Applicants may enter the MLIS program in September (hybrid pathway), January (online pathway), or May (hybrid pathway).

We are currently accepting applications for the May 2026 Hybrid term of the program.

We do not have a specific application deadline for the September or May terms (hybrid pathway) as we continue to accept applications as long as there are spaces available. Applications are reviewed as they are submitted, and we attempt to accommodate your requested start date, so the earlier you apply, the earlier you may receive a decision on your application.

We have a specific application deadline for the January term (online pathway) - June 15, 2025. Applications are reviewed as they are submitted but offers will not be made until after the application deadline.

No application will be considered until it is complete. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure all required supplementary documents are uploaded to their application prior to submission, and that referees submit their letters as soon as possible. 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.

• A four-year degree with an average of at least 70% in the last two years of full-time study;
• A three-year Bachelor's degree in an academic discipline, with an average of at least 70% in the last ten courses taken, and the completion of a Bachelor of Education degree;
• A three-year Bachelor's degree in an academic discipline, with appropriate additional course work at an accredited university as a special undergraduate student for the equivalent of a four-year degree. This would ordinarily consist of five full academic degree credit courses, usually (but not necessarily) in the student's previous area of specialization. Students who complete these additional courses and maintain an average of at least 70% over the most recently completed ten full academic degree credit courses may apply for admission;
• A four-year degree, or the equivalent, with an average of at least 70%, and completion of a graduate degree in another academic discipline, with an average of at least 70%;
• A four-year degree, or the equivalent, with an average of at least 70% and completion of two terms of study towards an MLIS or equivalent degree (with an average of at least 70%) at another ALA-accredited library school. Such students may apply for a transfer at the end of their second term for admission to a 10-course MLIS program.

We welcome international applicants. You'll need to provide TOEFL/IELTS scores if English isn't your first language. 

If you are applying to be a permanent resident but have not been granted landed-immigrant status, you must apply as an international applicant.

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. 

• Past or current students of Western University are required to upload an electronic copy of their academic record to the online application. An unofficial academic record, available from your Western Student Center, can be used.
• If you have attended or are currently enrolled at any university or college other than Western, you MUST upload and attach an electronic copy or scanned PDF copy of your transcripts from each institution attended to the online application. Applicants who are offered a space in the program will be required to provide one official* copy of their transcript to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies prior to the start of the program

* 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.)

Applicants who are unable to attach an electronic or scanned copy of their transcripts to the application must forward one official* hard copy of their transcript by mail to:

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
International and Graduate Affairs Building, Room 1N07
Western University, London, ON N6A 3K

* 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.)

Applicants are required to enter the names and contact information (including e-mail address) of two academic referees (academic referees are people who have taught the applicant in a university degree credit course) into the online application.

If several years have passed since the applicant attended university, references from supervisors in professional employment may be substituted.

Within 24 hours of the time the applicant enters the referee information into the application, each referee will receive a request via email to complete an electronic recommendation form on the applicant’s behalf. A link to the form will be included in the email. The applicant will receive an email when Western receives the referee's letter of recommendation.

If you have library or information industry experience, a letter from your employer commenting on your potential in the field.

If you have library technician training, a transcript for library technician courses.