MASTER OF ARTS IN ART HISTORY

Requirements:
• Honours BA in Art History or Visual Arts with a minimum B+ standing.
• Previous course work in theory and criticism is desirable and studio experience is recommended.

Documentation Required

• One official academic transcript from all post- secondary institutions attended.

Past or current students of The University of Western do not need to provide transcripts for their academic history at Western. This information will be obtained internally.

If you have attended or are currently enrolled at any Ontario university or college other than The University of Western Ontario you must use the electronic application process in order to request transcripts. These transcripts will be delivered electronically to each of the programs to which you are applying.
 
If you have attended a university or college outside Ontario, you must submit one official academic transcript in hard copy from each post-secondary institution attended. These must be sent to the Department of Visual Arts at the address below.

• Two letters of reference.

Applicants are required to enter the names and contact information (including e-mail address) of their referees into the online application. Once the application is processed, the referee will receive a request via e-mail to complete an electronic recommendation form on the applicant’s behalf. A link to the form will be included in the e-mail. The referee will receive a reminder in two weeks if the recommendation is not received. The applicant will receive an e-mail when Western receives the referee’s letter of recommendation.

• One sample of written work, normally an essay in art history.

•  A well considered statement of intent regarding the applicant's work in art history. The statement of intent (in the application material) must indicate how an applicant views his/her direction in the wider context of contemporary culture and scholarship, and how Western's program could facilitate the applicant's goals. Members of the selection committee will consider the applicant's ability to express his/her intent in a coherent written statement.

• English Proficiency Test

All applicants whose first language is not English should be aware that the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent must be taken before applying to our program.  The TOEFL is waived for applicants whose first language is not English who have already successfully completed a university degree at a university in an English speaking country.

MASTER OF FINE ARTS

Requirements:

• BFA or Honours BA in Visual Arts with a minimum B+ standing.

• Studio concentration in a Bachelor's program.

• Minimum of three full courses (or equivalent) in art history including Modern, Contemporary, or Canadian Art.

Documentation Required

• One official academic transcript from all post- secondary institutions attended.

Past or current students of The University of Western do not need to provide transcripts for their academic history at Western. This information will be obtained internally.

If you have attended or are currently enrolled at any Ontario university or college other than The University of Western Ontario you must use the electronic application process in order to request transcripts. These transcripts will be delivered electronically to each of the programs to which you are applying.
 
If you have attended a university or college outside Ontario, you must submit one official academic transcript in hard copy from each post-secondary institution attended. These must be sent to the Department of Visual Arts at the address below.

• Two letters of reference.
   
Applicants are required to enter the names and contact information (including e-mail address) of their referees into the online application. Once the application is processed, the referee will receive a request via e-mail to complete an electronic recommendation form on the applicant’s behalf. A link to the form will be included in the e-mail. The referee will receive a reminder in two weeks if the recommendation is not received. The applicant will receive an e-mail when Western receives the referee’s letter of recommendation.

• A well considered statement of intent regarding the applicant's work in the visual arts. The statement of intent (in the application material) must indicate how an applicant views his/her direction in the context of contemporary culture and scholarship and how Western's program could facilitate the applicant's goals. Members of the selection committee will consider the applicant's ability to express his/her intent in a coherent manner.

• One sample of written work at least 1000 words

• English Proficiency Test

All applicants whose first language is not English should be aware that the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent must be taken before applying to our program.  The TOEFL may be waived for applicants whose first language is not English who have already successfully completed a university degree at a university in an English speaking country.

• Applicants may submit more than one type of documentation. All items must clearly indicate the applicant's name.

• Twenty images (digital format preferred*) representing, as far as possible, a body of work, accompanied by a list indicating date, title and medium; or items that illustrate multidisciplinary work (e.g. performance) such as manuscripts, video (DVD), audio tapes, digital audio/video works, photographs, CD-ROM, etc., accompanied by a description of the work.
  
