phd programs toronto

MD/PhD Program

Our MD/PhD Program, the largest national program of its kind, trains and mentors the next generation of physician scientists.

Physician scientists are trained as medical doctors and scientists. They are in the unique position of pursuing both scientific research and clinical practice, translating academic excellence into health care excellence for Canadians every day. Our program attracts the very best medical researchers to U of T PhD programs, and has produced successive generations of innovative health leaders. Through collaborative and interdisciplinary research, we are advancing medicine and improving health around the world.

The MD/PhD Program trains physician scientists who are well prepared for both research and clinical practice, highly competitive and productive.

You may apply for admission into the MD/PhD Program at the same time as your MD application, or during your first year of medical school at U of T.

Research Training Opportunities

We have a wide array of research training opportunities available.

Research Application Support Initiative (RASI)

RASI is offered through the Community of Support and includes MD and MD/PhD student support with developing research CVs, publishing research, and finding research positions.

Black Student Application Program

The MD/PhD Program encourages applications for both the MD/PhD Program and BSAP.

Indigenous Student Application Program

Indigenous applicants are welcome to apply through both ISAP and the MD/PhD Program.

We live during a time of remarkable advances in the sciences that span the expanse of biomedical to health services research. Indeed, there has never been a time when it is so exciting to do science; never has there been such potential for discovery and application of these discoveries for the benefit of human health. Nicola Jones, MD, PhD, MD/PhD Program Director

MD/PhD student Hannah Kozlowski receives inaugural future leaders prize

Class of 2T6: What Drives Your Passion for Medicine?

Faces of Temerty Medicine: Mitch De Snoo

Professional and Graduate Programs

Build on your undergraduate degree with U of T’s rich selection of professional and graduate programs. While some programs require university preparation, others require a university degree. See faculty websites for specific admission information.

School of Graduate Studies

U of T is where Canada goes for answers to its big questions – answers that are being provided by faculty and students of Canada’s largest and most prestigious graduate school. With unparalleled research and education facilities as well as outstanding libraries, our world-class graduate students are studying and working with the most productive research faculty in Canada. Our graduate students’ research is recognized internationally, published in leading journals; they also lead the nation in winning external research grants.

Learn more about our over 175 research and professional master’s and doctoral programs across more than 80 departments, or explore the potential for interdisciplinary research in more than forty collaborative programs. By pursuing graduate studies at U of T, you’ll be learning first-hand from some of the world’s top researchers, scholars, and professionals as they work to solve the most urgent questions of the 21st century. Under their guidance, you’ll develop the skills and reputation you need to launch into a lifelong path of intellectual discovery and professional success.

Length of program: varies Phone Number: 416.978.6614 Programs : www.uoft.me/gradprograms Information: www.uoft.me/gradstudies

A complete university degree required

Architecture, Landscape, and Design

The John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design (Daniels) focuses on interdisciplinary training and research to test the limits of 21st century design.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.5038 Information: www.uoft.me/daniels

A complete university degree is required for graduate programs

Biomedical Communications

A Faculty of Medicine program, biomedical communications offers an interdisciplinary graduate program in the design and evaluation of visual media in medicine and science.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 905.569.4849 Information: www.uoft.me/biomedcomm

One of the foremost dental research centres in Canada, U of T’s Faculty of Dentistry has an international reputation for scholarly activity, in both the clinical and biological sciences.

Length of Program: 4 Years Phone Number: 416.979.4901 ext. 4373 Information: www.uoft.me/Dentistry

Some university education required

The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education is an all-graduate institute. We offer programs in curriculum, teaching and learning; applied psychology and human development; leadership, higher and adult education; and social justice education.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.1848 Information: www.oise.utoronto.ca/oise/Academic_Programs/index.html

The Faculty of Forestry offers an innovative, interdisciplinary course-based Master of Forest Conservation program, which is accredited by the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board, and includes a three-month internship and opportunities for international study.

Length of Program: 16 months Phone Number: 416.946.7952 Information: www.uoft.me/forestry

Information

The iSchool develops professionals, grounded in practice, policy and research, in the fields of information, knowledge management, digital communication and curation, libraries, archives and museums for the 21st century.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.3234 Information: www.ischool.utoronto.ca

The Faculty of Law is one of the oldest professional faculties at U of T and has a long and illustrious history of educating the best lawyers and legal scholars in Canada.

L ength of Program: 3 Years Phone Number: 416.978.3716 Information: www.law.utoronto.ca

Institute for Management & Innovation

The Institute for Management & Innovation is the collaborative centre for management education at U of T Mississauga providing professional masters programs in accounting, biotechnology, innovation and sustainability.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 905.569.4565 Information: www.utm.utoronto.ca/imi

Rotman School of Management

U of T’s Rotman School has set out to redesign business education for the 21st century and become one of the world’s top-tier business schools in preparing business leaders of tomorrow.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.3499 Information: www.rotman.utoronto.ca

Medical Radiation Sciences

Jointly offered by the Faculty of Medicine and The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, the Medical Radiation Sciences Program integrates proficiency in diagnostic and therapeutic patient care with advanced technology.

Length of Program: 3 Years Phone Number: 416.978.7837 Information: www.uoft.me/medicalradiationsciences

U of T’s Faculty of Medicine and affiliated hospitals are among the leading health sciences centres for research and education in North America, with a global reputation for excellence and innovation.

Length of Program: 4 Years Phone Number: 416.978.7928 Information: www.uoft.me/studymedicine

The Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing ranks among the premier nursing programs in the world in both education and research.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.978.2865 Information: www.uoft.me/bloombergnursing

Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

A Faculty of Medicine program, occupational science and therapy prepares students to become innovative occupational therapists, clinician scientists and educators.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.946.8571 Information: www.uoft.me/ot

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy prepares graduates to become leaders in medication therapy management, improve patient outcomes, and work effectively within health care teams.

Length of Program: 4 Years Phone Number: 416.978.3967 Information: www.uoft.me/pharmacy

Physical Therapy

A program within the Faculty of Medicine, the Master of Science in Physical Therapy develops highly competent academic practitioners who demonstrate the essential competencies of a practicing physical therapist in a wide range of settings upon graduation.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.946.8641 Information: www.physicaltherapy.utoronto.ca

Physician Assistant

Trained in the Faculty of Medicine, Physician Assistants are health care professionals who practice under the supervision of a licensed physician. In their role, PAs are able to conduct physical examinations, order and interpret tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, and more.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.978.1676 Information: www.paconsortium.ca

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

The Dalla Lana School of Public Health is Canada’s largest and most comprehensive public health school that is informing practice and influencing government policy in population health, prevention and health-care systems.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.978.2058 Information: www.dlsph.utoronto.ca

Social Work

The Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work has been on the cutting edge of education, policy, research and practice in the field of social work for 100 years.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.3257 Information: www.uoft.me/socialwork

Speech-Language Pathology

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine prepares highly competent clinical professionals and researchers who find employment in a variety of settings related to assessment, intervention and/or study of communication, swallowing and hearing disorders.

Length of Program: 2 Years Phone Number: 416.946.5456 Information: www.uoft.me/slp

U of T’s affiliate the Toronto School of Theology provides graduate theological education in academic or professional programs and shapes men and women for faithful and creative leadership in the mission of the Church.

Length of Program: Varies Phone Number: 416.978.4039 Information: www.tst.edu

Find out about  co-ops, internships, field school ,  First Year Foundations : The  One Programs, and other enhanced academic opportunities available on all three campuses.

Applicants should rank their choices in order of preference. You will receive separate decisions for each Faculty/Division to which you apply (i.e. multiple offers from the University of Toronto). The Faculties and Divisions include:

• Applied Science and Engineering
• Arts and Science, St. George campus
• Daniels Faculty of Landscape, Architecture and Design
• International Foundation Program
• Kinesiology and Physical Education
• Medical Radiation Sciences *
• Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing *
• Physician Assistant *
• University of Toronto Mississauga
• University of Toronto Scarborough

*admission to these divisions requires some university preparation; you cannot apply to these programs directly from secondary school.

Applicants should rank their choices in order of preference.

U of T provides many opportunities to study internationally. Learn about exchange programs, field courses, international development internships, and co-op placements.

If you do not meet the published admission requirements, and have not previously attempted university level studies, you may become eligible for various programs through either the Academic Bridging Program or the Transitional Year Program. Find out more about these options  here .

If your first language is not English and you will have completed less than four years of satisfactory full-time study in a Canadian school or in a country where the dominant language is English, you may have to present proof of English facility. Find details  here .

You might be a candidate for one of our English Language Transition Programs. These are available on each of our three campuses, find out more about the  different offerings .

Once you’ve been accepted, you’ll receive information about course selection in your Next Steps package. You can get an idea of what courses are available by checking the  Course Finder , or get in touch with your  Registrar  for questions about course selection.

You should also become familiar with the  Accessible Campus Online Resource Network (ACORN) , and use it to find your courses, academic record and fee information.

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PhD in Information

Be equipped to take on leadership roles in information and knowledge-based environments, including academia. The doctorate program features advanced scholarly research in the theoretical basis of information studies. In private and public institutions, apply the PhD to professional practice functions such as research, systems analysis and design, and administration.

 Admission requirements to the PhD in Information program

• Application & deadlines

Academic requirements

Supporting documents, after applying.

Quick links:

• PhD program
• PhD student funding
• Collaborative specializations
• PhD student recruitment

Contact us at [email protected]

 Application & deadlines

Entry into the program occurs once a year, in September . The program is delivered in-person on campus.

