How to apply
Application deadine - January 15
Entry point - September
When you apply for the MA or PhD program your application and supporting documents are submitted online to the Graduate Admissions and Records Office (GARO). Applications are first reviewed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) after which they are forwarded to the Anthropology Department for decision.
To apply & for steps pertaining to admissions, click here.
Deadlines for external funding may be before our application deadlines. Apply beforehand and note that you have done so on your application. Read more about SSHRC and other external scholarships.
Please note: Applicants for our MA or PhD programs are strongly advised to consult a potential thesis or dissertation advisor. For a list of Anthropology faculty and their research areas, see our faculty.
More questions? Please see our FAQ page for additional information and if you still need help please contact the graduate and undergraduate program assistant, Jindra Bélanger, at anthtwo@uvic.ca.
What are the admissions requirements?
Academic Calendar 2020-21 - Admission Requirements: MA and PhD.
FGS Admission requirements and deadlines webpage.
What are the GPA requirements?
For admission to the MA program - minimum overall average of B+ (6.0 GPA) for the last two years of university work.
For admission to the PhD program - minimum average of A- (7.0 GPA) in their master's program.
GPA calculations on the FGS Admission requirements webpage.
Please note GPA calculations are not done by our department but directly by GARO (Graduate Admissions and Records Office).
Upgrading your GPA - see the Academic Calendar for your options.
Required documents?
ANTH department require the following items with your application:
- Online application form
- Statement of Intent: 1-2 pages which highlight relevant aspects of your background and training, describe your general research interests and how they correspond with your supervisor’s.
- Writing sample: this can be your term paper, honours thesis or a published paper that best reflects your abilities. No specific length.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- 2 assessment reports and/or letters of reference: the online application will prompt you to provide two names (or more) and email addresses. Automatic assessment requests will be sent out once you submit your application and your references will have an option to upload a reference letter or complete the online questionnaire. Please ask your references to submit their assessment by the end of January.
- Transcripts:
- Electronic copies of your transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (including transfer credits) are sufficient until an offer of admission is made.
- If an offer of admission is made, then you will be required to submit either original hard copies directly to GARO office or official digital documents sent directly from the issuing institution to: graddocs@uvic.ca.
- For more information on what is considered "unofficial transcripts", please see the "submission of documents“ page on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website
- UVic transcripts – if you have just completed a degree at UVic (e.g. June convocation before September grad school start), GARO can obtain confirmation that your degree requirements are complete directly from OREG. Once all your courses are graded and all your degree requirements are complete please email the graduate secretary at anthtwo@uvic.ca.
More on submission of documents here.
Language proficiency
Most classes at UVic are taught in English.
You must provide proof that you are proficient in the English language to attend UVic.
You are exempt from this requirement if:
- English is your primary language
- you’ve spent the last three years before coming to UVic in an English-speaking country
- you have a degree from a designated English-speaking country
- you have a degree from a recognized institution at which the language of instruction is English
- your official degree certificate states that the medium of instruction for your master’s degree was English
We accept three language tests as proof of language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or MET.
Official test score reports must be sent directly to UVic by the testing agency.
We cannot accept test scores more than two years old.
For minimum test scores and more information check here.
Do I need to contact a prospective supervisor before applying?
Applicants are encouraged to contact a potential supervisor before applying.
Please see our list of faculty members at the regular faculty members and their research interests and then contact the one(s) you would be interested in working with, describe your research interest and ask if they will be taking on new students.
Please note that supervisor’s agreement to take you as a student does not guarantee your acceptance into the program.
How to apply?
To ensure that your application receives full consideration and timely attention, please read the following instructions carefully:
Complete your application form - this includes disclosing all post-secondary institutions where any course registrations were made. Failure to disclose may result in having your admission and registration cancelled. The application fee requirement cannot be waived. If you need to make arrangements for someone else (possibly a friend or family member) to pay the application fee contact the Graduate Admissions and Records office for more information.
You will need to provide the names and email addresses of your chosen assessors when you submit your online application. It is important that you contact your referees prior to applying to confirm their willingness to provide you with an assessment.
Ensure that all documents are submitted under the same name. If documents are received with alternate spellings or different names, delays will undoubtedly occur. Submit your application early. The majority of applications are received within two weeks of the deadlines. Processing is much slower at these times. Please ensure that you plan ahead with your application and the materials required. It could take several weeks for transcripts and assessment reports to arrive and be processed for review.
When will I be notified?
We will do our best to notify students by the end of March or beginning of April.
How do I check the status of my application?
You can view the checklist on your My UVic application profile for a list of received and outstanding documents. You will be able to upload new documents to your applications even after the application has been submitted. Please keep in mind that it could take few days before all documents received will appear on your checklist. If documents are received during holiday closure or at an extremely busy time of year it could take a little longer.
Once your file has sufficient information for evaluation, a graduate admissions and records officer will review it to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Once this is confirmed your file will be forwarded to the specific program department for their assessment. You will be advised of the decision as soon as possible, but in some cases this may take many weeks.
Do I need an undergraduate degree in anthropology to do a master's degree?
If you don't have this equivalent, you may be required to take all or some of the appropriate courses to satisfy the major requirements before completing your graduate degree.
Please contact your potential supervisor and let him/her know - it would the supervisor, graduate advisor and the Graduate Admissions committee who would make that decision.
To correct any deficiencies in an applicant's undergraduate program, the Graduate Admissions committee may increase the number of units required.
For example, students without previous training in one or more of the anthropological sub-disciplines (biological, archaeological, sociocultural) will be required to take one or more upper level undergraduate courses in those subdisciplines.
Do I need a master's degree in anthropology to do a PhD in anthropology?
We assess students on a case-by-case basis at admission. If you're accepted, we'll advise you of suggested or required pre- or co-requisite course requirements deemed necessary by the admissions committee.
If our graduate committee feels it necessary for an incoming student to make up a deficiency, they will be required to register in no more than 3.0 units (two one-semester courses) of pre-requisite coursework.
Please contact your potential supervisor and let him/her know - it would the supervisor, graduate advisor and the Graduate Admissions committee who would make that decision.
How much is graduate tuition?
How is graduate admission determined?
Admissions decisions are based on a variety of factors:
- A student’s scholarly promise as evidenced by transcripts.
- Statement of interest, letters of recommendations and written work.
- The availability of faculty to supervise the applicant’s research.
- The number of students currently enrolled in the program.