Grad application FAQs
Inquiries about our graduate programs should go to Jindra Bélanger.
Our department members are engaged in exciting and relevant research. They’re making a difference locally, regionally and internationally in archaeology, biological anthropology and cultural anthropology.
A distinctive feature of our research program and graduate training is thematic integration across anthropology's traditional sub-fields.
We are among a small number of anthropology departments in North America actively fostering meaningful connections and dialogue among anthropology's traditional sub-fields.
Several thematic foci link faculty and students across traditional sub-field boundaries. These include:
January 15 of every year.
If you would like to transfer from another institution’s graduate program, you’ll apply through our regular admissions channels.
If accepted, you may be given transfer credit for coursework at your original university, according to the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Resume
- Statement of intent
- See next question for more details
- Sample of work
- We do not have any preferred length for the sample of written work. I would suggest that you select one that best reflects your abilities.
You will also be asked to provide:
- References
- You will be asked to provide minimum of two references (and up to 6).
- These references will receive an automatic email invitation to complete an online form or upload a letter 1-2 business days after the application is submitted. Please ask them to provide your reference by the end of January.
- Unofficial transcripts
This letter is a crucial part of your application. It provides you with an opportunity to introduce yourself, articulate your research interests, and explain why you are a good fit for our program. Think of it as your chance to make a strong first impression.
What Should I Include in My Statement of Intent Letter?
- Introduce Yourself and Your Academic Background: Briefly describe your academic journey and any relevant experiences that have shaped your interest in anthropology. Highlight specific courses, projects, or fieldwork that have prepared you for graduate studies.
- Clearly Define Your Research Interests: Be specific about the area(s) of anthropology you wish to explore. Mention potential research topics, questions, or methodologies that excite you. If you have a particular faculty member whose work aligns with your interests, mention them and explain why.
- Connect Your Interests to Our Program: Demonstrate your familiarity with our program's strengths and faculty expertise. Explain how your research interests align with our department's offerings and how you would contribute to our intellectual community.
- Articulate Your Career Goals: Briefly discuss your long-term academic or professional aspirations and how our graduate program will help you achieve them.
- Showcase Your Skills and Qualities: Highlight relevant skills such as critical thinking, writing, research, and analytical abilities. If applicable, mention language proficiency, fieldwork experience, or other skills relevant to your research interests.
Example of a Strong Opening:
"I am writing to express my keen interest in the [MA/PhD] program in Anthropology at the University of Victoria. My passion for [specific area of anthropology, e.g., medical anthropology, archaeology] stems from [brief explanation, e.g., my undergraduate research on..., my experience volunteering with...]. I am particularly drawn to [Professor X's] work on [topic] and believe that your program offers the ideal environment to pursue my research interests in [area]."
Need More Help?
- Review our website: Explore our faculty profiles and research areas to gain a deeper understanding of our department.
- Attend an information session: (If applicable) Consider attending a graduate program information session to learn more and ask questions.
- Contact potential supervisors: If you have identified a faculty member whose research aligns with yours, consider reaching out to them to introduce yourself and inquire about their current research projects.
We encourage applicants to contact a potential supervisor before applying.
Please see our list of faculty members and their research interests. Contact any you would be interested in working with, describe your research interest and ask if they will be taking on new students.
Please note that the supervisor’s agreement to take you as a student does not guarantee your acceptance into the program.
We do our best to notify applicants by the end of March or the beginning of April.
You can view the checklist on your My UVic application profile for a list of received and outstanding documents.
You will be able to upload new documents to your applications even after the application has been submitted. Please keep in mind that it could take a few days before all documents received will appear on your checklist. If documents are received during holiday closure or at an extremely busy time of year it could take longer.
Once your file has sufficient information for evaluation, a graduate admissions and records officer will review it to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Once this is confirmed, your file will be forwarded to our department for assessment.
If you're applying to our graduate programs, we expect you to have passed undergraduate courses equivalent to those in our undergraduate anthropology major program.
Please contact your potential supervisor and let them know if you don't have this equivalent. You may be required to take all or some of the appropriate courses to satisfy the major requirements before completing your graduate degree.
The admissions committee may increase the number of units to correct any deficiencies in your undergraduate program. For example, students without previous training in one or more of the anthropological sub-disciplines (biological, archaeological and sociocultural) will need to take one or more upper-level undergraduate courses in those subdisciplines.
We assess students on a case-by-case basis at admission. If you're accepted, we'll advise you of suggested or required pre- or co-requisite course requirements.
The Graduate Admissions office reviews all applications first to check if they meet university entrance requirements. Eligible applications are then sent to our department for review by our graduate committee.
Admissions decisions are based on a variety of factors:
- the applicant’s scholarly promise as evidenced by transcripts
- statement of interest, letters of recommendation and written work
- availability of faculty to supervise the applicant’s research
- number of students currently enrolled in the program