their supervisory committee.

Throughout the degree, students benefit from focused opportunities for academic, pedagogical, and professional development , including:

• Further enrich the interdisciplinary ECS PhD degree with a concurrent Graduate Diploma in Gender and Social Justice or Water Without Borders Graduate Diploma
• Travel to conferences to share your research, with help from department-specific research travel awards; additional funding available by application from McMaster’s Graduate Studies Association and School of Graduate Studies.
• Contribute to the department’s annual John Douglas Taylor conference , a collaborative venture between ECS faculty and graduate students.
• Gain valuable experience through paid research and editorial assistant positions under the supervision of individual faculty members, the Centre for Community Engaged Narrative Arts (CCENA) , and scholarly journals affiliated with the department (such as Early Theatre and Eighteenth Century Fiction ).
• Annual workshops give you targeted feedback from peers and faculty members to use when revising draft grant applications.
• PhD students in our department enjoy high success rates in national and international grant competitions .
• In our Year 2 Doctoral Research Seminar , workshop an abstract/pitch and develop a submission for publication ; learn how to navigate peer review and gain other valuable tips from faculty members who are journal editors and who hold deep expertise in public-facing scholarship.
• Teaching is an integral part of our graduate degree programs. Gain expertise in facilitating discussion, marking assignments, and developing/ implementing learning activities focused on reading and writing skills, through paid training and guaranteed TAships (Years 1-4).
• Deepen your expertise in teaching through optional guest lecturing and additional events/resources offered by McMaster’s MacPherson Institute .
• Develop skills and knowledge in anti-oppressive pedagogy by taking our elective course in Decolonial, Anti-Racist, and Anti-Oppressive Pedagogies or joining the department’s Anti-Oppression in Teaching Committee.
• Once your detailed thesis proposal is approved, apply for a Teaching Fellow position , in which you will be mentored as the instructor of record for one of our departmental courses. Teaching Fellows gain valuable experience to draw on when applying for academic jobs and pursuing alt- and non-academic careers as well.
• Gain experience on key student, departmental, and faculty-wide committees that work to address issues and improve graduate students’ experiences, including the ECS Graduate Caucus and the Faculty of Humanities, as well as CUPE 3906.

Department Life

Our department houses a wide range of opportunities for graduate students to develop their skills, find community, and engage with faculty experts.

Learn more about life in our department:

Fees and Funding

Tuition and supplemental fees.

Visit Graduate Studies to learn more about tuition and supplementary fees.

Paid Teaching Opportunities

Two types of paid teaching opportunities offer our PhD students invaluable occasions for professionalization and career development:

Teaching Assistantships:

• All full-time graduate students in our department are guaranteed paid Teaching Assistant (TA) positions, supported by paid training as well as instructor/faculty-led supervision. Our doctoral students gain a range of teaching experience as TAs over the course of their degrees. This may include working as a TA for a first-year undergraduate or upper-level English and Cultural Studies course, or outside of the department in programs like iArts, Gender Studies, Global Peace and Social Justice, and Communication Studies and Media Arts.
• TAships generally involve running weekly tutorials, grading student work, and meeting with students individually. Marking TAs do not run tutorials, but instead grade essays and may meet with students individually to discuss their work. Upper year PhD students may be assigned a senior TA position, which involves assisting the instructor and providing resources to fellow TAs in that course.

Teaching Fellowships:

• A limited number of Teaching Fellowships are available to upper year PhD students by application. Teaching Fellows serve as primary instructors for undergraduate courses, and may also supervise TAs. These fellowships are awarded based on students’ qualifications in the course subject as well as their progress toward completing PhD program requirements. PhD students are able to hold up to two Teaching Fellow positions over the duration of their studies.
• Teaching Fellows normally teach an undergraduate course in the Department of English & Cultural Studies but there may be opportunities to teach in other areas such as Gender Studies, Humanities, iArts, and Communication Studies. The number of Teaching Fellowships awarded each year varies but most of our PhD students are able to complete at least one fellowship before graduating.

Scholarships and Funding

All full-time MA and PhD students receive scholarship funding from McMaster University. The McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is the most common form of scholarship support available to graduate students across the Faculty of Humanities. The MGS ensures that students receive a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship support. Adjustments to the MGS will depend on other available scholarships; please see the Faculty of Humanities Adjustments guidelines policy for additional details.

ECS graduate scholarship funding offers are competitive with those of other major programs in Canada, and applicants to the Department of English and Cultural Studies are often awarded named internal scholarships such as the Harry Lyman Hooker Senior Fellowships, the Harvey E. Longboat Graduate Scholarships for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Students, the Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OGS), and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS).

Our department prioritizes mentorship for in-program students who apply for additional internal as well as major external awards. This support includes information sessions, draft workshops, and one-on-one consultations with supervisors and the graduate chair. Our graduate students have an excellent track record in securing prestigious external awards such as Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS), SSHRC Doctoral fellowships, CGS-Master’s awards, and Vanier scholarships, as well as generous in-program scholarships such as the Townsend, Ogilvie, Goellnicht, and Wilson Leadership awards.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD in English & Cultural Studies requires an MA in English, Literary Studies, Cultural Studies, or a related field, with marks of at least A- in two thirds of the applicant’s Masters level courses. In recent years, successful candidates have typically achieved an average of A (at least 85%) in upper-level undergraduate and MA coursework. Our admissions committee gives consideration to matching candidates’ proposed projects with the research expertise of available faculty members .

