The Department of History offers a broadly diversified program of graduate studies leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. There are opportunities to study and research several geographic, chronological, and thematic areas of history. Visit the departmental website for descriptions of specific fields.
Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate MA degree or 2) direct entry following completion of an appropriate bachelor's degree.
PhD Program
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of History's additional admission requirements stated below.
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Normally, applicants may enter the PhD program with an MA degree in history or its equivalent with an A– average or better.
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Applicants must satisfy the department of their ability to do independent research at an advanced level.
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In addition to the School of Graduate Studies online application form, applicants must submit:
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three letters of recommendation
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a 500-word specific research proposal outlining a precise field and area of historical investigation
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a writing sample of no more than 6,000 words.
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Applicants who were educated outside Canada, whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction was not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the successful completion of a recognized English-language proficiency examination as outlined in the School of Graduate Studies General Regulations.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. With MA degree in history: students must successfully complete a total of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) with a B+ average throughout the coursework.
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Residence requirement. Residence means students must be in such geographical proximity as to be able to visit the campus regularly and participate fully in the University's activities associated with the program. PhD students must maintain geographical proximity to the campus until they have passed their field examinations but no longer than a period of two years.
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Comprehensive examinations. At the beginning of their programs, students consult with their supervisor and the Associate Chair, Graduate to determine their fields. Two options are available: two majors or one major and two minors. Major fields should coincide with the subject area(s) that the student has chosen for the thesis. Minors should be in different areas. The comprehensive field examinations consist of a written examination in each field and a common oral examination covering all fields. Students are required to take their field examinations by the spring of Year 2, but they are strongly advised to take them as soon as possible after the completion of their coursework. Examinations are held in January and April. Examinations cannot be postponed beyond the spring of Year 2 without permission of the Associate Chair, Graduate. The department's website lists the fields offered.
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Language requirements vary with the student’s major area of study. If not already so qualified, a student must qualify in one language other than English normally by the beginning of Year 2 and no later than 12 months after the successful completion of the comprehensive examinations and may be asked to qualify in other program-related languages. All language requirements are subject to the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate.
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Thesis: When all of the above requirements are completed, the candidate will proceed to write the PhD thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination. The thesis must be a piece of original scholarship, approximately 350 pages (90,000 words) in length, exclusive of notes and bibliography. Thesis preparation is guided by a committee consisting of the major supervisor and two other faculty members. The thesis must be presented within six years of first enrolment in the full-time PhD program.
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time
PhD Program (Direct-Entry)
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of History's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
Exceptional applicants may enter the PhD program by direct entry from the BA with an A– average or better.
-
Applicants must satisfy the department of their ability to do independent research at an advanced level.
-
In addition to the School of Graduate Studies online application form, applicants must submit:
-
three letters of recommendation
-
a 500-word specific research proposal outlining a precise field and area of historical investigation
-
a writing sample of no more than 6,000 words.
-
Applicants who were educated outside Canada, whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction was not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the successful completion of a recognized English-language proficiency examination as outlined in the School of Graduate Studies General Regulations.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. By direct entry: students must successfully complete a total of 4.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs), 0.5 of which must be HIS1997H The Practice of History. Students must maintain an A– average in their first 2.0 FCEs in order to continue in the program.
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Residence requirement. Residence means students must be in such geographical proximity as to be able to visit the campus regularly and participate fully in the University's activities associated with the program. PhD students must maintain geographical proximity to the campus until they have passed their field examinations but no longer than a period of two years.
-
Comprehensive examinations. At the beginning of their programs, students consult with the Associate Chair, Graduate to determine their fields, and students will be assigned advisors. Two options are available: two majors or one major and two minors. Major fields should coincide with the subject area(s) that the student has chosen for the thesis. Minors should be in different areas. The comprehensive field examinations consist of a written examination in each field and a common oral examination covering all fields. Students are required to take their field examinations by the spring of Year 3, but they are strongly advised to take them as soon as possible after the completion of their coursework. Examinations are held in January and April. Examinations cannot be postponed beyond the spring of Year 3 without permission of the Associate Chair, Graduate. The department's website lists the fields offered.
-
Language requirements vary with the student's major area of study. If not already so qualified, a student must qualify in one language other than English normally by the beginning of Year 3 and no later than 12 months after the successful completion of the comprehensive examinations and may be asked to qualify in other program-related languages. All language requirements are subject to the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate.
-
Thesis: When all of the above requirements are completed, the candidate will proceed to write the PhD thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination. The thesis must be a piece of original scholarship, approximately 350 pages (90,000 words) in length, exclusive of notes and bibliography. Thesis preparation is guided by a committee consisting of the major supervisor and two other faculty members. The thesis must be presented within seven years of first enrolment in the direct-entry PhD.
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time