Prospective Students
Programs
Modern Languages Education
MEdTeaching English as a Second Language
MEdLiteracy Education
MEdModern Languages Education
MATeaching English as a Second Language
MALiteracy Education
MALanguage and Literacy Education
PhDTeaching English as a Second Language
PhDLiteracy Education
DiplomaTeaching English as a Second Language
DiplomaTeacher-Librarianship
DiplomaTeaching English as a Second Language
CertificateTeacher-Librarianship
CertificateThe Department of Language & Literacy Education only admits students to the graduate on-campus programs for the Winter Session (courses start in September). We don’t offer any other intakes.
Online MEd Programs
Online Master of Education programs are administered by the Professional Development & Community Engagement office. Please visit their website for complete details on these programs:
Diploma and Certificate Programs
In addition to graduate degrees, the Department offers courses toward Diploma programs in Literacy Education, in Teaching English as a Second Language and in Teacher-librarianship, all designed for professionals with a first degree and at least a year’s teaching experience and Certificate programs in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and in Teacher-librarianship (LIBE).
Admissions for Diplomas and Certificate programs are handled by the Professional Development and Community Engagement office. See the PDCE website for application procedures. For program advice and other questions, please consult with the admissions office.
Specializations
Literacy Education: The diploma and graduate programs in Literacy Education engage aspiring professionals in the study of rich language and literacy practices from early childhood through adolescence and adulthood. Work in this field draws on many disciplines that inform the study of language and literacy education, including sociological, linguistic, anthropological, literary, and post-structural perspectives. We also offer a part-time, 100% online, personalized cohort program designed for working teachers. Learn more about the program here.
Expanded opportunities for studies in children’s literature, and information, media and digital literacies are offered through application to the Literacy graduate programs. Students in this LITR specialization of teacher librarianship take courses in the above following areas and two courses in the School of Library and Archival Information Studies: LIBR 500 Foundations of Information Technology and LIBR 503 Foundations of Information Sources and Services.
Indigenous Language & Literacy Education: In LLED, our work in Indigenous language and literacy education supports community-led and community-driven initiatives with the intention to build capacity of and for Indigenous Peoples and their respective communities to reclaim, revitalize, and maintain their language, literacy, and literary practices. Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing (e.g. storytelling, oratory, dance, drumming, navigation) are authentic and valid forms of language and literacy education that are grounded in specific knowledge systems that we – individually and collectively – can all learn from, engage with, and be transformed by.
Those interested in pursuing PhD in Indigenous language & Literacy Education should apply to “Language and Literacy Education” as program area. Those interested in pursuing MA or MEd in in Indigenous language & Literacy Education should apply to “Literacy Education” as program area.
Teaching English as a Second Language: Integrating research and practice, the graduate programs in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) offer professional development to teachers of ESL and prepare researchers and leaders in applied linguistics. TESL graduate students gain experience and understanding in such areas as: K-12 ELL education, current issues in TESL theory and practice, second language acquisition, second language reading and writing, language socialization, language and identity, second language assessment, discourse analysis, and research methods. We also offer a fully online MEd program designed to develop outstanding professionals in the field of TESL. Learn more about the program here.
Modern Languages Education: We offer specialized, individualized and interdisciplinary graduate programs in French immersion, French as a Second or Foreign Language [FSL, FFL], Asia-Pacific and the other modern languages education. These programs involve study in second language curriculum, assessment, second language acquisition, bilingualism and intercultural education.
PhD Admissions Requirements
Admission to the doctoral program is highly competitive and we have the capacity to admit only a few outstanding applicants each year. We do not typically consider PhD applicants who already hold a doctoral degree.
Admission to the PhD Program in Language & Literacy Education requires:
- Master’s degree with high standing in a relevant educational discipline
- English Proficiency Tests (if required): Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application
Your application will be adjudicated with the following considerations:
- Your academic excellence, including awards; fellowships; scholarships; and distinctions
- Your relevant professional and academic experience, including conference presentations, professional workshops, publications, and relevant teaching experiences
- The availability of a faculty member with similar research interests and appropriate background to supervise the proposed research
If you are interested in working with particular faculty members, you can indicate this in your statement of interest or on the application form. However, admissions decisions are made by an admissions committee and individual professors are unable to make commitments to you before the committee’s adjudication. Thus, there is no need for you to contact a potential supervisor prior to your application.
When indicating potential supervisor(s), please note that assistant professors of teaching, associate professors of teaching, and professors of teaching will need the university’s approval to supervise PhD or MA students.
MA/MEd Admissions Requirements
Credential or Degree
An approved Bachelor’s degree in education, language studies, or a related area*.
