THE MASTERS PROGRAM

Welcome to graduate work in Women's Studies, a field that has pioneered interdisciplinary studies for several decades as well as forging strong links between the University and the wider community. We have a young, vibrant graduate program that attracts excellent students from around the world to work on topics as diverse as ways in which Muslim women's identity is constructed and Muslim feminists represented, to art, social justice and identity in the classroom.

Student Research Profiles http://www.wmst.ubc.ca/students.html

The Program is administered by the Centre for Women's and Gender Studies, situated within the College for Interdisciplinary Studies. The Centre has approximately 90 Faculty Associates from departments and programs throughout the University http://www.wmst.ubc.ca/fac_assoc.html. Students may draw on their expertise when seeking research supervisors and committee members. Faculty Associates' interests and expertise cover a wide range of areas such as Gender and Development, Lesbian and Gay Studies, Gender and Cultural Studies (including Asia), Women in Canadian history and Literature (in English and French), issues related to Women's Health, and Feminist Legal Studies.

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Funding

All Canadian and international applicants are considered for Graduate Student Initiative (GSI) scholarship funding.  Separate application is not required.  The Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies allocates this funding to incoming graduate students on the basis of academic excellence.
Other sources of funding include Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, and Graduate Academic Assistantships. These are also assigned during the admissions process.
Students admitted to the Program who have a first class average in their two previous years of study will be eligible to apply for a UBC Affiliated Fellowship. Application is made in October of the year admitted and awards are taken up the following September.
The competition for SSHRC doctoral and master’s fellowships also takes place in the fall with departments coordinating applications. For further information about Affiliated Fellowships, SSHRC, and other sources of funding, visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards and Financial Aid page:http://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/index.asp?menu=000,000,000,000.

Prospective applicants who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and currently in an undergraduate program may be able to apply for a SSHRCC Master's Canada Graduate Scholarship through their home institution http://www.sshrc.ca/site/apply-demande/students-etudiants-eng.aspx.

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Program Requirements

The 30-credit MA may be completed through full or part-time study. You may choose a thesis or non-thesis option. It is possible to complete the program (full-time) in 12 months by taking 12 credits in each term and completing a 6-credit thesis over the summer. Most students prefer to take 18-24 months, particularly if they are Teaching or Research Assistants or have chosen the internship option. Flexible arrangements are available for part-time students. All students must have their programs of study approved by the Graduate Advisor.

Graduate Course Descriptions http://www.wmst.ubc.ca/prgm_courses.html
Graduate Student Handbook http://www.wmst.ubc.ca/pub_graduatehb.html

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The Admission Process

Tuition and Application Fees: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/apply/tuition/.

Our application deadline is January 15 each year for entry in September. Application and all supporting documents must arrive by the deadline date. We have only a September start date (no January intake). The program recieved appoximately 40 applications per year. The number of students admitted varies. Two students were admitted in 2007,and 2006, seven in 2005,two in 2004 and four in 2003.

Selection is made by an advisory committee representing a range of relevant research areas. Members assess the availability of appropriate courses and faculty to provide supervision to potential students.

Applicants must have a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited university-level institution. If you have a three-year degree you must take an additional year of upper-level coursework before applying. The Faculty of Graduate Studies requires a B+ average in third and fourth year-level course work, or at least 12 credits of third- or fourth-year courses in the A- grade range (at UBC 80% or higher) in the field of intended graduate study.

Applicants should also have adequate preparation in feminist theory and methodology or be willing to take extra courses, as required, to gain such preparation.

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Application Documents

Please direct all documents to the Centre for Women's & Gender Studies, 038-2080 WestMall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 Canada.

1. Application form and fee
http://www.grad.ubc.ca/apply/online/
2. Statement of intent
Usually one or two double-spaced pages. Explain why you wish to do graduate work in Women's and Gender Studies. Include a description of relevant non-academic experience, an outline of your areas of greatest interest, and an explanation of any discrepancies in the academic record.
3. Sample of academic writing
Most applicants submit an essay, or portion of one, written for a previous course.
4. Three letters of reference from academic sources (http://www.grad.ubc.ca/apply/faq/index.asp?menu=004,000,000,000)
Applicants are encouraged to use the electronic reference system.
5. Two sets of official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.
Transcripts are considered official if they arrive in envelopes sealed and endorsed by the issuing institutions. Envelopes that have been opened by the student are not official. If your institution will not issue additional official transcripts please see the following web page for instructions: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/apply/how/documents.asp.
6. English language test results.
TOEFL, MELAB and IELTS are accepted. You need not write if you have completed a degree at an institution where the primary language of instruction was English http://www.grad.ubc.ca/apply/how/language.asp.

If you have questions aboutthe program or the admission process please contact Ms. Wynn Archibald, Graduate Secretary, wmst1@interchange.ubc.ca (604-822-9171)

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Other sites that may be of interest

UBC Housing Office http://www.housing.ubc.ca/
International House http://students.ubc.ca/international/ihouse.cfm

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