  *Guidelines for Submitting Digital Images:
• Digital images should be PC compatible jpegs, 72dpi, 1024 x 768 pixels max, no larger than 500K, in RGB or SRGB colour mode (no CMYK).
• Each file must be labeled with a number and title. The first nine images must begin with a zero (for example: 01title.jpg, 02title.jpg…15title.jpg). This will ensure that they follow your list
• Do not put any special characters or symbols or quotation marks (#/-“&|…) in the file name. If you are submitting a video file please ensure that it is no longer than 5 minutes; that it can be accessed using one of the following plug-ins: Quicktime, RealPlayer, Shockwave, Windows Media Player or Flash. If you are submitting both images and video, you must remove 5 images for every video submitted.
• Do not submit: 1) MAC files that are not PC compatible; 2) any type of electronic presentation (MS Powerpoint, Word Perfect Presentation, etc); 3) compressed files; 4) hyperlinks to Internet sites with your images; 5) any material requiring software, plug-ins, extensions, or any other executables to be downloaded; 6) files by e-mail.
• Do not submit any other component of your application electronically on your CD-ROM or on your DVD.
  

Ph.D.

Ph.D. in Art and Visual Culture
Admission to the Ph.D. program requires either an M.A. in art history, visual culture or curatorial studies or an M.F.A. or M.V.A. with an average of at least 80% (A-). Students with equivalent qualifications in relevant visual fields such as film or media studies will also be considered if they can demonstrate significant professional experience and accomplishments in the field. Students must submit a completed application form, a statement of their research interests, and samples of their work. In the case of art history students this will likely be a sample term paper, thesis chapter or publication. In the case of studio students this would consist of photographic, video or digital documentation of their studio practice as well as a writing sample. Applications should include sufficient information about research plans to enable the program to identify possible supervisors. All applicants must also arrange for the submission of two letters of reference.

Documentation Required:

All applicants are required to send the following documents:

• One official academic transcript from all post- secondary institutions attended.

Past or current students of The University of Western do not need to provide transcripts for their academic history at Western. This information will be obtained internally.

If you have attended or are currently enrolled at any Ontario university or college other than The University of Western Ontario you must use the electronic application process in order to request transcripts. These transcripts will be delivered electronically to each of the programs to which you are applying.

If you have attended a university or college outside Ontario, you must submit one official academic transcript in hard copy from each post-secondary institution attended. These must be sent to the Department of Visual Arts at the address below.

• Two letters of reference.

Applicants are required to enter the names and contact information (including e-mail address) of their referees into the online application. Once the application is processed, the referee will receive a request via e-mail to complete an electronic recommendation form on the applicant’s behalf. A link to the form will be included in the e-mail. The referee will receive a reminder in two weeks if the recommendation is not received. The applicant will receive an e-mail when Western receives the referee’s letter of recommendation.

• A well considered statement of intent regarding the applicant's work in art history/visual arts. The statement of intent (in the application material) must indicate how an applicant views his or her direction in the context of contemporary culture and scholarship and how Western's program could facilitate the applicant's goals. Members of the selection committee will consider the applicant's ability to express his or her intent in a coherent written statement.

• English Proficiency Test

All applicants whose first language is not English should be aware that the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent must be taken before applying to our program.  The TOEFL may be waived for applicants whose first language is not English who have already successfully completed a university degree at a university in an English speaking country.

For art history-based applications:

• Two samples of written work, normally essay in art history.

For studio-based applicants:

• A writing sample of at least 2000 words.

• Applicants may submit more than one type of the following documentation. All items must clearly indicate the applicant's name.

• Twenty images (digital format preferred*) representing, as far as possible, a body of work, accompanied by a list indicating date, title and medium; or items that illustrate multidisciplinary work (e.g. performance) such as manuscripts, videotapes (VHS), audio tapes, digital audio/video works, photographs, CD-ROM, etc., accompanied by a description of the work.

*Guidelines for Submitting Digital Images:

• Digital images should be PC compatible jpegs, 72dpi, 1024 x 768 pixels max, no larger than 500K, in RGB or SRGB colour mode (no CMYK).

• Each file must be labeled with a number and title. The first nine images must begin with a zero (for example: 01title.jpg, 02title.jpg…15title.jpg). This will ensure that they follow your list

• Do not put any special characters or symbols or quotation marks (#/-“&|…) in the file name. If you are submitting a video file please ensure that it is no longer than 5 minutes; that it can be accessed using one of the following plug-ins: Quicktime, RealPlayer, Shockwave, Windows Media Player or Flash. If you are submitting both images and video, you must remove 5 images for every video submitted.

• Do not submit: 1) MAC files that are not PC compatible; 2) any type of electronic presentation (MS Powerpoint, Word Perfect Presentation, etc); 3) compressed files; 4) hyperlinks to Internet sites with your images; 5) any material requiring software, plug-ins, extensions, or any other executables to be downloaded; 6) files by e-mail.

• Do not submit any other component of your application electronically on your CD-ROM or on your DVD.