Queen’s University Graduate Application for Admission
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Deadlines
You may complete the on-line application for graduate studies at Queen’s at any time. Most acceptances are made in March and applications should be made early in the year if you wish to be considered for fellowships or awards. Please refer to the degree program websites for specific deadlines for the program that you are applying to.
Once you have reviewed the degree programs available and decided to apply, you are ready to begin the online application
Completing a Paper Application
If you cannot complete the online application, please contact or email the graduate assistant in your program of interest for a paper application.
Accommodating Disabilities
The School of Graduate Studies places great importance on accommodating disabilities and special circumstances to ensure that everyone is able to complete the application process. Any applicants with questions about accommodating their needs should e-mail the School of Graduate Studies Director of Admissions and Student Services.
Transcripts
Please note that if you are an applicant who is a graduate or current student of Queen’s, at the undergraduate or graduate level, you do not need to send transcripts. Your student record from Queen’s will be reviewed as part of the decision about your admission.
For any degrees earned outside of Queen’s, please ensure that you arrange for two official transcripts to be sent to the School of Graduate Studies from the issuing university.
Transcripts sent from the issuing university should be sent to:
School of Graduate Studies
Queen’s University
Gordon Hall Room 425
74 Union Street
Kingston, Ontario
Canada K7L 3N6
Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation provided by the institution issuing the transcript.
Photocopied transcripts or those printed from a university website are not permitted.
Degree and graduation certificates must be included if the transcript does not indicate the type of degree and date granted.
Transcripts submitted with applications become the property of Queen’s University, are subject to verification, are not available for copying and will not be returned to the applicant.
Letters of Recommendation
Two current academic recommendations are required from professors under whom the applicant has recently studied. It is recognized that certain applicants to some programs may have difficulty in obtaining academic references and that it may be more appropriate to get references from professionals or supervisors. In such cases references from other sources containing information acceptable to the Department/Program or School and the School of Graduate Studies may be considered. However, all effort should be made to include academic recommendations. In all cases the information accepted should relate to the ability of a prospective student to undertake the work in the program to which he or she is making application.
Applicants applying online will have the option to have their referee submit the letter of recommendation to Queen’s electronically. Referees will receive an email from the School of Graduate Studies requesting their letter.
Some departments have special requirements regarding letters of recommendation (e.g., three letters may be required, etc.) Please consult the degree program’s website for details.
Additional Information / Documentation Needed by the Degree Program
Some departments require additional documentation such as a current course list, GRE or written sample of work. If you apply online, you will be able to provide most of this additional material as part of the online application.
You will receive instructions on these additional required materials as you continue through the online application. Applicants who apply with a paper application can refer to the Application Requirements section of the application package.
Please note that all required test scores must be received directly from the testing agency before your application is complete. All additional documentation should be sent to the School of Graduate Studies unless specified by the program to be sent directly to them.
All required test scores must be received directly from the testing agency, before your application is complete.
English Language Comprehension
At Queen’s, English is the language of instruction and communication, except for the language departments. Proficiency in English is a prerequisite for admission. Some programs require satisfactory achievement on the GRE. Please check with the degree program for specific testing needed and scores.
Those applicants whose native languages do not include English will need to earn satisfactory standing in an English Language Proficiency Test as part of the application process, and before final acceptance is granted.
Any applicant whose first language is not English, but who, within the 12 month period prior to the month of application, has studied for at least one complete year at a post-secondary institution where English is the official language of instruction, may submit with their application a request to be exempted from the English language proficiency test requirement. The Director of Admissions, School of Graduate Studies, will review the request. The applicant will be informed of the results of the review.
The following English Language Proficiency tests results are accepted by the School of Graduate Studies:
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test)
Section | Score (/30) |
Writing Test | 24 |
Speaking Test | 22 |
Reading Test | 22 |
Listening Test | 20 |
For an overall minimum score of 88 (out of 120). |
Applicants must have the minimum score in each test, as well as the minimum overall score.
Please note that, the Department of English, and the Faculty of Law have higher minimum TOEFL iBT requirements.
TOEFL Paper-Based and Computer-Based Tests
Applicants must meet the minimum score requirements of the department to which they wish to apply. These minimum scores are listed on the 2017-18 Application Requirements Table (PDF*, 42 KB).
- MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) – score of 80
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – score of 7 on the academic module
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) – 65 (minimum score overall)
Please note that if a final grade of 80% or more in ESLA 140 or ESLA 150 from Queen’s University’s English for Academic Purposes Program is achieved at the time of application, an English language test score may not be required. See Queen’s University School of English for details.
The online application will walk you through each step in the process, including how to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation and other documentation. You will first be invited to create an account using your email address. We will email you a User ID so that you can create a password to complete the online application.
Complete all the screens as they are presented to you, remembering to click Save and continue before you move on to the next set of questions.
Paying the Application Fee
When you have completed all the sections, you can submit your application. At this point, you are asked to pay the non refundable application fee on-line (currently $105 CDN). Remember, you must be able to pay the fee on-line with a Visa or Mastercard number, in order to complete your application on-line.
Please note that the application fee of $105 (CDN) is non-refundable.
The application is considered complete when all of the documentation is received by the School of Graduate Studies.
You will be emailed an application number and can set your own password to complete your online application and check the status of your application such as which documents are still needed in order for your application to be complete.
When your online application is complete and all documentation is received, the degree program will assess your application. You will be informed by the School of Graduate Studies by email, or in the postal mail if you submitted a paper application, about whether or not you are being offered admission.
See Also
Queen’s University Admissions Office
Queen’s University Competitive Admissions Average
Queen’s University Acceptance Rate
Queen’s University Admission Requirements
Queen’s University Admission Deadlines
Queens University Required Documents Submission
Queens University Official Transcripts
Queen’s University Undergraduate Programs
Queen’s University Graduate Programs
Queen’s University Academic Calendar
Queen’s University Tuition Fees
Queen’s University Transfer Credits
Queen’s University Transcript Request
Queens University Transfer Deadlines
Queen’s University Application Status
Queen’s University Documents Required Submission
Queen’s University Grading Scale
Queen’s University Important Dates and Deadlines
Queen’s University Registrars Office