Applicants who do not hold a post-secondary degree whose language of instruction was English, are required to provide an official record of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computerized test, and 100 on the Internet-based test is required. If you are submitting the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, a score of 7 is required. Please note that achieving the minimum required score on these tests is not always sufficient for admission.

Application Process

Applications for the PhD program should reach the Department of English & Cultural Studies at McMaster no later than JANUARY 14 th . Applications and supplementary documentation must be submitted through the application portal  – open November 1st.

Only completed applications, which include all required supporting documentation, will be reviewed. Application fees are non-refundable. Please read the information below before beginning your application. For questions regarding the application process, please email us at [email protected] .

Required Documentation

You must compile the following required materials for the PhD program application. Please ensure that these required documents are uploaded when the online application form asks for the Statement of Interest and the CV.

Statement of Interest

The statement of interest (500 words) is an opportunity for students to outline the research project they wish to undertake. The statement of interest should indicate both the critical or theoretical debates and the primary texts students will engage. We invite applicants to situate their proposed project within relevant critical conversations, previous research, and/or lived experience. Securing a supervisor is not required before you submit your application; however, the admissions committee appreciates when applicants include suggestions of faculty members working in related fields to the proposed project. To learn more about our faculty members’ areas of supervisory interest and expertise, see the Our Graduate Supervisors page [hyperlink to supervisor areas chart/page]

Writing Sample

A sample of your written work (15-22 pages). Choose a sample that demonstrates your strengths as an academic writer (eg. a paper written for a graduate course or a section of your MA thesis/project).

Please list research, teaching or work experience related to your proposed area of specialization, such as:

• Scholarships, honours/prizes, awards, and bursaries received during your academic studies (include title of the award, duration, and brief description of significance)
• Conference presentations (title of paper, name of conference, date)
• Publications (scholarly, creative, public-facing)
• Community-engagement initiatives; service positions within educational and volunteer settings

Applicants who wish to be considered for the Don Goellnicht Memorial Award should include evidence on their cv demonstrating a commitment to humanitarianism and social advocacy.

One original transcript per institution attended

Upload a scanned copy for each university and post-secondary institution attended and each program in which you have studied, including both undergraduate and graduate degrees and course work (including any transfer and exchange credits). Note: If your application is accepted for admission to the program, you will be required to submit original, paper transcripts.

Two confidential letters of recommendation

Letters should be from instructors most familiar with your academic work: McMaster University uses the Electronic Referencing System. By entering the email address of your referee through the online application, the system will automatically send an e-Reference request on your behalf. If for some reason you/or your referee are unable to use/access the Electronic Referencing System, please contact the department for help ([email protected]).

International Students

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide an official record of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (iBT), 600 on the regular test and a score of 250 on the computerized test are required. If you are submitting the IELTS test, a minimum score of 7 is required.

Application Fee

To finalize the application, applicants must agree to the online terms and conditions, and pay the required $110 (CND) application fee. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid in Canadian dollars by means of a debit or credit card payment. Your application will not be considered for admission until your application fee has been received. Please see the Student Accounts & Cashiers website for information about acceptable methods of payment.

Apply to the PhD Program in English & Cultural Studies

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GRADUATE SUPERVISORS

Research your passion in English & Cultural Studies with supervision from our world-class faculty.

SEE OUR CURRENT AND FORMER GRAD STUDENTS

Supplemental information.

Graduate Course Offerings and Timetables

Our English graduate courses explore a range of topics, texts and tools from Medieval studies to contemporary cultural studies.

See our 2023-2024 course offerings and timetable below:

COURSE OFFERINGS

See our tentative 2024-2025 course offerings:

Learn what is involved in each of our graduate courses by viewing our course outlines.

View GRaduate level Course Outlines

Find a Humanities Expert

Research-focused and student-centered. Humanities researchers promote interdisciplinary approaches to local and global leadership. Learn more about our researchers by searching by name or keyword.

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PhD in Literature in English

Our distinguished graduate faculty represents a wide array of approaches to the study of literature, including global and transnational literatures; medieval and early modern studies; Canadian literature; American literature; Victorian literature; digital humanities; comic and graphic texts; gender studies and cultural studies.

Degree offered

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) , in English

View degree requirements

Understanding graduate studies

Get important information about what you need to do before you begin your grad studies.

Ready to apply?

Ready to start your application? Get the information you need to apply today.

Start your application

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English

The Department of English offers a PhD degree with one specialization, Literature in English. The Creative Writing option is available within this specialization.

View program information

Creative Writing option

A graduate student may be permitted to submit a substantial book-length manuscript of poetry or fiction for the PhD thesis in English.

