Department of English

DEPARTMENT OF

English Language and Literature

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How to Apply

We welcome your application any time from the opening of the application portal at the end of summer to our mid-winter deadline. Queen's University uses an online application form. To apply, you must create an account using a working email address. Once your account has been activated, you can complete the application and attach any required documents (see below).

International students should take note of the English language proficiency requirements for admission below as well as important information about our international student financial support.  Please also see information on international applications at the School of Graduate Studies and be aware that the language proficiency requirements stated below are higher for English than the SGS minimums.

Admission Requirements:

MA Admission Requirements
  • Honours BA degree with minimum average of B+ (77-79%, 3.3/4.3 GPA)
  • Cumulative minimum average of A- (3.7/4.3 GPA) in English and related courses
MPhil Admission Requirements
  • Honours BA degree with minimum average of B+ (77-79%, 3.3/4.3 GPA)
  • Cumulative minimum average of A- (3.7/4.3 GPA) in English and related courses
  • Applicants are expected to have taken courses in most major fields of English literature from the medieval period to the present, and in literary theory
PhD Admission Requirements
  • MA degree with minimum average of A- (3.7/4.3 GPA)
  • Applicants will have a well-balanced selection of courses in English literature from the medieval period to the present, and in literary theory

Supporting Documents:

Transcripts

Submission method: electronically via the online application
Please note that you will not see the option to upload your Queen's transcript if you are a graduate or current student of Queen's. The Department and the School of Graduate Studies will retrieve your Queen's transcript from the system. 

Upon acceptance, one hard copy of the transcript will be requested by the School of Graduate Studies.
Please note that you do not need to send your Queen's transcript if you are a graduate or current student of Queen's.

Letters of Recommendation
Two Letters of Recommendation
Links to the recommendation forms will be e-mailed to your referees, after you complete and submit your application.
Submission method: electronically via the online application 
Statement of Interest (MA)/Statement of Intent (PhD)
An outline of your research interests and goals with respect to the degree you are pursuing. Doctoral Statements of Intent should identify the dissertation project you intend to undertake and indicate why our Department is suited to its pursuit. If you require more space than the online application affords, please email your 1-page (single-spaced) Statement of Intent or Interest to the English Department.
Submission method: electronically to the online application or as an email attachment to the Graduate Program Assistant
Writing Sample (MPhil and PhD only)
MPhil Applicants: 8-10 pages maximum (including bibliography)
PhD Applicants: 15-20 pages maximum (including bibliography), preferably from your chosen research area
Submission method: as an email attachment to the Graduate Program Assistant 
English Language Proficiency

English language proficiency records must be provided to the School of Graduate Studies during the application process.  If English is not your native language, you will need the following TOEFL scores to be permitted to apply to our graduate program:

Total TOEFL Score
paper-based 627
computer-based 263
internet-based 109

plus:

TOEFL Test of Written English Score
paper or computer-based 6.0
internet-based 30

 These tests must have been taken within a year of the date of applying to our graduate program.

Applicants must have a minimum IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 7.5.