The minimum requirement for admission to the master's program is an Honours bachelor's degree (or the equivalent) in anthropology or a closely related discipline, with at least high honours standing. Related disciplines could include sociology, history, religious studies, and Canadian studies. Where relevant, previous professional experience will be taken into account in determining an applicant's standing upon admission.

Applicants with a general bachelor's degree, or those with degrees in fields other than anthropology, may be admitted into a qualifying-year program designed to raise their standing to Honours anthropology status. Students earning at least high honours standing in their qualifying-year courses will be considered for subsequent admission into the master's program.

Applications for the M.A. and Ph.D. require the same components. These are as follows:

A statement of academic/research interests and ambitions (1-2 pages in length),
English-language test scores (if applicable),
Sample of written work,
Two referee appraisal forms and letters of reference (to be uploaded by referees), and
One transcript (unofficial can be uploaded by student – official transcripts can be mailed to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and only required if offer is made).

TOEFL iBT (including iBT Home Edition) - 86 (20 in reading and listening, 22 in speaking and writing)
IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 IELTS (minimum 6.0 in each band)