Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of English's additional admission requirements stated below.

• A minimum of 7 full-year undergraduate courses in English or the equivalent in half-year courses (i.e., 14), or any combination of full- and half-year courses that add up to the equivalent of 7 full-year courses in English.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree (i.e., a four-year undergraduate degree), or its equivalent (preferably in English), with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.3/B+ over the last two years of the degree and evidence of first-class work in English. The department favours a broad training in the major genres and all periods of English literary history.

• Recommendations from two referees.

• A statement of purpose.

• A single writing sample of 4,000-5,000 words. The writing sample should be an accomplished piece of the applicant's own academic writing, such as an advanced undergraduate seminar paper. See details about the writing sample.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English are required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores required are:

  • 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

  • 100/120 on the Internet-based test, with at least 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections

• Admissions are selective; possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • ENG6999Y

  • 3.0 approved graduate FCEs in English

• Students must attain a minimum B- standing in each graduate course.

• Students in the part-time option will take one half course to three half courses per session.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS); 9 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

 

MA Program; Field: Creative Writing

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of English's additional admission requirements stated below.

• A minimum of 7 full-year undergraduate courses in English or the equivalent in half-year courses (i.e., 14), or any combination of full- and half-year courses that add up to the equivalent of 7 full-year courses in English.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree (i.e., a four-year undergraduate degree) or its equivalent (preferably in English) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.3/B+ over the last two years of the degree and evidence of first-class work in English. The department favours a broad training in the major genres and all periods of English literary history.

• Recommendations from two referees.

• A statement of purpose.

• A portfolio consisting of 20 to 25 pages of prose (drama, fiction, or creative non-fiction) and/or poetry. See details about the format of creative writing portfolio submissions.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English are required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores required are:

  • 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

  • 100/120 on the Internet-based test, with at least 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections

• Admissions are selective; possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • ENG6950Y: all students must complete the Workshop in Creative Writing in Year 1 of their program

  • ENG6960H: all students must complete the Advanced Creative Writing Workshop in Year 2 of their program

  • 2.0 approved graduate FCEs in English

• Students must attain a minimum B- standing in each graduate course.

• Supervised Writing Project (the equivalent of a thesis). In Year 2 of their program, students undertake a book-length Writing Project in a genre of their choice: poetry, drama, fiction, or creative non-fiction. Each student is assigned a faculty member or adjunct faculty member with whom to consult on a regular basis about the project. All advisors are published writers.

• The MA in English in the field of Creative Writing program cannot be taken on a part-time basis.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FW)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of English's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An MA in English from a recognized university with an average grade equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– in the applicant's overall program, or an MA degree related to but not in the field of English, such as Comparative Literature or Medieval Studies, with an average grade equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– in the applicant's overall program. Applicants with an MA degree related to but not in the field of English should apply to the PhD program but will be considered on a case-by-case basis and determined to be eligible for either the PhD or the PhD U (direct-entry) option.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they are capable of independent research in English at an advanced level.

• Recommendations from two referees.

• A writing sample of not more than 5,000 words.

• A statement of purpose.

• A curriculum vitae (CV).

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English are required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores required are:

  • 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

  • 100/120 on the Internet-based test, with at least 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections

• Admission to the PhD is based on the applicant's undergraduate and graduate records and upon the evidence of the references, writing sample, and statement.

• Admissions are selective; possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission.

Completion Requirements

• Students pursue a program of study and research approved by the department.

Courses

• The minimum coursework requirements for the degree, a total of 3.75 full-course equivalents (FCEs), are as follows:

  • Year 1: ENG9400H. This course is required unless ENG8000H (no longer active) or equivalent course has already been taken.

  • Either Year 2 or Year 3: ENG9900H

  • 3.0 additional graduate FCEs in English, as approved by the department

• Course selection must meet the approval of the department.

• In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the PhD program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B–.

Language Requirement

• Demonstrated reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 3 of registration.

• With the permission of the department, another language (including Old English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The completion of this requirement is recorded on the transcript with the course code LRQ7777Y and the subtitle given of the language undertaken to fulfil this requirement.

