Master of Arts in History M.A.

The Trent History Masters Program is as unique as the students and professors who give it life.

Enjoy small class sizes, supervisors with wide ranging fields of study and the opportunity to teach undergraduates.

Choose between a major research paper or a thesis, and structure your studies over one year or two. 

Delve deep into one of more than 30 areas of study – many of which are one-of-a-kind in Canada. Work with world-class scholars who are as interested in your research as they are in their own.

• Teach first-year students and gain leadership and mentorship experience.
• Debate, discuss, and take away transferrable skills in research, project management, oral and written communication.
• Prepare for a Ph.D. or a career in the private or public sector.

History M.A. website

Program Options

• M.A.
• Full- or part-time studies
• Thesis-based or course-based program
• Research opportunities in six fields of study: Colonialism and Conflict; Regional and Trans-National History; Social and Cultural History; Iberian-American History; Canadian History; European History
• 12 months to 2 years full-time to complete
• 2 to 5 years part-time to complete
• September intake only

Admission Requirements 

• Honours degree (a four year undergraduate bachelor's degree) with at least B+ (77%) in the last two years of full-time study, or last ten full academic credits
• Appropriate previous education and training, plus feasible proposed course of study and research project

  A GRE test score is not required for admission into this program 

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 preferred; however, professional references will be accepted. 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

Typically 1-2 pages, outlining applicant's objectives in a graduate program. Any specific research interests (if known), relevant experiences, and/or career aspirations can be included. If a potential supervisor has been discussed, please identify this in your plan of study. 

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: history_ma@trentu.ca

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