Anthropology MA ACADEMIC requirements
The Department of Anthropology welcomes applications to its Masters program from Canada and internationally. The admissions process is highly competitive. We especially look for candidates with an outstanding record of academic preparation and achievement. We welcome applications from a broad spectrum of anthropological sub-disciplines. Applicants should hold a four year Bachelor's degree with a Major, Honours or concentration in Anthropology. Outstanding candidates with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines but with substantial background related to Anthropology are occasionally admitted on the condition that they complete a number of additional courses in Anthropology.
Applicants must meet several criteria for admission. One must hold a four-year Bachelor's degree with a major concentration in Anthropology (The UBC major, for example, requires a minimum of 42 credits in Anthropology courses, at least 30 of which must be numbered 300 or higher) or the equivalent. In addition, applicants to the MA program must have completed at least 12 credits in senior Anthropology courses with a minimum average of A -. The courses should cover a broad range of Anthropology, including at least three credits of archaeology or physical anthropology, six credits in ethnography, three credits in methods, and, if possible, at least three credits of anthropological theory, three credits in museum and visual anthropology. We consider and often accept for admission applications missing one or more of our admission requirements, however, students may be required to take makeup courses in this area if they are admitted. These categories and the types of courses that fulfill them are described in the UBC Calendar. Find the section online on the UBC website www.ubc.ca under Prospective Students / Academic Calendar / Faculties & Schools / Arts / Bachelor of Arts / Anthropology section.
The Department also favours applicants who have taken introductory courses in linguistics and statistics. Highly qualified applicants lacking one or more of these requirements may have courses in contiguous fields accepted as equivalents or may be required to take such courses as part of their program of study.
Beyond these minimum requirements, we look for applicants with developed intellectual interests as well as abilities and a strong commitment to their area of study. The department invites applications from students whose interests fall within the current interests of the Department. If applicants have questions about the match between their interests and those of the Department they should contact the Anthropology Graduate Secretary (anth.grad(at)ubc.ca). It is in the applicants' best interest to indicate in their prospectus which faculty members they hope to work with. It is helpful for applicants to discuss their program with them before making your final application. An application including a well-conceived statement of intent, a solid sample of academic writing, and detailed supportive letters of reference will receive our most favorable attention.
The Department receives far more applications than it can accommodate each year. We consider applications in terms of available faculty and resources. Inevitably, some excellent students are turned down. Applicants should bear this in mind. It is in your interest to consider applying to several graduate schools.