English (Literary Studies) - Master of Arts (MA)

Hagey Hall expansion building

Hagey Hall Hub located on Waterloo's main campus

Investigate historical and contemporary areas of British, American, Canadian and English-language postcolonial literatures, alongside the theories relevant to their study with the Master of English in Literary Studies program.  

Choose between three streams of study to suit your needs and interests. With the thesis option you’ll complete coursework and conduct original research leading to a master’s thesis (roughly 80-100 pages) that offers an in-depth inquiry into a literary studies problem, while situating the proposed solution to that problem in relation to the current theory. With the master’s research paper option, you’ll complete coursework and conduct original research leading to a research paper (roughly 40-50 pages) that offers an in-depth inquiry into a literary studies problem, while situating the proposed solution to that problem in relation to the current theory. The coursework option focuses entirely on courses.  

You’ll be prepared to pursue further study at the PhD level, or to pursue a career in publishing, private industry, government, educational organizations, non-governmental organizations, or in your own business.  

 

 

Program overview

Department/School: English Language and Literature
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Master's, Research
Length of program: 12 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis, Master's Research Paper, Coursework

Application deadlines

  • February 1 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

englishgrad@uwaterloo.ca

Admission limitations

Due to funding restrictions, the Faculty of Arts is currently limiting the number of international students we can admit. Please contact the department's Associate Chair, Graduate Studies prior to applying to discuss your interest in this program.

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • An Honours Bachelor's degree in English, or its equivalent, with an average of at least 78% in English courses, and at least 75% overall.
  • Those applying to the program holding relevant Honours degrees other than English may be admitted at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

Degree requirements

  • Review the degree requirements in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree

Application materials

  • A Statement of Interest, no more than 500 words, explaining your reasons for applying to the program.
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement
    • If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion

  • Transcript(s)

  • References
    • Three references are required; at least two academic 
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tuition and fees