Why Munk One?
Our program is about connecting big ideas with students who have an urge to tackle global challenges. A Munk One student is someone who wants to have impact – someone who wants to make a difference in the global community.
Munk One is a chance to engage professors, fellow students, and a network of experts on the value of innovation. Most importantly, it’s about building a community in your first year at U of T that will stay with you through your entire university career. Not just any collection of classmates, but a community of first year students with diverse interests who share a common goal: problem-solving for a global community. Munk One brings you smaller classrooms, professors you get to know, a network of friends, and opportunities to engage in more than just lectures.
Thank you for your interest in the Munk One program! Admissions for the 2025-26 cohort will open in March. Application details will be shared very soon!
What is a foundational year program?
Foundational Year Programs for Arts & Science students are offered by the Munk School, as well as Innis College, New College, St. Michael’s College, Trinity College, University College, Victoria College, Woodsworth College, U of T Scarborough and U of T Mississauga. These dynamic small-group offerings allow you to network with peers, mentors and professors, and explore a broad range of compelling issues.
Does it cost extra?
Absolutely not. These courses are part of your regular tuition fees. In the Munk One program, you’ll take four half credit courses (Global Innovation, Peace, Conflict and Justice in the Indo-Pacific, Climate Energy and Power, and Design for Social Change and Inclusion).
How many "One" programs can I apply to?
You can apply to as many “One” programs as you like. Please note that you are only allowed to admission into a single “One” program: Students are not allowed to take two simultaneously!
Eligibility
Faculty of Arts & Science (St. George) newly admitted first-year, full-time students only. You must be a full-time student entering your first year of studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science in September. You can be enrolled at any U of T college.
How to apply
Apply in your JOIN U of T portal. You can access the portal by using your JOINid login credentials. Please note that only candidates who have received an offer of admission from the University of Toronto for Fall 2025 entry are eligible to apply to Munk One.
As part of your application, you will be prompted to:
- Provide us with a copy of your resume, which pays particular attention to co-curricular, volunteer activities, and employment that you think are relevant to the Munk One Program.
- Provide us with a writing sample (500 - 1000 words in a word document or PDF) that demonstrates your analytical and critical thinking skills. This writing sample should be something you have already submitted as a class assignment. We are interested in any topic you are passionate about.
- Answer the following two prompts without relying on AI softwares such as ChatGPT: a. Describe a situation where you had a disagreement with a teammate/classmate when working on a project or school assignment. How did you handle the differences in opinions and ideas? What was the outcome? (Max 200 words), b. The Munk One courses are interdisciplinary. What unique interdisciplinary perspectives will the other first-year courses you plan to take in your first year enhance your learning and that of others in Munk One? (Max 200 words)
Video Prompts (max 2 minutes):
- Provide a brief introduction and explain why you are applying to Munk One.
- Why do you think the Munk One program is the right first year program for you?
- In what ways do you anticipate Munk One accelerating your interests in global affairs?
- What is one thing you would like us to know about you?
Deadlines
First application deadline: Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 11:59pm EST
Second application deadline: Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 11:59pm EST
Decisions
All applicants who applied by the deadline are notified about their admission decision by end of June.