Applying

You must apply to our graduate programs online via the Faculty of Graduate Studies webpage. Application information (including information on the submission of electronic references) is available there. Please note: two references are required.

Our program is a full-time thesis based program.  We admit once a year; always in September.  Applicants should apply to our program by the January 15th deadline. Students who apply after January 15th may be considered for admission, but only if space is available.

Preference is given to applicants with degrees in Sociology or Anthropology with an average of A- or higher. Students with degrees in other disciplines may be considered if space is available, but they are generally required to do extra coursework to fill in any gaps in their background.

We encourage students to shape up something of a prospective research focus and project before reaching out to possible supervisors. With this in hand, you can reach out to a potential supervisor whose research area is in alignment with yours. 

All students who apply to our program by January 15th will be considered for the following scholarships: Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarships (MA or PhD); Dalhousie Research Excellence Scholarships (PhD); Dalhousie 1-year Master’s Scholarships (MA); and Killam Doctoral Scholarships (PhD).

Please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies scholarship webpage for more information (e.g. eligibility, value) on these awards. There is no separate application required to be considered for these awards. However, students applying to our Master’s program are strongly encouraged to apply to the SSHRC Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Master’s program (deadline: December 1st, 2025). Only students who have applied for the SSHRC CGRSM via the SSHRC portal will be considered for that award. 

Students planning to apply to the doctoral program should also apply to the SSHRC Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Doctoral program (deadline: October 17th for students applying directly to SSHRC). This award is not managed by Dalhousie.

For more information on applying to our graduate program, please contact our Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Laura Eramian

HOW TO APPLY: 

In addition to submitting an application and paying the application fee via Dalonline, the following supporting documents should be uploaded to the application portal:

A LETTER OF INTENT
- 1 to 2 pages for MA applicants; 2 to 4 pages for Doctoral applicants

TWO REFERENCES

A RESUME/CV
Two References

TRANSCRIPTS
-For your initial application to graduate studies, they only require your unofficial academic transcripts for each post-secondary institution you have attended. Please include degree certificates if degree conferral is not stated on your transcripts.
- If you are accepted for admission, your final and official transcripts will be required within 90 days of the start of your program.
- Upload your unofficial transcripts to your Application Portal. Transcripts should include your first and last name, degree, program type and name of degree issuing university.

ONE WRITING SAMPLE
- A course paper or thesis chapter

ENGLISH COMPETENCY SCORE
- If the language of instruction at your previous university was not English, you must submit scores from a recognized English language test
- See FGS's English Language Requirements page for more information.

Visit the Submit Supporting Documents page on the Faculty of Graduate Studies webpage for further guidance.

The Deadline to apply for 2026/2027 graduate admission is: JANUARY 15th, 2026.