Application Procedure: MLIS

Applicants may enter the MLIS program in September, January, or May. For information on academic qualifications, please see the MLIS Admission Criteria page.

We consider applications as they arrive and attempt to accommodate your requested start date, so the earlier you apply, the earlier you may receive a decision on your application. Earlier applications are considered first, so you are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.

No application will be considered until it is complete. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents (i.e., transcripts, letters of reference, test results) are received by the application deadline.

Completed applications will be evaluated by the program, which makes the admission decision. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies sends out offers of admission. 

• Name and personal information
• Contact information
• Academic background
• A brief statement of why you wish to be admitted to the MLIS program and how it fits with your goals and interests (no more than one page in length)
• Electronic transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended in Ontario
  • Past or current students of The University of Western do not need to provide transcripts for their academic history at Western. This information will be obtained internally.
  • If you have attended or are currently enrolled at any Ontario university or college other than The University of Western Ontario you MUST use the electronic application process in order to request transcripts. These transcripts will be delivered electronically to each of the programs to which you are applying.
  • If you have attended a university or college outside Ontario, you must submit one official* academic transcript in hard copy from each post-secondary institution attended. These must be sent to the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at the address below.
    
    * Western considers a transcript official only if it is received in a university envelope that is sealed and signed on the flap by the official person in the office issuing the transcript. If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English, a certified translation must also be included. (Non-English transcripts from institutions within Canada do not require a translation.)
     
• Proficiency in English Scores (if applicable). Applicant must have testing service send score electronically to Western.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum score required: 107 Internet-based. Western's TOEFL ID is 0984.
  • International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Minimum score required: 8.
• Professional background (if applicable)
• Referee information
  • Applicants are required to enter the names and contact information (including e-mail address) of two academic referees into the online application. Once the application is processed, each referee will receive a request via e-mail to complete an electronic recommendation form on the applicant’s behalf. A link to the form will be included in the e-mail. Each referee will receive a reminder in two weeks if the recommendation is not received. The applicant will receive an e-mail when Western receives the referees letter of recommendation.
• Non-refundable application fee of CAD $100.

Program-Specific Supplementary Documents

The following documents must be sent to:

Master of Library and Information Science Program
Faculty of Information and Media Studies
The University of Western Ontario
North Campus Building, Room 240
London, ON N6A 5B7

• A résumé of your education and experience
• A list of computer skills and experience, including knowledge of software applications and Web skills
• If you have library or information industry experience, a letter from your employer commenting on the your potential in the field
• If you have library technician training, a transcript for library technician courses
• For permanent residents of Canada only, please include a photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card or a photocopy of your Record of Landing. If you are applying to be a permanent resident, but have not been granted landed-immigrant status, you must apply as an international applicant.
• Proof of name change, if applicable (photocopy of change of name documentation, such as marriage certificate or other legal change of name and a photocopy of photo ID showing your current name)

Reviewed 2012/01/05