FAQs about Graduate Admissions

You should seriously consider incorporating a research project into your course timetable before graduation. Graduate supervisors are reluctant to accept students who have had no research experience or training. 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants whose complete applications are received early have the opportunity to obtain an early offer of conditional admission. For applicants to the thesis-based programs, an early offer means having the advantage of having their documentation circulated early in the year; thereby increasing the chances of obtaining supervision and funding. 

International applicants to the Ph.D. program whose overall averages are within the "A" range and whose applications are complete by the posted deadline, will automatically be considered for nomination for the Connaught Scholarship. Visa applicants who completed their degrees at the University of Toronto are unfortunately NOT ELIGIBLE for the Connaught Scholarship.

Applications from domestic students whose grade point average is considered borderline, or who have not met the required B+ cutoff in previous completed years of study, will be held until the final year's marks are received, at which time a final decision is made. When an official offer is received, the applicant must meet all of the conditions on the offer before the September registration deadline.

Each program has specific application deadlines and supporting documentation requirements. You will need to pay a separate processing fee for every application submitted. What works for one program may not necessarily work for another.

Once the complete application package is received, the application is reviewed by program office. All eligible applicants are contacted for an interview with a member of the Graduate Education Committee (GEC). Where distance is an issue, virtual interviews may be arranged. The final admission decision rests with the GEC.

In the case of domestic applicants and US citizens, you are normally given what is called a "conditional offer". The conditions are usually that  you must complete your degree if in the process of doing so, and obtain supervision and funding prior to the registration deadline. Your applicant file will be circulated to all graduate faculty; however, it is your responsibility to take the initiative to contact those faculty with whom you wish to work.

For all other international applicants, the process is slightly longer. To facilitate and simplify the admission and immigration process, only “clear” offers will be made. Once the GEC deems that you have met all of the admission requirements, your applicant file is circulated to all graduate faculty. As with domestic applicants, it is your responsibility to take the initiative to contact those faculty with whom you wish to work. An official offer is made only when a faculty member indicates their willingness to supervise and fund your program.

Since supervision and funding are not an issue for applicants to the course-based M.Sc. program, there will likely be very few conditions on the admission offer beyond proof of degree completion, and submission of official documents where required.

Many potential supervisors are not willing to consider an applicant who has not yet gone through the admission process. That said, you do not need to wait until you are officially accepted before approaching a potential supervisor. In fact, since it is the applicant's responsibility to obtain supervision and funding, many take the initiative early to approach faculty members in whose labs they wish to complete their degrees.

Please, however, keep in mind that a promise of acceptance by a graduate faculty member does not guarantee admission into the graduate program. All applicants must undergo the full application process and be accepted by the Department before an official offer of admission will be made.  

Please check the faculty profiles on our website and take some time to  familiarize yourself with the faculty member's research before approaching a potential supervisor. 

The University reviews proposed tuition fees annually in the spring. For further information see University Fees. 

Students in research-stream programs receive annual stipends that may be comprised from a variety of sources (e.g., research assistantships, U of T fellowships, and awards). See the Awards and Financial Support page for additional details.

Part-time students and students registered in the Applied Clinical Pharmacology program are not guaranteed stipend support.

For information on financial aid options, please visit the Financial Aid page.

You should keep in mind that for many awards (e.g., OGS, NSERC), the application is made during the year prior to applying to graduate school; i.e., during the final year of undergraduate study. Applicants who are seriously considering graduate school should investigate any and all available awards for graduate students before completing their final year. For more information, see the SGS Website

Part-time studies are permitted in the Master's program in Pharmacology and can be a viable option for students who are employed outside the University.  

There is no part-time study in the Ph.D. program. 

The admission requirements and application procedures are the same as for the full-time program. Applicants are normally required to have taken courses in physiology, biochemistry, or allied sciences sufficient to form a foundation for their work in pharmacology. To be eligible, applicants must also have achieved a minimum grade of B+ (i.e., 77%-79%) in no less than 4 senior-level FCEs (Full Course Equivalents) in their final year (3rd- and 4th-year courses are considered to be senior-level courses).

Students in the part-time program must complete the same program requirements as those in the full-time stream. Degree requirements must be completed within 6 years of first enrolment in the program.

Program supervisors are not required to guarantee financial support for part-time students. In addition, only full-time students are eligible for UofT Fellowships and most external awards. On the other hand, all qualified graduate students (including part-time) are eligible to apply for Teaching Assistantships and invigilation. 

Fees for part-time students are considerably lower than those of full-time students; see Fees.  Students should be aware that they may be required to pay additional academic fees in order to equal the total minimum fee paid by a full-time student in the same program. This Balance of Degree Fee is assessed just prior to graduation.