Admission requirements

All applicants must meet the  minimum entrance requirements  set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Graduate programs in English also have the following requirements:

PhD degree admission requirements

• A completed four-year undergraduate program (or equivalent), and a completed Master's degree. At least one of the degrees must be in English Literature. In exceptional circumstances, degrees in a closely related discipline may meet admission requirements;
• A minimum admission grade point average of 3.5 on a 4 point scale at the graduate level;
• A Statement of Intent (no more than 600 words);
• A sample of critical writing, 5-10 pages;
• For creative writing applicants, an additional sample of 5-10 pages of creative writing;
• For applicants whose primary language is not English, proof of English language proficiency must be provided in one of the following ways: TOEFL score of 105 (internet-based test) or 600 (paper-based); IELTS score of 7.5 with no section less than 7.0 (academic version), MELAB score of 86, PTE score of 75;
• Two academic references  

Have you made your final decision and you're ready to apply?

What you'll need

The Faculty of Graduate Studies has detailed instructions about the application process.

Read admission steps and requirements

Do you have everything?

You are responsible for ensuring your application is complete and all documents are received by the deadline. 

Graduate supervisor

The Department of English does not require you to confirm a supervisor prior to admission.

Begin your application

First  create an eID . You must have one to access the online application.

Once you begin, remember to click 'Save & Continue' often to ensure your application is saved.

Online application

Graduate program contacts

Contact us for any questions you may have about the programs we offer in the Department of English.

Graduate Program Advisor

Ask me about graduate program advising

Lori Somner

[email protected]

Associate Head (Graduate Program)

Ask me about graduate degree requirements

Morgan Vanek

[email protected]

Creative Writing Coordinator

Ask me about the Creative Writing Program

Clara A.B. Joseph

[email protected]

There are more than 45 faculty members in the Program with diverse interests and specializations. Course work falls broadly into the following fields in which students can focus their studies and specialize in practically any period, style, and genre from the earliest literature in English to contemporary texts :

Postcolonial/Diaspora/World Literature

Courses and research projects of both faculty and students often cross temporal, national, generic, and stylistic boundaries. Diverse theories permeate the approach to study and scholarship. Visit the “ Courses ” page to view this year’s offerings.

The Graduate Program in English at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

Connect with English

Our PhD Program

Our top-tier PhD program focuses on the individual scholarly and career development of our students ; we prioritize mentorship, professional development, and intellectual exchange, and maintain an abiding excitement about our students’ programs of research. The department is small enough that students get to know our faculty yet large enough to offer expertise in major historical periods and a wide array of approaches to literary study. Students are also assigned a faculty mentor within the first year of the program.

Opportunities for professional and pedagogical development proliferate throughout the program, including:

• Participation in our departmental colloquia
• Publishing Practicum to develop a paper for publication by the end of their first year of study.
• Funded conference travel for graduate students
• Research Forums with professionals in diverse fields and specializations
• Opportunity for the potential to teach your own course as a Teaching Fellow

Graduates of our doctoral program have excellent rates of success in securing tenure-track appointments and can be found in broad spectrum of rewarding careers throughout the knowledge economy. Learn more about our Alumni .

All of our students are supported with a combination of grants and teaching assistantships, for more information about funding please visit our funding and awards page .

Milestones in the Program

• YEAR 1: Completing coursework
• YEAR 2: Comprehensive Exams & Special Topics Presentation
• YEAR 3: Dissertation Writing & Conferences
• YEAR 4/5: Teaching your own course (Teaching Fellow)

For information on how to apply visit our applications page .

PhD Program at a Glance

The Doctoral Program is designed as a 4-year funded program. Some employment is typically available to students registering for additional terms of study. To learn more about our funding, please visit the funding and awards page.

In their first year of study, students enrolled in the Doctoral program normally take the following graduate courses:

• Professional and Pedagogical Skills seminar in the fall term
• Research Forum with visiting speakers from a variety of fields and career levels in fall and winter terms
• 2 elective seminars in the fall term
• 3 elective seminars in the winter term

PhD students must take courses from any of the three periods that they have not covered in previous graduate level work:

• Course Group 1: Medieval to 1660
• Course Group 2: 1600 – 1900
• Course Group 3: 1900 to present

One of the courses may be an individual Directed Reading arranged with a supervisor, rather than a seminar. Students are strongly encouraged to take the Publishing Practicum seminar to collaboratively develop writing for publication in winter term.

One of the courses may also be taken in a Queen's graduate program other than English, such as Gender Studies, Philosophy, Art, History, Global Development Studies, or Cultural Studies with approval from the Graduate Coordinator and School of Graduate Studies.

Comprehensive Examinations

At the end of the first year and throughout the second year, students establish their expertise in a major field of study and academic employment as well as a foundation in special area studies relevant to their research interests. This is the Comprehensive Examination process, which consists of two parts:

• The Field Examination covers one major field of literary study in English—historical, national, or theoretical. This written examination involves one four-hour sitting and one take-home paper written in the Fall term of the second year. A reading guide is supplied to assist students in their preparation. Students meet with examiners during the preparatory period.
• The Special Topic Presentation is based on a customized reading plan devised by the student to address a broad issue or cluster of issues of importance to the student's dissertation work. Students work on the STPs during the Winter term of second year and make their presentations to the Department as part of a two-day celebratory event in early May.

Dissertation

In their second year, students submit a Thesis Proposal that maps out their research plan and formalizes their supervisory committee, which consists of a supervisor and second reader. Subsequent years are devoted to writing the dissertation, and with the mentorship of their supervisor and in collaborations with their peers, to a range of opportunities for research presentations and to publication. When complete, the dissertation is defended at an oral examination, which is normally led by a visiting scholar with special expertise in the field.

