Admissions
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization in all aspects of graduate and postdoctoral studies. For more information regarding these commitments please visit grad.uwo.ca/edi-d.
Visual Arts
Master of Arts (MA)Meet Hannah Verster, MA candidate in Visual Arts
Describe your research.
The focus of my Master’s research explores the visual arts, literature, environmentalism, sustainability, and geology in T. S. Eliot’s poem “The Waste Land.” I’ll be examining the ways in which Eliot’s poem operates as a framework through which we can examine our society’s current state of climate emergency. My research will culminate in my curation of an exhibition that will examine how contemporary artists have used the metaphor of “waste lands” as a way to navigate and find meaning in our contemporary ecological moment.
What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
I was lucky enough to have been selected to work as an intern at the McIntosh Gallery this past term, working alongside curator and Professor Helen Gregory, and aiding in research for an upcoming publication on “The Botanical Turn” exhibit. The program is unlike any other as it offers diverse program streams. For example, I’m part of the “Project Based” stream, meaning I have the opportunity to build an exhibit related to my area of study.
Where’s your favourite place on campus to work?
My favourite place to work and study on campus has to be the river that runs behind the Visual Arts Centre. It’s the perfect quiet spot to read a book, eat your lunch, or sketch when you need a break from the bustle of campus.
What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
My advice for anyone looking to apply to my graduate program would be to reach out to the current chair of the department, or professors in the area of study they’re hoping to pursue, and ask to meet with them in person. This allows incoming students to make one-on-one connections with university professionals and potential future professors.
Program Websites
Program Contact
Parveen Grewal, Program Assistant (vagrads@uwo.ca)Department of Visual Arts
Western UniversityJohn Labatt Visual Arts Centre
London, Ontario N6A 5B7
t. 519-661-2111 ext. 83440
f. 519-661-2020
The one year MA in Art History and Curatorial Studies offers training in the histories and theories of art and visual culture. The MA degree requires full-time study for three terms (fall, winter, summer) and has three streams, a course-based stream, a thesis-based stream, and a project-based (curatorial) stream. It prepares its graduates for advanced study in the field, as well as for careers in museums, galleries, and other areas of the arts. In first semester, all MA and MFA students take a core course in art theory and research methods together, thereby providing opportunities for exchange between historical and contemporary perspectives. From there, students work in small seminar courses, complete a second language requirement, have the opportunity to undertake an internship, and complete either a major research paper or thesis, depending on stream.
Program Length
- 3 Terms
Program Design
- Full-time study
- Course-based, project-based or thesis-based
Funding Information
Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html
Graduate Student Affordability Calculator
Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.
Admission Requirements
- Honours BA degree in art history or visual arts with a minimum B+ standing.
Students with equivalent qualifications in relevant visual fields such as film or media studies will also be considered.
Additional Requirements
- Students must submit a sample of written work (normally an essay in art history).
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory* achievement within the last two years in one of the following:
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL). iBT (internet-Based Test): The minimum acceptable score is 86, with no individual score below 20.
- The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score is 6.5 out of 9.
- The Duolingo English Test. Applicants must attain a minimum score of 115.
- The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The minimum acceptable score is 60.
- Western English Language Centre. The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level.
- Fanshawe College’s ESL Program. The requirement is graduation from Level 10, English for Academic Purposes, with a minimum 80% in all components.
*Programs at Western may require a higher minimum score than those listed above.
Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to complete one of the above tests or programs and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by the testing agency.
Exemptions
Students must contact the graduate program(s) to which they have applied in order to request an exemption.
Application Deadline
- January 15 - Acceptance notification in March
