How to apply

2025 PCJ Open House

Learn more about the PCJ program and application process, meet current students and program staff. Watch the recap below!

Event Registration: Now Closed

PCJ's multidisciplinary program attracts top-achieving students, who go on to take positions in prominent international organizations, work with social justice-oriented non-governmental organizations, and pursue graduate degrees in law and social science. Our students conduct original research, engage with some of the world’s top experts on the causes and consequences of violence, and participate in internships that provide hands-on experience.

About the application process

While the PCJ program seeks students with diverse experiences and qualifications, this is a limited enrollment program that can only accommodate a small number of students. Admission is determined by a range of criteria, including a student’s academic background, statement of interest, a writing sample and a video submission. In some cases, reference letters may also be requested.

In the past, enrollment in Peace, Conflict and Justice has proven to be extremely competitive across all these dimensions, and an applicant’s success in any one of these dimensions does not guarantee admission to the program.

To apply, you must have completed 4.0 FCE.

Students in their first year of study at the University of Toronto who are interested in the PCJ Program are required to take three introductory courses in History, Economics, Psychology, Sociology and/or International Relations. These courses are not required at the time of admission, but must be completed during the course of the program in order to graduate

The application process: Step by step

Please review these instructions carefully as the application process has changed. Questions related to your application must be directed to pcj.admissions@utoronto.ca.

The PCJ Program will accept applications for the 2025-26 academic year between March 3 - April 25, 2025!

Step 1: Request PCJ on ACORN

Step 2: Prepare your supplementary materials

After requesting the PCJ program(s) on ACORN, you must submit the supplementary materials listed below via 2025-26 Peace, Conflict and Justice (PCJ) Program Application Form (Page 1 of 5)

NOTE: Applications made via ACORN alone will NOT be considered.

A. In no more than 300 words for each response, please answer the following two questions:

1. Describe an issue related to justice, peace, and/or conflict that you are interested in exploring further and explain how the PCJ program will contribute to your understanding of this issue.

2. What other academic programs (e.g. minor, major, specialist) do you intent to pursue, and how does PCJ complement other courses you plan to take as an undergraduate student at U of T?

B. Provide a written paper that you wrote during your first year of undergraduate studies that demonstrates your critical and analytical thinking skills (maximum length of 10 pages, excluding bibliography/references).

C. Provide your 2-page CV highlighting, but not limited to, relevant professional, academic, volunteer, research, and leadership experience.

D. Provide a copy of your most recent U of T Transcript (official or unofficial) displaying First Year marks.

E. Please submit a 3 minute video (maximum) answering the following prompts. Please be sure to have your camera turned on.

1. Provide a brief introduction
2. Explain why you are applying to PCJ.
3. What matters to you and why?
4. In what ways will you contribute to the PCJ program?

How to apply

2025 PCJ Open House

About the application process

The application process: Step by step

Step 1: Request PCJ on ACORN

Step 2: Prepare your supplementary materials

Step 3: Submit your supplementary materials

Step 4: Results

Step 5: Registration