Doctoral students in Queen's English enjoy an unparalleled introduction to undergraduate teaching in a series of steps with increasing responsibility. In first year, during coursework, doctoral Teaching Assistants grade assignments and meet individually with students, but do not teach regular tutorials; instead they deliver two or three apprenticeship lectures under the supervision of their faculty instructor. In subsequent years TAs have the opportunity to teach their own tutorials for a larger course and, towards the end of the program, there are opportunities to design and instruct their own course as a Teaching Fellow .

Learn more about our graduate courses

Language Requirement

All candidates must demonstrate a reading knowledge of either two languages other than English at a basic level or one at an intermediate level, either by passing a departmental examination or by successfully completing 1) one full year (two terms) of an approved university-level language course for the basic level 2) two full years (four terms) of a university-level language course for the intermediate level.

Publishing Practicum

The Publishing Practicum is an initiative of the English Department designed to foster the early professionalization of our MPhil and PhD students and to provide a competitive advantage in the academic job market and national scholarship competitions.

This seminar takes students through the revision and submission stages of scholarly publishing from draft essay to academic article with the goal of achieving a publishable piece by the end of the student’s first year of doctoral study.

Jesse Gauthier, PhD Candidate

“I did not expect the publishing practicum to be a pivotal point in my development as a writer, but it was. The collaborative process required a vulnerability and openness to critique that made me a better writer and thinker, and I was inspired and educated by my classmates’ varied approaches to their work every week.”

Robyn Carruthers, PhD Candidate

“Queen’s Publishing Practicum served as a key learning experience in my ongoing professional transition from graduate student to scholar and researcher. The course’s combination of theoretical and practical components effectively allowed me to familiarize myself with the academic publishing landscape in a fashion tailored to my own research interests… Participating in the practicum demystified the academic publishing process for me and concluded with concrete output that sets me up well for pursuing publication of academic articles going forward.”

More testimonials for the Publishing Practicum can be found on the MPhil page .

Department of English, Queen's University

Watson Hall 49 Bader Lane Kingston ON K7L 3N6 Canada

Undergraduate

Queen's University is situated on traditional Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe territory .

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The graduate programs in the Department of English Language and Literature at UBC are amongst the most vibrant and wide-ranging in Canada.

Students who pursue a Master of Arts (MA) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in English earn their degree by specializing in either English language or English literature. Our department is one of the few in North America to offer both of these specializations.

Students who specialize in English language may focus on discourse and genre analysis, history and structure of language, or history and theory of rhetoric. Language faculty teach and supervise research in the following areas: descriptive linguistics, historical linguistics, cognitive linguistics, functional grammar, semantics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, stylistics, genre studies, and history and theory of rhetoric.

Examples of recent course offerings include:

• Cognitive approaches to the language of literature
• The uses of classical rhetoric for contemporary critical practice
• Courses on reported speech and its rhetorical versatility across genres

Language students can also take a wide variety of literature courses on offer.

Students who specialize in English literatures may focus on specific periods, genres, and significant figures in British, North American, and world literatures in English, or may work across disciplinary, conceptual, and historical fields.

The Department of English Language and Literatures contributes to UBC’s outstanding interdisciplinary programs including medieval studies, Canadian studies, Indigenous critical and creative studies; the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice; and the graduate program in science and technology studies.

Examples of current faculty research initiatives include:

• Ecocriticism and Renaissance drama
• Transport in Romantic poetry
• Radio and modernist poetics
• The politics of post-identity in Asian American literature
• The role of war and trauma in twentieth-century Canadian, US and British literature

Literature students can also take advantage of a wide variety of language courses on offer.

Master of Arts in English

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MA program details

Phd program details, application details, funding opportunities, faculty profiles, graduate student profiles, ubc graduate and postdoctoral studies, student news, announcing 2023/2024 ubc el&l undergraduate awards winners, 2024/2025 el&l courses to enrich your life, congratulations, el&l class of 2024, upcoming events, critical conversations: researching pedagogy, interested in a career in english language and literatures, take the next steps in enrolling at ubc..

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24 Universities in Canada offering English Literature degrees and courses

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Are you looking for English Literature courses? Here you can find course providers offering full-time, part-time, online or distance learning options.

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Acadia University

University of new brunswick.

THE World Ranking: 601

Nipissing University

Trent University

University of Northern British Columbia

THE World Ranking: 801

Lakehead University

Brock University

The University of Winnipeg

Western University (Ontario)

THE World Ranking: 201

Trinity Western University

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University of Ottawa

THE World Ranking: 177

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Doctorate in Philosophy English Literature and Specialization Canadian Studies

(This program is offered in English only.)

The Department of English offers the degrees of Master of Arts (with or without thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy in English. Both programs equip students to pursue advanced studies in British, Canadian, or American literature informed by a broad knowledge of literary history and by recent developments in literary criticism and cultural theory. The department is well known for its annual Canadian Literature Symposium, and its faculty is distinguished and well-published. The Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS) has consistently awarded the department the council's highest rating.

The department participates in the collaborative programs in Women's Studies and in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the master's level, and in the collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the PhD level. 

