Application Information

Admission to the Department of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations (MA, PhD)

To apply, please visit the Online Admissions Application.

NOTICE: Pathways and supports available to graduate students impacted by the protests in Iran.

The application opens on October 1, 2023 for graduate programs (MA program or PhD program) commencing in the 2024-2025 academic year at the Department of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations.

The application deadline for graduate programs commencing in the 2024-2025 academic year at the Department of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations is November 30, 2023 (i.e., paying the application fee). This is a firm deadline. No exceptions will be made. 

A completed admission application is considered as follows:

  • A completed online admission application, with all your supporting documentation, must be uploaded and received by December 8, 2023. 
  • Note, your two letters of reference must be uploaded by your referees by December 8, 2023. 

How to apply:

1. Prepare Your Application

Review all the admission requirements for your chosen degree program. Plan enough time to submit your application and all supporting documents before the deadline. See the Requirements for Admission and the Application Procedures (below). Note that referees will only receive reference requests when you pay the application fee, so give your referees plenty of time to submit their references.

2. Apply Online

Apply via the online application system to create a personal profile and begin your application. Set aside 30-60 minutes to create a personal profile on the online application system, including your personal information and academic history. See the Requirements for Admission (MA program or PhD program) and the Application Procedures.

3. Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering how to apply as an international student? How should your academic transcripts be submitted? Search the School of Graduate Studies FAQs and get the answers you need.

Is there a major external award Master's students should apply to at the same time as the admissions application? Yes. If you are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a Protected person please consider applying to the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M) Program by December 1, 2023. The objective of the CGS M Program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. 


Applicants are accepted under the general regulations of the School of Graduate Studies, provided that they also satisfy the Department requirements for each of the degree programs listed below. Applications are considered with respect to undergraduate preparation for study in the field, academic promise, areas of interest and available instruction, and supervisory capacity within the Department.

Applicants for admission to all programs in the Department must have prior background in ancient Near Eastern and/or Islamic civilizations, at least five full year courses, ten half courses or a combination thereof. Applicants for admission to the Middle Eastern and Islamic programs are expected to have adequate reading knowledge of at least one of the primary source languages: Arabic, Persian, and/or Turkish. Applicants for admission to some programs in ancient Near Eastern studies such as Hebrew Bible and Judaic studies are required to have prior training in a primary source language: Hebrew or Aramaic (two-three years at the MA level and three-four years at the PhD level for biblical studies and at least three or more at the MA level and four or more years at the PhD for Rabbinics/Hebrew and Judaic Studies). Students are expected to continue their language training during their MA studies unless they are fluent readers of the source languages. Students choosing a concentration in Islamic Art and Material Culture must have a reading knowl­edge of French or German at the time of admission.

Upon acceptance students will be assigned an academic advisor with whom they should consult regarding their program of study.