Supports for prospective students affected by geopolitical and humanitarian crises

Ongoing political and humanitarian crises continue to impact the lives of students around the world. If you are a non-U of T student currently enrolled in graduate studies abroad who is considering coming to U of T, please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below for information on your options. To speak to an International Student Immigration Advisor regarding authorization to enter Canada, please email our immigration advisors at isa.cie@utoronto.ca. Additionally, there are many supports available for students once they arrive on campus.

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ATTENTION:
You may have heard of new measures in place for International students admitted to postsecondary institutions in Canada and applying for study permits. These new measures do not apply to graduate students (Master’s and PhD programs). While all international students must follow the established study permit application processes, the new Attestation Letter required for undergraduate students does not apply to graduate students in degree-granting programs.

As of February 15, 2024, graduates of master’s degree programs will be eligible to apply for a 3-year post-graduation work permit. Open work permits will also remain available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. We will provide additional information about this change as it becomes available.

For more information see Apply for Your Study Permit – Centre for International Experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. I am currently enrolled in a graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in my home country, where there is an ongoing conflict. What can I do?

A. As a current graduate student abroad, there are three pathways for you to study at the University of Toronto.

  1. Transfer to complete your graduate degree at U of T.
  2. Apply for the International Visiting Graduate Students (IVGS) program.
    • Graduate students currently enrolled in a university in their home country who wish to come to U of T for a research term can apply to the IVGS program. Please review information about the program and contact sgs.international@utoronto.ca for any follow-up questions.
  3. Apply for an exchange program and return to your home university to finish your degree.
    • If you are a master’s or doctoral student currently enrolled in one of our partner universities and are looking to complete courses at U of T, please take a look at the U of T Inbound Exchange. 

Q. I have completed a degree and am looking to apply to a new graduate program. What should I do?

A. Review our list of programs and contact the graduate unit offering your program of choice for admission requirements. Contact sgs.international@utoronto.ca for a referral to the appropriate administrator for your program of choice.

Graduate admissions processes at the University of Toronto are managed directly by graduate units. SGS continues to encourage units to consider a variety of arrangements students may require, including extending application deadlines, waiving application fees, offering conditional admission for prospective students, and accepting unofficial transcripts and degrees when it is not possible for students to obtain official documents. We hope these measures will ease the burden on international students looking to come to Toronto.

We understand that in times of political conflict, applicants may experience difficulties accessing the internet, which may impact their ability to access TOEFL and GRE exams. SGS has expanded the English language proficiency tests that we accept to include the TOEFL iBT Home Edition (which can be taken from anywhere in the world), IELTS, CAEL, Cambridge English Language Assessment (CAE, CPE), and the Academic Preparation Course at U of T. While we do not accept Duolingo Academic currently, we will continue to monitor student needs and adjust our requirements accordingly.

Q. Is funding support available?

A. Our tuition fees, scholarships, and financial aid programs are based on a student’s program of study and legal status in Canada when they begin their studies.

Students accepted into most full-time research-stream master’s and PhD programs are eligible to receive funding from their graduate unit — in other words, from their supervisor, department and/or faculty. Students in full-time professional, flex-time and course-based graduate programs self-fund their educational expenses through a variety of programs including government student aid programs, loans and lines of credit through their financial institutions, personal savings and employment income. More information about how funding works for graduate students is available on the SGS website. Please contact your prospective graduate program to inquire locally about the availability of funding opportunities for your specific program.

Also use our award explorer tool to identify additional funding opportunities and the SGS website to learn more about financing your graduate education. The U of T Student Accounts website offers information on tuition and fees. Please refer to the University of Toronto’s 2023-24 Fall-Winter Session Fees for the School of Graduate Studies.

Examples of Funding Opportunities

Q. I am currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree. Can I apply?

A. If you expect to complete your undergraduate program in the near future and are considering graduate school, review our list of programs and contact the graduate unit offering your program of choice for admission requirements. Contact sgs.international@utoronto.ca for a referral to the appropriate administrator for your program of choice.

You can also apply for an exchange program and return to your home university to finish your undergraduate degree. If you are an undergraduate student currently enrolled at one of our partner universities and are looking to complete courses at U of T, inquire about the U of T Inbound Exchange. 

Q. What other opportunities might be available?

  • You also might seek a research trainee placement with a faculty member, with support from research grants. Please contact the graduate unit/s that best fits their research area of interest.
  • If you are within five years of a doctorate you have the option of seeking a postdoctoral fellowship. Again, this depends on having a faculty member with research funding willing to support such an appointment. Please contact sgs.postdoc@utoronto.ca.

FAQs: Academic and Well-Being Supports for Current Students

Q. I am currently a graduate student enrolled at U of T who is in need of well-being and/or academic support due to a political or humanitarian crisis. What supports are available for me?

A. If you are a current student at U of T and in need of well-being and/or academic support due to a political or humanitarian crisis in your home country, there are many resources and supports that can help you through this time.