Prospective Students

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Western is a terrific place to study history. We care deeply about teaching and research. We have a large, distinguished, and collegial department, diverse in both geographic focus and methodological approaches to the past. We are building on a long tradition of great historical scholarship with innovative new programs and courses in areas such as public history, digital history, and environmental history. Above all, we believe that a deep understanding of the past can inform and improve the present and the future.

Our graduates go on to teach and study history at universities and colleges across Canada and around the world, or to work in law, business, government, foreign affairs, education, journalism, museums, archives, libraries, and many other fields.

You are encouraged to explore our website to find faculty members whose expertise matches your own research plans and interests. Feel free to contact any of them, or to contact Kara Brown, the Graduate Program Coordinator, or  Prof. Eli Nathans, the Graduate Chair, for other information on applying.

Ready to apply? Please see our  Admission Requirements  and  Application Process

Equity and Diversity Graduate Student Recruitment Award in History

Awarded to students who self-identify as Black or a racialized person of colour or are Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) entering any Department of History M.A. (any field or curriculum option), or Ph.D. programs in the Department of History. This award recognizes the academic achievement, research ability, and lived experience of the student. A committee in the Department of History will select recipients. At least one representative of the committee must hold membership in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Value: 2 at $5,000, awarded annually

This award was set up from a gift from the estate of Kenneth W. Hilborn to reward student excellence. Hilborn taught courses in History and International Relations from 1961 to 1997. In 2022, Western sought permission from the court to remove Hilborn’s name from the existing scholarships in response to criticism that his research supported racist, far-right views. To acknowledge and respond to the harmful impact of his published work, this award supports a diverse and inclusive graduate student community.

School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies Support

  • Graduate Student Affordability Calculator - The Graduate Student Affordability Calculator was designed for you to get a better estimate of what it will cost to attend one of Western's graduate programs for one year. The calculator is not a promise of funding, or a place to access scholarship support or financial aid; rather, it is intended to provide you with an accurate estimate of how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and many other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.
  • The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) will be home to a designated support person (Adrian Aquirre Jurado aaguirr@uwo.ca) to help facilitate the transition to Canada for international graduate students.
  • Off-Campus Housing Services has tripled its staffing to provide pre-arrival assistance to verify and visit local rental listings on behalf of students and review rental contracts. This service is available to students who face systemic barriers to housing, and new, incoming international students.