Art History and Visual Studies (PhD)

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Art History and Visual Studies (PhD) cost?

  CAD 8,571 / year.

• What English score does it need?

  IELTS 6.5 overall is the score listed for this programme.

• How long is it?

  4 years, as listed by the university.

• What are the entry requirements?

  Program-specific requirements As part of your application, you must submit: - a three page statement of the reasons for your interest in a career in art history - Why this department? - What skills are you planning to gain from your degree? - What do you want to study? - What experience do you have in your field of study? - Would you like to study or do research with a particular faculty member? - a CV - transcripts - names and email addresses of two academic references - a sample of your written art-historical research (for example, a paper, publication or an MA thesis) You should have a master's degree in the history of art or a closely related field from a recognized university. You must also show that you are capable of undertaking advanced research. (This capability will be judged on the basis of a master's thesis or other scholarly work, including publications, as well as from letters of reference from qualified referees.) Ensure you meet the minimum graduate school admission requirements . You must demonstrate English language proficiency to attend UVic. Learn about language requirements , including allowable exemptions and tests. IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no section less than 6.0 (Academic IELTS only, test centre or online; IELTS Academic One Skill Retake accepted); TOEFL iBT for tests taken after 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no section less than 4.0; for tests taken before 21 January 2026: 90 overall with no section less than 20 (iBT test centre or Home Edition; MyBest Scores accepted); PTE 65 with no skill less than 60; CAEL 70 with no component below 60; MET 64 with no section less than 60; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 180 with no component below 170. Test scores more than two years old are not accepted. Individual departments may set a higher standard. (Source: UVic Graduate Admissions, Language proficiency.) · English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90; PTE Academic 65 · English test waiver: Requirement already met if English is your primary language, you hold a degree from a designated English-speaking country, or you hold a degree from a recognized institution at which the language of instruction is English. Applicants who cannot provide proof may still be considered and complete UVic's University Admission Preparation (UAP) course with a grade of at least 80%, provided the prospective academic unit is willing to admit on that condition; UAP is a 12-week program offered in January, April and September, and in an intensive four-week summer format. UVic does not accept university English preparation courses from other institutions. · Application fee: CAD 187.00 if any documents originate outside Canada; CAD 145.25 if all documents originate within Canada (payable online by credit card; the application is not processed until payment is received). Source: UVic Graduate Admissions, How to apply.

• Is there a scholarship?

  Graduate students admitted to a graduate degree programs are automatically considered for a fellowship, based on a qualifying GPA. Individual fellowship amounts may vary depending on the program. UVic Fellowship - Up to $20,000 per year (PhD) Eligibility - The minimum requirement for UVic fellowship consideration is a B+ average on the last two years of course work - To receive your payment, UVic fellowship holders must be registered in a minimum of 1.5 units of graduate level courses - Full-time registration for students registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) is 1.5 units You can also join the co-op program or work as a research or teaching assistant . Funding opportunities