Admissions + Application

How to Apply

Prospective students will apply through the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) online application system, Graduate Studies Management Solution (GSMS). First time applicants will be required to create an account in GSMS. 

To apply for the MA/MLIS program in GSMS, select "Master of Arts - Digital Humanities" as the department, and the MA/MLIS as the program. After you have applied, you will receive login information for Bear Tracks, the U of A's online student portal. 

Applications from students admitted to the MA component of the program will then be forwarded to the SLIS office for admission to the MLIS component of the program.

Apply Now MA in Digital Humanities

Supporting Documentation

Once you have applied to the MA/MLIS program, you will be asked to upload supporting documentation and provide email addresses of two referees. Applicants will NO LONGER be mailing documents to our department. Applicants will need to upload all documents to the new online application system. Your application will be considered complete when you submit the following:

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume
  • Two (2) Referee Letters of Support*
  • Transcripts (from all post-secondary institutions attended)

The Admissions Committee is looking for strong indications of professional promise and the academic capability of successfully completing a graduate program. If required, the Committee may contact applicants to request clarification of questions arising from documents submitted.

*Referee (reference) letter requirements may differ slightly between the MA and MLIS programs. When applying for a combined degree program with varying reference letter requirements, adhere to the program demanding the higher number of reference letters. Please carefully review the admission requirements for both programs to ensure your application is accurate and complete.

Statement of Purpose
In approximately 1000-2000 words, let us know why you are interested in pursuing your MA/MLIS, any research interests you may have, and why you want to study here at the University of Alberta.

Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Current CV or resume is required for admission to the program. Information found in your CV will help our Admissions Committee assess your eligibility for our program.

Two (2) Referee Letters of Support
You must provide email addresses of two referees. The application system will automatically send them an electronic form to complete. Once they complete and submit their form, you will be notified by email. The system will keep sending reminder emails to your referees until we receive their form.

Academic referees are preferred; where fewer than two academic referees are available, one professional/supervisor referee is acceptable.

Transcripts (from all post-secondary institutions you have attended)

  • The transcript must be scanned as a PDF file in its entirety (front and back pages), including the transcript legend typically printed on the back of the transcript, and be legible. Ensure that no information is cut off during scanning.
  • Up-to-date transcripts are defined as transcripts dated within a year of the term for which you are applying. This means the issued/print date on the transcript should be from September and beyond. For example, if applying to enter September 2025, then the issued/printed date on the transcript must be no older than September 1, 2024.

Review of Applications

Review of applications will be made for all complete applications. As this is a dual degree program, you must be admitted into both programs by both schools (MA and MLIS). For admissions information about the MA portion of the application, please visit Digital Humanities.

Additional information may be found on the Digital Humanities website. Applicants should also carefully review all current University Calendar regulations and Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies' Graduate Program Manual.

The matters dealt with above are subject to continuing review. The University regulations printed in the Calendar and any other of its official publications take precedence over University regulations printed herein. The University reserves the right to alter anything described herein without notice other than through the regular processes of the University