Book History and Print Culture: Master's Level

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants who wish to enrol in the collaborative specialization must apply to and be admitted to both the collaborative specialization and one of the participating degree programs (home unit). Applicants to the collaborative specialization write to the director giving information about their background and relevant interests, identifying the degree and home unit for which they are applying, and outlining a proposed plan of study by April 10 for September admission. Applicants need not wait for a final decision from the home unit before applying to the collaborative specialization. Academic transcript(s) should be included in the application; unofficial transcripts are acceptable and may be sent either as scans attached to your email or as printouts from a student web service mailed to the BHPC office. Advice is available from the director and the collaborative specialization committee.

  • Applications from the participating units have priority in admissions. If there is space in the collaborative specialization, students from other units may apply; they should consult the graduate coordinator in their home unit and the director of the BHPC specialization. Since course requirements vary from unit to unit, it is essential that there be close consultation between the collaborative specialization and the home unit at the time of the application.

Completion Requirements

Master of Arts in Art History;
Master of Arts in Classics;
Master of Arts in East Asian Studies (Thesis Option);
Master of Arts in English (Creative Writing Field);
Master of Arts in French Language and Literature;
Master of Arts in Germanic Languages and Literatures;
Master of Arts in History;
Master of Arts in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology;
Master of Arts in Medieval Studies (Thesis Option);
Master of Arts in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations (One-Year and Two-Year Thesis Options); 
Master of Arts in Religion;
Master of Information (Thesis Option);
Master of Museum Studies

  • Students must fulfil the degree requirements of the unit in which they are enrolled.

  • BKS1001H Introduction to Book History and BKS1002H Book History in Practice, both of which should be taken in Year 1.

  • The thesis or capstone project (MSL4000Y, for example) in the participating degree program will be on a topic related to book history and print culture, approved by the collaborative specialization committee.

  • Collaborative specialization courses may be taken as electives for the purpose of satisfying home program requirements.


Master of Arts in Comparative Literature;
Master of Arts in East Asian Studies (Coursework-Only Option);
Master of Arts in English;
Master of Arts in Italian Studies;
Master of Arts in Medieval Studies (Coursework-Only Option);
Master of Arts in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations (One-Year Coursework-Only Option);
Master of Arts in Slavic Languages and Literatures (One-Year Coursework-Only Option);
Master of Arts in Spanish

  • Students must fulfil the degree requirements of the unit in which they are enrolled.

  • BKS1001H Introduction to Book History and BKS1002H Book History in Practice, both of which should be taken in Year 1.

  • At least 0.5 FCE in additional elective courses related to book history and print culture.

  • Collaborative specialization courses may be taken as electives for the purpose of satisfying home program requirements.


Master of Information (Coursework-Only Option)

  • Students must fulfil the degree requirements of the unit in which they are enrolled.

  • BKS1001H Introduction to Book History and BKS1002H Book History in Practice, both of which should be taken in Year 1.

  • At least 1.5 FCEs in additional elective courses related to book history and print culture.

  • Collaborative specialization courses may be taken as electives for the purpose of satisfying home program requirements.


Master of Arts in Music;
Master of Arts in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations (Two-Year Coursework Option) 

  • Students must fulfil the degree requirements of the unit in which they are enrolled.

  • BKS1001H Introduction to Book History and BKS1002H Book History in Practice, both of which should be taken in Year 1.

  • At least 1.0 FCE in additional elective courses related to book history and print culture.

  • Collaborative specialization courses may be taken as electives for the purpose of satisfying home program requirements.


Elective courses will come from the BHPC roster of cross-listed courses, though students may substitute other courses with the director's approval. Students are encouraged to take courses outside their home graduate unit, if possible.

Mode of Delivery: In person