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Honours in English
The Honours Programme in English offers exciting and enriching opportunities to explore Literary Studies, Cultural Studies, or Drama & Theatre Studies in depth. This structured, comprehensive program culminates in an honours essay on a topic chosen by the student and supervised by a faculty member. By combining independent research with advanced coursework, the program allows students to pursue their unique academic interests while developing critical thinking and scholarly skills. It prepares students not only for graduate studies but also for a variety of intellectually and creatively demanding careers.
Application to Honours
Application to the Honours and Joint Honours programmes: 15 May, each year.
Submission of Honours Proposals: 15 October, each year.
Admission into Honours is by application, usually after completing two terms and at least 18 credits of English courses (6 courses). Please note that the Faculty of Arts requires all Honours students to complete a second programme minor alongside their Honours program.
As you plan your application to the Honours programme, please reach out to any faculty member in the department to advise you and help you plan your application. You can also reach out to the Director of the Honours programme.
Before you apply:
Before you apply, make sure that:
- You have completed at least 18 credits (6 courses) in English.
- You have a program GPA of 3.5 or higher. This GPA is calculated from the courses on your audit sheet and not based on all the English courses that you may have taken. You can apply if your GPA is lower, but you will have to make a case for your acceptance.
- A departmental faculty member has agreed to supervise your honours thesis. This is crucial as the faculty member will need to sign on your application form (or email the Director of the Honours programme) to signal their willingness to supervise your project. Interested students should therefore contact potential supervisors as early as possible. If you are unable to find a supervisor, please reach out to the Honours Director.
To apply:
Students should send the following documents as one pdf file to the Director of the Honours Programme by email by 15 May. The following documents are required:
- A completed application form. A paper version can also be found at Arts 155. The application form should be signed by the student’s supervisor. Instead of signing the form, the supervisor could also e-mail the Director of the Honours Programme stating their willingness to supervise the honours project.
- Your current and updated audit sheet.
- A brief statement of purpose of no more than 350 words that provides a general outline of the project, its area of study and the relevant texts.
- A writing sample of about 6-8 pages.
Programme requirements
Once admitted, students are required to complete a 54-credit course of study in their chosen stream: Literature, Drama & Theatre, or Cultural Studies. Students are advised to fulfil as many of their specific program requirements as possible within their first two years. All Honours students must complete at least 6 complementary credits (2 courses) at the 500 level. With advisor approval, up to 9 credits (3 courses) may be taken outside the Department.
The Honours Essay is for 6 credits and typically written in the Fall and Winter of the final year. There is no non-thesis option for the English honours programme. It is planned with a supervisor at the time of application and completed under their guidance.
Honours essay proposals are due on 15 October, in the Fall semester of the final year. Proposals should identify the topic of your essay, outlining its goals and significance. It should provide a tentative structure and include a selected bibliography of primary and secondary sources. Proposals should be 3 - 5 pages, double-spaced, with about 3 pages of bibliography. Please consult the Honours Essay FAQ for more information.
The proposal needs to be signed by the supervisor and emailed to the Director of the Honours programme. Alternatively, the supervisor may e-mail the Honours Director stating they approve of the proposal.
Graduating with Honours
Graduation with Honours requires:
- A minimum mark of B+ on the Honours Essay
- A minimum CGPA of 3.0
- A minimum program GPA of 3.50
- 54 credits of English courses.
Graduation with First Class Honours requires:
- A minimum mark of A on the Honours Essay
- A minimum CGPA of 3.50
- A minimum program GPA of 3.70
- 54 credits of English courses
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. When to apply?
Usually at the end of first year (after 18 credits of coursework), or at the end of second year with prior planning and advisor consultation.
2. What is the deadline?
Applications are due 15 May each year.
3. Is it possible to do the English Honours without writing the Honours essay. I could, for instance, take 500-level courses instead of the honours essay.
No, the honours essay is a necessary component of the English honours. There is no non-thesis option.
4. What are the application criteria?
You need:
- at least 18 credits (6 courses) in English.
