How to Apply | College of Arts

How to Apply

The regular application deadline for Fall 2025 (September) admission is February 1, 2025 The OUAC portal automatically closes on this date. However, the admissions committee may continue to review applications received after this date. If you would like to apply for F25 after the Feb. 1 deadline, please contact us so we can re-open the application portal for you. *Note: there is no need to submit the below information if you are applying before/by the Feb. 1 deadline.

  1. Please either create an OUAC account or log in to your existing account: https://www.ouac.on.ca/apply/guelphgrad/en_CA/user/login  *Note: do NOT create a new OUAC account if you already have one. Instead, reach out to OUAC for assistance in recovering your previous account information by emailing them at gradapps@ouac.on.ca
  2. Read thoroughly through the Welcome and Introduction tabs, and then fill out the Personal Information section. You will not see an option to apply for F25 at this point.
  3. Email the History Academic Program Assistant (histacademic@uoguelph.ca) to let them know you have completed the above steps and are ready to proceed with an application for F25. You'll need to provide this information to the Program Assistant
  • the email address you used for your OUAC account
  • are you applying for full-time or part-time studies?
  • If you want to apply to an MA, will it be thesis-based or course-based (with or without an Major Reseach Paper)?
  • Will you be applying to an MA or PhD with a collaborative specializations (International Development, OneHealth, or Sexuality,Gender & Bodies)?
  • When do you expect to be ready to apply? (We have to input an expiration date for the application extension, and we don't intend to rush you, but we need to know your expected timeline so we make sure we leave it open long enough for you to apply.)

The Academic Programs Assistant will then submit a request for OUAC to open F25 Applications for your account. (This could take a few days, so we appreciate your patience). Once OUAC has processed the request, the Academic Programs Assistant will reach out to you to let you know you can log back into OUAC and proceed with your application for F25.

Applying for the MA or PhD? Either way:

Please apply to the Tri-U (Guelph/Waterloo/Wilfrid Laurier) campus where your preferred faculty advisor is located. 

-> Find an Advisor

Applying to work with a Guelph faculty advisor?
Follow the University of Guelph Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies application process.

 

MA/PhD Application Checklist:

  1. Completed recommendation letters/forms:
    • M.A. - minimum two references
    • Ph.D. - minimum three references
  2. Official transcripts or authorized grades and/or degrees from your university. Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified literal translation. (Note that students who attended Ontario Universities may be able to request their transcripts directly through the OUAC site during their application. See OUAC for more information.)
  3. A résumé of your academic and work experience, including any publications and scholarly papers presented and/or any other information that might be helpful to the admissions committee. The résumé must be signed by the applicant and the résumé of the work experience must indicate the language of business at each place of employment.
  4. Statement of Research Interest: We suggest that this should be at least 2 pages in length and should explain your reasons for pursuing graduate studies, your interest in the areas in which you would like to work and, in the case of applicants to the Ph.D. program, a description of your proposed thesis topic.
  5. A sample of your scholarly writing. For students applying to the Master’s program, a sample of a recent 4th year paper (single-sided). For doctoral students this should be a portion of a major research paper or thesis or a paper written for a graduate course. Please note that papers will not be returned to applicants.
  6. MA advisor preference form (if applying for the MA; please email this directly to the History Academic Program Assistant at Guelph - histacademic@uoguelph.ca).
  7. In the case of international applicants whose first language is not English, an official statement of your acceptable English-language test results, and an official statement (affidavit or notarized statement from the sponsor) regarding funding, where applicable. Please also see the University's COVID-19-information page for International Students for the most up to date information..

For more see the Tri-U Admissions Requirements pages MA / PhD 

Questions? See About the MA / About the PhD. Or email Guelph campus graduate coordinator, Professor Tara Abraham: taabraha@uoguelph.ca.

 

FAQs /  links:

  • "What is a Statement of Interest?" Click the link for a template and advice from Guelph History
  • Is it ok if I have lots of online courses on my transcript? Not to worry. These will not disqualify your application from consideration.
  • How will the admissions committee look at my GPA? In practice, we are interested in your marks in History courses in your last two years of university, looking for a minimum of a B+ average in those courses.
  • Should I email my prospective faculty advisor before I submit my application to ask about their availability and expertise on my research topic? Yes!
  • Why do I need to look at the admissions process and instructions University of Guelph, Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies? Guelph's OGPS office has information on English language requirements, how to start your application, how to get documents in on time, what kinds of documents you need, etc.
  • Why do I need to email histacademic@uoguelph.ca a completed MA Advisor Preference form? This form helps us identify the best faculty to evaluate your application and make sure that we have an Advisor ready to work with you.
  • How will I pay for this degree? If we make you an offer of admission, we will also offer a generous guaranteed funding package. For more see how to fund your degree.

 

Still have questions? Let us know:

Tyler Berlet - Academic Programs Assistant - Guelph Campus
Department of History, University of Guelph 
histacademic@uoguelph.ca
  
Dr. Alan McDougall - Graduate Coordinator - Guelph Campus
Department of History, University of Guelph
1013 MacKinnon Extension  |  (519) 824-4120 ex. 53165
amcdouga@uoguelph.ca

Tri-University Program Administrators:

Dr. Peter Goddard, Tri-University Program Director
Department of History, University of Guelph
519-824-4120 ext 54460
pgoddard@uoguelph.ca

Mary Lou Klassen, Tri-University Administrative Assistant
Department of History, University of Guelph
tri-u@uoguelph.ca

File attachments

PDF icon What is a Statement of Academic Interest_final.pdf
PDF icon Advisor Preference Form (MA)