Canadian Studies Ph.D.

Make an original contribution to Canadian scholarship. Join the national conversation as part of the only interdisciplinary Canadian Studies doctorate program in the country.

Bring your intellectual curiosity and with the support of world-class faculty members, complete an original piece of research relating to Canada. Throughout your journey – coursework and a thesis – you’ll broaden your knowledge of the study of Canada and its place in the global context and add your own voice to the scholarship.

At Trent, your expertise lays the foundation for your work in five possible fields of study including culture, heritage and the arts; environment and place; policy, economy and the state; identities and social movements; and feminist, gender and women’s studies. And you’ll push the boundaries of study with the combined support of expert faculty and academic resources from two universities.

• Join a university celebrated for its role in developing the field of Canadian Studies.
• Gain experience with available summer research assistantships.
• Prepare for further studies or a career in education, social services or the non-for-profit and advocacy sectors.
• Trent provides a minimum level of funding for the first four years of the program.

Canadian Studies Ph.D. website

​Program Options

• Ph.D.
• Full-time or part-time studies
• Thesis-based program
• 4 years to complete full time
• September intake only

​Admission Requirements

• Masters degree (or equivalent) with at least high honours standing in Canadian Studies or a related discipline

The Canadian Studies Ph.D. Selection Committee will begin their selection process in the weeks following the application submission date of February 1st. All applications received after this date will be accepted and considered for funding until all available positions/spaces are filled. Students are encouraged to apply by the recommended application deadline; however, we welcome applications beyond this date.

Required Documents

Transcripts

Post-secondary transcripts and graduation certificates (where applicable) of all previous undergraduate and graduate work are required.  This includes transcripts for courses taken on a Letter of Permission, for transfer credit, or on an exchange program.   Transcripts must show all course work completed and grades received.   If applicable, evidence of degree completion is required.  Transcript must include a grading scale or transcript legend.

Please note: Transcripts are not required to be official and final when applying to the School of Graduate Studies.   Official transcripts are only required to be submitted if an applicant receives an offer of admission.

Previous or current Trent University students do not need to submit a transcript for degree and course work completed at Trent University.   Transcripts must be submitted for any course work completed at another institution – i.e.) study abroad, letter of permission, transfer credit.

Two Letters of Reference

Academic references are required. Links for your referees to submit an online reference will be sent directly to the referees you have provided on your application. We recommend you contact your referees prior to submitting an application to confirm their availability and contact information. If your referee does not receive the link, you can suggest that your referee check their junk email folder and email setting.  The email may have unintentionally been blocked by their email server.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

Proficiency in English usage, both written and oral, is essential to pursue graduate studies at Trent University. It Is required for applicants to demonstrate an adequate level of English proficiency, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. Applicants who completed two or more years of post-secondary education at a university in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the USA are exempt from this requirement. If you have completed two or more years of post-secondary education at a university where the primary language of instruction is English, the School of Graduate Studies is prepared to consider alternate proof of English language proficiency.

For detailed information about English Language Proficiency requirements, see International Applications. 

Plan of Study          template

A detailed Research Statement / Plan of Study (400-600 words) in which you explain your intention in applying for Graduate Studies and your overall expectations of the Ph.D. program. This statement should include a description of your proposed topic for the dissertation, and an explanation of why this interdisciplinary topic is likely to be of interest to others engaged in Canadian Studies, as well as a brief account of work that has been done on this, or related topics, by other scholars.  (Please note that because interests do change, this statement is not intended to serve as a binding commitment regarding dissertation topic.)

Applicants may identify a Trent faculty member as a provisional dissertation supervisor; however, this is not a requirement for admission. Incoming students will be assigned a Program Advisor, a faculty member familiar with their area of research, who can offer academic advice and guidance. Students will be required to confirm a dissertation supervisor and committee by April 1 of their first year.  Arrangements with an individual faculty member can be made in person, by phone, by email, or by correspondence. For a list of faculty members and their research interests, please visit the Faculty page.

A Writing Sample

Submit a sample of your writing of about 20 pages or less. Writing samples preferred format is PDF. Hard copies will not be accepted. Good choices for writing samples include:  an undergraduate essay, lab report, research report, journal article, a chapter from a masters thesis, or a published article. 

Additional information: 

Proof of Citizenship (ie. copy of passport or birth certificate) will be requested, only if an offer of admission is made.

Program contact information:

For any program specific inquiries or current application status, please contact the program directly: 

Email: frostcentre@trentu.ca

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