How To Apply

Admission Requirements and Deadlines:

The application and all supporting documentation must be submitted by the deadline. Please ensure you review the admission requirements to confirm your eligibility for the program to which you are applying:

Application Forms and Fee

Fee: $125 CDN (non-refundable) - PLEASE NOTE:  Applications will not be assessed until the application fee has been paid.

• Students are admitted to the academic session beginning each September. There is no January admission.
• Applications will not be reviewed until the fee has been paid. 
• Only applications submitted (and application fee paid) by the March 1st deadline will be considered.
• Application fees paid after the March 1st deadline will not be refunded.

Apply online through the School of Graduate Studies — Applications open November 1

Instructions for the SGS online application

• If you are a first-time applicant, click the link to "First-time Users" to start a new application. 
• You may save and return to the application at any point in the process.  To log into your application "in progress" please select the "Returning Users" link.
• You can upload application materials, including unofficial transcripts, English Language Proficiency and GRE or GMAT test results (if applicable), and other documents through your applicant status portal after submitting your application. 

Transcripts

Upload a scanned copy of your academic record from each post-secondary institution you attended.

• Official English translations must accompany all foreign documentation.
• Courses which are in progress, and for which grades are not yet available by the application deadline, can not be considered by the admissions committee.
• Students who secure an offer of admission will be required to submit official academic transcripts directly from the institution.

Reference Letters

Note: Only references from “institutional” email address are considered

Referee Instructions

• In the online application system, you will be required to enter information for your referees. Your referees will automatically receive a notification email that they have been requested to complete a reference for your application, along with instructions to submit their reference letter in the application system. 
• Only references from “institutional” email address are considered (yahoo, gmail, hotmail, etc. will not be considered).
• If you need to change your referees, please get in touch with the graduate administrator.
• If you need to send a reminder email to your existing referees, you can do so through your applicant portal after submitting your application.

English Language Proficiency

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The following minimum scores are acceptable:
  • paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
  • Internet-based TOEFL exam: 100/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections
  • IELTS exam: overall score of 7.0 (Academic), with at least 6.5 for each component
• For a list of recognized tests, please visit the School of Graduate Studies.

GRE or GMAT Test Results for PhD

GRE or GMAT test results are required to support the PhD application only

Results more than five years old are normally not considered.  Although these is no minimum score requirement, the relative strength of a test result is evaluated within the context of the entire application.

GRE or GMAT test scores must be received by January 15.  Use the codes below to submit your test results:

• GRE (General Test)
  0982 University, 4204 Dept.
• GMAT
  BTD1H10 PhD

Proposed Area of Study

• A brief description (a few words) of your proposed area of study, career and educational research interests.
• You may also use broad categories to describe your interests, e.g. labour-management relations, human resources management or labour and social policy.
• If uncertain, simply indicate “unknown at this time”.

Other Documents and Samples of Work

• A current resume is required.
• A personal statement is part of the application
• The admissions committee may request a copy of recent academic work and publications. Do not provide this information except upon request.
• For MIRHR students applying through the Black Student Application Stream (BSAS) or the Indigenous Student Application Stream (ISAS) a separate personal essay is required as part of the application process for the BSAS and ISAS programs.

Additional Application Streams

MIRHR - Black Student Application Stream (BSAS)

The BSAS is an optional application stream for applicants to the Master of Industrial Relations and Human Resources (MIRHR) program who self-identify as Black African, Black Caribbean or Black North American and multi-racial students who identify with their Black ancestry.

This application stream aims to increase and support Black MIRHR student representation at the University of Toronto. The intention is to have members of the Black community, including faculty, HR and IR practitioners and members of the public, take part in the admission file review process.

This program reflects the CIRHR’s strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

To apply through this application stream, you must meet the same minimum requirements as all other applicants for GPA and course prerequisites for the advanced standing MIRHR stream. Note that this application stream does not have a designated quota for admission. You must submit admission materials as per the regular MIRHR admission process plus meet the following requirements by the March 1, 2022 application deadline:

1. Self-identification as: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black North American or multi-racial on the MIRHR application.
2. Submit a BSAS Personal Essay highlighting why you have chosen to apply through this optional application stream. We recommend that this essay be 250-500 words.

Students accepted through the BSAS will automatically be considered for the Black Student Entry Award ($10,000).

MIRHR - Indigenous Student Application Stream (ISAS)

The ISAS is an optional application stream for applicants of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) ancestry to the Master of Industrial Relations and Human Resources (MIRHR) programs.  This application stream aims to increase and support Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) MIRHR student representation at the University of Toronto.  The intention is to have members of the Indigenous community, including faculty, HR and IR practitioners and members of the public, take part in the admission file review process. This program reflects the CIRHR’s strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

To apply through this application stream, you must meet the same minimum requirements as all other applicants for GPA and course prerequisites for the advanced standing MIRHR stream. Note that this application stream does not have a designated quota for admission. You must submit admission materials as per the regular MIRHR admission process plus meet the following requirements by the March 1, 2022 application deadline:

1. Self‑declared Indigenous status on the MIRHR application.
2. You must provide one of the following as proof of Indigenous ancestry to apply to the ISAS at the CIRHR:
   
   1. A copy of a Status or Treaty card
   2. A copy of a Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities
   3. A copy of a membership card in a Métis registry recognized by the Métis National Council (the Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta and Métis Nation British Columbia)
   4. Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, on the band list of an individual band or the Inuit roll
   5. Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
   6. Written confirmation of membership in a band council that has its own membership code
   7. Other acceptable documentation
3. The ISAS Personal Essay: This essay is an opportunity for you to explain your connection to your Indigenous community. We recommend this essay be 250-500 words.

Students accepted through the ISAS will automatically be considered for the Indigenous Student Entry Award ($10,000).

Interviews

Evaluation Process

Enrolment capacity is limited. Meeting minimum standards does not guarantee admission

• The admissions committee begins meeting in January and most decisions are made by April 30.
• The length of time to evaluate each application can vary.
• Once a decision has been made, an official written notification will be sent.
• To view the status of your application, including outstanding requirements, please log in to the SGS online application system to view your applicant status portal. 
• If current studies are incomplete, the successful candidate will receive a conditional offer of admission. Instructions for clearing the conditions will be provided.

Questions?

• Review the School of Graduate Studies FAQ Section for prospective students.
• Email your questions to cir.info@utoronto.ca
• For more information about graduate studies at the University of Toronto visit the School of Graduate Studies website.