Application Form & Fee

• Apply via the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Online Admissions Application.
• Read the frequently asked questions  about the online application.
• The application fee is $125 CAD per application.

Application Deadlines for Admission

• October 1 – online application is available
• December 1 – online application, application fee and all supporting documents must be submitted: statement of interest, research statement, transcripts, CV/resume, writing sample, academic letters of reference, English proficiency test scores (if applicable). An application with supporting documents submitted after this date, or with missing supporting documents will be considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

Missed the PhD Info Night on October 26? Watch the recording HERE! 

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AN APPROPRIATE MASTER’S DEGREE

• An appropriate  Master’s degree  from a recognized university is required. The degree may be in any discipline or area of study.  
• If your degree was earned outside of Canada, use the  International Degree Equivalency Too l   to identify equivalent credentials.

MINIMUM GRADE REQUIREMENT:

• A- average (or equivalent).
• This is the minimum GPA requirement for consideration. Presenting the minimum does not guarantee admission.

While work experience is invaluable personal and professional experience, it cannot be a substitute for academic requirements.

TRANSCRIPTS

Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended:

• For applicants currently in the process of completing their final year of study, an interim transcript must be submitted.
• Current and past University of Toronto students applying to Faculty of Information programs may give permission to the Faculty to download an official UofT transcript by emailing  [email protected]

For the purpose of the application review, unofficial transcripts may be uploaded  to the online application form.

• If an offer of admission is made, official final transcripts must be submitted to the Faculty as part of the offer condition(s).
• Transcripts are considered official when they have been prepared, sealed in an envelope, and signed over the back flap by an official at the issuing institution. They are to be sent directly to the  Faculty of Information:  University of Toronto, 140 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G6.

The Admissions Committee may at any time during the application process request that applicants submit official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended.

For students whose admitting degree was granted outside of North America, the Faculty of Information will accept transcripts sent directly from World Education Services (WES) as official transcripts.  The Faculty of Information will consider the evaluation report from WES but will make its own evaluation decision.

For admission to the Faculty of Information,  standardized tests (such as GMAT or GRE) are not required or requested, and will not be considered.

A CURRENT CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)/RESUME

Your CV should include: education; relevant personal and work experience, both paid and unpaid; publications; professional activities; awards, honours, grants and fellowships, as applicable.

*Please submit your research statement and statement of interest   as one document through the  SGS application site  as either a Microsoft Word file or a PDF, under the research statement field.

RESEARCH STATEMENT

All applicants should proactively reach out to  Faculty members  conducting research in the area you are interested in to ensure that your research can be well supported by a faculty member.

Your research statement should be written in essay format and be a maximum of 1,000 words, double-spaced.

A research statement generally outlines: 1) the research you plan to undertake in a PhD; 2) support at the Faculty of Information. We have provided some prompts that may stimulate and guide your thinking:

1 . The research or project you plan to undertake in your PhD : What is the research you will conduct at the Faculty of Information? What fields or areas of research is your project in conversation with (demonstrated through a short literature review)? Who are the scholars (including researchers, artists, practitioners, community leaders,  elders, etc.) that have shaped your research interests? What is significant or novel about this research? Explain how your research contributes to intellectual diversity in the Faculty.

2. Support at the Faculty of Information: Why do you want to undertake this research at the Faculty of Information? Which faculty members do you propose to supervise your research and serve on your dissertation committee, and why? Have you met with these faculty members? Which courses and programs of study (including potential optional collaborative programs) will support your research? Are there research centres, institutions, or communities that can support your research?

• Be specific
• Include citations and a bibliography
• Include a short title for your research project
• Include specific details about achievements (academic, professional, or community)
• Write in clear, jargon-free language for an interdisciplinary committee

STATEMENT OF INTEREST

Your statement of interest should be written in essay format and be a maximum of 500 words, double-spaced. Your statement of interest generally outlines your background. We have provided some prompts that may stimulate and guide your thinking:

Your background : How did you become interested in this research? What led you to this proposed research? What background (academic, personal or professional) do you have that prepares you to pursue this project or area of research, and how do you need to grow? You should be specific about courses, essays, theses, research-creation, community organizing, activism and/or lived experiences that have prepared you to undertake the proposed research.

WRITING SAMPLE​

In the online application, you will be able to upload your writing sample to the portal at the end – during the “review” stage.

The writing sample is a piece of original academic work, around 3,000-8,000 words (double-spaced if not in published format).

It could be one of:

• a course paper
• an excerpt from your thesis or major research paper
• an article submitted for publication
• a chapter from a book or other similar publication

The writing sample is used to evaluate your writing skills, which are an important component of the PhD. This is easiest to do if the sample is single-authored. If you submit a collaboratively authored sample, please include a statement of contributions that explains your role.

ACADEMIC LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Three acadmemic letters are required . If you graduated more than five years ago, you may substitute professional letters of reference. Work-related referees should be direct supervisors who can comment on your skills that are useful in the academic environment.

In the online application, you will be asked to provide the contact information for your referees. Once you have paid the application fee your referees will be emailed by the School of Graduate Studies with instructions directing them to a secure website where they will submit electronically:

• a candidate assessment in a fillable confidential report form
• a reference letter

Suggested guidelines for reference letters:

• Letters should be 1-2 pages maximum
• Include how long you have known the applicant and in what capacity
• Outline the applicant’s strengths as a student/researcher, ideally with specific examples
• Avoid gendered language
• Include details such as: how would you describe the applicant’s intellectual characteristics? Their ability to carry out independent and collaborative research? What has prepared the applicant to undertake a PhD? How do you assess the applicant’s communication, research, and writing skills? Does the applicant possess personal qualities that will help them succeed in a PhD? Is there anything else we should know about the applicant that they may not have included in their research statement?

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY – IF REQUIRED

Applicants whose first language is not English will need to submit an English proficiency test result.

Applicants whose first language is not English but who completed an Undergraduate or Graduate degree from an institution where English is used as the medium of instruction and examination may not require an English proficiency test. However, applicants will be required to provide a letter from their previous institution to verify that English is indeed used as the medium of instruction. This letter should be sent directly to the Faculty of Information on official institution letterhead and email.

The Admissions Committee reserves the right to require applicants to provide an English proficiency test result during the application process.

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APPLICATION STATUS CHECK

You may log in to your profile on the  application website  to confirm the receipt of your supporting documents or amend your current contact information. Your application will be marked “Under Review” when it has gone to the Admission Committee for consideration.

REVIEW PROCESS

The Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach in reviewing candidates. Emphasis is not placed on any specific area but on the overall application. Meeting the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Information and the School of Graduate Studies does not guarantee admission.

Applicants may be contacted for an interview during the application review process.

Admission is based on the availability of a faculty member to support your research. It is important to us that our admitted PhD students are well supported in their area of research by their supervisors. Therefore, you should proactively reach out to  Faculty members who are conducting research in the area you are interested in ahead of time to ensure that you will have a supervisor who has the expertise to support your research.

NOTIFICATION OF DECISIONS

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• Future Students

School of Graduate Studies

Medical science, program overview.

The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs in Medical Science are available in a wide range of basic sciences, clinical sciences, and population health research. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, a student receives specialized training and exposure to Toronto’s finest multidisciplinary research. Students conduct research in one of six fields:

• Biomedical Science
• Clinical Science
• Health Professions Education
• Population Health/Health Services
• Radiation Oncology

The full-time MSc and PhD programs emphasize hands-on research, rather than coursework. The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) is the graduate unit of choice for MDs seeking training as clinician investigators, and graduates may seek positions as academics and health-care professionals in universities, government, and industry. The IMS participates in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Clinical Investigator Program (CIP).

Students may also be interested in the combined degree program in  Medicine, Doctor of / Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD) .

See video: Explore Graduate Programs at the Faculty of Medicine

Quick Facts

Master of science, program description.

The MSc program is available in a wide range of basic sciences, clinical sciences, and population health research. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, a student receives specialized training and exposure to Toronto's finest multidisciplinary research. Students conduct research in one of six fields: Bioethics; Biomedical Science; Clinical Science; Health Professions Education; Population Health/Health Services; and Radiation Oncology.

The program emphasizes hands-on research, rather than coursework. Faculty conduct research in the following areas: cardiovascular sciences, bioethics, neuroscience, membrane biology, respiratory medicine, and psychosomatic medicine. The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) is the graduate unit of choice for undergraduates and MDs seeking training as clinician investigators, and graduates may seek positions as academics and health-care professionals in universities, government, and industry. The IMS participates in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Clinical Investigator Program (CIP).

Students will complete the program in two years over six sessions.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Institute of Medical Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

An appropriate BSc or an MD degree from a recognized university and academic credentials and background preparation appropriate to the field of study. Qualified university graduates with a professional health science degree (for example, MD, BScN) or an undergraduate arts and science degree of appropriate background who wish to pursue graduate studies in basic or clinical biomedical sciences are encouraged to apply.

Applicants lacking adequate background in biological, natural, or social sciences may be required to take undergraduate or graduate courses considered necessary to provide a proper basis for their research.

A– (80%) average in the final year of undergraduate study and an A– cumulative average over three of the four total years of study.

Applicants whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction was not English, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following English language proficiency tests:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE); or

a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based test and 25 on the writing and speaking sections.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum overall score of 7.5 with at least 6.5 in each component.

Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): minimum total of 86 with a minimum writing score of 32, reading score of 22, and listening score of 22. Test of Oral Proficiency assessment band = 7.

Program Requirements

Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalent (FCEs) as follows:

0.5 FCE: MSC1010H 0 MSc Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit).

0.5 FCE: MSC modular courses (two courses worth 0.25 FCE each).

1.0 elective FCE.

A research thesis and oral thesis examination .

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

3 years full-time

0 Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when the course is completed.

Doctor of Philosophy

The PhD program is available in a wide range of basic sciences, clinical sciences, and population health research. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, a student receives specialized training and exposure to Toronto's finest multidisciplinary research. Students conduct research in one of six fields: Bioethics; Biomedical Science; Clinical Science; Health Professions Education; Population Health/Health Services; and Radiation Oncology.

The program emphasizes hands-on research, rather than coursework. Faculty conduct research in the following areas: cardiovascular sciences, bioethics, neuroscience, membrane biology, respiratory medicine, and psychosomatic medicine. The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) is the graduate unit of choice for undergraduates and MDs seeking training as clinician investigators, and graduates may seek positions as academics and health-care professionals in universities, government, and industry. IMS participates in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Clinical Investigator Program (CIP).

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of a two-year, thesis-based MSc degree with a defended MSc thesis; 2) transfer from the IMS MSc program; or 3) direct entry following completion of an appropriate BSc or MD degree.

Completion of the PhD may take longer than the program length indicated below.

PhD Program

Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Institute of Medical Science (IMS)'s additional admission requirements stated below.

Applicants whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, must demonstrate facility in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following English-language proficiency tests:

Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): minimum total score of 86 with minimum writing score of 32, reading score of 22, and listening score of 22. Test of Oral Proficiency assessment band = 7.

Applicants may be accepted into the PhD program after completing a two-year, thesis-based MSc degree (with a defended MSc thesis) with at least an A– standing from a recognized university.

Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

0.5 FCE: MSC1011H 0 PhD Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit).

Students may be required to take extra courses in addition to the degree requirements.

Students must pass a qualifying examination within 18 to 21 months of starting the program.

A research thesis must be submitted, and the student must pass an IMS departmental oral examination before proceeding to the Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

At the end of Year 3, students must have completed all program requirements exclusive of the thesis research in order to achieve candidacy.

In cases where a student's prior academic background may have covered any of the courses listed above, substitutions will be required. Such substitutions can include any courses in IMS. For courses taken outside of this graduate unit, students should consult with their Graduate Coordinator.

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer requirements.

Applicants may be accepted into the PhD program via transfer from the University of Toronto MSc program. Outstanding students may be considered for reclassification/transfer into the PhD program without writing an MSc thesis.

Students must complete 3.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

1.0 elective FCE with a minimum A– average.

The student will be evaluated in an oral transfer examination within 18 to 21 months of initial graduate registration.

The successful applicant will enter the PhD program and complete:

0.5 FCE: MSC1011H 0 PhD Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit) if credit for MSC1010H has not been obtained prior to transfer.

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Students are accepted via direct entry into the PhD program after completing an appropriate BSc or an MD degree, without completing a two-year, thesis-based MSc degree.

Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 3.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

2.0 elective FCEs.

At the end of Year 4, students must have completed all program requirements exclusive of the thesis research in order to achieve candidacy.

“I'm investigating the genetics of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.”

Universal Navigation

Universal navigation2.

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The Department of English at the University of Toronto offers two doctoral streams, the PhD program and the PhD U (“direct-entry”) program.

Admission to the doctoral streams is highly selective.

The PhD program welcomes applications from our own English MA students and English MA students from other recognized institutions.

Candidates for admission to the PhD program must complete an MA in English at this or another university with a standing of A- or better and must satisfy the Department that they are capable of independent research at an advanced level.

The PhD program is designed for completion in five years ; it may extend, if necessary, to a maximum of six years.

PhD U (Direct-Entry) Program

The "direct-entry" PhD U program welcomes applications from exceptional students who have completed their undergraduate English BA degree but not an English MA, or who have completed an MA in a program related to but not in the field of English. (If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact the Associate Director, PhD , before applying.)

Please see the Application Information  page (under “Programs”) for further information about eligibility for the PhD U program, which involves an additional year of coursework and therefore tends to take an additional year to complete.

Upon registration, all doctoral candidates are assigned a mentor from the Department’s graduate faculty.

A thesis supervisor and supervisory committee are appointed at the end of Year 1 for students in the PhD program or the end of Year 2 for students in the PhD U program.

The Special Fields Examination is normally taken in March, April, or May of Year 2 in the program for PhD students or Year 3 in the program for PhD U students.

Program Requirements and Course Work

At the University of Toronto, the acronym FCE stands for “Full Course Equivalent.” A “full course” is weighted 1.0 FCE and meets for the full year (i.e., two terms or semesters). Almost all of our graduate courses in English , however, run for a single term and are thus called “half courses,” which are weighted 0.5 FCE. (“3.0 FCEs,” in other words, in practice means 6 single-term courses.)

The program requirements (except for ENG9500H and ENG9900H) for the PhD are usually completed within the first two years of the program.

The minimum course requirements for the degree are as follows:

• ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series (0.25 FCE); taken in Year 1 of the program
• ENG9900H Professing Literature (0.5 FCE); taken in Year 3
• ENG9500H Professional Development (0.5 FCE); taken in Year 4 
• 3.0 additional FCEs in English, as approved by the department; the department strongly encourages students to complete these 3.0 additional FCEs in Year 1
• English-Language Requirement: Any student who has not completed ENG240Y Old English Language and Literature or an equivalent full-year undergraduate course in Old English with at least a B standing is required to take one of the following courses in the English language among (not in addition to) the 3.0 FCEs in English: ENG1001H Old English I, ENG6361 H History and Structure of the English Language I , ENG6362H History and Structure of the English Language: Post-1500 , ENG6365H Diasporic Englishes . (Alternatively, the requirement can be satisfied by taking a special examination in Old English.)
• Every student must complete at least 2.0 FCEs outside the chosen field of study over the course of their graduate training. The student is encouraged to combine these courses into a minor field. Graduate courses taken as part of the master's program and in fulfillment of the English language requirement may be counted in this connection, with the exception of either ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English or courses in the 9000 series.

Language Requirement: PhD students must also demonstrate reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 3 of registration. With the permission of the department, another language (other than English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the PhD program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B and maintain an average grade of at least A–.

PhD students may take up to 1.0 FCE of coursework outside of the Graduate Program in English, with the approval of the Associate Director, PhD.  

Cross-listed courses (that is, courses taught by English graduate faculty in other units) and courses required for a collaborative specialization are equivalent to English courses and may be taken without special permission from the Department.

PhD U (Direct-Entry)

The program requirements (except for ENG9500H and ENG9900H) for the PhD U are usually completed within the first three years of the program.

• ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English (1.0 FCE); taken in Year 1 of the program
• ENG9400H Essential Skills Workshop Series (0.25 FCE); taken in Year 2
• ENG9900H Professing Literature (0.5 FCE); taken in Year 4
• ENG9500H Professional Development (0.5 FCE); taken in Year 5 
• 5.0 additional FCEs in English, as approved by the department. In Year 1, in addition to ENG6999Y the student must complete 2.0 FCEs. In addition to ENG9400H, students must then complete the remaining 3.0 FCEs by the end of Year 3. The department strongly encourages students to complete these 3.0 additional FCEs in Year 2.
• English-Language Requirement: Any student who has not completed ENG240Y Old English Language and Literature or an equivalent full-year undergraduate course in Old English with at least a B standing is required to take one of the following courses in the English language among (not in addition to) the 5.0 FCEs in English: ENG1001H Old English I , ENG6361H History and Structure of the English Language I, ENG6362H History and Structure of the English Language: Post-1500 , ENG6365H Diasporic Englishes . (Alternatively, the requirement can be satisfied by taking a special examination in Old English.)
• Every student must complete at least 2.0 FCEs outside the chosen field of study. The student is encouraged to combine these courses in a minor field. Graduate courses taken as part of the master's program and in fulfillment of the English language requirement may be counted in this connection, with the exception of either ENG6999Y Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English or courses in the 9000 series.

Language Requirement: PhD U students must also demonstrate reading knowledge of French by May 31 of Year 4 of registration. With the permission of the department, another language (other than English) may be substituted for French provided that this other language is required by the student's research area. The supervisory committee may require the student to qualify in other program-related languages as well.

In order to maintain good academic standing, and to continue in the PhD U program, the student must complete each course with a grade of at least B and maintain an average grade of at least A–.

PhD U students may take up to 1.0 FCE of coursework outside of the Graduate Program in English, with the approval of the Associate Director, PhD.  

Thesis and Supervisory Committee Information

The thesis topic.

Careful consideration in the process of choosing a thesis topic is critical for all doctoral candidates. Select a subject that excites your curiosity, engages your interest, and represents your current thinking and expertise. A thesis topic should emerge from coursework and intellectual growth during the first stages of the program.

Even candidates who enter the program with ideas about a thesis topic are advised to test them further against their own development, the current state of scholarship in the field, and available faculty and archival resources

Finding a Supervisor

The Graduate English faculty is extensive and extraordinarily wide-ranging. Students are advised to consider all potential supervisors from among faculty holding the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

Every PhD student is assigned a mentor, who is one source for information about potential thesis supervisors. Above all, coursework offers the chance to explore intellectual affinities with potential supervisors, and the Director and Associate Directors of the graduate program can offer useful advice.

