Admission & Application Requirements
Admission Requirements
For master’s programs and full-time special students, an appropriate bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, with a final-year average of at least mid-B from a recognized university.
For doctoral programs: an appropriate master’s degree, or its equivalent, with an average of at least B+ or demonstrated comparable research competence. Some departments admit directly to the doctoral program from a bachelor’s degree for highly qualified candidates (minimum average A- required)
Many graduate units (departments, centres, and institutes) have higher minimum requirements than the minimum SGS requirements. As we receive many more applications each year from excellent candidates than we have placements available, meeting the minimum admissions requirement does not necessarily guarantee admission.
Use the international degree equivalencies tool to see which international credentials are required for master’s and doctoral admissions at U of T.
See also FAQs.
Minimum Requirements: English-Language Proficiency Testing
As English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Toronto, applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. It is important that these students follow SGS policies on ELP testing requirements and take one of the required tests for admission to a graduate program.
Applicants from universities outside Canada where English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of their application.
Please note that these scores reflect the School of Graduate Studies’ minimum requirements. Some programs have higher minimum required scores. Please consult the web page of the graduate unit you are applying to in order to be sure you meet their minimum requirements.
Non-Degree Special Students
Non-degree special students are those who choose to take coursework and are not registered in a program of study that leads to a degree. Non-degree special students must submit an application for admission for each academic year of study.Full-time special students pay the full-time academic fee. Special students enrolling on a part-time basis will pay for each course or half-course. Fees paid as a special student cannot be applied to any subsequent degree program. Refund dates are different for part-time special students; check the Student Accounts website for details.
Before applying, you should identify the courses you wish to take and obtain approval from the graduate unit offering the course.
- Full-time special students must have completed an appropriate bachelor’s degree with good academic standing (mid B), from a recognized university. At least two letters of reference are required for full-time special students.
- Part-time special students must hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a recognized university. Applicants who are accepted with less than mid-B standing are not normally considered admissible to a master’s degree at a later date.
- Other qualifications as specified by a graduate unit.
Testing
Some graduate units require a Graduate Records Examination (GRE). Check with your graduate unit.
If English is not your primary language and you graduated from a non-Canadian university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, then you must demonstrate your proficiency in English. See more details on English-language proficiency testing.
Application Requirements
The University of Toronto offers an online admissions application to make the process quick and simple for potential students. (For programs with a start date in January 2022 or May 2022, please use this link.) Before beginning the application, we advise that you carefully read the application instructions, requirements, and deadlines for your chosen academic program provided on the program’s website.
See also FAQs.
Application Fee
There is a CDN $125 application fee. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. A supplementary application fee may be assessed depending upon the program to which you are applying. The supplementary application fee can be found at the program’s website or at the payment step of the online application.
See also FAQs.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program. Please visit your graduate unit’s website.
See also FAQs.