Joint PhD in Literary Studies / Theatre Studies in English

Information about the Program

Joint PhD Program in Literary Studies/Theatre Studies

Information About the Program

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Joint PhD Program normally requires an MA in English, an MA in Drama/Theatre, or an equivalent degree, from a recognized post-secondary institution with at least an A- average in graduate work.  Applicants must also have demonstrated strong potential for research.  Applications are considered by the Admissions Committee and a recommendation to admit or decline is forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies at the proposed home university.  Consideration of the applicant pool does not begin until after the application deadline has passed, and a first round of offers is normally issued within six weeks of that date.  The Admissions Committee bases the decision to admit or decline on a number of factors including the applicant’s academic background, statement of research interests, letters of reference, writing sample, and grade average in prior graduate work.

All applicants to a graduate program at the University of Guelph must apply on-line.  The on-line application website offers the convenience of paying the application fee on-line and also provides links to a wealth of information about preparing for graduate studies, University admission requirements, the financial aspects of enrolling in a graduate program, as well as answers to other questions you may have about graduate school.

You can access Guelph’s on-line application for graduate studies at the following website: www.uoguelph.ca/GraduateStudies

Once you have submitted your application on-line, the rest of the application package is self-administered: you must assemble all of the following components and forward them as a complete package to the address noted below:

1. a hard copy of your completed on-line application form.

2. official transcripts (one certified copy of each previous undergraduate and graduate transcript must be submitted).   Applicants from outside North America are strongly urged to attach official statements of the grades obtained and the subject matter included.  In all cases, transcripts must arrive here in sealed envelopes.  Uncertified transcripts and/or those not arriving in sealed envelopes will not be accepted.

3.  A resumé of your academic work and experience, including any publications and scholarly papers presented and any other information that may be of relevance to the Admissions Committee.

4.  Three letters of recommendation are required from professors with whom you have studied and who are well acquainted with your education and scholarly work.  Letters of  reference should be printed on department letterhead, bear an original signature, and should be attached to a completed  Assessment Form, which can be downloaded from the on-line application site.  Your referees should return the assessment form and the reference letter to you in a sealed envelope with their signature across the back flap of the envelope.  The three reference letters should be submitted with the rest of your application package.

5. a statement of your research interests (2-3 pages in length).  Your statement should outline your reasons for pursuing graduate studies and provide a clear indication of the field in which you hope to do your research.  It is also helpful, where possible, to provide an  indication of which faculty member(s) might potentially supervise your research project.

6. a sample of your scholarly writing (maximum of 25 pages).  This may be a chapter from your MA thesis or a paper written for a graduate course.

7.  documentation of English language proficiency (for applicants whose first language is not English).

Application Deadline

The deadline for receipt of all application materials (as outlined above) is February 1st of the year in which you anticipate entering the program.   If February 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted on the next business day.  The PhD Program does not admit students in the Winter or Summer Semesters; September is the only entry point.

Application Fee

The application fee is $100 and must be paid on-line.  Your payment options will be outlined at the end of the on-line application process.

Send your completed application package to

The Director

Joint PhD Program in Literary Studies/Theatre Studies

University of Guelph

Guelph, Ontario

CANADA N1G 2W1

Information for International Applicants

Applications from international students are warmly encouraged.  If the applicant’s degree was completed in a country where English is not the first language, documentation of English language proficiency must be documented at the time of application.

Please note that an offer of admission to the program does not guarantee entry into Canada.  You must go to the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate to apply for student authorization to study in Canada.   For more information, please consult the Citizen and Immigration link on the Graduate Program Services website.  The University’s Office of Intercultural Affairs is also a valuable resource and offers a variety of student services for international applicants.

International students should be realistic in their estimation of the cost of living and studying in Canada.  In addition to the special tuition fees for international graduate students, there are also other non-academic fees, as well as the costs of enrolling in the University Health Insurance Plan, a requirement for all international students and their dependents. 

All students entering the PhD Program are currently guaranteed funding for four years; details regarding that funding will be included in your offer of admission.  It is important to note, however, that typically this funding will not cover the total cost of living and studying in Canada; if the guaranteed funding is LESS than your anticipated costs, you will be personally responsible for any shortfall.  For more information about fees and other costs, please consult the following website: www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/graduatestudies/index.cfm?future/costs