Application Deadlines

The application deadline for fall 2023 is February 1, subject to a limited number of funded positions. Completed applications received by February 1 are given priority. Please note that applications are considered only for fall term entry.

Admission Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to the PhD program in either a full-time or part-time capacity is an MA (or a recognized equivalent) in a discipline appropriate to the interdisciplinary strengths of the program. Appropriate disciplines might include English or French Literature, Art History, Film Studies, Musicology/ Ethnomusicology, Comparative Literature, Canadian Studies, Communication, Geography, History, Philosophy, Sociology, Gender Studies. A minimum grade point average of 10.0 (A-) is normally required of course work completed at the Master’s level.

Applicants who lack an MA (or its recognized equivalent) in an appropriate discipline or who are otherwise judged to lack adequate background preparation will be asked to complete designated course work over and above the course requirements of the PhD program.

Language Proficiency (ESL Test Scores)

For admission into Carleton’s graduate programs, you will need to demonstrate that your knowledge and use of English are strong enough for graduate studies at an English-language university. For a complete list of minimum English-language test scores that Carleton accepts, please visit our English as a Second Language (ESL) website. Please note:
• English-language proficiency test scores must be taken within the last two years of receipt of your application.
• Unofficial copies of your test scores must be uploaded in Carleton Central.
• Letters from your universities stating the medium of instruction is English are not acceptable.
• If you have studied for the last three years (full-time, non-ESL) in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English, you need to complete the Confirmation of Language Proficiency form. You must then save and upload it with your required documents in Carleton Central as Document Type: Language Proficiency.

Applications Procedures

The PhD program in Cultural Mediations is organized around four areas of interdisciplinary scholarship:

  • Cultural Mediations (Literary Studies)
  • Cultural Mediations (Musical Culture)
  • Cultural Mediations (Technology and Culture)
  • Cultural Mediations (Visual Culture)

Applicants are invited to apply for the area of their choice.

All applications should be submitted through Carleton 360 by selecting the appropriate option. If you are not a current Carleton University student and you do not already have a Carleton 360 account, you will need to choose Register for Carleton 360. A non-refundable application fee in Canadian funds is payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or INTERAC Online. The following documents are also required to complete your application:

  • A completed application form
  • Two letters of reference, which will be completed online by your referees
  • Transcripts (upload a pdf copy including the transcript key which is usually found on the back of your transcript) from each university that you have attended (official transcripts are required upon acceptance)
  • Two separate substantial examples of your written work of an academic nature (approximately 15-20 pages each, double-spaced, upload pdf copies)
  • A statement of intent concerning your intellectual interests and proposed area of dissertation research (approximately 2-5 pages in length, upload a pdf copy)
  • TOEFL, CAEL or TOEFL iBT Assessment scores if required (unofficial copies are uploaded at time of application), further information related to English as a Second Language Requirements can be found here

An application cannot be considered complete until all of the above are in hand.