APPLICATION INSTRUCTION

The Centre for Comparative Literature welcomes applications for the MA and PhD programs starting in September 2025:

Application Deadlines

By December 15, 2024, all applicants must have:

  1. Initiated their application with the School of Graduate Studies. Our Program codes:
    – For PhD Program: CO PhD
    – For MA Program: CO MA2 
    – For Special Non-Degree program: CO NDEGS
  2. Paid the requisite application fee
  3. Submitted a Letter of Intent, a Sample of Academic Writing, and a Curriculum Vitae.
  4. Three letters of reference (via online application).
  5. Informed our Graduate Administrator  
  6. Proof of English Language Facility if applicable. It is essential that all incoming graduate students have a good command of English. Facility in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English. This requirement is a condition of admission and should be met before registration. Students must arrange for their score to be reported electronically to the University of Toronto (Enrolment Services) by the testing agency. The TOEFL institution code for U of T is 0982. There is no need to specify a department.

The buttons for uploading supporting documents will become available only after the application fee has been paid.

Note: If all of the above is not received by December 15th, the application will not be considered. 

By January 15th, 2025, we must receive:  Original transcripts in sealed envelopes or official e-transcripts sent directly from the institution(s) attended to baba.nguyen@utoronto.ca . Photocopies of transcripts will not be accepted.

Mailing Address: Centre for Comparative Literature at Isabel Bader Theatre, 3rd floor, 93 Charles Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1K9.

Application Instructions

All candidates must submit their applications through the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) website at: https://admissions.sgs.utoronto.ca/apply/

At this website, you will be required to submit the following supporting documents together with the main application form:

  1. Scanned copies of your original transcripts.
  2. Three letters of reference. These letters can be submitted up to the January 15th,  deadline. However, we recommend that you contact your letter writers as soon as possible and ask them to submit their letters between December 15 and January 15th.
  3. A letter of intent (1 1/2 to 2 pages outlining your interests and the research you would like to pursue).
  4. A sample of writing (an academic essay no more than 20 pages in length).
  5. A curriculum vitae, including a section that provides a list and detailed summary of your native language(s) and your proficiency in foreign languages (e.g. years studied; degrees awarded; types and levels of proficiency: reading, speaking, writing; preliminary, intermediary, or advanced).

Canadian applicants: Be sure to apply for OGS and SSHRC awards (further information and deadlines available on the School of Graduate Studies web site).

    • If you are a first-time applicant, click the link to Create an Account to begin your application. You will receive a verification code via email as part of the account creation process. After entering your verification code, you will create a password for your account.
    • You may save and return to the application at any point in the process.
    • You will be required to enter information for 3 referees. Your referees will automatically receive a notification email that they have been requested to complete a reference for your application, along with instructions to submit their reference letter in the application system. 
    • If you need to change your referees, please get in touch with the graduate administrator.
    • If you need to send a reminder email to your existing referees, you can do so through your applicant portal after submitting your application.
    • To view the status of your application, including outstanding requirements, please log in to your account to view your applicant status portal. 
    • You can upload application materials, including unofficial transcripts, statements of intent, writing samples, and more, through your applicant status portal after submitting your application. 

Creative Research Methodologies PhD Option

The Centre welcomes applications from people with an established creative practice who would like to incorporate creative research methodologies  into their dissertation work. Applicants who are interested in doing so must have the required expertise and resources to carry out the proposed creative work. Their letter of intent must 1) describe the type of creative research practice they intend to pursue so the Centre can determine whether it can provide appropriate supervisory and committee support. The applicant must 2) direct at least one reference letter writer to testify to the applicant’s competency in the relevant creative practice, and the applicant must 3) articulate how the creative practice may be employed as a method for elucidating critical questions animating the dissertation project.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact: Bao Nguyen, Graduate Administrator. 

For questions specifically pertaining to the academic graduate program, language and coursework requirements, etc., please contact the Director or Associate Director. We encourage applicants to the PhD program to directly contact via email, faculty with whom they are interested in working.

updated November 11, 2024