How to apply for graduate studies

Get onto the path to your next degree in Languages, Literatures and Cultures or Linguistics with these steps.

Getting ready

Follow these steps before you apply for grad studies. Admissions to graduate programs are highly competitive, as there are a limited number of spaces. There is no general right of admission, so it's best to be as prepared as possible.

Before you start

Ensure you meet admission requirements for the Faculty of Graduate Studies and your program.

Preparing

Plan 2 to 6 months to prepare required documents. International students may need longer.

Apply by deadline

Languages, Literatures and Cultures: Admissions close January 15, 2024

Linguistics: Admissions close January 15, 2024


Application procedures

All applicants must meet the minimum entrance requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Arts. Specific program admission requirements may be found at the individual program pages below.

Application Deadline:  January 15, 2024

Be sure you meet the admission requirements for your prospective course-based or thesis-based M.A. program.

For information on the application process, please refer to the guidelines of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Only complete applications will be considered. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the following materials are submitted by the stated deadlines:

N.B.: Applicants for Fall admission must also submit applications for the Graduate Award Competition by January 2.

  1. Application form

    A complete on-line Application for Admission

  2. Statement of research interest

    A statement of research interest (minimum length: 250 words) which will include research topic and the reasons for wishing to pursue graduate work in this program.

  3. Writing sample

    An academic writing sample (of approximately 3-5 pages): a term paper, research paper or other writing, which applicants consider representative of their best work.

  4. References

    Two confidential references addressing the applicant’s academic qualifications for graduate studies. A notification with the instructions will be e-mailed automatically to the referees listed on the application. We recommend that applicants contact their intended referees ahead of time, informing them that the notification will be sent when the application has been submitted.   

  5. Transcripts

    • Academic records (transcripts) of all post-secondary studies, including all studies that were started but not completed, and certified translations of any academic documents not in English or French.
    • The online application system provides instructions on how unofficial copies of transcripts can be uploaded. The documents posted are considered unofficial but will allow the program to begin reviewing applications.
    • Official transcripts are required if applicants are offered admission. To be considered official, academic records must be received in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. These must be sent directly by the institution to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
  6. Application fee

    Payment of the application fee ($125 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; $145 for international applicants).

Application Deadline:  January 15, 2024

Be sure you meet the admission requirements for your prospective P.hD program.

For information on the application process, please refer to the guidelines of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Only complete applications will be considered. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the following materials are submitted by the stated deadlines:

N.B.: Applicants for Fall admission must also submit applications for the Entrance Competition, and the Graduate Award Competition by January 2. 

  1. Application form

    A complete online Application for Admission

  2. Statement of purpose

    A statement of purpose (minimum length: 250 words) which will include research topic and the reasons for wishing to pursue graduate work in this unit.

  3. Research proposal

    A research proposal of approximately 2-3 pages.

  4. Critical writing sample

    A sample of critical writing: MA thesis or research paper or other writing, which the applicants considers representative of their best work. Either the sample research paper or the research proposal must be submitted in the target language of study.

  5. References

    Two confidential references addressing the applicant’s academic qualifications for graduate studies.  A notification and the instructions will be e-mailed automatically to the referees listed on the application.  We recommend that applicants contact their intended referees ahead of time, informing them that the notification will be sent when the application has been submitted.   

  6. Transcripts

    • Academic records (transcripts) of all post-secondary studies, including all studies that were started but not completed, and certified translations of any academic documents not in English or French.
    • The online application system provides instructions on how unofficial copies of transcripts can be uploaded. The documents posted are considered unofficial but will allow the program to begin reviewing applications.
    • Official transcripts are required if applicants are offered admission. To be considered official, academic records must be received in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. These must be sent directly by the institution to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
  7. Application fee

    Payment of the application fee ($125 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; $145 for international applicants).

Application Deadline: January 15, 2024

  • Applications received by the deadline will be considered for September admission with funding in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Graduate Research Scholarship and Graduate Program in Linguistics recommended scholarship.

  • Only completed applications will be reviewed: the on-line application, supporting documents and application fee must be received as requested.

  • Applicants for Fall admission must also submit applications for the Graduate Award Competition by January 15.

Entrance Requirements - please also refer to the Graduate Studies Calendar

Applicants to the graduate programs in Linguistics must hold or obtain the following minimum qualifications:

How to apply

Your application, statement of research, sample of previous work and references must be submitted online if you are applying for graduate programs and scholarships: Online Application

Once you initiate your application on-line, your referees will automatically be notified by e-mail with instructions on how to submit their letter of reference.

In order to be considered for admission to the Graduate Program in Linguistics by the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures’ Graduate Studies Committee, an on-line application must be submitted with:

  1. Online application

    A completed on-line Application for Admission, including three references (submitted by your referees on-line), and the $125 (CDN) application fee for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, or $145 (CDN) application fee for international students (student visa).

    If you experience difficulties in making your application fee payment, please contact: Faculty of Graduate Studies 403.220.4936.

  2. Transcripts

    • Academic records (transcripts) of all post-secondary studies, including all studies that were started but not completed, and certified translations of any academic documents not in English.
    • The online application system provides instructions on how unofficial copies of transcripts can be uploaded. The documents posted are considered unofficial but will allow the program to begin reviewing applications.
    • Official transcripts are required if applicants are offered admission. To be considered official, academic records must be received in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. These must be sent directly by the institution to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. How to Submit Transcripts
  3. TOEFL and IELTS test scores if required

    The minimum requirements for English Language Proficiency (ELP) are listed in the Graduate Calendar. The Graduate Director may exempt an applicant whose first language is not English from the ELP requirement if the student has completed a Bachelor’s Degree (minimum of 3 years in length), or a graduate degree in an institution where the sole language of instruction and examination is English.

    Eligible institutions must be listed as providing English language instruction in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Please remember that, even if you have a degree from an institution included on this list, exemption from ELP requirements remain at the discretion of the Graduate Director. 

  4. Statement of Purpose

    A Statement of Purpose in which you summarize your background, explain why you wish to pursue a graduate program in Linguistics, indicate the general area(s) in which you plan to specialize as well as your specific research interest, and list any potential supervisors. The statement should be no more than two double-spaced pages. 

  5. Sample of previous work

    A sample of your previous work in linguistics or a related field. This could take the form of a published article, M.A. thesis, undergraduate thesis, or a course paper.

Applying for the Linguistics program? View our tips for submitting a successful application

Ready to apply?

What you'll need

The Faculty of Graduate Studies has detailed instructions about the application process.

Read admission steps and requirements

Do you have everything?

You are responsible for ensuring your application is complete and all documents are received by the deadline.

Graduate supervisor

Explore our lists of potential research areas and supervisors. Contact us if you need guidance in finding a supervisor.

Explore research areas and supervisors

Begin your application

First create an eID. You must have one to access the online application.

Once you begin, remember to click 'Save & Continue' often to ensure your application is saved.

Online application

Languages, Literatures and Cultures


Graduate Program Advisor

Federica Gowen
403.220.4001
artsgradsc@ucalgary.ca 

Graduate Program Director

Elena Bratishenko
403.220.8109
bratishe@ucalgary.ca

Linguistics


Graduate Program Advisor

Federica Gowen
403.220.4001
artsgradsc@ucalgary.ca

Graduate Program Director

Dimitrios Skordos
403.220.6396
dimitrios.skordos@ucalgary.ca