• The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

Special Fields Examination

• Students are required to pass a Special Fields Examination. The examination has two components, both of which are based on a reading list drawn up in consultation with the supervisory committee:

  • A written examination

  • An oral examination that engages in part with the written examination and ensures coverage of the reading list beyond the texts discussed in the written examination

• Students generally take the Special Fields Examination no later than the end of the second session of Year 2. A second attempt of the Special Fields Examination is allowed on the recommendation of the student's committee.

• The student must have completed all requirements for the degree, exclusive of thesis research, by the end of Year 3 in order to remain in good standing in the program.

Thesis

• A candidate is required to submit a thesis on an approved subject embodying the results of original investigation which constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field, and to pass an oral examination on the subject of the thesis. The normal length of a PhD thesis is approximately 75,000 words. The maximum length accepted by the department is 100,000 words.

• No later than May 15 of Year 1 of registration, the student must submit to the Associate Director, PhD, a preliminary thesis proposal, approved by the prospective supervisor. The Associate Director, PhD, appoints a supervisory committee that includes a supervisor and two other faculty members with expertise in the proposed research area.

• Ideally by August 1 and no later than September 30 of Year 3 of registration, the student must submit to the Associate Director, PhD, a revised thesis proposal and timeline to completion, approved by the supervisor.

• The student and the supervisor should meet regularly. The student is also required to meet at least once a year with the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee should normally approve the completed thesis before it is submitted for examination.

• The Doctoral Final Oral Examination is arranged by the department in collaboration with the School of Graduate Studies. The candidate should allow at least 10 weeks from submission of the thesis for the department to complete the arrangements for the oral examination.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of English's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Admission into the direct-entry option is granted only in exceptional cases. Direct-entry admissions will be considered in the case of applicants who have not completed an MA in English or a related field but have an exceptionally strong record of success in their BA degree from a recognized university that includes at least 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in English, with an average grade equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– in the applicant's overall program.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they are capable of independent research in English at an advanced level.

• Recommendations from two referees.

• A writing sample of not more than 5,000 words.

• A statement of purpose.

• A curriculum vitae (CV).

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English are required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores required are:

  • 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

  • 100/120 on the Internet-based test, with at least 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections

• Admission to the PhD is based on the applicant's undergraduate records and upon the evidence of the references, writing sample, and statement.

• Admissions are selective; possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission.

Completion Requirements

• Students pursue a program of study and research approved by the department.

Courses

• The minimum coursework requirements for the degree, a total of 6.75 full-course equivalents (FCEs), are as follows:

  • Year 1: ENG6999Y

  • Year 2: ENG9400H. This course is required unless ENG8000H (no longer active) or equivalent course has already been taken.

  • Either Year 3 or Year 4: ENG9900H

  • 5.0 additional graduate FCEs in English, as approved by the department. The student must complete ENG6999Y plus 2.0 FCEs in Year 1 of the program. Students must complete all remaining courses, except for ENG9900H, by the end of Year 3 of the program.

• Course selection must meet the approval of the department.

• In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the direct-entry PhD program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B– and maintain an overall average of at least A–.

Language Requirement

• Demonstrated reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 4 of registration.

• With the permission of the department, another language (including Old English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The completion of this requirement is recorded on the transcript with the course code LRQ7777Y and the subtitle given of the language undertaken to fulfil this requirement.

• The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

Special Fields Examination

• Students are required to pass a Special Fields Examination. The examination has two components, both of which are based on a reading list drawn up in consultation with the supervisory committee:

  • A written examination

  • An oral examination that engages in part with the written examination and ensures coverage of the reading list beyond the texts discussed in the written examination

• Students in the direct-entry PhD program generally take the Special Fields Examination no later than the end of the second session of Year 3. A second attempt of the Special Fields Examination is allowed on the recommendation of the student's committee.

• The student must have completed all requirements for the degree, exclusive of thesis research, by the end of Year 4 in order to remain in good standing in the program.

Thesis

• A candidate is required to submit a thesis on an approved subject embodying the results of original investigation which constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field, and to pass an oral examination on the subject of the thesis. The normal length of a PhD thesis is approximately 75,000 words. The maximum length accepted by the department is 100,000 words.