Because of its strength in relevant areas, its bilingual character and its location in the national capital, the University of Ottawa is uniquely positioned to offer a collaborative program leading to a specialization in Canadian Studies at the doctoral level. The program is especially designed for doctoral students in selected programs in the humanities and the social sciences who wish to enrich their training in a particular discipline by including an interdisciplinary component. 

The programs are governed by the  general regulations  in effect for graduate studies. Please note, however, that any course fulfilling a graduate degree requirement in English must be completed with a mark of B or higher. A student whose record shows any two grades lower than a mark of B will automatically be withdrawn from the program. Most graduate courses in the Department of English at the University of Ottawa carry three units. Requirements are stated in number of units.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the  specific requirements  webpage.

A master's degree in English literature, or the equivalent, with at least high second class standing (B+), is required.

A 500-word statement describing the student's specific interest in the program is required with the application.

Collaborative Program

The Department of English is a participating unit in the collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the PhD level. This program has been established for students wishing to include an interdisciplinary component in Canadian studies as part of their degree in English. The seminar ( CDN 6520 or  CDN 6910 ) counts towards departmental course requirements and does not add to the number of courses required for the PhD.

To be admitted to the program, students must be enrolled in or have successfully completed at least one graduate course in English with Canadian content. The mention "Specialization in Canadian Studies" will be added to the diploma of students who pass the seminar ( CDN 6520 or  CDN 6910 ) and successfully defend a thesis on a Canadian topic in English.

Doctoral Program

The student must successfully complete:

• 18 units of course work (or 15 units if the student has completed ENG 6302  and ENG 6303 as an MA student in English at the University of Ottawa, or an equivalent course elsewhere);
• one language requirement;
• the comprehensive examination ( ENG 9998 ); 
• the PhD thesis proposal ( ENG 9997 ); and
• the PhD thesis research ( THD 9999 ).

Normal Progress Through the Program

18 units of course work, including:

• ENG 6302 and ENG 6303 (or 15 units if the student has completed ENG 6302  and ENG 6303  as an MA student in English at the University of Ottawa, or an equivalent course elsewhere); and
• ENG 6304 . 

The dissertation topic must be registered by the end of the third term (that is, the spring term, if initially enrolled in the fall) after the date of initial enrollment; progress toward meeting the language requirement.

Completion of comprehensive examinations and the language requirement.

Comprehensive examinations are normally taken by the end of the second year and are offered three times each year (late August, December, and April). Students who wish to write the comprehensives must obtain approval from the director of graduate studies by April 1 for August examinations, by September 1 for December examinations, and by December 1 for April examinations.

The examinations are made up of three written papers (a major field and two minor fields) and corresponding oral examinations. If the major field is before 1790, then at least one of the minor fields will be post-1790, or the converse. Complete guidelines and procedures are available at the department.

Year Three:

Submission of thesis proposal ( ENG 9997 ) followed by research and writing of the dissertation.

Completion of the dissertation ( THD 9999 ) and its defence.

Collaborative Program in Canadian Studies

Students enrolled in the collaborative program will be asked to meet both the requirements of their primary program and those of the collaborative program. The requirements of the collaborative program will serve as partial fulfillment of the requirements of their primary program.

Submission and successful defence of a thesis on a Canadian topic in the participating unit.

The proposed topic must be approved by both the participating unit and the Canadian Studies Graduate Committee. At least one of the examiners of the thesis must be a person chosen in consultation with the executive committee of the Institute of Canadian and Aboriginal Studies.

Before enrolling in  CDN 6520 , students must check to see whether this course can replace a three unit course in their primary program.  CDN 6520  is offered only in French.

Language Requirements

The language requirement is normally French. However, where knowledge of another language is necessary for the major field (e.g. Latin for students working in Medieval or Renaissance studies), the student may request an alternative choice from the Department's Graduate Committee.

Students may satisfy the requirement by passing the departmental French Proficiency Test administered by OLBI, or by passing three units university-level language course. This courses is additional to the 18 units required for the degree. Students who, at the time of admission, have already completed a university-level course in French or an approved alternative may request to be exempted from language testing.

The language requirement must be satisfied before the student proceeds to the thesis proposal.

Students in the collaborative PhD program with specialization in Canadian Studies are required to take  CDN 6910 . As this seminar is bilingual, participants are expected to have an adequate command of both official languages.

Duration of Program

The student must complete all requirements within six years of initial enrollment.

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is B. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 units), the thesis proposal, or the comprehensive exam or whose research progress is deemed unsatisfactory are required to withdraw.

Research at the University of Ottawa

Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canada’s top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Our research community thrives in four strategic areas:

• Creating a sustainable environment
• Advancing just societies
• Shaping the digital world
• Enabling lifelong health and wellness

From advancing healthcare solutions to tackling global challenges like climate change, the University of Ottawa’s researchers are at the forefront of innovation, making significant contributions to society and beyond.

Research at the Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is proud of the state of the art research conducted by its professors. In the spirit of showcasing its research to the university community as well as to the general public, the Faculty has created three activities: Dean's Lecture Series, Treasures of the Library, and Excellence Lectures.

Facilities, Research Centres and Institutes at the Faculty of Arts

• Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-française
• Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies
• Institute for Science, Society and Policy
• Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI)
• Morisset Library

For more information, refer to the list of faculty members and their research fields on Uniweb . 

