Applicants for admission must be graduates of a recognized university, college, or institute as well as show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the Admission Requirements of a particular program, degree students must have a four year bachelor's degree or its equivalent with at least second class standing (B) based on their last 20 half courses or equivalent.

An applicant holding a degree other than one in the discipline area to which admission is sought will be considered on the basis of courses taken and academic standing. A Qualifying Year at the undergraduate level may be required to meet the admission standards. Courses taken as part of a Qualifying Year can not be used as credit towards a graduate degree.

In addition to the general admission requirements for Master programs, the following requirements also apply:
Theory Requirement - As prerequisites and/or co-requisites for graduate work, candidates must have taken/be taking at least one FCE in literary and cultural theory, such as English 2913 or its equivalent. Should the candidates be lacking in this area, they must take one FCE in literary and cultural theory, normally English 2913, in addition to the other courses in order to qualify for the Master of Arts degree.
Candidates should communicate with the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of English concerning offerings for the ensuing year.
Thesis, research-project, and creative-project program candidates should also discuss possible thesis, research-project, or creative-project topics with the Graduate Coordinator of the department in order that a thesis, research-project, or creative-project supervisor may be assigned.
Graded English Essay - International applicants must provide a graded English essay from their undergraduate studies, as part of the application process.


Our minimum admission requirement for international applicants is 75% or 3.0 on a 4 point Canadian scale, with an accredited university degree equivalent to a Lakehead University 4 year degree.

IELTS - Minimum Score: 6.5 (no individual score less than 6.0).
TOEFL - Minimum Score for Internet Based Test (iBT): 80 (no component score less than 19).Minimum Score for Computer Based Test (cBT): 213 (no component score less than 17. Minimum Score for Paper Based Test (pBT) when Speaking is present: 550 (no component score less than 50.The revised pBT is not accepted as Speaking is no longer a category.
DuoLingo English Test - Minimum Score 110
Michigan English Test (MET) - Minimum Score 85