*From Quebec’s French universities, a three-year Bachelor’s degree is acceptable provided the Diplome d’Etudes Collegiales (DEC) has been previously awarded.
Grade
Canadian and USA institutions: a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC) in third- and fourth-year courses.
Other countries: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/check-your-eligibility
In cases where applicants have also completed graduate-level coursework toward a master’s level program, or as an unclassified student, this coursework is assessed separately. A considerably higher standing may be required because of competitive demand.
English Proficiency Tests
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. See the English Requirements section for more information.
Background in discipline:
In general, for applications to the Literacy Education program, at least an 18-credit concentration in the subject area is required with at least a B+ standing. The following are the minimum requirements for each specialization area.
- Literacy Education: Secondary and Elementary:
Appropriate background includes an undergraduate degree in any discipline combined with post-degree teacher education (BEd or equivalent) with expertise in secondary English or elementary language arts. - Public, Government/Non-Government, and Community Sectors:
Appropriate background includes an undergraduate degree in disciplines leading to professions such as public librarians, early childhood educators, adult educators, educational consultants, curriculum designers, materials and policy developers, non-government and community-based organizations, and the informal education sector.
Please see the description of all LLED courses on Workday Student.
Teaching Experience
At least two years of successful teaching experience – we consider carefully the type and length (in years) of the candidate’s teaching experience and its relevance to the program.
Academic Experience
For MA applicants, we also consider carefully any relevant professional and academic experience including conference presentations, professional workshops, and publications.
Evidence of Research Ability
MA applicants must demonstrate their ability to conduct data-based research. We judge from your statement of interest, sample writing, and recommendation letters.
Availability of Faculty Member
If you are applying to MA and interested in working with particular faculty members, you can indicate their name(s) in your statement of interest or on the application form. However, admissions decisions are made by an admissions committee and individual professors are unable to make commitments to supervising you in advance of the committee’s adjudication. Thus, there is no need for you contact potential supervisor(s) to obtain their commitment to supervision.
When indicating potential supervisor(s), please note that assistant professors of teaching, associate professors of teaching, and professors of teaching will need the university’s approval to supervise PhD or MA students.
Awards, Fellowships, Scholarships, and Distinctions
If you have received any awards, fellowships, scholarships, and distinctions, indicate so in your application.
Deadlines
The online applications are open from August 1st. The deadline to submit an online application is December 1st, to upload documents is December 6th, and to submit references is December 15th.
For domestic students applying to the on-campus MA/MEd programs in Literacy Education, the deadline to submit an online application is February 1st, to upload documents is February 6th, and to submit references is February 15th.
Online Application and Fees
All applications are done through the Faculty of Graduate Studies Online Application. Please note that your online application will not be processed until you have completed payment online and electronic reference notification will not be sent to your referees unless you have completed the application.
For details about the online application system and fees, please visit the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies page.
English Requirements
Applicants who received a degree from a North American university are not required to submit their English test scores. Similarly, applicants who completed their degree outside North America from an institution in which English was the primary language of instruction of the entire university (not just a program) are not required to provide English test scores as part of their application.
Please note that we can only accept your English test scores if the test has been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of the application. An official test score report ordered from the testing agency has to be sent to UBC. Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to UBC Grad School are:
TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, minimum score 580 (paper-based) or 237 (computer based), or new minimum TOEFL score of 92 (with a minimum of 22 for each component).
or
MELAB – Michigan English Language Assessment Battery. Minimum overall score 85.
or
IELTS – International English Language Testing System – Academic. Minimum overall band score 7, with no component less than 6.5.
or
PTE – Pearson Test of English – Minimum overall score of 66, with no component less than 61.
Score submission for IELTS:
UBC requires an official score to be sent to us electronically from the test centre.
On the IELTS application form you will be asked to specify institutions where you would like the results being sent to. To ensure UBC receives your results correctly, you have to use the following details on the application:
- Name of institution: The University of British Columbia
- Name of person/department: Graduate School Admissions
- Address: 170-6371 Crescent Road, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
Score submission for TOEFL:
- use the University of British Columbia’s institution code 0965
- give the reason for taking TOEFL “to enter a college or university as a graduate student”
UBC accepts either an official paper score report sent directly to the university from the testing centre or electronic submission.
For more information regarding English Requirements please here.
Required Documents
Transcripts and Academic Documents
- Applicants must upload a copy of the official transcript for every post-secondary institution they have attended, including original transcripts for the transfer credit and exchange courses.
- The uploaded documents must be copies of the official transcripts and diplomas (no grade sheets or unofficial transcript from the portal acceptable): order official transcripts from your institution(s), and then scan and upload copies to the application system.
