Master of Arts English Literature Specialization in Feminist and Gender Studies

(This program is offered in English only.)

The Department of English offers the degrees of Master of Arts (with coursework, major research paper, or thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy in English. Both programs equip students to pursue advanced studies in British, Canadian, or American literature informed by a broad knowledge of literary history and by recent developments in literary criticism and cultural theory. The department is well known for its annual Canadian Literature Symposium, and its faculty is distinguished and well-published. The Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS) has consistently awarded the department the council's highest rating.

The department also offers a CO-OP option at the master's level that students can apply to add to either the coursework or the major research paper program.

The department participates in the collaborative programs in Feminist and Gender Studies and in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the Master's level, and in the collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the PhD level. For more information on these programs, see Program Requirements”.

The Collaborative program in Feminist and Gender Studies at the master's level is designed for students from selected disciplines in arts, education, health sciences, law, social sciences, and counselling and spirituality (Saint Paul University), who have an interest in Feminist and Gender Studies. These students have the opportunity to combine advanced studies in their primary program with analyses from a Feminist and Gender Studies perspective. The degree awarded is a master's degree in the primary program with a .

The programs are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies. Please note, however, that any course fulfilling a graduate degree requirement in English must be completed with a mark of B or higher. A student whose record shows any two grades lower than a mark of B will automatically be withdrawn from the program. Most graduate courses in the Department of English at the University of Ottawa carry three units. Requirements are stated in number of units.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

• The MA program is intended to refine the critical and scholarly skills of high-achieving graduates from undergraduate honours programs. An honours BA in English literature with a minimum high second class standing of B+ is normally required. A 500-word statement of interest in the program is required with the application. Students applying for the MA with thesis option should submit a sample of their academic writing, such as an essay written for an undergraduate English course.
• Students who have completed a BA or equivalent degree with a minimum of six full courses in English with an average of 75 per cent (B+) may be admitted to a qualifying year which normally comprises 30 units selected to ensure coverage of the major fields of English literature. These courses must be successfully completed in each case with a mark of B+ or higher. By special permission one or two graduate courses may be substituted for the equivalent number of undergraduate courses. After the requirements of the qualifying year have been satisfactorily fulfilled, students may apply for admission to the regular MA program. Such admission will depend on the quality of their overall record.

Collaborative Programs

The Department of English is a participating unit in the collaborative programs in Feminist and Gender Studies (master's level only) and in Medieval and Renaissance Studies (master's level only). Students should indicate in their initial application for admission to the master's program in English that they wish to be accepted into one of the collaborative programs. 

To be accepted in the Collaborative program in Feminist and Gender Studies at the master's level, applicants must first be accepted to the master's program in a participating program. Successful applicants will normally hold an honours degree or the equivalent and have a minimum average of 70 per cent (B). They must also have a background in Feminist and Gender Studies, that is, a minimum of two undergraduate level courses or one graduate level course on women, gender, feminism or sexualities. Students who do not have an adequate background may be eligible to our Special Policy for Admissions.

Applications for admission to the Collaborative program in Feminist and Gender Studies at the master's level are submitted at the same time as the application for admission to the Master's program of the relevant discipline. Only one application for admission is required for the collaborative Master’s program. In exceptional cases, students could commence their specialization in Feminist and Gender Studies in their second term of their primary program.

The letter of intention submitted with the application should include a clear account of the “Feminist and Gender Studies” dimension in the proposed topic of research.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.