Application and Admission
Application for Admission to a Degree Program
Admission Policies and Procedures
Admission Regulations
Application for Admission to a Degree Program
Procedures
- Formal application for admission should be submitted using the SGS Online Admissions Application (exceptions: MBA, MF, MMPA, and DIFA which have specialized application systems; MScPT, MScOT, and the MHSc in Speech-Language Pathology which participate in a common provincial application for professional rehabilitation medicine programs) accessible through the graduate unit Web site. Applicants must pay an application fee of $110; some graduate programs have set higher application fees. Payment options: (a) online using a credit card (MasterCard or Visa); (b) by mailing a certified cheque or money order in Canadian funds made payable to the University of Toronto. No decision on the application will be sent to the applicant until this fee has been paid.
- Applicants must arrange to have one official copy of their complete academic records from all universities attended forwarded as part of their application. Letters of reference are also required. Individual graduate units may require further documentation.
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Certified English translations of all international documentation written in a language other than English or French must also be submitted.
Application Deadlines
The graduate unit determines the date by which applicants should submit their applications, supporting documentation, and at least two letters of reference to be assured that they will be considered for a place in the program of their choice and for financial support.For specific information on application and financial support deadlines, contact the graduate unit offering the program to which you are applying.
Earlier submission is recommended for applications from outside Canada to ensure timely arrival, particularly where special documentation (and/or translation) and proof of English language facility are required.
Most programs commence in September. Some graduate units offer January admission. A few programs commence at other times. Consult the graduate unit concerned for more information.
Financial Assistance
For detailed information about fellowships, see calendar section titled Fees and Financial Support.Acceptance
Admission decisions are made by the graduate unit. The official acceptance letter is issued by the School of Graduate Studies. Admissions decisions are final and are not appealable.Applicants who are offered acceptance pending receipt of final transcripts must submit one official copy of their final transcripts to the graduate unit before final acceptance can be approved. If final transcripts do not indicate that the expected degree has been conferred, official documentation indicating the anticipated date of degree conferral must be submitted before registration.
Normally, students accepted to the School of Graduate Studies must commence their program of study on the date specified in their letter of acceptance. If circumstances prevent a student from starting study on the specified date, the graduate unit may decide that the offer of admission be valid for a period not to exceed 12 months from the original commencement date. In such a case, an official transcript will be required to document any new study completed in the interim. If the period exceeds 12 months from the original date of expected commencement, a new application must be submitted.
If the graduate unit approves, students accepted to begin their programs in September will be permitted to start the preceding summer. Students taking courses during the summer will pay the Summer Session fee (academic and incidental), which is additional to the Fall and Winter Session fee. Students engaged only in research do not pay Summer Session fees but must register.
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Admission Policies and Procedures
The University’s admission policies and procedures are designed so that students entering a graduate program may normally have the capacity and preparation necessary to meet the challenge of the program effectively. The School of Graduate Studies regulations for admission specify minimal requirements only. Many graduate units have additional requirements. Meeting the minimal requirements of the graduate unit and the School does not guarantee admission.
The University reserves the right to determine whether or not credentials of other degree-granting institutions meet the standards for admission to University of Toronto programs. Admissions decisions are final and are not appealable.
Academic Requirements for Admission
All applicants will be considered on their individual merits for admission to any graduate program at the University of Toronto.
Master’s Programs
An appropriate bachelor’s degree with high academic standing from a recognized university is required. Other qualifications may be specified by the graduate unit. See Admission Regulations and Degree Regulations for further details.
Doctor of Philosophy Programs
An appropriate master’s degree or, in some programs, an appropriate bachelor’s degree, with high academic standing from a recognized university is required. See Admission Regulations and Degree Regulations for further details.Other Doctoral Programs
Normally, an appropriate master’s degree with high academic standing from a recognized university is required. See appropriate graduate unit entry for specific details. See Admission Regulations and Degree Regulations for further information.
See Degree Regulations for specific details on degree transfers (Master’s to PhD and PhD to Master’s).
Diploma Programs
The same Admission Policies and Procedures as those for master’s programs apply for diploma programs that require a master’s degree for admission. Other qualifications may be specified by a graduate unit depending on the particular diploma program and type. See Admission Regulations for further information.Special Students
Special Students must submit an application for admission for each academic year of study.Applicants accepted as Special Student–Full Time must have completed an appropriate bachelor’s degree with good academic standing from a recognized university. See Admission Regulations for further details.
Applicants accepted as Special Student–Part Time must hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a recognized university. See Admission Regulations for further details.
Advanced Standing
Advanced standing refers to academic credit awarded upon admission to a program of study which enables direct entry to an identified higher academic achievement level of the program. Students are eligible for advanced standing if they meet a clearly articulated set of objectives and/or course requirements for an advanced standing option as defined in the graduate program calendar entry. Not every program will offer an advanced standing option. Consult the graduate unit regarding advanced standing options.
Students Holding Graduate Degrees Registered as Graduate Students
The University may confer upon a person more than one graduate degree having the same title provided the degrees are completed in different fields of study.
Mature Students
Applicants who graduated five or more years ago but without achieving sufficiently high standing for admission to a graduate program may be considered for admission if, since graduation, they have done significant intellectual work and/or made a significant professional contribution which can be considered equivalent to a higher academic standing. This contribution and its impact on the profession must be detailed and documented (e.g., publications, research, professional advancement, development of new skills, responsibility, etc.) and presented as part of the application. Such applicants may be considered for admission if they have achieved qualifications at least equivalent to those stated in the preceding sections and if a graduate unit so recommends.
