This program leads to a Master of Arts (MA) in Humanities, with a PhD also offered for students pursuing further research. It focuses on the many ways human cultures and their diverse forms of expression have developed and continue to develop, drawing on faculty across literature, philosophy, history and cultural studies. MA students complete specialized coursework in the humanities and a major research paper, while PhD students complete comprehensive examinations and a dissertation. A concurrent Graduate Diploma in Comparative Literature is available alongside either degree, allowing students to add a cross-language, cross-cultural literary specialization to their MA or PhD. The program suits students who want to pursue interdisciplinary, cross-cultural study of human expression at an advanced level, whether preparing for further doctoral research or an MA-level specialization in the humanities.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Applicants require a minimum B+ average, three letters of recommendation, a statement of research intention, a CV, and a sample of written work. Unless exempt, applicants must meet York's graduate English proficiency minimums: IELTS Academic 7.5, TOEFL iBT 5 (MyBest scale, for tests taken January 2026 or later), Duolingo English Test 140, or PTE Academic 76.