• No later than May 15 of Year 2 of registration, the student must submit to the Associate Director, PhD, a preliminary thesis proposal, approved by the prospective supervisor. The Associate Director, PhD, appoints a supervisory committee that includes a supervisor and two other faculty members with expertise in the proposed research area.

• Ideally by August 1 and no later than September 30 of Year 4 of registration, the student must submit to the Associate Director, PhD, a revised thesis proposal and timeline to completion, approved by the supervisor.

• The student and the supervisor should meet regularly. The student is also required to meet at least once a year with the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee should normally approve the completed thesis before it is submitted for examination.

• The Doctoral Final Oral Examination is arranged by the department in collaboration with the School of Graduate Studies. The candidate should allow at least 10 weeks from submission of the thesis for the department to complete the arrangements for the oral examination.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

PhD Program; Field: Creative Writing

Minimum Admission Requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of English's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An MA in English from a recognized university with an average grade equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– in the applicant's overall program, or an MA degree related to but not in the field of English, such as Comparative Literature or Medieval Studies, with an average grade equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– in the applicant's overall program. Applicants with an MA degree related to but not in the field of English should apply to the PhD program but will be considered on a case-by-case basis and determined to be eligible for either the PhD or the PhD U (direct-entry) option.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they are capable of independent research in English at an advanced level.

• Recommendations from two referees.

• A statement of purpose.

• A sample of literary scholarship of not more than 5,000 words.

• A sample of creative writing (15 to 20 pages). More guidelines may be found on the department's website.

• A curriculum vitae (CV).

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English are required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores required are:

  • 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

  • 100/120 on the Internet-based test, with at least 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections

• Admission to the PhD is based on the applicant's undergraduate and graduate records and upon the evidence of the references, writing samples, and statement.

• Admissions are selective; possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission.

• Admission to the Field of Creative Writing is only by application at the time of admission to the doctoral program.

Completion Requirements

Students pursue a program of study and research approved by the department.

Courses

• The minimum coursework requirements for the degree, a total of 3.75 full-course equivalents (FCEs), are as follows:

  • Year 1: ENG9400H. This course is required unless ENG8000H (no longer active) or equivalent course has already been taken.

  • Year 1: ENG6951Y

  • Either Year 2 or Year 3: ENG9900H

  • 2.0 additional graduate FCEs in English, as approved by the department

• Course selection must meet the approval of the department.

• In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the PhD program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B–.

Language Requirement

• Demonstrated reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 3 of registration.

• With the permission of the department, another language (including Old English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The completion of this requirement is recorded on the transcript with the course code LRQ7777Y and the subtitle given of the language undertaken to fulfil this requirement.

• The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

Special Fields Examination

• Students are required to pass a Special Fields Examination. The examination has two components, both of which are based on a reading list drawn up in consultation with the supervisory committee:

  • A written examination

  • An oral examination that engages in part with the written examination and ensures coverage of the reading list beyond the texts discussed in the written examination

• Students generally take the Special Fields Examination no later than the end of the second session of Year 2. A second attempt of the Special Fields Examination is allowed on the recommendation of the student's committee.

• The student must have completed all requirements for the degree, exclusive of thesis research, by the end of Year 3 in order to remain in good standing in the program.

Thesis

• A candidate is required to submit a thesis consisting of two parts. The first part is a creative text of 35,000 to 75,000 words (prose) or 45 to 75 pages (poetry) on an approved subject. The second part is a scholarly text of 15,000 to 25,000 words on an approved subject in the student's major field from their Special Fields Exam. The subject of the scholarly text must have a strong connection to the creative part of the thesis, embody the results of original investigation, and constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field. The maximum acceptable total length of the thesis is 100,000 words.

• A candidate is also required to pass a Final Oral Examination on the two parts of the thesis.

• No later than May 15 of Year 1 of registration, the student must submit to the Associate Director, PhD, a preliminary thesis proposal, approved by the prospective supervisor. The Associate Director, PhD, appoints a supervisory committee that includes a supervisor and two other faculty members with expertise in the proposed research area.

• Ideally by August 1 and no later than September 30 of Year 3 of registration, the student must submit to the Associate Director, PhD, a revised thesis proposal and timeline to completion, approved by the supervisor.

