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English

Prospective students

Undergraduate studies

Do you want to improve your writing skills, learn professional writing or delve further into the literature you love?

Studying English expands the world around you and helps you see your place in it. When we learn others’ stories and when we see the many ways stories can be told, we gain insight into our own.

We offer small classes and a dynamic learning environment. Our courses develop your ability to analyze texts and to write effectively. Our exciting digital humanities courses bring together literary and digital studies to help you build skills for your future careers and our Professional Communication program offers innovative courses that will teach you the skills you need to succeed as a writer in today’s digital workplace. 

Learn everything you need to know about becoming a UVic student, from choosing a program and reviewing admission requirements to submitting your application and reporting your grades.

If you have questions, talk to a UVic recruiter or come to one of our recruiting events.

Graduate studies

Students in the MA program take advanced courses in a range of literary periods and critical approaches, and their degree culminates in a research-based Master’s Essay or Project (10,000 words or equivalent). The MA prepares students for PhD programs and for secondary advanced credentials (e.g., Education, Library and Information Sciences, or Archival Studies). An MA in English is also good preparation for a variety of humanities careers. The degree is normally completed in 12 months, though students in a special path (see below) may require 16-24 months.

Students will find distinguished faculty with expertise in a variety of fields to guide their studies. Our Department has special strengths in medieval and early modern studies, Victorian literature, modernism, book and media studies and literatures of the West Coast. The MA Program is competitive. Incoming students normally have a BA in English or a related discipline, first-class grades or Honours and a record of academic potential. All applicants are expected to articulate research goals in their application statement and demonstrate strong writing and analytical skills in their submitted writing sample. Canadian applicants are expected to apply for SSHRC CGS-M awards.

We fund all incoming full-time MA students for 12 months and can usually provide teaching opportunities to those interested in developing careers in education or academia.

Visit our Graduate Studies program page for more info.