Admissions

The Centre for Medieval Studies provides instruction on both basic and advanced levels, offering two graduate programs, leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medieval Studies. Students can also choose to enrol in one of several Collaborative Programs. The Centre consists a student body of approximately 115 students (25 MA and 90 PhD) and a distinguished faculty of over 60, most cross-appointed with various departments.

Program Objectives

The education of aspiring medievalists requires both training in basic skills and tools and the fostering of certain qualities of mind and imagination. CMS students will acquire:

  • expertise in “reading” the materials remaining from the medieval past.
  • language skills and the sensitivity to language essential for access to medieval cultures and societies.
  • the mastery of both disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. expertise in grasping cultural differences and predispositions, and developing a sensitivity to the distinct cultural worlds that competed or blended in the making of early Europe.

Since the Centre’s inception, Latin has been at the heart of its teaching program and the research agendas of many Centre faculty. The students who have passed through the Medieval Latin program and examinations have emerged as fully proficient Latinists, many of whom have chosen to make Latin editing or the interpretation of medieval Latin texts the focus of their scholarship. The Centre also offers intensive summer courses for visiting students at three levels.

Before applying, examine the requirements of the master’s or doctoral program. Feel free to contact the Centre or a faculty member with whom you are interested in working before applying; we are also happy to arrange a campus tour with a current student.

Application

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The Centre for Medieval Studies admits students only in September. Applications to the Centre for Medieval Studies must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) using an online application which is housed on a secure server at the University of Toronto. The online application allows applicants to manage and submit biographical and educational information immediately to the University. Applicants can edit an in-progress application and check the status of all documents submitted using a secure password and User ID. A valid email account is needed to complete the online application, as the University will correspond with applicants using email.

Applications are considered complete and can be reviewed only after all documentation is received by the Centre for Medieval Studies (this includes applicant online materials, letters of reference submitted online by referees, official transcripts, personal statement, and a writing sample, submitted online). To avoid any disappointment we recommend that you submit all documents well in advance.  The Centre for Medieval Studies does not use GRE scores, and we do not require CV’s.

Online Application Deadline: 6 January 2013 of the year in which you expect to enter.
Please complete all parts (biography, education, program of study, reference contact and payment) of the online application by this date.  It is your responsibility to monitor the status of your documents in the online application and to follow up with your referees if references are not received in advance of deadlines.

Please note: The University of Toronto will be closed from 5:00 pm (EST) on Friday, 21 December 2012 until 8:45 am (EST) on Monday, 7 January 2013. The Graduate Admissions Online Application will be available during this time. You may complete applications and submit documents. However, staff in the School of Graduate Studies and in graduate units will not be available to answer inquires until the first week of January. During this time there will also be no mail delivery or courier delivery.

Online Application

  • Register and log into the online application site at apply.sgs.utoronto.ca after 15 October 2012.
  • Upload all requested biographical and education information.
  • Submit your non-refundable application fee.
  • Be prepared to submit contact information for two academic referees. Please contact your referees in advance to obtain an email address (preferably a university email address). Be sure to inform your referees that you are doing this and that the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies will be contacting them by email. As soon as you have entered all the referee’s contact information and paid the application fee, the system will send an invitation to the referee to submit an appraisal electronically.
  • Download the “Personal Statement”. You will only be able to access this file after you pay the online application fee.  Upload the completed “Personal Statement” outlining your professional goals, including details of the specific work you have done so far that has bearing on your future studies. Failure to complete all the questions on the “Personal Statement” form will disqualify your application.
  • Upload only one writing sample between 10 and 20 pages.
  • Applicants whose previous study was in a language other than English must submit an official TOEFL score (minimum 580 written, 237 computerized) and TWE score of 5.

Transcripts

All applicants are required to upload one electronic or scanned official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. Scanned copies of transcripts must be up to date and must include the transcript “legend”, usually printed on the back of the paper transcript.  A notarized English translation must accompany all non-English documentation.  You will not be required to submit official paper copies of your transcripts until after the Admissions Committee makes its decision.  If admitted, you will be required to submit an official transcript; verification of your paper transcript will be a condition that must be met prior to registration.