Members of the Graduate Faculty are always willing to discuss thesis topics and supervision with candidates, and asking a faculty member to read and comment on a fellowship proposal is an excellent way to begin to gauge the potential of a supervisory relationship.

Students should initiate discussion of a thesis topic with potential supervisors early in the second term of the first year of the PhD program (or second year for direct-entry students).

Preliminary Thesis Proposal and Supervisory Committee Request List (Form A)

After securing a thesis supervisor and developing a thesis topic in consultation with that supervisor, the student and supervisor work together to submit  Form A  (Revised September 12, 2019), the Preliminary Thesis Proposal and Committee Request List, to the Department by May 15 of the first year (or second year for direct entry students).

As part of the process of completing Form A, the student should consult with four (or, at a minimum, three) additional members of the graduate faculty to gain further perspectives on the design and viability of the project. On the form, the student lists the names of the faculty members consulted and the names of up to four faculty members to be considered as potential members of the supervisory committee. (The names of the faculty consulted and the potential committee members are often, but may not necessarily be, the same.)

The Preliminary Thesis Proposal is a statement of approximately 1-2 single-spaced pages outlining the focus and approach of the proposed program of research. Successful proposals will be written in clear, concise prose. As its title suggests, the proposal is preliminary: the position paper component of the Special Fields Exam (at the end of the following year) will provide the opportunity for revision and expansion. Students should feel free, if it in fact reflects their current thinking, to adapt their Program of Study from a SSHRC or Plan of Study from a OGS proposal. As above, be sure that your Thesis Proposal reflects your current thinking, growth, and knowledge of the field.

Supervisory Committee and Special Fields Reading List (Form B)

After Form A (the preliminary proposal and committee request list) has been received, the Director and Associate Director, PhD, will determine the composition of the supervisory committee (usually the supervisor plus two additional members).

Early in the summer, the candidate should then meet with the supervisory committee as a group to discuss the proposal, draw up an initial list of texts for the Special Fields Examination (see below), and develop a plan of work.

In late summer or early fall the student consults with the committee once again to complete  Form B  (Revised November 11, 2019), the Special Fields Reading List, which must be submitted to the Department by October 1 of the second year of the program (or third year for direct entry students).

Please see below  for further information about the Special Fields Examination.

Thesis Supervision

It is critical to the success of the working relationship between supervisor and candidate to develop an initial agreement about the method and scope of the research, and to clarify the expectations of supervisor and candidate: about the kind and amount of advice that the candidate wants and the supervisor is able and willing to offer; about the involvement of the members of the supervisory committee; about the frequency, regularity and contents of consultations; about an appropriate time scheme for the completion of the thesis; and about the way draft work is to be submitted.

The candidate meets with the supervisor and individual committee members according to the schedule they have established, but the candidate must meet with the full supervisory committee at least once every year in order to meet SGS registration requirements.

Please carefully consult the following SGS publications:

• Graduate Supervision Guidelines
• Graduate Supervision Guidelines — Faculty Edition
• Graduate Supervision Guidelines — Student Edition
• The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision

Thesis Submission Guidelines and the Final Oral Examination

Special fields examination.

The Special Fields Examination both prepares students for teaching and scholarly work in a particular field and facilitates the transition to writing the doctoral thesis.

Accordingly, the Special Fields Reading List, which forms the basis for the examination, comprises between 80 and 100 texts, roughly two-thirds (55-65) in a major field and roughly one-third (25-35) in a minor field. Students construct their own lists in consultation with their supervisor and thesis committee.

The Special Fields Examination must be completed by the end of Year 2 (or Year 3 for direct-entry students) and will normally be taken in March, April, or May of that year.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

MIE PhD students produce a thesis of original work with the support of world-renowned researchers and facilities.

MIE Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students work with world renowned faculty members to gain the knowledge and competencies needed for a career in research or industry leadership. The keystone of the doctoral program is a thesis of original work, supervised by a professor.

Students entering the PhD program typically have a Master’s degree. Outstanding applicants coming directly from a bachelor-level program can also apply for direct entry into the PhD program. Full-time PhD students receive funding during the program and can apply for various scholarships.

Admission Requirements

Direct entry phd, flex-time phd, tuition fees, program requirements, specializations, qualifying exam, annual progress review meetings, thesis & final oral examination, phd funding, teaching assistantships, helpful links.

Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission . The Graduate Office cannot provide assessments of credentials prior to application.

• A master's degree with high academic standing from a recognized university (see Alternate Paths to PhD below)
• Minimum GPA requirement of 3.3 (B+; 77-79%) in the previous two years of graduate study. View U of T's Grade Scale for reference. International students should use the International Degree Equivalencies Tool to see which international credentials are required
• Evidence of exceptional research ability
• To be considered for admission, all applicants that require proof of ELP must meet the minimum score requirement for every component of the English language proficiency exam including reading, writing, speaking and listening
• All test components must be completed and passed at the same time (applicants cannot combine scores from different exams)
• For more information, including approved test centres, visit the School of Graduate Studies website

Alternate Paths to PhD:

• Direct Entry PhD: Exceptionally strong applicants (GPA: A- or higher) with a bachelor's degree may be nominated by an MIE professor for direct entry to the PhD program. Learn more about Direct Entry PhD below.
• MASc Fast-Track and Retroactive Transfer to PhD: Exceptional MASc students (GPA: A- or higher and no grade lower than B+) may request to transfer to the PhD program before completing all of the MASc program requirements. Learn more about transferring from MASc to PhD

Exceptionally strong applicants with a bachelor's degree may apply directly to the PhD program.

Additional admissions requirements:

• GPA: A- or higher
• An MIE professor must nominate the student for the Direct Entry PhD program by submitting a one page summary outlining the reasons for the nomination and indicating whether they are able to supervise the student to the Graduate Coordinator: gradchair@mie.utoronto.ca

The Flex-time PhD program offers the flexibility for professionals who want to continue to work while pursuing their PhD part-time.

The program requirements for the Flex-time PhD are the same as the full-time program with the following exceptions:

• The qualifying exam must be taken within 16 months of registration rather than 12 months
• PhD candidacy is achieved if all requirements have been met by end of 3rd year rather than end of 2nd year

Please note:

• the Flex-time PhD program is not eligible for funding support
• Transfers between the full-time and flex-time PhD programs are not permitted

View a the PhD Flex-time Program Requirements checklist

Those interested in applying to the Flex-time PhD program must:

• a thesis topic
• the extent to which the employer will provide time and resources for the student to work on their Ph.D.
• a proposal on how the IP policies of the University will be respected.
• If the Committee is satisfied that the prospective student, his/her employer and an MIE professor are all committed to the success of the student’s program, the student will be invited to submit a formal application

The information below is for reference only and is subject to change annually. Registered students should check their fee balance on their ACORN account . View the U of T Student Accounts website for more information about fees.

Pay annually:

• Domestic students: $8,489.52/year
• International students: $9,113.52/year

Pay per session:

• Domestic students: $4,272.26/session
• International students: $4,896.26/session

Applicants to MIE's PhD program must complete the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Online Admissions Application  by the deadline indicated below.

• Application window: October 1 - January 1 (application fee deadline)
• Document deadline January 15
• Application window:- June 1 - October 1 (application fee deadline)
• Document deadline October15

Same application deadlines for Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents and International Students.

PhD Application Instructions

Students are not required to submit paper copies of their documents unless requested by the Graduate Office.

• Create an  SGS applicant profile and pay the application fee (non-refundable/transferable, regardless of the circumstance). See application deadlines above.

Once your profile has been created, the following is required:

• 2 references. Email addresses for referees must be institution-based (not GMail, Hotmail, etc.). Both referees must hold academic appointments and it is required that one or both of the referees be a previous thesis supervisor. References from friends and family will not be accepted. Instructions will be sent to each referee by email via the SGS system on how to submit a reference letter.
• Complete (or most up-to-date) academic record / transcript(s). Upload post-secondary institutional transcripts as PDF files. Every transcript must include its respective grading scale . You are not required to submit official paper transcripts unless requested by the Graduate Office.
• Resume/C.V.
• Letter of Intent: explain why you want to join our program. Describe your research interest, career goals, the courses you intend to take, etc. The letter should be 650 – 1000 words.
• Field of Study:  Students must indicate up to three fields of study.
• If the student’s admitting degree was issued by a country  not listed under Exemptions on the  School of Graduate Studies  website, the student is required to provide English Language Proficiency (ELP) exam results electronically. MIE requires proof of ELP even if their language of instruction and examination was English. Please note that all test components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) must be completed and passed at the same time (applicants cannot combine scores from different exams). For minimum requirements and approved test centres visit the School of Graduate Studies website. Important : If ELP exam results are required, an application is not considered complete until the results are submitted electronically from the testing institution.

Students are not required to submit official paper transcripts unless it is requested by the Graduate Office. The review process will take place using your electronic transcripts.  Please note that a request for an official transcript is for verification purposes and does not mean acceptance into the program.

If you are receive an email request for paper documents, mail to:

PhD Program Graduate Studies Office, MC108 Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 5 King’s College Road Toronto, ON M5S 3G8 Canada

After application submission

Admission into the PhD programs is extremely competitive: we only offer admission to a small fraction of applicants, because these students must be funded, either by external scholarships or by a professor's research funds. As a result, PhD applicants are strongly encouraged to contact professors with whom they would like to work, either before or after submitting an application. Without funding, we cannot offer admission.

