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How to apply

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Learn how to join us by carefully review the degree prerequisites, application forms and deadlines.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
February 1 (to be considered for funding)
APPLICATION FEE
$125 CAD (non-refundable)
APPLICATION FORM
Apply online through the School of Graduate Studies portal

Degree prerequisites

Domestic/Canadian Students
  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.
International students

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 CEES-approved English language test (examples: TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language or IELTS – International English Language Testing System). Please consult with the CEES Program & Internship Coordinator before applying to ensure that your test is approved by CEES.
  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 CEES Program & Internship Coordinator to discuss this option.

Supporting documents

Official transcripts
    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 CEES.
    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.
Two letters of reference
  1.  
    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.
Statement of intent
    1. Please provide a one-page statement of intent. This is our chance to get to know you and your motivations for choosing CEES. Please briefly include the following information:
      1. Reasons for your interest in the CEES 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 CEES.
Writing sample
    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.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    1. Please provide an up-to-date CV, including your educational, professional, volunteer and/or extra-curricular activities, and any other relevant experience.
CEES Application Information Sheet
    1. You will find this through the SGS online application for CEES. Please fill it in and upload the template along with the rest of your application.

Application instructions

  • Submit your application to CEES through the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) online admissions application. Your application is not considered completed until you have entered all your personal and academic information and submitted the application fee. IMPORTANT: Only online admissions applications will be accepted. PDFs and printed application forms are not acceptable. Please contact CEES if you have any trouble using the online application system.
  • You will be issued an applicant identification number and a password through the SGS online admissions application. This will allow you work on your application until your move to the payment stage.
  • Once you have submitted your application and fee, you can return to the online admissions page to complete and check the status of your application. You can also see whether we have received your supporting documents.
  • You may pay the $125 application fee online by VISA or Mastercard. This payment method is securely handled by Mirapay, a third party authorized by VISA and Mastercard. Mirapay will provide SGS with payment confirmation only. SGS and the University of Toronto will not have access to your credit card information. Please note:
    • We will not consider your application until after the fee is submitted.
    • The payment process requires that popup blockers on your web browser be disabled.
    • If you are unable to pay by credit card, you may print an invoice from the application and mail it with a certified cheque to SGS.
  • Please monitor the online application system. It is your responsibility to verify that all your supporting documents have been received by us.