Master of Arts - English Literature (Thesis) at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-09-12

Program overview

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Program overview

The Master of Arts in English Literature (Thesis) at the University of Ottawa is designed for high-achieving graduates who wish to deepen their understanding of British, Canadian, or American literature. This program emphasizes critical and scholarly skills, preparing students for advanced studies in literary history and contemporary literary criticism. The department is recognized for its distinguished faculty and hosts the annual Canadian Literature Symposium, enhancing the academic experience. Students can choose from three options: Thesis, Major Research Paper, or Coursework, with the possibility of a CO-OP option for practical experience. The program is conducted in English and aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of literature through rigorous academic training.

Program structure

The Master of Arts in English Literature (Thesis) program is structured to be completed within a two-year timeframe, with the thesis submission expected within four years of enrollment. The program offers three distinct pathways:

Thesis Option: Involves a significant research project culminating in a thesis.
Major Research Paper Option: Focuses on a substantial research paper instead of a thesis.
Coursework Option: A one-year program consisting of 24 units of coursework.

Additionally, a CO-OP option is available for students in the Major Research Paper and Coursework pathways, allowing them to gain practical work experience while studying. Students must maintain a full-time enrollment status and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA to remain in the CO-OP program. The program is governed by academic regulations that require students to achieve a minimum grade of B in all courses.

Featured Experiences

The Master of Arts in English Literature (Thesis) program offers several unique features that enhance the learning experience:

CO-OP Option: Students can apply for a cooperative education experience, which includes two work terms, providing valuable industry exposure.
Research Methodology Course: Prepares students for advanced research and professional development in the field of English literature.
Professional Development Course: Focuses on skills necessary for academic and non-academic careers, including teaching and publishing.
Annual Canadian Literature Symposium: A platform for students and faculty to engage with contemporary literary discussions and research.

Career Options

Graduates of the Master of Arts in English Literature (Thesis) program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Academic Researcher: Conducts research in literary studies, contributing to scholarly publications and conferences.
University Lecturer: Teaches English literature courses at the post-secondary level, engaging students in critical analysis and discussion.
Editor: Works in publishing, reviewing and editing manuscripts for clarity, coherence, and adherence to style guidelines.
Content Writer: Creates written content for various media, including websites, blogs, and marketing materials, utilizing strong writing skills.
Literary Critic: Analyzes and reviews literary works, providing insights and critiques for publications and media outlets.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

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Last updated on 2025-09-12

Program overview

Academic Requirements

Minimum Requirements

B+ in an Honours B.A. in English Literature (from a university where the language of instruction is English)

Required Documents for Admission Package

Recommendation Letter(s): 2

It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.

Transcript(s): 1

You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc.
If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation.
Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply.
Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.

Other Required Documents

Resume (must include chronological academic history)
A writing sample (required for thesis and research paper options): Clean copy of an essay written for an undergraduate English literature course
Letter of Intent
Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Intent:

For applications to the MA coursework option: The letter of intent is a 500-word statement of the scholarly interests that motivate you to apply for graduate study. It should demonstrate that you are prepared for graduate-level work in the history and criticism of literature in English, explain your literary study interests (historical periods, literary genres, critical or theoretical issues), and show familiarity with critical questions at an advanced level. One strategy is to describe a research paper you wrote in an advanced undergraduate course as an example of the work you hope to do at the MA level.

For applications to the MA with major research paper or thesis or the PhD programs: The letter of intent is a 500-word statement describing both your scholarly interests and a specific research project. The letter should:

Identify a specific topic or question in the history and criticism of literature in English
Explain why this topic or question is interesting and important
Demonstrate familiarity with existing critical scholarship on that topic
Indicate how your project will build on, differ from, or go beyond existing work in the field

Language Requirements

Language proficiency test scores equivalencies: TOEFL 114-115 / IELTS Overall 8.0 - Individual 7.0 (Internet-based)

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!