How to apply

1. You must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. There is no minimum GPA requirement, but competitive applicants should have a B+ average or higher from their last two years of undergraduate work.
2. There is no formal language requirement for entry into the program. However, by the end of your degree, you must demonstrate proficiency in a language related to our Centre’s regions of study. We therefore recommend some prior language training before entering the program.

Our application requirements differ slightly for international students.

1. Please review the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Admission Guide for International Students where you can check if your international degree and transcript grades are considered equivalent. https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/international-portal/applying-as-an-international-student/
2. If your primary language is not English and you graduated from a non-Canadian university where the language of instruction is not English, you must demonstrate English proficiency by completing a CERES-approved English language test (examples: TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language or IELTS – International English Language Testing System). Please consult with the CERES Program & Internship Coordinator before applying to ensure that your test is approved by CERES.
3. If your primary language is not English but you graduated from a university where the language of instruction is in English, you may not be required to complete an English proficiency test. Please contact the CERES Program & Internship Coordinator to discuss this option.

1. 1. Please upload electronic transcripts of your academic record from each university you have attended to the online application portal.
   2. Once you have been accepted into our program, we will ask you to send official transcripts from your institution directly to our mailing address. If transcripts are unable to be sent directly from the institution, you may send a sealed transcript that has been signed across the seal by the university official who issued it. Please note: during the COVID-19 pandemic, official electronic transcript submissions will be accepted.
   3. If you are applying from an ongoing degree program, you must submit your final academic records (indicating the completion of your degree) as soon as possible. Instructions regarding this process will be included in your offer of admission to CERES.
   4. If you attended a university outside North America, you must provide notarized English translations to accompany all documentation not written in English.
   5. Please note:
      1.  Faxed records are not considered official.
      2. Any document submitted will not be returned.

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   1. The online application will send a link to your referees, which they can use to upload their letter.
   2. If your referees encounter difficulties uploading their letters, we will also accept letters of reference in a sealed envelope with the referee’s signature across the seal. Please do not open the envelope.
   3. Please note: letters of reference will be part of the official student academic record. They are confidential and applicants/students will not have access to them.

1. 1. Please provide a one-page statement of intent. This is our chance to get to know you and your motivations for choosing CERES. Please briefly include the following information:
      1. Reasons for your interest in the CERES MA program
      2. Your preparation and qualifications for admission
      3. Your academic and/or professional goals
      4. You may also identify a specific geographic region of interest that you wish to study at CERES.

1. 1. Please provide a sample of your academic writing. There are no specific requirements for the writing sample, so choose something that you feel represents your best work.

1. 1. Please provide an up-to-date CV, including your educational, professional, volunteer and/or extra-curricular activities, and any other relevant experience.

1. 1. You will find this through the SGS online application for CERES. Please fill it in and upload the template along with the rest of your application.