Bachelor of Information


Currently accepting applications for September 2024

The Bachelor of Information (BI) program is second-entry undergraduate degree. The BI program considers the interactions between information technologies and social worlds. It equips students with conceptual tools and practical techniques necessary to understand and effect change in a data-intensive society. The program integrates design thinking, critical scholarship, and experiential learning.

Academic Requirements:

The BI is a second-entry undergraduate program, meaning students can apply as early as the second year of their undergraduate degree. Students must have completed at least 10.0 university credits to be considered for admission.

In order to be eligible for the BI Program you must:

  •  Have completed at least 10.0 FCE university credits (this is equivalent to 2 years full time of undergraduate study)
    • At least 4.0 FCE at 200 level or above
    • Minimum average of 70% / 2.7 GPA in the last 5.0 FCE taken

Prerequisite Requirements:

You must have completed at least 0.5 FCE with a minimum grade of C+ in each of the following areas:

  • Formal Systems
    • e.g. Calculus, Statistics, Formal Logic, Coding, or other math or science-focused courses
  • Socio-Cultural Systems
    • e.g. Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Political Science, Sociology or other humanities or social science courses
  • Creative Practice
    • e.g. Design, Creative Writing, Performance, or other art or design-focused courses

If at the time of application you are in your second year, and do not yet have completed 10 credits for academic assessment. Acceptance into the program will be conditional upon the you completing your second year and achieving the required academic minimums.

Supporting Documents:

In addition to meeting the minimum academic requirements, you must submit the required supporting documentation in order for your application to be considered complete. 

Personal Statement (required)

This is your chance to be creative! We want to get to know you and why you and the BI Program are right for each other. You can present your statement using your choice of media:

  • 90-second video (we are interested in the message, not your video production skills!)
  • Personal essay (400-500 words)
  • Website / Portfolio
  • Slideshow presentation
  • A storyboard telling a story about what you hope your two years in the program would be like
  • Or any other format that allows you best to communicate your ideas and helps us get to know you

Some aspects you might want to consider your personal statement (but you are free to take whatever approach makes sense for you):

    • Why does the BI program make sense for you at this point in your education?
    • How do the required courses in the BI program excite you intellectually?
    • Recount an experience working on a project, either solo or on a team, in a way that helps
      us to get to know you as a thinker and a do-er.
    • What kind of electives might you take in your second year to make the BI program your own?
    • What kind of impact do you want to have on the world?

Email your personal statement to ugadmissions.ischool@utoronto.ca

Unofficial transcript (required)

    • If you are attending a post-secondary institution in Ontario order your transcript through the OUAC application, OR
    • Email a copy of your unofficial university transcript to ugadmissions.ischool@utoronto.ca

For the purpose of the application review, unofficial transcripts may be submitted:

  • If an offer of admission is made, official final transcripts needs to be received at the Faculty as part of the offer condition(s).

Transcript Explanation Essay (optional)

    • Transcripts don’t always speak for themselves or tell the whole story. We invite you to submit a brief (250 words max) statement that helps us read your transcript. You might wish to explain any circumstances that may have led to sub-optimal academic performance or tell the story of a change in your academic direction.
    • Submit this as part of your supporting documents via email to ugadmissions.ischool@utoronto.ca

 

Proof of English Facility (if applicable)

  • All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
  • For complete information on how to satisfy this requirement, please visit English Language Requirements.
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