Students can review the status of their application on the SGS Online Admissions Application website .

Documents Pending

Additional documents required. A student's application is not considered complete until all of the required documents have been submitted. Once all documents have been submitted, status will not automatically update to Under Review. Statuses are updated manually on an ongoing basis.

Under Review

Application complete. Faculty members will review applications and may contact students about offering supervision. Students should actively pursue confirming a supervisor as admission can only be granted to students who have secured a supervisor. Students can contact MIE Faculty members directly to inquire about potential supervision.

If the faculty member has confirmed a student's supervision, the student will be notified of next steps including submission of official final transcripts. Confirmation from the supervisor to the Graduate Office is required to proceed in the PhD program.

Students will then be notified of the results of their application and their status will update to Decision Made.

Graduate Research Days

Select applicants will be invited to learn more about research at MIE at Graduate Research Days .  Applicants will be notified if they have been selected to attend.

Winter Orientation was held on December 10, 2024. The presentation is available here .

• Transfer credit may be requested for up to two previously completed Half Credit Equivalent (HCE) courses (grade of at least A-) that were not used for credit towards a degree
• PhD students must remain in good academic standing by
• maintaining an average GPA of A-
• no grade lower than B- (No failure, FZ, is permitted)
• completing yearly requirements (see below)
• progress review meetings (including the Qualifying Exam ) must be held at least every twelve months from the initial date of registration to get feedback on the progress and quality of their work

Note: Failure to remain in good academic standing will result in various sanctions such as student ineligibility for funding and registration in the program.

Yearly requirements

Download Yearly Requirements Checklist

• at least three MIE courses
• at most one APS or TEP course
• at most one 500 level course
• at most one Reading course (assigned by supervisor)

Note: Fast-track students must complete seven graduate HCE courses (at least four MIE courses) in the first two years of their PhD program

• Attend JDE1000H Ethics in Graduate Research seminar
• Attend 70% of MIE's Distinguished Seminar Series (SRD4444Y). Attendance recorded with student's T-card
• Hold Qualifying Exam (within 12 months of PhD registration)
• Preliminary work on thesis under supervision of MIE faculty member
• Complete fifth graduate level HCE course (if not completed in Year 1)
• Hold first PhD Committee meeting (within 24 months of PhD registration)
• Continue work on thesis

Candidacy will be achieved upon completion of Year 1 & 2 requirements. Candidacy status appears on ACORN.

• Hold second PhD Committee meeting (within 36 months of PhD registration)
• Hold third PhD Committee meeting (before end of fourth year of program)
• Hold MIE Departmental exam after thesis submission to committee (may skip this exam and go directly to Final Oral Exam with committee's vote)
• Hold Final Oral Exam (before end of fourth year of program)

View the Program Requirements section above for required courses.

View the  Courses  page to view all offered MIE courses.

PhD students may pursue collaborative specializations in the following areas:

• Engineering Education
• Psychology and Engineering

In MIE, the purpose of the qualifying exam is to assess the prospects that the student will complete a quality PhD thesis and will develop the ability to operate as an independent researcher. The date and time of the qualifying exam is coordinated between the student and their supervisory committee. The committee consists of the student’s supervisor and at least two other professors appointed as SGS Graduate Faculty with expertise relevant to the thesis topic. The majority of committee members should be MIE faculty members.

Requirements : In order to schedule a qualifying exam, the PhD student must meet the following requirements:

• successfully complete at least four Half Credit Equivalent courses (at least five for Fast-Track PhD), with at least an A- average
• obtain one credit on ACORN for attending JDE1000H Ethics in Graduate Research seminar
• obtain one credit on ACORN for attending 70% of MIE's Distinguished Seminar Series  (SRD4444Y). Attendance recorded with student's T-card

A student who does not meet the above requirements may be required to delay the qualifying exam until requirements are met.  A substantial delay (1 term or more) without Grad Office permission will result in a request to SGS to terminate the program.

Program Requirement : To maintain good academic standing, doctoral students are expected to hold their qualifying exam according to the following schedule from time of admission:

• 12 months - PhD students with a completed Master's degree
• 8 months - Fast Track PhD students (after fast-tracking from a Master's degree).
• 16 months - Direct entry from a Bachelor's degree
• 24 months - Flex-time PhD students.

Process before exam: At least 10 business days before the scheduled qualifying exam, the student must:

• book a room for the exam by contacting  reception@mie.utoronto.ca
• Notify the Graduate Office of their qualifying exam via the Graduate Management System (GMS)
• This document is typically double-spaced and no longer than 10 pages (including figures, tables, and a short list of references). Consult with your supervisor for specific expectations. Read about how to write a good qualifying exam research proposal

Procedure during exam:

• The qualifying exam begins with a student presentation of no more than 20 minutes that summarizes their research proposal.
• This is followed by questions from the committee. (note: MIE PhD qualifying exams are open to other students, unless otherwise requested).
• Following the exam, the committee assesses progress to date and suitability for the PhD program.
• the committee decides whether to adjourn the exam and allow the student another opportunity to pass the exam within three months ,
• or to fail the student and recommend termination of the PhD program.

Following a successful qualifying exam, a PhD student must meet his/her supervisory committee for a progress review meeting at least every twelve months . These meetings allow the committee to assess the progress of the student, in order to decide whether the student remains in good academic standing (see Program Requirements ).

At least ten business days before the scheduled PhD committee meeting, the student must:

• book a room for the exam by contacting  reception@mie.utoronto.ca
• no more than 10 double-spaced pages
• summary of recent progress in the research
• major tasks that remain and a timetable for completion of the program
• papers (journal and conference, published and submitted) and presentations that have resulted from the work
• The student may include additional material as appendices to the report (and should refer to this material in the report), however, the committee is not obligated to read any additional material.

Similar to the qualifying exam, a progress review meeting begins with a student presentation of no more than 20 minutes, followed by questions from the committee. Following the meeting, the committee assesses progress since the last exam/meeting. If the assessment is “unsatisfactory”, another meeting must be scheduled within three months, to determine whether to allow the student to remain in the program.

Due to COVID-19 exams maybe conducted remotely via video conferencing, in-person, or a combination.

The PhD program culminates in the presentation of an oral and written thesis.

A student is ready to defend the thesis once:

• The student's course requirements have been met
• or the thesis committee has decided to forgo the Departmental via Ballot on GMS
• Supervisor must trigger the vote to bypass by selecting the Ballot button on the supervisor's student listing on GMS.
• The written thesis has been submitted to their supervisor

Once the thesis is ready for the external examiner's appraisal, a member of the supervisory committee must submit the Examiner Nomination Form .

Examiner Nominations

A member of the supervisory committee must submit an External Nomination Form to the Graduate Studies Office via the nomination form at least eight weeks before the proposed exam date.

The date and time of the oral exam is coordinated between the student and the FOE committee.

SGS will approve the external examiner. Approval criteria can be found in the Guidelines for the Doctoral Final Oral Examination .

Approval of the External Examiner

An external examiner nomination form must be submitted to initiate the approval process.  Form must be accessed with a UofT/MIE email address.

C.V. format: website link or document (word, .pdf).

The external examiner's c.v. must contain the following:

• Examiner's current title (academic position)
• Year current title was attained

If not included on the c.v., a link to the researcher's website must include the following:

• If at UofT, supervisor must be identified.
• A list of current and graduated research students (Masters and PhD).
• A list of publications.

Once the examiner is approved, the written thesis may then be sent to the external examiner.

The candidate may use UTsend , Dropbox , OneDrive , etc to distribute the thesis to the examiner and other members of the committee.

Scheduling the Final Oral Exam

A committee member or the student should use a scheduling tool to arrange the meeting date (e.g. Doodle , Calendly , etc) in order to minimize the interactions with the examiner before the exam.

Once the date is set, the student must submit the PhD Final Oral Scheduling Form at least 6 weeks before the exam date.

Once the scheduling form is received, the Graduate Program Administrator will:

• Distribute the examiner's instructions to the approved examiner.
• SGS requires a minimum of 20 business days (excluding weekends, holidays and winter break) to fulfill a chair request.

Due To COVID-19 Restrictions: Until further notice all exams are to be conducted remotely via video conferencing

A member of the supervisory committee must arrange video conferencing details for virtual exams.

The candidate cannot host a virtual final exam.

After the Exam

Following a successful FOE, and once the thesis has been finalized, the PhD student must submit their corrected, final thesis to their supervisor for approval. If the student's supervisor requests a printed copy, visit the SGS website for standard formatting requirements.

I f a printed report is requested by the supervisor:

• the binding of theses should be good quality buckram hard-cover, with gold lettering. Colour of PhD thesis cover must be blue.

SGS does not require a physical copy of the thesis. The student must upload an electronic copy of the supervisor-approved thesis to ProQuest in accordance with the  SGS thesis submission guidelines.

The Graduate Office does not require a physical copy of the thesis.

After submitting their thesis  to ProQuest, the student must:

• Complete the departmental Clearance Form online.

Technical problems accessing the clearance form must be reported to:

Departmental IT Support:   computing@mie.utoronto.ca

Convocation Ceremony

Ceremony details are communicated by SGS and the Office of Convocation .

Final Year Fees

Final year fees are pro-rated by date of final thesis submission .

Stay Connected!

Registered PhD candidates receive enough funding to cover tuition and incidental fees. In addition, PhD candidates receive a minimum of $25,000 per year for up to four years (5 years for PhD direct-entry and fast-track students).

