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Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist & Women's Studies Faculty of Graduate Studies
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Admission Requirements

Preparing your application to graduate studies at York University and/or other interested universities requires research and planning. Some students start preparing their plan for graduate studies as early as two years before they submit their application. Consider the following information below to help guide you through a successful application process.

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Minimum Requirements

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MA

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PhD

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AcademicB+
International Students: refer to the international credentials information for your country
Recommendations3 Letters of recommendation (If possible, at least 2 should be academic)
Supplementary InformationPlease submit the following:

1) CV

2) Sample of academic writing (no more than 30 pages, examples include seminar paper, chapter from MA thesis, undergraduate essay, published article, work-related report or proposal).

3) Statement of intent (max. 1,000 words, based on answers to the following questions):

– What academic background do you bring to graduate work in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies?
– What aspects of your work and/or your personal experience will contribute to your graduate work in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies?
– Why do you want to study in an interdisciplinary Gender, Feminist and Women’s studies programme, rather than in a disciplined-based programme?
– What do you anticipate will be the principle focus for your study and research in the Graduate Programme in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies? What are your main goals in pursuing this research?


On the Faculty of Graduate Studies Supplementary Information Form (Question #3), please identify at least three areas of specialization from the following:

– Cultural and Literary Studies, Performance and Fine Arts
– Diaspora, Transnational and Global Studies
– History
– Politics, Economies and Societies
– Race
– Sexualities
– Theories and Methods
NoteThe number of applicants greatly exceeds the number of available spots, meeting our minimum admission requirements is not a guarantee of admission. Offers of admission to our program are generally made between March to July. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

An applicant for the MA must be a university graduate holding a degree based on four years of undergraduate study with at least a B+ average (or equivalent). In the context of the Canadian system of higher education, this means an Honours degree. For graduates from other jurisdictions, equivalency is determined in accordance with legislation established by the Senate of York University. The grade point average is assessed over the last two years (full-time equivalent) of study.

Graduates with an MA degree or the equivalent from a recognised university, with at least a B+ average, and in a field of study relevant to graduate work in Women’s Studies will be considered for admission as Candidates for the PhD degree.

Note: Applicants are not expected to find an advisor or supervisor prior to acceptance in the Program.

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The Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist & Women’s Studies at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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