RSI welcomes international students and values the diverse perspectives they bring to our research community. Before applying, please review the key requirements below regarding funding, supervision, and language proficiency.
International Students
Supervision Confirmation
All international applicants must have a confirmed RSI graduate supervisor before an application can be reviewed.
Funding Requirements
All international applicants must have a guaranteed source of funding for the entire duration of their program at the time of application.
Acceptable sources of funding include:
-
Scholarships or fellowships from recognized international agencies
-
Government scholarships from your home country
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Educational foundations or university partnerships
-
Guaranteed funding from a confirmed RSI supervisor
|
Program |
Funding Responsibility |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
PhD |
RSI faculty may provide or arrange funding |
Confirmation of funding and supervision must be in writing |
|
MSc |
Students must arrive with external funding (e.g., government or agency award) |
RSI does not fund international MSc students |
Important: Your application cannot be considered until you have confirmed both a supervisor and full funding in writing. RSI does not currently fund international students.
International applicants are encouraged to contact their home government or the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for information on available sponsorship programs.
Please ensure that you have adequate financial support before applying. Employment opportunities for international (visa) students in Canada are limited.
Application Deadline
International applicants must submit a complete application by the official deadline. Please visit the Apply Now page for current application dates.
Degree Equivalency
Applicants educated outside of Canada will have their academic background assessed for equivalency with a University of Toronto degree. You can check how your degree compares by reviewing the International Degree Equivalencies list.
English Language Proficiency
Proficiency in English is required for all applicants whose university education was completed in a language other than English.
Please note:
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Even if your previous studies were conducted in English, an official English language test score may still be required (e.g., graduates from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh).
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Test results must be received before the application deadline and be no more than two years old.
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Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to: University of Toronto (Institution Code: 0982) — no department code required.
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Applications without valid proof of English proficiency will not be considered.
Minimum English Proficiency Scores
|
Test |
Minimum Overall Score |
Section Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
TOEFL (Paper-based) |
600 |
TWE: 5.0 |
|
TOEFL (Internet-based) |
100 |
Writing: 22, Speaking: 22 |
|
IELTS (Academic) |
7.5 |
Minimum 6.5 in each section |
|
MELAB |
87 |
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For additional details, visit:
International Fees Exemptions
Unless you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a recognized Native person, you must pay international student fees.
You may be eligible for an exemption under specific categories defined by the University of Toronto. To claim an exemption, you must provide official supporting documentation. See the full list of exemption categories here.