Most students earn more than the minimum as a result of teaching assistantships and scholarships, such as from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), and the Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) program.

View the Scholarships & Funding page for more information.

Doctoral Completion Award

The DCA provides tuition support to full-time PhD students who are beyond the funded cohort (year 5 for PhD and year 6 for PhD direct and fast-track students)

Applicants must be current with PhD committee meetings and demonstrate need.

For more information contact the Grad Office at dca@mie.utoronto.ca

All full-time graduate students are eligible to apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) paid positions at MIE. TAs assist undergraduate and graduate course instructors with supervision of labs, leading tutorials and marking assignments and tests.

Apply for TA positions and view more job and volunteer opportunities on the  Professional Development  page.

AMIGAS is the graduate student association at MIE. They host social, athletic, academic, and professional development events for all MIE graduate students, aiming to enrich their professional and personal leadership experiences.

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Email:  gradoffice@mie.utoronto.ca

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Office: MC108, 5 King's College Road

Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 am - 4 pm

Mailing address: Graduate Studies Office, MC108 Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering University of Toronto 5 King’s College Road Toronto, ON M5S 3G8 Canada

Professor Tobin Filleter

Associate Chair of Graduate Studies

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering University of Toronto 5 King’s College Road Toronto, Ontario • M5S 3G8 • Canada Phone: +1-416-978-3040

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• Graduate Planning
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About the PhD Program

The primary objective of the PhD in Planning is to prepare students for academic careers in teaching and research. Some may also pursue an advanced planning career in the private, non-profit or public sector, given the rising demand for people with a PhD credential outside of academia.

The PhD program in Planning has 3 fields of specialization:

• City-regions in global context: economic development and social planning
• Environment and sustainability planning
• Urban development, design and the built environment

Our program is designed to provide students with a broad and critical knowledge of planning history, theory and practice, as well as rigorous training in research. These objectives are achieved through a combination of advanced seminars and workshops, a comprehensive exam and a doctoral dissertation. As part of their training, students also receive teaching assistantships and may be offered research assistantships, as these become available.

The expectation is that PhD degrees will be completed on a full-time basis within four years of initial registration. The School of Graduate Studies requires that the thesis be submitted within six years of initial registration in the program.

PhD students must complete the following program requirements:

• Coursework : All students must complete at least six half-credit courses (3.0 FCE) as follows – PLA2000H (0.5 FCE), PLA2001H (0.5 FCE), JPG1111H/JPG1120H or an approved methods course (0.5 FCE), at least one course from outside the planning program (0.5 FCE), two electives in any subject (1.0 FCE)
• Annual Progress Reports : The supervisory committee must meet at least once per academic year to review the student’s progress and plans for the following year.
• PhD Comprehensive Examination : Students will take a written and oral comprehensive exam between June of year one and no later than December of year two. The purpose of the exam is to ascertain whether a student has obtained an adequate knowledge base to continue in the PhD program; to ascertain any knowledge gaps and suggest remedial action; and to provide a student with the opportunity to get a broad perspective on their chosen field of study.
• PhD Research Proposal Examination : Students will submit a research proposal which is defended before the supervisory committee. Ideally, the research proposal should take the form of a paper of about twenty to forty pages in length which includes a statement of the problem, research questions, a discussion and literature review of the research context in which it is set, research objectives or hypotheses, a brief outline of the data sources and methods, a draft survey or guiding questions for interviews (where appropriate) and a suggested timetable for completion. There should be a discussion of methods and methodology that makes reference to the literature on methodology. The proposal should provide a rationale for the choice of methods and discuss any ethical issues stemming from the research (if appropriate).
• PhD Candidacy : When all requirements exclusive of the thesis have been met, the student has achieved PhD Candidacy. When all requirements exclusive of the thesis have been met, a student has achieved PhD Candidacy. The department requires students to achieve candidacy by the end of year two. School of Graduate Studies policy requires that candidacy is achieved by the end of year three.
• Thesis and Departmental Thesis Examination : The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field and must be based on original research conducted while registered for the PhD program. The topic for the thesis will have been approved at the proposal defense. The completed PhD thesis will be examined in a Departmental Thesis Examination. The examination committee consists of the supervisory committee.
• School of Graduate Studies Final Oral Examination : The Final Oral Examination is the capstone experience of the PhD program. Students will defend their dissertation before an Examination Committee which will include an appraiser (external to the University) and at least one graduate faculty member who has not been closely involved in the supervision of the thesis (in addition to the supervisor and other members of the supervisory committee).

For complete details on PhD program requirements above please review the Planning PhD Handbook .

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PhD Admission Requirements

Please submit your online application for our Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program through the School of Graduate Studies Online Application Portal between September 22 and November 22  each year.

Successful candidates have a strong background in mathematics, statistics, or a related field. Outstanding performance in their course work, outstanding letters of recommendations and well-thought-out statements of intent are an asset. Prior research experience is also valuable.

You must meet all admissions requirements to be considered for entry into the program. In addition to our admissions requirements for each program, please familiarize yourself with the minimum requirements, rules, and regulations of the School of Graduate School Studies .

Please also review the School of Graduate Studies Admission & Application Requirements .

We receive many outstanding applications, and admission to our program is competitive. Unfortunately, we cannot offer admission to all qualified applicants.

Students can be accepted through one of two routes:

Previous Degree (PhD)

You hold an appropriate master’s degree in statistics from a recognized university with at least a B+ average standing . A standing that is equivalent to at least B+ (U of T 77 ‐ 79% or 3.3/4.0) in the final year of study.

We also consider applicants with graduate degrees in biostatistics, computer science, economics, engineering, mathematics, physics, or any discipline where there is a significant quantitative component.

Previous Degree (Direct-Entry PhD)

You hold a bachelor’s degree in statistics from a recognized university with at least an A- average standing . A standing that is equivalent to at least A- (U of T 80 ‐ 84% or 3.7/4.0) in the final year of study.

For more information on admissions to our PhD program and program requirements, visit the School of Graduate Studies calendar .

Your Application Package

Please note that we do not accept any hard copies of your application or hard copies of supporting documents.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please send a summary of your experiences in education, work, travel, volunteering, and other relevant areas. The maximum length is two pages, single-spaced.

Statement of Intent

As part of your application, please submit a letter of intent or personal statement online outlining your goals for your graduate studies.

Transcripts

Electronic copies of transcripts are required at the time you apply online. Only if you are successful at gaining admissions will we require official copies to be submitted to the department.

Due to COVID we are currently only accepting official e-transcripts. We will notify admitted candidates once the receipt of mail-in paper transcripts will be accepted. International transcripts: Please use International Degree Equivalencies Tool to ensure that you meet the minimum admissions requirements.

We do not require a credential evaluation assessment by a third-party, such as WES.

Letters of Recommendation

You will need three letters of recommendation , to be submitted online by your referees through the online application system prior to the supporting documentation deadline.

Note:  The online application system will automatically email an electronic reference request to each referee  when the application form is submitted. Referees will have until the deadline to upload supporting documentation to submit their reference letter . It is highly recommended that applicants contact their referees ahead of time to inform them of the supporting documents deadline and confirm both their availability and their preferred institutional email address.

English-Language Proficiency Testing (if applicable)

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 submit official copies of your English proficiency scores (Institution Code: 0982). You can include unofficial copies with your application while waiting for the official ones to arrive.

Learn more about ELP Testing here .

Please do not send the results to our department. Students must arrange for their score to be reported electronically to the University of Toronto (Enrolment Services) by the testing agency. Please check SGS ELP Testing website above for more detail.

Application Fee

The non-refundable application fee is currently CAD $125 per application.

Note: You may apply to more than one program. Each program will require a separate application and application fee. Applicants will not be considered for a program that they did not apply for.

Supervision & MDoc

PhD applicants will be able to select up to three potential supervisors at the time of their application. Supervisors of successful applicants are matched based on research areas of interest.

Learn more about our faculty .

Applicants will also indicate their interest in applying to the Multi-Disciplinary Doctoral Training Program (MDoc) through the cover sheet.

Interested in multi-disciplinary research? Learn more about the MDoc .

Start your application today

Having trouble?

Please review the School of Graduate Studies Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) .

Want to know more?

If you have additional questions that have not been answered by the above information, please book an appointment during Prospective Student Office Hours to speak with a member of the Graduate Team or send us an email .

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The Rotman PhD: Academics

Exceptional students, incredible learning.

The PhD program at the Rotman School is designed to provide optimal scholarly development. Specially selected supervision and mentoring, tailored course loads and customized doctoral thesis preparation are geared towards giving you the skills you need to realize your research goals. The Rotman PhD is ranked #4 in the world, and the School consistently ranks 16th. for faculty and research (Financial Times).

Major Areas of Study

The Rotman PhD Program offers seven distinct streams of focus; Accounting, Business Economics, Finance, Marketing, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, Operations Management, and Strategic Management. Review our program structures, courses, faculty and their associated research to determine which stream is right for you.

PhD Program Overview

If you are considering a PhD in management at the University of Toronto's Rotman School, you are looking for an exceptional program that connects you to some of the world’s top management researchers. Our program provides opportunities to advance your research to new levels in a challenging interdisciplinary environment . We are looking for driven, committed students who want make an impact through their research.

Program Format

Discover what your years at the Rotman School will include. Coursework, examinations, and independant requirements are all designed to steward you through the challenges of academic research. Our doctoral program provides both technical and theoretical instruction, strengthening your skills and preparing you for placement at a top university.