IMPORTANT: Candidates and students looking for professors to supervise their thesis or research project can also consult the website of the faculty or department of their program of choice. Uniweb does not list all professors authorized to supervise research projects at the University of Ottawa.

ENG 6111 Directed Readings I (3 units)

Course Component: Research

ENG 6112 Directed Readings II (3 units)

ENG 6300 Old English I (3 units)

Course Component: Seminar

ENG 6301 Old English II (3 units)

ENG 6302 Research Methodology (1.5 unit)

Preparation of students for the professional study of English and for the application of graduate level research skills to non-academic careers. Review and analysis of electronic and print research tools and methods. Internet database searches, both in the discipline of English as well as in related fields (such as history, philosophy, and sociology), and evaluation of Internet sites. Short assignments developing skills in academic and non-academic research. Preparation of grant applications and of the thesis proposal (for students in the MA with thesis program). Graded S (Satisfactory) / NS (Not satisfactory). Offered in the fall session.

ENG 6303 Professional Development (1.5 unit)

Preparation of students for careers involving graduate level research and communication skills, including teaching, university research, and non-academic careers. Introduction to academic and non-academic professional activities: writing and publishing scholarly articles, and research reports, disseminating research results through academic and non-academic presentations, networking, participation in conferences and professional associations, and career planning for both academic and non-academic career paths for holders of graduate degrees. Sessions to be devoted to the practice of teaching, covering such topics as syllabus construction, teaching 'styles,' classroom management, teaching dossiers, student evaluation, and the application of teaching skills to non-academic goals such as presentations and team-building. Graded S (Satisfactory) / NS (Not satisfactory). Offered in the winter session.

ENG 6304 Doctoral Research Methods (3 units)

Overview of theoretical, methodological, and critical approaches to literary studies to enable students to situate their own research within the discipline.

ENG 6310 Middle English Literature I (3 units)

ENG 6313 Directed Reading (3 units)

ENG 6320 Middle English Literature (3 units)

ENG 6321 Middle English Literature III (3 units)

ENG 6322 Middle English Literature IV (3 units)

ENG 6330 Renaissance Literature I (3 units)

ENG 6341 Shakespeare I (3 units)

ENG 6342 Shakespeare II (3 units)

ENG 6343 Shakespeare III (3 units)

ENG 6344 Shakespeare IV (3 units)

ENG 6350 Renaissance Literature II (3 units)

ENG 6351 Renaissance Literature III (3 units)

ENG 6352 Renaissance Literature IV (3 units)

ENG 6355 Restoration Literature (3 units)

ENG 6356 Restoration Literature II (3 units)

ENG 6357 Restoration Literature III (3 units)

ENG 6360 Eighteenth Century Literature I (3 units)

ENG 6361 Eighteenth Century Literature II (3 units)

ENG 6362 Eighteenth-Century Literature III (3 units)

ENG 6363 Eighteenth-Century Literature IV (3 units)

ENG 6370 Romantic Literature I (3 units)

ENG 6371 Romantic Literature II (3 units)

ENG 6372 Romantic Literature III (3 units)

ENG 6373 Romantic Literature IV (3 units)

ENG 6380 Victorian Literature I (3 units)

Course Component: Lecture

ENG 6381 Victorian Literature II (3 units)

ENG 6382 Victorian Literature III (3 units)

ENG 6383 Victorian Literature IV (3 units)

ENG 6999 Major Research Paper

The research paper is prepared under the direction of the research paper supervisor and is approved by the graduate committee. The research paper must be successfully completed by the end of the third session of full-time registration in the master's program. In the event of failure, the student must register for an additional session. A second failure leads to a grade of NS (Not satisfactory) on the transcript and to withdrawal from the program.

Volet / Course Component: Recherche / Research

Prerequisites: 15 units at the 5000, 6000, 7000 or 8000 level

ENG 7300 Modern Literature I (3 units)

ENG 7301 Modern Literature II (3 units)

ENG 7302 Modern Literature III (3 units)

ENG 7303 Literature and History of the Disciplines (3 units)

Various topics related to the history of the study of literature and how it has intersected with other fields. Specific topics will be announced each year.

ENG 7310 American Literature I (3 units)

ENG 7311 American Literature II (3 units)

ENG 7312 American Literature III (3 units)

ENG 7313 American Literature IV (3 units)

ENG 7320 Canadian Literature I (3 units)

ENG 7321 Canadian Literature II (3 units)

ENG 7322 Canadian Literature III (3 units)

ENG 7323 Canadian Literature IV (3 units)

ENG 7330 Twentieth-Century and Contemporary Literature I (3 units)

Various topics related to twentieth-century and contemporary literature up to the present day. Specific topics will be announced each year.

ENG 7331 Twentieth-Century and Contemporary Literature II (3 units)

Various topics related to twentieth-century and contemporary literature up to the present moment. Specific topics will be announced each year.

ENG 7332 Cultural Studies I (3 units)

Various topics in cultural studies. Specific topics will be announced each year.

ENG 7370 History of the English Language (3 units)

ENG 7375 Cultural Studies II (3 units)

ENG 7376 Book History I (3 units)

Various topics in book history. Specific topics will be announced each year.

