MSc and PhD application process and deadlines

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We have a rolling admissions policy.

There are many benefits to submitting an application for early admission. You will: 

• Have more time to secure a supervisor. Due to the limited number of positions available, we encourage conditionally accepted students to begin securing a supervisor as early as late January or February. 
• Have the opportunity to apply for internal and external awards (especially visa students applying to the PhD program in order to be considered for international scholarship awards). 
• Be considered for guaranteed spaces at the Graduate House on-campus residence. 

If you receive Early Admission, you may qualify for incentives, such as Entrance Scholarship Eligibility.

How to apply

You must submit your application to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) through their secure online portal.

The system allows you to submit information and documentation immediately online, to edit in-progress applications and check the status of the application process.

If you are unable to use the online admission system, please contact the LMP Graduate Office at lmp.grad@utoronto.ca.

In addition to being accepted into the department, you must secure an LMP graduate faculty supervisor before registration. See Finding a supervisor for details.

What you need for your online application

• A valid email address (this is how the university will communicate with you) 
• Scanned official transcripts with legends and grading scales from all post-secondary institutions attended, regardless of course work taken or completed, even if no credits were received.
  • If you studied at a recognized Canadian university, you may upload an PDF file of your academic history from your university’s student web service which includes the university’s grading legend and your name. The admissions committee may request an official hard copy of the transcript. 
  • If you attended universities outside North America, you must provide notarized English translations to accompany all documentation not written in English.
• Referee contact information (minimum of two referees) 
• Curriculum Vitae 
• Letter of intent .Clearly indicate your education background, specific research interests, future goals and reasons for pursuing the program you are applying to (approximately 250 words, double-spaced). You may submit in Word or PDF format. 

Online application steps

1. Create an account and/or log in to the online application website. 
2. Provide the biographical and education information requested. 
3. Submit your payment. You cannot upload your Curriculum Vitae and Letter of Intent until you have paid the application fee.
4. Upload your Curriculum Vitae and Letter of Intent. 
5. Provide contact information for referees who are familiar with your academic work. Inform your referees that you are submitting an application and which email address you have supplied (please check this is an active email address for them). Let them know that the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies will be sending them a reference request by email. The system will email your referees and ask them to complete the online referee form. They will be asked to submit an electronic copy of the reference in Word or PDF after logging in to the School of Graduate Studies online application system. In the rare case that your referee does not have access to email, contact the Graduate Office as soon as possible. If referees wish to attach a secondary letter, it should be written on institutional letterhead. All hard copy reference letters are to be submitted in a sealed envelope, with the referee's signature across the seal. When submitting your application, do not open the envelope(s). Letters of reference will be part of the official student academic record. They are confidential and you will not have access to them at any time. 
6. Scan and upload official transcripts.
7. Complete the application process before the deadline.  

During University of Toronto closures, the online application system will remain available, however, your status will not be updated nor will technical assistance be available until the university reopens.

How we review applications and offer you a place in the program 

After we have received your completed application package (including reference letters), you will receive a decision notice within approximately two weeks. 

In reviewing applications the Departmental Admissions Committee assesses: 

• your interest in biomedical research as a career. 
• the grades you have received for coursework (from a recognized four-year undergraduate science program, or equivalent) and any graduate courses completed to date. 
• recommendations from faculty familiar with your work. 
• your research-related experience/achievements to date.  

You may be asked to attend an interview with a member of the LMP graduate faculty, either in person or by telephone, prior to receiving the result of your application. 

After the review, you will either be provided with:

• a "conditional offer of admission" which indicates your application is acceptable thus far, or
• you will be denied admission.

If you receive a conditional offer, you are required to provide: 

• Hardcopies of final official transcripts sent directly from all institutions attended. Academic records must be enclosed in an envelope provided by the institution(s) and sealed or signed across the back of the envelope. These may be mailed directly from the institution or sent through the applicant (DO NOT OPEN transcripts mailed directly to you). Electronic final official transcripts may be sent directly from your undergraduate university to lmp.grad@utoronto.ca. Faxed records are not acceptable.
• Certified English translations of all international documentation written in a language other than English or French. 
• Official English tests: applicants educated outside of Canada, or whose native language is not English, are required to provide evidence of competence in the English language (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS). Results should be sent electronically to the University of Toronto. See 'If you have been educated outside Canada: additional requirements' below.

If you are successful, you will be offered a place in the program.

In some cases, the committee may defer its decision until final marks are available. 

International students on a study visa/permit are encouraged to contact faculty members during the application phase in order to secure support prior to the application deadline. 

If you have been educated outside Canada: additional requirements 

English proficiency 

All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English.

If you have been educated outside of Canada, or if your native language is not English, you need to provide evidence of competence in the English language by completing one of the tests listed below.

You must meet the School of Graduate Studies minimum score requirements to be considered for the graduate program.   

Exemptions for English Proficiency requirements are listed on the School of Graduate Studies website.  

International (VISA) students

You are encouraged to contact faculty members during the application phase in order to have the support of a potential supervisor prior to the application deadline. 

You may be recommended for admission but will not gain full admission without securing a supervisor.