PhD English at University of New Brunswick

Programme overview

UNB's celebrated English graduate programs offer both creative writing and academic streams of study, helping students reach both their creative and critical potential. The academic MA and PhD programs now also include the opportunity to earn a degree in Gender and Sexuality in Literature. Students feel particularly welcome because of our small class sizes.

Faculty: School of Graduate Studies | Duration: 4 years; 5 years direct-entry | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall only | Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

What you will study

Research areas include Canadian Literature, including Atlantic Canadian, American Literature, Postcolonial Literature, Indigenous Literatures of Turtle Island, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Cultural Studies, Film and Popular Culture, Ecoliterature.

Career pathways

Our graduates go on to become professional writers, editors, journalists, marketers, teachers, professors and researchers, amongst other things.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

All applicants to the MA program (Creative, Academic, GSL) should hold an honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English (or a similar program with intensive specialization) with a minimum 3.5 average. Applicants to the Gender and Sexuality in Literature stream should have a BA in English with introductory coursework in Gender/Sexuality/Women’s Studies. The same level of degree with at least B average (North American System) or upper class standing (British System) is normally required for graduates of other universities. MA applicants are required to submit the following:

Domestic applicants: CAD 9,168 a year (2026-27). Full-time research-based tuition for three terms (Fall, Winter, Summer; 2026-27, effective 1 September 2026) from UNB's Masters/PhD Arts fee sheet; 'Masters/PhD' sheets apply to both degree levels. Excludes mandatory fees, GSA fees, health/dental, bus pas Source

International applicants: CAD 16,623 a year (2026-27). Full-time research-based tuition for three terms (Fall, Winter, Summer; 2026-27, effective 1 September 2026) from UNB's Masters/PhD Arts fee sheet; 'Masters/PhD' sheets apply to both degree levels. Excludes mandatory fees, GSA fees, health/dental, bus pas Source

Most graduate students commence their programs in September, but many graduate programs also accept students in January and May.

Graduate applications are submitted online and may be submitted at any time, with deadlines set by each program; the application fee is $65 CAD for domestic and $125 CAD for international applicants (non-refundable).

Apply through the official page: https://www.unb.ca/gradstudies/admissions/

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