ENG 7377 Book History II (3 units)

ENG 7380 History of Criticism (3 units)

ENG 7381 Theory of Criticism (3 units)

ENG 7382 Digital Humanities I (3 units)

Various topics in digital humanities. Specific topics will be announced each year.

ENG 7383 Digital Humanities II (3 units)

ENG 7384 Theory of Criticism II (3 units)

ENG 7385 Theory of Criticism III (3 units)

ENG 7386 Special Project (3 units)

Series of open-ended project workshops, including readings exemplifying the art of research in different genres and media (memoir, podcast, lyric essay, video essay, oral history, collage, participant observation, gallery exhibition, etc.). Students will do the reading, debate their findings, and give presentations, but will also develop their own projects over the course of the semester.

ENG 7900 Second Language Requirement

In keeping with the bilingual character of the University, the PhD program has a French language requirement. Students may satisfy this requirement by passing FLS 1000 , the test administered by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, or the departmental language test. The departmental tests are one-hour examinations which require the candidate to translate, with the aid of a dictionary, a passage of literary criticism or another appropriate selection of similar difficulty approximately one page in length. Language testing of languages other than French is normally administered by the Department. Students may also satisfy the language requirement by passing six units of second-year university-level language course(s). These courses are additional to the 18 units required for the degree. In all cases, the minimum passing grade is 66% and leads to an S (Satisfactory) on the transcript for ENG 7900 . NOTE: Students who achieve 65% or higher at the MA level will not be required to retake the test if they continue on to the PhD.

ENG 7997 M. Thesis Proposal

The thesis proposal is prepared under the direction of the thesis supervisor and is approved by the graduate committee. The proposal must normally be successfully completed by the end of the third session. In the event of failure, the proposal can be resubmitted the following session at the latest. A second failure leads to a grade of NS on the transcript and to withdrawal from the program. Graded S (Satisfactory) / NS (Not satisfactory).

Prerequisites: 7.5 units.

ENG 9997 Ph.D. Thesis Proposal

The thesis proposal is prepared under the direction of the thesis supervisor and is approved by the graduate committee after consultation with area experts. The proposal must normally be successfully completed by the end of the seventh session. In the event of failure, the proposal can be resubmitted the following session at the latest. A second failure leads to a grade of NS on the transcript and to withdrawal from the program. Graded S (Satisfactory) / NS (Not satisfactory).

Préalable : 15 crédits. / Prerequisites: 15 units.

ENG 9998 Comprehensive Exam (Ph.D.)

CDN 6520 Séminaire sur la francophonie canadienne (3 crédits)

Séminaire sur des thèmes se rapportant à la francophonie canadienne, particulièrement les francophones vivant en situation minoritaire.

Volet : Séminaire

CDN 6910 Séminaire en études canadiennes / Seminar in Canadian Studies (3 crédits / 3 units)

Séminaire interdisciplinaire bilingue sur des sujets se rapportant au Canada. Les thèmes seront choisis en consultation avec les unités participantes, en tenant compte du nombre d'étudiants, de l'orientation de leur recherches et celles des unités participantes. / Bilingual interdisciplinary seminar on issues related to the study of Canada. Tipics to be selected in consultation with participating units, taking into consideration the number of students, their research interests and those of the participating units.

Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar

Undergraduate Studies

For more information about undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your faculty .

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

For more information about graduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your academic unit .

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English Literature Degree

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English Literature Courses in Canada

Introduction to studying an english literature degree in canada.

An undergraduate English literature degree in Canada provides international students with a comprehensive understanding of literary traditions, critical analysis, and effective communication skills. The course covers a broad range of modules, including classic and contemporary literature, poetry, drama, and various literary genres, as students explore the works of Canadian, British, American, and global authors.

The interdisciplinary nature of an English literature degree equips graduates with valuable skills applicable in various professional fields, such as journalism, publishing, education, and cultural management. Canada's literary scene and commitment to cultural diversity make an English literature degree appealing to international students seeking a global perspective on literature and language.

Graduates from English literature courses in Canada enjoy favourable employment prospects, with writing, editing, teaching, and research opportunities. The critical thinking and communication skills honed during the program contribute to the versatility of English literature graduates, positioning them for success in an ever-evolving job market.

Types of Degree

Bachelor’s in english literature.

If a student wants to study English literature in Canada at the undergraduate level, the bachelor’s degree is a foundational level of education. This program immerses students in various literary genres, periods, and authors. Canadian universities are known to provide a well-rounded curriculum encompassing both canonical works and contemporary voices, fostering a deep understanding of the evolution of literature over time.

Students undertaking a bachelor's in English literature get to engage in critical discussions, which eventually hone their analytical skills through essays, seminars, and projects. The program often allows for specialization in areas like Shakespearean studies, postcolonial literature, or modernist literature, and students can tailor their educational experience to suit their interests. Many programs also integrate opportunities for internships, creative writing workshops, or collaborative projects, which help students gain practical experiences. 

• Course duration: 4 years
• Course fees: CAD 16,000-60,000 
• Entry requirements: Applicants must have a high school diploma and be proficient in the English language. 

Master’s in English Literature

By pursuing a master's degree in English literature, students gain an advanced educational experience in this exciting field of study. The graduate program builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired at the undergraduate level, allowing students to delve deeper into their areas of interest and specialization. They can engage in an immersive exploration of literary theory, critical analysis, and research methodologies. 