• The student and the supervisor should meet regularly. The student is also required to meet at least once a year with the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee should normally approve the completed thesis before it is submitted for examination.

• The Doctoral Final Oral Examination is arranged by the department in collaboration with the School of Graduate Studies. The candidate should allow at least 10 weeks from submission of the thesis for the department to complete the arrangements for the oral examination.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program; Field: Creative Writing (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of English's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Admission into the direct-entry option is granted only in exceptional cases. Direct-entry admissions will be considered in the case of applicants who have not completed an MA in English or a related field but have an exceptionally strong record of success in their BA degree from a recognized university that includes at least 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in English, with an average grade equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A– in the applicant's overall program.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they are capable of independent research in English at an advanced level.

• Recommendations from two referees.

• A statement of purpose.

• A sample of literary scholarship of not more than 5,000 words.

• A sample of creative writing (15 to 20 pages). More guidelines may be found on the department's website.

• A curriculum vitae (CV).

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English are required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores required are:

  • 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

  • 100/120 on the Internet-based test, with at least 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections

• Admission to the PhD is based on the applicant's undergraduate and graduate records and upon the evidence of the references, writing samples, and statement.

• Admissions are selective; possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission.

• Admission to the Creative Writing field is only by application at the time of admission to the doctoral program.

Completion Requirements

Students pursue a program of study and research approved by the department.

Courses

• The minimum coursework requirements for the degree, a total of 6.75 full-course equivalents (FCEs), are as follows:

  • Year 1: ENG6999Y

  • Year 2: ENG6951Y

  • Year 2: ENG9400H. This course is required unless ENG8000H (no longer active) or equivalent course has already been taken.

  • Either Year 3 or Year 4: ENG9900H

  • 4.0 additional graduate FCEs in English, as approved by the department. The student must complete ENG6999Y plus 2.0 FCEs in Year 1 of the program. Students must complete all remaining courses, except for ENG9900H, by the end of Year 3 of the program.

• Course selection must meet the approval of the department.

• In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the direct-entry PhD program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B– and maintain an overall average of at least A–. 

Language Requirement

• Demonstrated reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 4 of registration.

• With the permission of the department, another language (including Old English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The completion of this requirement is recorded on the transcript with the course code LRQ7777Y and the subtitle given of the language undertaken to fulfil this requirement.

• The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

Special Fields Examination

• Students are required to pass a Special Fields Examination. The examination has two components, both of which are based on a reading list drawn up in consultation with the supervisory committee:

  • A written examination

  • An oral examination that engages in part with the written examination and ensures coverage of the reading list beyond the texts discussed in the written examination

• Students in the direct-entry PhD option generally take the Special Fields Examination no later than the end of the second session of Year 3. A second attempt of the Special Fields Examination is allowed on the recommendation of the student's committee.

• The student must have completed all requirements for the degree, exclusive of thesis research, by the end of Year 4 in order to remain in good standing in the program.

Thesis

• A candidate is required to submit a thesis consisting of two parts. The first part is a creative text of 35,000 to 75,000 words (prose) or 45 to 75 pages (poetry) on an approved subject. The second part is a scholarly text of 15,000 to 25,000 words on an approved subject in the student’s major field from their Special Fields Exam. The subject of the scholarly text must have a strong connection to the creative part of the thesis, embody the results of original investigation, and constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field. The maximum acceptable total length of the thesis is 100,000 words.

• A candidate is also required to pass a Final Oral Examination on the two parts of the thesis.

• No later than May 15 of Year 2 of registration, the student must submit to the Associate Director, PhD, a preliminary thesis proposal, approved by the prospective supervisor. The Associate Director, PhD, appoints a supervisory committee that includes a supervisor and two other faculty members with expertise in the proposed research area.

• Ideally by August 1 and no later than September 30 of Year 4 of registration, the student must submit to the Associate Director, PhD, a revised thesis proposal and timeline to completion, approved by the supervisor.

• The student and the supervisor should meet regularly. The student is also required to meet at least once a year with the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee should normally approve the completed thesis before it is submitted for examination.

• The Doctoral Final Oral Examination is arranged by the department in collaboration with the School of Graduate Studies. The candidate should allow at least 10 weeks from submission of the thesis for the department to complete the arrangements for the oral examination.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time