The University of Toronto, Canada's top-ranked university, is accepting applications for graduate study starting in 2027. PhD students are guaranteed funding of at least C$40,000 a year, and international PhD students pay almost the same tuition as Canadians.
University College on the University of Toronto's St. George campus (file photo). Photo: Louie Luo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The university's School of Graduate Studies (SGS) says it already has nearly 5,000 international graduate students from 138 countries. Applications for master's and doctoral programmes are made online through the SGS application portal.
Faddabah Newsroom checked the official pages. The real opportunity for African students is in research degrees, especially the PhD, which come with guaranteed funding. Most course-based master's programmes are not funded, and international tuition for them is high.
- University: University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (founded 1827)
- Level: Master's and PhD, starting September 2027 (some programmes also start in January or May)
- PhD funding: at least C$40,000 a year for students in the funded cohort, usually for four to five years
- Research master's funding: usually for one year
- Application fee: C$135 for programmes starting from September 2027; no waivers
- Deadlines: set by each department; many close between December and February
- Apply: admissions.sgs.utoronto.ca/apply
The funding
From Fall 2025, the University of Toronto raised its minimum base funding for PhD students in the funded cohort to C$40,000 a year across the whole university. This funding package usually includes a mix of university fellowships, research assistant pay from your supervisor, and teaching assistant work.
The key point for Africans: international PhD students pay tuition close to the domestic rate. For example, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering lists 2025-26 PhD tuition of about C$9,240 for international students against C$8,448 for Canadians, with a minimum package of C$40,792 for international PhD students.
Research-stream master's students (such as an MASc or a thesis-based MSc) are usually funded for one year. Course-based and professional master's programmes are generally not funded, and international students pay much higher fees; for example, the same department lists international MASc tuition of about C$34,900 a year, with a matching funding package for that research degree. Always check the funding page of your chosen department.
Who can apply
- Master's: an appropriate bachelor's degree with at least a mid-B average in the final year
- PhD: an appropriate master's degree with at least a B+ average; some departments admit outstanding bachelor's graduates (A- or better) directly into the PhD
- Many departments set higher requirements, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission
- Some programmes ask for the GRE; check your department
Use the international degree equivalency tool on the SGS website to see how your degree compares.
English requirement
Applicants whose degree was taught and examined in English may be exempt from an English test. Graduates of universities in Sierra Leone and other English-speaking African countries are likely to qualify, but confirm with your department. Otherwise, the minimum scores are:
- IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall, with at least 6.5 in each part
- TOEFL iBT: 93 overall, with 22 in Writing and Speaking
Study permit
International students need a Canadian study permit. According to the university, from 1 January 2026 study permit applications for graduate students no longer require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), which removes one step from the process.
How to apply
- Choose your programme on the SGS website and read its admission requirements, deadline and funding page carefully.
- For research programmes, contact possible supervisors by email before you apply. Explain your research interest and attach your CV. In many departments, a supervisor's support makes a big difference.
- Create an account on the SGS application portal: admissions.sgs.utoronto.ca/apply
- Upload your transcripts, CV, statement of intent and any test scores, and enter your referees' details.
- Pay the C$135 application fee and submit before your department's deadline.
Faddabah Newsroom tips
- Aim for a research degree. A PhD or a thesis-based master's is where the funding is. Do not apply to a course-based master's unless you can pay the fees.
- Check the deadline for your exact programme. There is no single deadline. Some departments close in early December.
- Budget for the application fee. The C$135 fee cannot be waived, so choose your programmes carefully.
- Apply directly. Use only the official utoronto.ca website. No agent can guarantee you admission or funding.
Sources
- University of Toronto SGS: International portal (official)
- University of Toronto SGS: Admission and application requirements (official)
- University of Toronto SGS: Frequently asked questions (official)
- University of Toronto SGS: English language proficiency testing (official)
- University of Toronto ECE: Funding packages 2025-26 (official)
- Academica: U of T to increase base funding for PhD, SJD students to $40K annually
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