The University of Toronto (U of T) is one of Canada’s most famous universities. It was ranked 32nd in the world and second in Canada in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It’s a huge research university with three campuses: St. George in downtown Toronto, Mississauga and Scarborough. It’s known for medicine, engineering, computer science, business, law and the humanities.
U of T is very popular with international students, and some of its programmes are among the most competitive in Canada. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on the University of Toronto’s own guidance and official Canadian government information.
1. Choose your campus and programme
At U of T, you apply to a specific programme or admission category on a specific campus. The same subject can have different requirements and competition levels at St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough, so compare them carefully. Popular programmes, such as Computer Science, Engineering, Rotman Commerce and Life Sciences, are highly competitive.
2. Use the right application form
If you live outside Canada, have never studied in Canada and are applying only to U of T, use the University of Toronto International Application, which has a non-refundable fee of CAD $196. If you’re also applying to other Ontario universities, use the OUAC Undergraduate Application instead. Don’t submit both, because the second one will be cancelled without a refund. U of T applications.
3. Apply early: 7 November is the date to aim for
For autumn 2027 entry, U of T encourages applicants who want to be considered in earlier rounds to apply by 7 November 2026 and submit all documents by 1 December. The final deadline for most programmes is 15 January 2027, and supplementary applications and documents for some programmes are due by 1 February 2027. Some programmes, such as Music, have earlier dates, so check yours. U of T dates and deadlines.
4. Complete any supplementary application
Many competitive programmes ask for more than grades, such as an online profile, short written answers, a video, a portfolio or an audition. These are your chance to show your interests, achievements and motivation, so give them as much care as your grades. Write specific answers with real examples, and see our 50 sample SOPs for ideas on how to write about yourself.
5. Meet the subject prerequisites with strong grades
Each programme has required subjects, and every undergraduate programme requires a senior-level English course. Engineering and Computer Science, for example, expect strong results in advanced mathematics and sciences. Admission depends heavily on your grades in these subjects, so keep them as high as possible through your final year.
6. Prove your English
If you need to prove your English, U of T asks for IELTS Academic of at least 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. For TOEFL iBT taken from 21 January 2026, it asks for at least 4.5 overall, with 4.5 in Writing and 4.0 in Speaking (or 89 overall, with 22 in Speaking and Writing, for older tests). Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests.
7. Know the Pearson Scholarship timeline
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is U of T’s most prestigious award for international students and covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years. You must be nominated by your school, and the dates are early: for autumn 2027 entry, schools had to nominate students by 9 October 2026, students had to apply to U of T by 16 October 2026, and the scholarship application closes on 6 November 2026. If you’re applying for a later year, talk to your school counsellor early in your final year. Pearson Scholarships.
8. Understand the fees
International tuition at U of T is high. For 2026–27, first-year international tuition was about CAD $66,110 for Arts & Science at St. George and $72,860 for Engineering, plus incidental fees and about $948 for the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). Fees vary by programme and campus, so check U of T’s Tuition Explorer for your exact programme. Toronto is also one of Canada’s most expensive cities to live in.
9. Plan your study permit
If you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you’ll usually need a study permit. Most undergraduate applicants also need a provincial attestation letter (PAL), which U of T issues after you accept your offer, usually once you’ve paid a deposit. Since 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public universities haven’t needed one. You must show that you can pay your first year’s tuition and living costs: for applications made from 1 September 2026, the government asks for at least CAD $23,448 a year for living costs for a single student, on top of tuition and travel. Rules change often, so check Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the latest advice.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
During term, you can usually work up to 24 hours a week off campus. After a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD, you may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) of up to three years, if you meet the language requirement (CLB 7 in all four skills for university graduates). Toronto is Canada’s biggest job market, and U of T’s co-op and internship options, such as the Engineering PEY Co-op, can help you gain experience.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at U of T?
Graduate programmes are run by U of T’s School of Graduate Studies and individual departments, with deadlines often between November and January. You’ll usually need a strong first degree, references and a statement of purpose, and some programmes ask for the GRE. For research degrees, contact potential supervisors early. See our sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
U of T’s top programmes are very competitive, so apply to other options too. Read our guides to McGill University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta and the University of Waterloo. Our guide to studying in Canada explains how the Canadian system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from the University of Toronto’s official admissions, fees and scholarship pages, official Canadian government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on U of T’s admissions website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with the University of Toronto.