- Applicants need to provide a key or a legend to transcript grades and symbols (usually the back of the transcript). The key explains the grading, course numbering system, etc.
- All pages of one transcript must be uploaded as a single file (rather than a separate file for each page).
- If the transcript is issued in a language other than English: upload a copy of the transcript in the original language and the certified English translation of the transcripts from the home university’s translation service or a certified English translator.
- No UBC transcripts are required- we have access to those documents.
- WES report is not required. It can be handy as supplemental data but cannot substitute the official transcript.
- We don’t require the GRE for admission to our programs.
Reference Letters
- Three references are required for application to graduate programs. Those references should be confidential, and not seen by the applicant.
- Applicants may choose to use academic and/or professional references. We require three references including at least one university instructor.
- In the online application system, applicants provide an institutional/ email address for each referee – a unique link is emailed to the referee, allowing them to submit an online reference or upload a free-form letter as an attachment.
- The uploaded free-form document must be on the institutional letterhead and have the referee’s signature.
- If a referee has a non-institutional email account (gmail, hotmail, etc.), they have to send the reference by post in a sealed envelope and sign across the flap of it. Our mailing address is:
Department of Language & Literacy Education
Graduate Program Assistant
Ponderosa Commons Oak House
Room 2013, 6445 University Boulevard
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6T 1Z2
- Photocopies of reference letters, faxes, emails, or documents received without the sealed envelope and the signature of the referee are not acceptable.
- If the reference is issued in a language other than English: referee has to send by post the original reference and certified English translation.
Statement of Interest
- The statement must be written in the form of a short essay (maximum of 500 words).
- It should explain in what way your academic or research interest matches what our department offers and how much you are prepared to embark on your graduate study in language and literacy education and/or to conduct your research on a particular topic.
- It is also the opportunity to tell us about your past education and other experiences; specific skills/expertise; publications; presentations; and what you hope to achieve in our program.
CV/Resumé
- Resumé/Curriculum Vitae, a short summary of relevant professional and academic background. Please outline your work experience and academic history. See the following suggested items with a CV Sample
Writing Sample (for PhD and MA applicants)
An example of scholarly writing, such as a portion of a master’s thesis or a short scholarly paper (maximum 30 pages; please do not send books or hardbound copies). Please upload your writing sample as an electronic file (doc or pdf) in the online application.
Admissions
Offers of Admission
Once a student is deemed admissible an appropriate pro tem (temporary) advisor for the student is identified. “Qualifying” status calls for the completion of specified prerequisites before being fully admitted to the program.
Any offer for admission is valid only for the academic year it is made. Candidates who do not accept an offer must reapply if they wish to be considered for admission in a subsequent year. It is not necessary to submit new documents unless the student has completed further academic work.
Conditional Admission
Condition(s) that must be met before offer can be considered final. Such conditions may include final documentation showing degree conferred, or submission of academic records from previous institutions. Letter of admission stipulates deadline dates as to when the conditions must be met. Failure to comply with a condition will normally result in the student having to withdraw from the program.
Funding
Minimum Funding Policy for PhD students
Effective September 2021 onward, all full-time students who are offered admission to begin a UBC-Vancouver PhD program are provided with a minimum funding package equal to $24,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. In addition, the funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships.
The Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF)
Four Year Fellowships (4YF) may be held by domestic and international students. UBC’s best PhD, DMA, and MDPhD students are provided with financial support of at least $18,200 stipend per year plus tuition for up to four years of their doctoral studies. All PhD, DMA, and MDPhD applicants offered admission are automatically considered as candidates for 4YF. Graduate programs review their incoming and continuing students and offer 4YF to their very best students, with priority given to incoming students.
Please refer to the 4YF Guidelines for essential policies regarding holding 4YF funding.
Indigenous Graduate Fellowship
The University of British Columbia offers multi-year fellowships to Master’s and doctoral Indigenous students. Award winners are selected on the basis of academic merit through an annual competition administered by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Each fellowship provides a stipend of $18,200 plus tuition per year for doctoral students or a stipend of $16,175 plus tuition per year for Master’s students.
Applicants may or may not be UBC graduate students at the time of application – the competition is open to both incoming and continuing graduate students. However, awardees must be enrolled as full-time status graduate students at the UBC-Vancouver campus for the academic year in order to receive an Indigenous Graduate Fellowship through this competition.
International Tuition Award
International Tuition Awards assist international graduate students with their tuition fees if they are registered full-time in research-oriented master’s and doctoral programs at UBC – Vancouver campus.
President’s Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Awards (PAEIPA)
These awards are provided to recognize the significant contributions of PhD students to the research activities of the university. The awards are available to all new and continuing PhD students. The award will be assigned automatically to eligible students; students do not need to apply.