Current PhD Students

The PhD program at the Rotman School of Management is ranked in the global top 20 by the Financial Times. The students who graduate from the program learn from some of the world's leading faculty, and go on to leading universities around the globe. By joining the Rotman PhD, you become part of an elite community of scholars and researchers.

Current Postdoctoral Fellows

Meet the Rotman School’s Postdoctoral Fellows. They are essential members of the Rotman and University of Toronto communities, conducting research with Rotman faculty and engaging with our graduate students. Based at the University of Toronto, the Rotman School also ranks in the top ten for faculty and research, according to the Financial Times, and is one of the world's leading business schools.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctoral Degrees (PhD)

• Flex-Time Doctoral Degrees

The Department of Curriculum, Teaching & Learning doctoral programs provide students with the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge original research in the field of education.

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Pedagogy

Doctor of philosophy in language & literacies in education, flex-time doctoral degree option.

This option allows students to pursue a PhD while continuing to work. It is available to professionals whose employment is closely related to their proposed area of study.

The program requirements of the flex-time PhD are the same as those for the full-time program. However, flex-time students are given more time to complete their degree and can take courses on a part-time basis. 

Applicants must demonstrate that they are currently employed and are active professionals engaged in activities relevant to their proposed program of study.

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For questions about the MA and PhD programs (including questions about admission requirements and the online application), please see our contact page .

For questions about the Master of Financial Economics (MFE) program, please write to [email protected] .

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TMU launches PhD in architecture with focus on design

Toronto metropolitan university (tmu) is now accepting applications for a new phd program in architecture..

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is accepting applications for a new PhD program in architecture; an in-person program that promises a revolutionary approach to architectural research.

Professor Lisa Landrum, chair of TMU’s Department of Architectural Science, says the innovative program will “emphasize design as a primary mode of scholarly inquiry.”

While universities such as Harvard University and the University College London offer similar programs, TMU’s PhD in architecture will focus on design-driven research.

“The premise is that the research happens through design as a multifaceted mode of discovery,” said Landrum. “So architectural design processes serve as both the subject and method of research itself.”

Students in the program will be able to explore a variety of topics and techniques, such as drawing and modeling, interactive installations and prototypes, and embodied and enactive performances.

“We are in a period of massive societal and environmental change that requires architects to challenge existing paradigms and methods,” said Andrew Frontini, design director at Perkins&Will Toronto, commenting on the relevance of the new program. “We need new materials, new technologies and new insights into what constitutes good architecture. We conduct research to develop new approaches, but also to measure the impact of what we have already built.”

Landrum says that prospective exhibitions, full-scale installations, interactive environments, and prototypes will pop-up in Toronto and beyond as forms of active scholarship and public engagement. As a result, Landrum says the ideal candidates for the program are curious, experimental individuals with a commitment to transforming the architectural profession. “The city itself is a lively laboratory,” she said. “This doctoral program will become an invigorating force for the discipline and a forum for reimagining what’s possible in architecture.”

“Research through design is critical to advancing the field and responding to challenges,” said Andrew King, principal at AK A Fldwrk. “Through experimental and applied research, TMU’s PhD in architecture will help reshape design processes and potential.”

The Department of Architectural Science will welcome its inaugural group of PhD students in fall 2024.

For more information on the program, click here .

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Applying to the PhD Program

Application deadline, doctor of philosophy (phd) in theological studies program.

• Applications are now closed; applications for 2025-26 admission will open in September 2024. 

NOTE: Applicants may apply to only one program per academic year.

Program Details    Application FAQs

Graduate Conjoint Degree Program Handbook

START HERE - General Application Information

General information.

• An application to a TST conjoint graduate degree program is made to the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies (GCTS) by completing and submitting the online application form and required supplementary documents, and paying the non-refundable application fee.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all documentation is received by the application deadline.
• Applications for entrance into a program at the mid-point of the academic year, i.e., January, will not be considered and no deferrals of admission will be granted.
• All required application materials (see Step 1 - Meet Admission Requirements) must be received by the application deadline for an application to be considered for admission.
• Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission.
• A confirmation fee may be requested by the TST college of registration within a month of acceptance into a graduate degree program. Contact the registrar's office of the member college for more information.

International Applicants

• International applicants are advised that it is their responsibility to ensure that they are able to obtain the necessary study permits in time for the Fall registration . No deferrals of admission will be granted.

Admissions Committee

• Only applications that are complete will be processed for review by the Admissions Committee.
• Decisions made by the Admissions Committee concerning admissions and related matters are not subject to appeal. 
• All documents submitted to the Admissions Committee may be used in the assessment of an application, including information submitted which is not listed as a requirement. Application materials will be destroyed as per TST's document retention policy.
• The Admissions Committee reserves the right to consider more recent scholarly study, alongside qualifying degrees obtained more than five years prior to the year of admission, as an indication of current ability to be successful in the program. If this is the case, then this may impact the eligibility for courses from more recent scholarly study to be eligible for transfer credit or advanced standing.

Choosing a Member College

• On the application form, applicants must indicate the member college to which they are applying. See Choosing a College .
• In order to receive information about a member college's financial aid and other resources and requirements for graduate students, applicants must contact the Graduate Degree Director of the college of application, before the application deadline.

Financial Aid

• Applicants who wish to apply for financial aid must do so directly through the member college to which they are applying.
• Applicants who have applied for financial aid must ensure that their application, letters of reference, and all supplementary documentation, has been received by the application deadline.
• All questions relating to scholarships should be directed to the registrar's office of the member college of application.

Step 1 - Meet Admission Requirements

Refer to the Graduate Conjoint Degree Handbook for detailed program and admission information.

The Admissions Committee will take into consideration:

• grades in all previous post-secondary education with particular weight accorded to performance in the prerequisite degree(s) and in other recent programs;
• the applicant's academic background in the stated area of interest;
• the potential of the applicant for graduate study, as attested in the letters of reference;
• the quality of the applicant's statement of intent;
• the availability of qualified faculty resources in the applicant's proposed area of research;
• evidence that the applicant is likely to complete the program.

Prerequisite Education

• An applicant to the PhD program is required to have an appropriate masters degree in theology from an accredited institution*, with at least A- (3.7/4.0 GPA) standing, or equivalent. The following are recognized academic master's degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Religion, Master of Theology, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Divinity.
• If a student’s program included a research component (research paper, thesis), a grade of at least A- (3.7/4.0 GPA), or equivalent, is also required for that paper or thesis.
• Students must possess a baccalaureate degree or equivalent.
• Students from educational systems outside of North America must give evidence of equivalent standing.
• TST reserves the right to determine whether or not credentials of other degree-granting institutions meet the standards for its admissions programs. (See the Graduate Conjoint Degree Handbook , General Regulations, A3.1 Procedures for Application.)

*All theological schools fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada are deemed to be recognized institutions.

Fluency in English

• An applicant whose first language is other than English must provide evidence of the ability to comprehend, speak, and write English at the graduate level.

One of the following will constitute prima facie evidence of such ability:

• Graduation with an earned degree of a minimum duration of two years from a recognized post-secondary institution where the language of instruction and examination is English. 
• A completed degree of at least two year's duration (full-time) in one of the following countries/regions:

Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Ghana, Guyana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Please Note:

• Some applicants from the above countries/regions may still be required to provide proof of English proficiency as English is not the sole language of instruction at all universities.
• The language of instruction and examination must be verified by TST. Applicants should provide an official academic transcript with a note confirming the use of English as the language of instruction and examination. If the official academic transcript does not have this note, applicants should make arrangements for an official statement to be sent from their institution directly to TST confirming the use of English as the primary language of instruction and examination. 

English Language Tests As Evidence of Fluency

Evidence includes:

• A satisfactory score in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic version; the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB); the Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE); the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test; CE (Computer Edition); OR
• A minimum grade of B in the advanced (level 60) Academic Preparation course in the English Language Program of the School of Continuing Studies of the University of Toronto, or equivalent standing at a comparable institution.

Minimum score requirements:

• TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT): 93, with a minimum of 22 in the writing section and 22 in the speaking section. The TST TOEFL institution code is 0655 and the department code is 99.
• TOEFL paper-based test: 580, with a minimum 5.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE). The TST TOEFL institution code is 0655 and the department code is 99.
• IELTS (Academic): 7.0 with no component below 6.5. Only the Academic version of the IELTS test will be accepted.
• COPE: 76, with at least 22 in every component and 32 in the writing component.
• CAEL: 70 minimum total with at least 60 in each part.
• Even when the above standards are met, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to require additional evidence of fluency in English.
• When results of multiple attempts are submitted, or scores submitted in addition to transcript evidence, only the evidence with the most recent date will be considered.

Research Language Requirements

• Entering students must provide evidence of competence in at least one research language other than English. Within a year of entrance, they must also provide evidence of competence in a second research language. Additional languages may be required for some research areas.
• Students are required to provide evidence of reading competence in one ancient or modern language necessary for their research. (Competence is normally demonstrated by the satisfactory completion of a two-semester course at the university level within the last four years.)
• Additional language preparation is required for admission in cases where the primary sources for the proposed area of study are in a language other than English. In such cases, applicants may be required to provide evidence of competence in more than one language and/or reading proficiency in one language. (Proficiency in a language is a higher level of reading ability, consistent with that which is normally acquired by the satisfactory completion of a four-semester course at the university level within the last four years.)
• Applicants proposing to focus their research in Biblical Studies, for example, are required to demonstrate proficiency in the language of their primary focus (Greek or Hebrew), and competence in either the other biblical language or a modern research language.
• Once admitted, all PhD students may need to give current evidence of their facility in their research language(s) by taking a TST language exam or by passing a TST language course (prior to registration in September).
• TST students who have fulfilled language requirements in TST’s other degree programs may be exempted from further examination in these languages by the Admissions Committee.