Eligibility of Members of Teaching and Administrative Staff
Members of teaching or administrative staff of the University or its federated or affiliated colleges who are engaged in graduate instructional and/or graduate administrative activities within the graduate unit offering the graduate program to which they are seeking admission are normally not eligible to be graduate students within that graduate unit at the University of Toronto. Exceptions may be granted by the SGS Admissions and Programs Committee when it is confident that the graduate program is sufficiently remote from the faculty or staff member’s usual work that academic impartiality is not compromised.
English Language Facility
It is essential that all incoming graduate students have a good command of English. Facility in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English. This is a requirement of admission and should be met before application, but must be met before an offer of admission is made. This requirement may be satisfied using one of the English Language Facility tests listed in the Admission Regulations. Test results that are older than two years at the time of application cannot be accepted. In these circumstances, the applicant must retake the English language facility test.
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Admission Regulations
All applicants to the School of Graduate Studies must meet the minimum standards required by the School. However, satisfying minimum standards does not guarantee admission, since the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of places available. As a result, many well-qualified applicants cannot be accommodated.
Master’s Programs
The minimum requirements are:
An appropriate bachelor's degree that has appropriate breadth, depth and, where appropriate, an affinity to the graduate program to which the applicant is seeking admission as determined by the School of Graduate Studies.
An average grade equivalent to at least mid-B or better, normally demonstrated by an average grade in the final year or over senior courses, is required.
At least two letters of reference are required.
Other qualifications may be specified by a graduate unit.
Doctor of Philosophy Programs
The minimum requirements are:
An appropriate degree is a master’s degree or, in some programs, an appropriate bachelor’s degree, with high academic standing from a recognized university.
An average grade equivalent to a B+ or better in a previous master’s degree program. Where relevant, demonstrated research competence equivalent to at least a B+ grade will be considered.
Direct entry from a bachelor’s degree to a PhD program may be available when permitted by the graduate unit. For direct entry applicants, an average grade equivalent to A- or better in courses in the relevant discipline is required.
At least two letters of reference are required.
Other qualifications may be specified by a graduate unit.
Diploma Programs
There are several types of graduate diplomas including master’s level and post-master’s level. Some diploma programs involve concurrent registration with the degree program. The minimum requirements are:
An appropriate degree for a master’s level or concurrent master’s diploma is a bachelor’s degree.
An appropriate degree for a post-master’s diploma is a master’s degree.
Other qualifications may be specified by a graduate unit.
Special Students
Before applying, applicants should identify the courses they wish to take and obtain approval from the graduate unit offering the course.
Full-time Special Students must have obtained an average grade in the final year (or over senior courses) in a bachelor’s degree program equivalent to mid-B or better.
Part-time Special Students who are accepted with less than mid-B standing are not normally considered admissible to a master’s degree at a later date.
At least two letters of reference are required for full-time Special Students.
Other qualifications may be specified by a graduate unit.
Courses Taken as a Special Student
On the recommendation of the graduate unit, and with the School’s approval, graduate courses taken as a Special Student may count for up to 1.0 full-course equivalent or 25% of the course requirements for the degree, whichever is greater, in a subsequent degree program at this University, provided that they have not already been credited towards another degree, diploma, certificate, or any other qualification. With the approval of the graduate unit, they may serve to satisfy prerequisite requirements. Special Students' programs must include at least one graduate course. Any tuition fees paid as a Special Student cannot be transferred to a subsequent degree program.
English Language Facility Tests
The English Language Facility requirements may be satisfied by using one of the following tests. Minimum scores are listed; however, many graduate units require a higher score, and applicants should consult the graduate unit to determine whether a higher minimum score applies.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Educational Testing Service
P. O. Box 6151
Princeton, New Jersey
USA, 08541-6151
Web: www.toefl.org
The TOEFL examination is offered in two formats: the traditional paper-based format (only offered on specific dates in a limited number of countries) and the internet-based format (offered year-round). Applicants registering for the paper-based TOEFL must include the Test of Written English (TWE) component. The internet- based test must include the writing and speaking sections. All applicants must satisfy the minimum TOEFL score requirements set by each of the four SGS academic divisions listed in the accompanying chart.
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TOEFL Minimum Score Requirements Consult the graduate unit to which you are applying to determine if a higher minimum score is required.
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Academic Division
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Paper-Based Test and TWE
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Internet-Based Test including Writing and Speaking Sections
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Humanities
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Overall score 580
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Overall score 93
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Social Sciences
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Overall score 580
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Overall score 93
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Physical & Engineering Sciences
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Overall score 580
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Overall score 93
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Life Sciences
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Overall score 580
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Overall score 93
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Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
English Language Institute (ELI)
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
USA, 48109-1057
Web: www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/testing/melab
Required score: 85
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate
1 Hills Road
Cambridge, U.K.
CB1 2EU
Web: www.ielts.org
Applicants may also contact their nearest British Council Office. Please note that applicants must take the academic module of this test.
Required score: 7.0
The Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE)
COPE Testing Limited
429 Danforth Avenue
PO Box 462
Toronto, Ontario
M4K 1P1
E-mail: info@copetest.com
Web: www.copetest.com
Required score: 76 minimum total with at least 22 in each component and 32 in writing
International ESL-Academic Preparation Level 60 (Advanced)
School of Continuing StudiesUniversity of Toronto
158 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2V8
E-mail: scs.registrar@utoronto.ca
Web: www.learn.utoronto.ca/esl
Required score: B
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