Application Information

We will begin accepting applications for September 2025 admission beginning on October 15, 2024. The application deadline is December 15, 2024 for International applicants and January 15, 2025 for Domestic (Canadian and Permanent Resident) applicants. Applications will only be considered after the deadline date if spaces are still available.

The online application process requires the applicant to provide the following information:

• Personal and contact information
• Academic history
• Names and contact information for academic references (MA - 2 references, PhD - 3 references)
• Program specific supplemental questions
• Payment of application fee
• Supplementary documents (uploaded to the application - see below)

Supplementary documents required:

• Sample of work: One or two samples of your previous written work (totalling 15-20 pages)
• Statement of academic intent: A statement of your proposed research or thesis or research project (a maximum of 2 pages single-spaced)
• Transcripts: One electronic copy of university transcript from each post-secondary institution you have attended. Official* (hard copy) transcripts are required ONLY when we have granted conditional acceptance into our program. These should be mailed directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies following an offer of admission. Past or current students of Western do not need to provide transcripts for their academic history at Western.
• Curriculum Vitae (optional)
• Official English testing scores (if applicable - please see The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for minimum requirements.)

*Western considers a transcript official only if it is received in a university envelope that is sealed and signed on the flap by the official person in the office issuing the transcript. If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English, a certified translation must also be included. (French language transcripts from institutions within Canada do not require a translation.)

Applications are not forwarded to the Anthropology department until the form has been completed and submitted by the applicant, and the application fee has been paid.

Applications are reviewed by a committee composed of all faculty members from each stream of study (Archaeology and Bioarchaeology; Sociocultural Anthropology) and other people, as appropriate. Admission focuses on four points:

• The quality of the application package.
• The extent of interest and support from the potential supervisor.
• The fit between the student, supervisor, and program.
• Our capacity to admit and adequately fund and supervise graduate students.

The review process usually begins immediately after the January 15 application deadline. Following departmental review, applications are sent to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for final approval. We will send a response to each applicant as soon as their application has been assessed. but please note that the admissions process often takes one to two months. It is imperative that applicants inform us of any changes that may affect their application (e.g. if you receive an offer from another institution).

Before You Apply

• Ask reliable mentors whether graduate school is the right thing for you.
• Contact potential supervisors to ensure that they are accepting students for the coming year. Please refer to the Finding a Supervisor page of our website.
• Visit Western and meet with potential supervisors and with the Graduate Chair and Graduate Program Assistant. Consider attending our Graduate Program Open House for potential applicants, held every year in November.
• Carefully review our Admission Requirements and refer to our guide on What Makes a Good Application.

When You Apply

• Carefully choose referees. They need to be able to tell us about your past achievements and future potential as a graduate student. Ahead of time, send them a copy of your statement of academic intent, a copy of your curriculum vitae, your transcripts, and a clear indication of the letter deadline.
• Spend time crafting a strong statement of academic intent. It is your opportunity to tell us what you want to do, how you hope to do it, why you are qualified to do it, and how you will fit in our program.
• Note that applications are not forwarded to the Anthropology department for assessment until the application fee has been paid.

After You Apply

• Let us know if you receive offers from other programs.
• Notify us of any address change or any other status change that may affect your application.