The English literature courses in Canada at the master’s level include advanced seminars, independent research projects, and comprehensive examinations that contribute to the scholarly discourse within the field. The curriculum often includes a combination of core courses, elective seminars, and a major research project. Many Canadian universities encourage interdisciplinary approaches in their English literature programs, which allows students to integrate insights from other disciplines into their literary analyses. They even have the opportunity to explore a range of literary traditions, including indigenous and multicultural perspectives, during their study years, which helps enrich their understanding of global narratives.

• Course duration: 1-2 years
• Course fees: CAD 6,000-40,000
• Entry requirements: Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree in any related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0. International students will also need to provide English language proficiency test scores . 

PhD in English Literature

A PhD in English literature represents the pinnacle of scholarly achievement. This level of education offers a transformative journey of advanced research, critical inquiry, and intellectual exploration. Students can make significant contributions to the understanding of literature as these programs involve a research-intensive experience. The doctoral candidates engage in a deep exploration of literary theories, critical methodologies, and historical contexts.

• Duration: 4-6 years
• Fees: CAD 9,000-50,000
• Entry requirements: Candidates must have completed their master's in English literature or a related field. A strong research background is preferred, and all international students must have proficiency in the English language. 

Scholarships

Taking up the specialized educational pathways in Canada can be a financial burden. In such cases, scholarships can be availed by international students wanting to study in Canada . Universities, government agencies, and private organizations with different eligibility criteria often offer funding options. Students must carefully check the requirements and deadlines to ensure they can get the desired financial aid. Following are some of the major scholarships available:

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: Among the most prestigious Canadian scholarships for Ph.D. students, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement.
• Trudeau Foundation Scholarships: Canada’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation offers scholarships for doctoral students, including those in humanities, social sciences, and literature.
• Global Affairs Canada Scholarships: The Canadian government, through Global Affairs Canada, provides various scholarship programs for international students , including those pursuing studies in literature and the humanities.
• Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program: This scholarship program, administered by the Canadian Bureau for International Education, is available to students from Commonwealth countries and supports their graduate studies in Canada.
• University-specific scholarships: Canadian universities offer scholarships specifically for talented international students. These can be merit-based or tied to specific academic achievements in students' previous educational backgrounds. 

Jobs and Careers

After completing a degree in English literature from Canada, students are open to pursuing diverse career paths. Graduates can find employment opportunities in multiple fields by showcasing critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of written expression. The following are potential career options:

• Editorial and Publishing Roles
• Content Creation and Writing
• Teaching and Education
• Public Relations and Communications
• Marketing and Advertising
• Library and Information Services
• Journalism and Media
• Human Resources and Recruitment
• Cultural and Heritage Organizations
• Non-profit and Advocacy Work
• Technical Writing

Studying English literature leads to career options in multiple fields, meaning the salaries vary. However, on average, entry-level positions can allow graduates to earn almost CAD 52,000 annually. These roles often serve as foundational experiences for graduates, allowing them to apply their literary and communication skills professionally. As individuals gain experience and career progress, salaries can also increase significantly. Mid-career marketing, public relations, or human resources positions may offer salaries of around CAD 63,000 per year.

Senior-level roles, particularly in managerial or directorial positions, can command salaries surpassing CAD 120,000, depending on the industry and organizational context.

Where can I study English Literature in Canada?

To learn more about the best English literature universities in Canada, find details on the top ranking English Language and Literature programs in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024  below:

• University of Toronto
• University of British Columbia
• McGill University
• York University
• McMaster University
• University of Alberta
• Queen's University at Kingston
• Simon Fraser University
• University of Calgary
• Concordia University

Study English Literature in Canada

If you want to learn more about studying for an English literature degree at a Canadian university or college, arrange a free consultation with SI-Canada today.

What types of English literature courses are available in Canada?

In Canada, English literature can be pursued at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including master's and PhD. 

What are the admission requirements for English literature courses in Canada?

The admission requirements generally depend on the level of education. At the bachelor's level, a high school diploma is needed to gain admission, while a bachelor's degree is necessary for PhD. A master's degree is also required for a Ph.D. International students at all levels need English language proficiency. 

Can I work while studying English literature in Canada as an international student?

As an international student, you can work up to 20 hours per week while studying English literature. 

What career opportunities are available for English literature graduates in Canada?

English literature graduates can take up several career pathways, including editorial roles, teaching, content creation and writing, journalism and media, and marketing and advertising.

Increase your chances of success when applying

SI-Canada specializes in selecting the right Canadian university or college for international students by reviewing your academic background, discussing your career goals and helping you apply. Our application services can help you achieve your dream of studying in Canada.

16 July 2024

08 july 2024, 24 june 2024, 26 september 2024, 27 september 2024, 28 september 2024, study in canada blog, studying in canada, why study in vancouver as an international student.

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" Everything was explained well to me by Vidushi. There was a 100% transparency in everything and Vidushi was highly responsive throughout the process making it smooth and hassle free for me. Rahul from the Visa team also was really patient in the entire process and made sure I understood and get things done timely. "

Amanpreet Kaur International Business Management (May 2024 intake)

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