How to Meet Research Language Requirements

For admission to the PhD and ThM programs, applicants must provide evidence of language competency and in some cases proficiency. Skill in research languages may be demonstrated in the following ways:

• Transcript evidence. A student who has completed recognized post secondary courses in a foreign language within four years prior to submitting an application for graduate program admission may, by submission of transcript evidence, be deemed by the Admissions Committee to have demonstrated skill in that language. Nevertheless, unless an exemption is explicitly stated in the offer of admission letter, all applicants are required to demonstrate current  evidence of reading facility by taking a TST language exam . Students may also take a TST non-credit language course in theological French and German. Students who successfully pass these courses will not be required to take TST language examinations in these languages.
• Language examination. A student may demonstrate current skill in a language by taking an examination administered by TST . Examinations usually take place in September and January. Arrangements for special examinations in languages other than Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, or German can be made with the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies.
• Other evidence . See the Graduate Conjoint Degree Handbook for other means of demonstrating skill in research languages.

Step 2 - Gather Application Materials

Application fee.

• $127 (CAD).  The non-refundable fee is payable by PayPal. Please see Non-Tuition Fees & Payment Methods for more information.

Statement of Intent

• A statement of intent is required, not exceeding 750 words, outlining your academic interests and academic purposes.
• You are required to identify the nature of the research topic that you would like to explore at TST, along with your methodological and theoretical approach(es). You should indicate how your previous academic studies and language preparation have prepared you for your research area and identify TST faculty members in the Faculty Directory who could support your research. Faculty members must have "GCTS Full" status to serve as a primary supervisor. 
• Please ensure that your name and the program you are applying to are on every page of your statement. 
• Your statement of intent is to be attached to the online application form as a PDF file using the following file naming convention:  Last Name,First Name_Name of Program you are applying to_Intent.pdf (e.g. Smith,Jane_PhD_Intent.pdf).

Curriculum Vitae (CV) - optional

• You may submit a brief two to three page CV.
• The CV, as a PDF file, should be attached to the online application form using the following file naming convention:  Last Name,First Name_Name of Program you are applying to_CV.pdf (e.g. Smith,Jane_PhD_CV.pdf).

Writing Sample

• You must submit an academic writing sample (between 20-50 pages) as part of your application, demonstrating independent research and writing ability.
• The writing sample is to be attached to the online application form as a PDF file using the following file naming convention:  Last Name,First Name_Name of Program you are applying to_Writing.pdf (e.g. Smith,Jane_PhD_Writing.pdf).

Evidence of Fluency in English

• See above, Step 1 - Meet Admission Requirements, for acceptable English language tests and minimums required as evidence of English fluency.

Transcripts

• Unofficial transcripts (e.g. scans, copies, or transcripts received from the student) will be accepted for initial admissions assessment - providing that the transcripts are fully legible, are complete copies of the original, and include the grading legend.
• Transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended and whether or not degrees were conferred, must be received by the application deadline in order for your application to be considered.
• Unofficial transcripts should be included as PDF attachments to the online application form using the file naming convention:  LastName,First Name_Name of Program you are applying to_Transcript_Name of Issuing Institution.pdf (e.g. Smith, Jane_PhD_Transcript_UofT.pdf).
• If admitted, all official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institutions and received by the GCTS Office by June 27, 2024, 12:00 pm (noon ET) .

Official Transcripts

There are three methods by which official transcripts may be received by the GCTS:

• An official e-transcript service (e.g., E-Script or Parchment);
• A printed transcript (sent directly to the GCTS from the issuing institution) by regular postal mail (see mailing address below). Please ensure that NO signature is required upon delivery.
• A printed transcript (sent directly to the GCTS from the issuing institution) by a courier service (see delivery address below). Please ensure that NO signature is required upon delivery.
• TST strongly recommends applicants requisition official transcripts at the beginning of the application process . Failure to submit official transcripts by the specified deadline will result in the automatic rescission of an offer of admission.

Transcripts from International Institutions

• The GCTS Office, on behalf of the Admissions Committee, may require the applicant to obtain a credential evaluation by an accredited credential evaluation service. All costs associated with the credential evaluation are the responsibility of the applicant. Information about designated educational credential assessment (ECA) organizations be found on the Government of Canada website .
• Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Academic References

• Referees should have taught or supervised the applicant and should comment candidly on the candidate's qualifications to pursue and complete graduate studies.
• References issued to students or photocopies will not be accepted. TST does not provide a letter of reference form. 

GRE Scores - optional

• Applicants may submit GRE scores to support their applications.
• The Toronto School of Theology's institutional code is 0534.

Supplementary Application Documents

• All supplementary application documents, including English proficiency test results, must be submitted as attachments to the online application form, or electronically to [email protected] , or by regular postal mail to:

             Graduate Centre for Theological Studies                          Toronto School of Theology                          47 Queen's Park Crescent East                          Toronto, ON M5S 2C3                          Canada

Step 3 - Apply Online

Please ensure that you have read the information carefully above (Start Here, Step 1 and Step 2) prior to starting your application, and make note of the application deadline at the top of this page.

Quercus   /  U OF T

The YSGPS offices are open from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. An appointment is recommended for all guests interested in connecting with an admissions representative. Please direct questions to [email protected] .

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Comprised of four courses and a practicum component, professional master’s diploma programs provide the unique skills and knowledge needed for today’s real-world challenges. These highly specialized programs enable students to continue their careers while augmenting their degrees and experience at the graduate level.

Accounting  (opens in new window) 

Accredited by CPA Ontario, this program is designed to enable TRSM Accounting graduates to advance their professional careers and work towards the CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation. The program employs active learning, guest speakers and extensive use of case studies, discussions and projects at the graduate level. Upon successful completion, students can move directly to the CPA PEP Capstone modules and, ultimately, write the National Common Final Examination (CFE).

Aerospace Design Management

Keep the public safe in the skies with the first graduate-level university program of its kind in Canada. Intended for engineering professionals experienced in aircraft or aerospace component manufacturing, this program provides in-depth knowledge of airworthiness standards and compliance required by Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration.

This program, offered through partnerships between Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Nutrition and external organizations, enables students to achieve the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice. Graduates are eligible to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam and if successful, become registered dietitians. Dietetics is a regulated health profession in Canada. Admission is restricted to eligible graduates of accredited Canadian undergraduate nutrition/dietetics programs. Applications are submitted to Toronto Metropolitan University.

Energy and Innovation

With growing awareness and concern about global warming, demand for clean energy, renewable resources and sustainability is greater than ever. This interdisciplinary program provides the knowledge and skills needed to create innovative solutions to urban energy issues.

Faculty of Arts

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U of T researcher explores use of DNA nanotechnology to regenerate teeth

Mercedes Ing, who is in her first year of U of T’s pediatric graduate dentistry program, talks about her research into using DNA nanotechnology to regenerate teeth during a recent Three Minute Thesis competition (photo by Jeff Comber)

Published: March 25, 2024

By Rachel Boutet

Researchers in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry are exploring the use of DNA nanotechnology to regenerate biologic materials – including teeth.

Mercedes Ing,  who is currently in her first year of the faculty’s pediatric graduate dentistry program,   is taking research related to bone regeneration that’s being conducted by a PhD student in the faculty and applying it in a way that could one day reduce the need for cavity fillings.

She says the bone regeneration research has already shown promise in pre-clinical studies. 

“Two different solutions of DNA are mixed together to make a gel where the DNA forms a structure that acts like scaffolding, attracting minerals to help regenerate the bone,” says Ing, who is working in the lab of Assistant Professor Karina Carneiro .

She adds that injecting DNA gel has aided with bone healing and that by applying the bone results to teeth, “we want to see how the gel performs in the environment of human saliva and human cells, and how it can help remineralize dentin in teeth.”

Ing says the developing field of nanotechnology has a lot of potential, which she can already see with this research – even in its preliminary stages.

“The cool thing about this is most treatments currently in dentistry involve filling the tooth with materials that don’t make the tooth stronger – in fact, they actually weaken them,” says Ing, who chose her area of research, in part, because of Carneiro, who taught her biomaterials during her dentistry degree. “This could be extremely promising if we’re able to use the DNA gel to rebuild the dentin of the tooth.”

Using DNA as a tool for regeneration could also yield other benefits for patients, including preventing root canals and additional invasive dental visits, she says.

“Nowadays, in pediatric dentistry especially, we are trying to move towards minimally invasive dentistry and fewer visits,” says Ing. “The ultimate goal is to be able to apply this gel to help promote more healing.”

Ing presented her research at the Faculty of Dentistry’s Three-Minute-Thesis competition earlier this year and was chosen as the winner, moving on to the larger, U of T-wide competition.

“I was happy to win for my supervisors – they were really encouraging and supportive,” says Ing, referring to Carneiro and  Anuradha Prakki , associate dean, undergraduate education. “I’m excited to represent the faculty in the next round and also to see the breadth of research from around the entire university.”

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