Join us at our open house, in-person or virtually!
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.
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 2024-25 academic year between March 1 - April 26, 2024!
Step 1: Request PCJ on ACORN
You can request a Peace, Conflict and Justice subject POST on ACORN between March 1, 2024 – April 26, 2024. You can request the major (ASMAJ1228), specialist (ASSPE1228), or both.
Step 2: Prepare your supplementary materials
After requesting the PCJ program(s) on ACORN, you must email the supplementary materials listed below to pcj.admissions@utoronto.ca.
Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their supplementary materials early before. 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. Pick one course you took during your first year. Describe a challenge, setback, or failure that you experienced in the course and what lessons you learned from this experience.
B. Provide a writing sample from this past year in university. Maximum length of 10 pages (excluding bibliography/references).
C. CV highlighting, but not limited to, relevant professional, academic, volunteer, research, and leadership experience.
D. Provide a copy of your U of T Unofficial Transcript displaying First Year marks.
Note: If you are applying for both the major and specialist programs, please send two separate emails with the subjectPOST codes indicated in the subject line.
Step 3: Submit your supplementary materials
When emailing your supplementary materials, use the following naming conventions in order for your application(s) to be considered:
- The email subject line should read as Last Name, First Name – SUBJECTPOST CODE (eg. Smith, Jane – ASMAJ1228)
- Submit all documents in a single PDF or Word document
- Name the files as Last Name, First Name – SUBJECTPOST CODE (eg. Smith, Jane – ASMAJ1228)
Supplementary documents should be emailed to pcj.admissions@utoronto.ca at the time the request is made on ACORN
Step 4: Submit your video response
All students MUST submit a 3-5 minute video answering the following two questions:
1. Describe an issue, event or experience related to peace, conflict and/or justice that had an impact on you. How does it connect to the PCJ program?
2. Thinking back to your first year of studies at U of T, what would you identify as your major success and biggest challenge? Why?
Please be sure to introduce yourself and have your camera turned on. Please submit your video using this form.
Step 5: Results
All applicants will be notified of their results between April 27 – June 7 on ACORN. Some students may be placed on a waitlist; however, this does not guarantee admission into the program.
Step 6: Registration
If you are invited to the program, you are responsible for accepting the invitation on ACORN by the deadline. Students who are admitted into the PCJ program have guaranteed entry into our core courses.
Please note that second round requests will not be accepted.