How to Apply

Admission Requirements

MA and MA in Public History Admission Requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an Honors Bachelor Degree, Four Years or 20.0 courses. The degree must have a major or specialization in History.

The minimum requirement for admission to the M.A. program is normally a B+ average (UWO: 78%) in the last two years of undergraduate courses.

For international students an admission average of A- 80% is required.

PH.D. Admission Requirements

The Graduate Committee is very selective in Ph.D. admission. It requires first class (A) standing in a large part of the applicant's advanced academic work, though such standing does not in itself guarantee admission. It admits only applicants who hold an M.A. degree, or have completed all requirements of an M.A. degree. It may conditionally accept applicants completing M.A. theses. In such cases, the applicant must defend the thesis successfully before admission to the program.

Applications should include sufficient information about research plans to enable the program to identify possible supervisors. Students should consider a tentative thesis supervisor in consultation with the Graduate Chair. Joint supervision with another member of the department or another scholar from a different discipline may be considered if appropriate.

The Application Process

The online application process will require the following:

  • Biographical information
  • Contact information
  • Statement (please note the limitations of the online application form) outlining academic interests related to graduate work in history. In the case of Ph.D. applicants, this statement should also include research plans and a proposed thesis supervisor.   PhD applicants are also asked to send a 500 word statement of intent directly to the History Department.
  • Academic background
  • Electronic transcripts from Ontario universities/colleges (see below for information on transcripts)
  • Referee information (references collected electronically upon receipt of application) – two referees are required for an application to Western’s graduate program in history
  • Application fee

One official academic transcript from each post-secondary institution attended is required. Please note the following:

  • Past or current students of The University of Western Ontario do not need to provide transcripts for their academic history at Western. This information will be obtained internally.
  • If you have attended or are currently enrolled at any Ontario university or college other than The University of Western Ontario you MUST use the electronic application process in order to request transcripts. These transcripts will be delivered electronically to each of the programs to which you are applying.
  • All other official transcripts* must be forwarded in hard copy to the department

Department Address:
Chris Speed
Graduate Program
Department of History
Social Science Centre
The University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C2
speed@uwo.ca

*Western considers a transcript official only if it is received in a university envelope that is sealed and signed on the flap by the official person in the office issuing the transcript. If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English, a certified translation must also be included. (Non-English transcripts from institutions within Canada do not require a translation.)

The following items (if applicable) must be sent directly to the department (address above):

  • PhD Applicants - Writing sample of written work (past graded paper or other sample of historical writing), and a statement of research intent (maximum 500 words).

  • Public History applicants - Please submit a statement of purpose and a resume of related experience. Your statement should explain what leads you to Public History, what you hope to get out of the degree, and your career aspirations. You may also wish to include a third reference from a relevant public history employer. Applicants must fill out the Professional Experience section on the online form with your relevant Public History experience.

  • Landing papers: For permanent residents of Canada only, please include a photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card or a photocopy of your Record of Landing. If you are applying to be a permanent resident, but have not been granted landed-immigrant status, you must apply as an international applicant.

  • International Students

The following item (if applicable) must be sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Western:

School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 130 Stevenson-Lawson Building
The University of Western Ontario
1151 Richmond Street
London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B8

  • Proficiency in English score - Evidence of proficiency in English for international applicants whose first language is not English. Please note: As part of the admissions process, an interview may be held, either in person or via teleconference, if the admissions committee desires further information about a particular applicant.

  • Please see TOEFL information

No application will be considered until it is complete. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents are submitted by the deadline for application. Applications for the Fall Term and all supporting documents should be received by March 31 (for PhD applications only) to receive priority in the awarding of financial assistance.  Late applications will be considered, but cannot be guaranteed funding.