- a program GPA of 3.5 or higher
- a faculty member who agrees to serve as your supervisor
5. What documents are needed to apply?
- a completed application form (available on the departmental website or at Arts 155) signed by the supervisor.
- your current and updated audit sheet.
- a brief statement of purpose of no more than 350 words that provides a general outline of the project, its area of study and the relevant texts.
- a writing sample of about 6-8 pages.
6. Where should these be sent?
These documents should be sent as a single pdf to the Honours Director by email
7. How is the Programme GPA calculated?
The Programme GPA is the GPA of the courses on your Audit Sheet. It is not the GPA of all the English courses that you have taken.
8. Is meeting GPA enough for Honours admission?
No, admission depends on the whole application, including writing samples and statements.
9. What if I don’t meet the GPA cut-off?
You can still apply but will need to make a case for yourself in the application.
10. Do I need a precise essay topic when applying?
No, a brief statement of purpose of no more than 350 words providing a general outline of the research project, its area of study and the relevant texts is enough. The exact essay topic is developed later with a supervisor.
11. Can I change my Honours focus after admission?
Yes, but you will likely need to find a new supervisor for the new topic. Students admitted into the programme are not required to reapply for admission.
12. Can I do a creative Honours Essay?
This is possible but rare. It needs students to have prior creative experience and supervisor’s approval. The creative component must also include a research essay component.
13. When are admission decisions communicated?
Decisions are typically announced by June.
14. Why do Honours English?
An Honours degree (54 credits) offers deeper specialized study and more small seminars than a Major (36 credits). It includes a 6-credit Honours Essay—a substantial research project—and builds closer faculty and peer connections.
15. Why not do Honours?
Students preferring broad study across fields might choose a Major with minors, Double Major, or Joint Honours instead of specialized Honours.
16. Is Honours required for graduate school?
No, but it provides the best preparation and strengthens applications due to advanced coursework, close faculty mentorship, and a major research essay.
17. Can I extend 91Ö±²¥ time for Honours?
This is not a decision of the Department of English, but of the office of the Associate Dean of Students. The Associate Dean of Students will typically give a student permission to register for additional terms and course credits if it can be shown that these are necessary course requirements.
18. Can I consult an Honours advisor before admission?
Yes, early consultation is highly encouraged for planning and course selection. All faculty members of the department advise students on Honours programme of study.
19. Can I study abroad during Honours?
Yes, but this requires careful course planning both at 91Ö±²¥ and the foreign school.
Honours Essay - Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I register for the Honours Essay?
Sign up for ENGL 491-D1 in the Fall term to start, and ENGL 491-D2 in the Winter term to finish your essay. Please contact Mr. Matt Dupuis (matt.dupuis [at] mcgill.ca) in the Arts-Ferrier Hub to register for these courses.
2. When is the Honours essay proposal due?
The proposals are due on 15 October. Make sure that your supervisor has either signed The proposal or emailed the Honours Director with their approval of the proposal.
3. What makes a good essay topic?
The honours essay is not a term paper or an open-ended reading list. Choose a focused question or problem you can explore deeply in no more than 40 pages (including notes and bibliography).
4. What goes in the proposal?
It should have a clear topic, and clearly outline its goals and significance. Provide a tentative structure and include a select bibliography of primary and secondary sources.
5. Can I do a creative project?
Yes, but only if you have strong experience and find a professor to supervise you. Your creative work must also be paired with a research essay.
6. How long should the proposal be?
About 3 - 5 pages of text and 3 pages of bibliography, double-spaced.
7. What belongs in the bibliography?
All primary texts under investigation. Current secondary scholarship on those texts. Relevant theoretical or historical works. It is often useful to divide the bibliography into thematic or conceptual sections.
8. Where do I submit the proposal?
The proposal – signed by your supervisor – should be e-mailed to the Honours Director.
9. When is the essay due?
There is no departmental deadline for the honours essay and supervisors set their own deadlines with students. Grade submission deadlines set by the Faculty of Arts also apply to grades of honours essays.
10. Where can I get additional help?
Speak to other Honours students and reach out to faculty members and the Honours Director. Do attend the Honours Colloquium to learn more about the programme and the work of your peers.