- Level
- Master Degree
- CIP code
- 24.0103
- Duration
- 1 year master degree
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- Institution
- Public University
- Offer speed
- Superfast Offer Speed2–3 days
Program overview
A one year course based master degree in cultural studies, covering critical and cultural theory, media and representation, research method and an applied final project.
Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based) is the one year variant at the same CAD 22,944 fee as the thesis route, so it costs half as much in total while carrying a shorter visa runway.
Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based) is taught on the Symons campus at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, and Trent is a public university and a designated learning institution. Because Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based) is a degree it is exempt from the Canadian field of study requirement, so completing Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based) supports a Post-Graduation Work Permit of up to three years without the subject being tested against an eligibility list. An Ontario attestation letter is required with the study permit application for Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based), and the university issues it with the letter of acceptance.
Entry to Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based) is a four year bachelor degree at 70 percent or above. The English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, and tuition for Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based) is recorded at CAD 22,944 a year with a CAD 143.5 application fee. No scholarship is recorded against Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based). Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based) runs a September start in each of the three listed years. Apply Study Visa manages the Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based) application, the deposit, the letter of acceptance and the Canadian study permit as one process.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: A four year bachelor degree as recorded in the governing feed. Have your transcript assessed rather than assuming a three year degree is excluded.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 93 overall with 22 in writing and 22 in speaking; or PTE Academic 60 with 60 in every component. The Duolingo English Test is NOT accepted for this programme.
- Application and deposit: An application fee of CAD 143.5 applies, the standard postgraduate rate. Confirm the tuition deposit and its refundability in writing before any money is transferred.
- Scholarship: No scholarship is recorded against this programme. Budget the full tuition.
- Work permit: Master of Arts in Cultural Studies (Course Based) is a degree at a public university, so it is exempt from the field of study test and supports a Post-Graduation Work Permit of up to three years. No spousal open work permit arises, because that needs a master programme of 16 months or longer. An Ontario attestation letter is required with the study permit application.
- Study permit: Apply Study Visa handles the Ontario attestation letter, the study permit application and the biometrics appointment with you.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Cultural Programme Manager: arts organisations
- Communications Adviser: cultural institutions
- Policy Officer: arts councils and agencies
- Content Producer: media and publishing
- Curatorial Assistant: galleries and museums
- Further Study: doctoral routes after research training
Reality check: one year sits below the sixteen month threshold for a spousal open work permit, so the thesis version is the choice if a partner needs to work.
About Trent University - Peterborough
- Type
- University
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.6
- World rank
- #1501
- Established
- 1964
- Reference No.
- O19395164223
