Application Deadlines and Requirements

The Institute of Medical Science offers degrees in either a Master of Science (MSc) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Learn more about the programs on offer here.

We highly recommend applicants to find their supervisor early. Learn how to find a supervisor here.

Please note that all email inquiries should be initiated from institutional email addresses.

Application Deadlines

*The Early Consideration Deadline for September 2023 now closed*

 

Domestic Students

International Students

September 2023 Admission

 

 

Online Application:

  • June 15th 2023

Online Application:

  • April 15th 2023

International applicants applying for September 2023 registration must provide the complete application by at least April 15th 2023.  This will allow processing time for the application and provides ample time for your study permit application. 

 

 

January  2024 Admission

 

 

Online Application:

  • October 15th 2023

Online Application:

  • September 15th 2023

International applicants applying for January 2024 registration must provide the complete application by at least September 15th.  This will allow processing time for the application and provides ample time for your study permit application. 

The online application for September 2023 registration is available as of November 1

Early Consideration Deadline – February 1st – now closed

The early consideration admission deadline for Fall registration is February 1stProspective applicants applying to the February 1st application deadline must submit a complete application by this date.

All applicants to the MSc and PhD programs must submit:

  1. Updated Curriculum vitae (CV)
    • Must include past and/or current research experience
  2. Statement of Interest (1-2 pages)
    • Highlight goals and aspirations
    • Prior research experience
    • Current research interests
    • List supervisors you have been in contact with
    • Other pertinent information (gaps in your academic record, extenuating circumstances for poor grades, etc.)
    • PhD and PhD Direct applicants must also include a Research Proposal
  3. Three reference letters
    • Each reference must be a faculty member at a recognized university/college
    • At least one of these references should speak to an applicant's research experience
    • A graduate student, Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant/Associate, manager, sessional lecturer, adjunct professor, or post-doc fellow are not eligible referees
  4. Supervisory letter 
    • The supervisory letter is applicable to all international applicants and PhD domestic applicants at the time of applying
    • MSc domestic applicants do not need a supervisory letter at the time of applying. However, all successful applicants must have a supervisor in place before initial registration in the IMS program
      • If you have secured a supervisor at the time of application, it is highly recommended that you upload a Supervisory Letter to your online application
  5. Academic transcript(s)
    • Current University of Toronto students do not need to provide an official transcript for the application. Current UofT students, please upload a copy of your academic record from ROSI/ACORN as the electronic transcript
    • The IMS prefers official transcripts to be sent electronically (via email). Please note, official transcripts sent electronically must be sent directly from the academic institution to the IMS Office
    • Transcripts uploaded to the online application portal by applicants considered unofficial by the University of Toronto, but will be used when considering an application. Transcripts are only official if sent directly from the issuing academic institution either to the IMS Mailing address, or to the Admissions email (adm.medscience@utoronto.ca)
  6. If applicable, Certified English translations of all documentation written in a language other than English or French

The benefits of submitting an early application for consideration are:

  • More time to secure research supervision
  • Consideration for early awards offered through the School of Graduate Studies
  • Advantage of departmental initiatives

Supervisors recruiting students

We are in the process of updating the list of supervisors recruiting students for September 2023 registration.
find a supervisor at the IMS

Please see below all the relevant application information, including forms.

Application Forms

Application to the Institute of Medical Science graduate program is available online via the School of Graduate Studies https://admissions.sgs.utoronto.ca/apply/

Your application will be considered after payment of the application fee is received by the School of Graduate Studies and the complete application (including all applicable documentations) is received by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

It is your responsibility to make sure that all required documents are submitted to the application by the due date. The following checklist items are to be completed via the online application website:

  • Upload your updated CV, Letter of Intent, and copies of your academic transcript(s) from previous institution(s) attended.
  • Reference submissions by referees.
  • If you are a domestic or international applicant applying for entry into the PhD/PhD Direct Entry program, or if you are an international student applying for entry to the MSc  program, you must upload a letter from the potential supervisor indicating acceptance of supervision and funding commitment.

Additionally, you must request your academic institution(s) to mail official copies of your academic transcript(s) to the IMS office address listed on the transcript request form. 

English language testing results must be sent directly from the testing centre to the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies. If you take the TOEFL test, the code for forwarding your results directly to the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies is 0982.

Supervisory Letter

All international and PhD applicants must upload a supervisory letter to their online application.  Domestic applicants applying to the MSc program do not require a supervisory letter at the time of applying.

Letter of Intent/Statement of Interest

A letter of intent/statement of interest, once completed, should be uploaded to your application profile on the SGS Online Application System. It should briefly describe your previous research experience, outline your future goals, research interests and other pertinent information such as:

  • Research background – Summer/Undergraduate research
  • Potential research area – with identified/approached supervisors, if applicable
  • Other information – {e.g. accessibility services, medical issues, extenuating circumstances, low grades, gap in educational history (i.e. medical reasons, employment), lack of research/opportunity, etc.}
  • PhD applicants must also provide a research proposal

Interview

You may be invited for an interview with a member of the Admissions Committee to discuss your application (either by telephone/Zoom), prior to receiving a decision on your application.

Admissions Committee Review

The Committee meets once per month from February to July to review completed applications received for September registration.  Only completed applications will be sent to the Admissions Committee for review.

The decision of the Admissions Committee is based on the overall evaluation of the application, including transcripts, letters of reference, Letter of Intent/statement of interest, assessment of the applicant’s qualifications according to the standards set by the Institute of Medical Science and the School of Graduate Studies, and assessment of the potential for success in the graduate program.

The Committee’s decision is not based on any single factor but on the overall evaluation of the application.

Notification

You will be notified via email after your application has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee.   You are advised to schedule a meeting with one of the Graduate Coordinators if you have any questions on the outcome of your application at the end of the admissions cycle.

Decisions on admission suitability by the Admissions Committee are final and appeals will not be considered.

After Acceptance

Conditional offers of admission must be cleared by the set deadline. This allows you to pay your fees and register in the graduate program in a timely fashion.

It is mandatory for all incoming students attend the "New Student Orientation" session. Routine communication from IMS is sent out throughout the year via email and through the website.

Residency Policy

5.4 Period of Residence

IMS requires that students must be in a geographical location in proximity to the University's campus to fully participate and benefit from the graduate program.   Residence provides the student with an opportunity to become immerse in the intellectual environment of the University. International students and students who will be moving to Toronto must be in a geographical location at the time of registration and remain there until thesis defense.

Still have questions? Visit our FAQ section, join one of our virtual Graduate Information Sessions,  or email our Admissions Officer (adm.medscience@utoronto.ca).