Master of Information

Before you apply, it is recommended that you attend an Info Day / Tour / Admissions Event for Master’s candidates in order to make an informed decision and learn about the various concentrations and program options. Tours, led by senior students, are also available. For an overview of the iSchool and our Master’s degree programs view/download the 2018 iSchool Handbook.

Online Application Opens: October 1, 2017
Entry into the program occurs once a year. The next start date is September 2018.  

Early Deadline: January 31, 2018 
The online application form, including payment of the application fee, and all supporting documents must be submitted by January 31, 2018 to be considered for entrance awards and/or consideration for the TALint Program.

Regular MI Deadline: April 30, 2018 (deadline extended)
Regular deadline for submission of the online application and payment of the application fee.

Supporting MI Document Deadline: May 11, 2018 (deadline extended)
Regular deadline for the Faculty to receive all supporting documents, including electronic uploads and print copies of official transcripts.

*Admission occurs on a rolling basis. Therefore, the sooner the application is the complete, the sooner a decision will be made

Masters Application Essentials

International Students
Please refer to additional application information for international students.

The minimum academic requirements for admission are listed below. Possession of the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Information and the School of Graduate Studies does not guarantee admission.

Master of Information | UNIVERSITY EDUCATION – DEGREE

An appropriate 4-year Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is required. The degree may be in any discipline or area of study.

If your degree was earned outside of Canada then use the International Degree Equivalency Tool to identify equivalent credentials.

Note: The degree must normally contain a minimum of 75% academic credits — that is, courses that are not professional, practical, technical or vocational courses. Courses such as studio art, drama, music performance, theology, education, or library science are not normally considered to be sufficiently academic in content for admissions purposes.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE – GPA

An appropriate bachelor’s degree with at least B average (3.0/4.0 GPA) from a university recognized by the University of Toronto.

Successful applicants generally hold a B+ average (3.3/4.0 GPA) or higher, in the most recent, full-year course load’s worth of senior-level courses (e.g. 3rd and 4th year courses of a 4-year degree)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Work experience cannot be substituted for the required academic background.

GRE, GMAT

For admission to the iSchool these standardized tests are not required or requested, and will not be considered.

Academic Supporting Documents

Submit final transcripts from each of the post-secondary institutions you have attended. If you are currently completing your final year of study then also submit interim transcripts.

Applicants will submit an electronic copy of their transcripts to the online application form by the application deadline (follow the form instructions).

If an offer of admission is made, official final transcript(s) will be a condition of the offer and will be required before the start of the program.  Transcripts are considered official when they have been prepared, sealed in an envelope and signed over the back flap by an official at the issuing institution.  Transcripts are to be sent directly to the Faculty of Information:  University of Toronto, 140 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G6

Notes:

1. Current and past University of Toronto students applying to Faculty of Information Programs specifically, may give permission to the Faculty to download an official U of T transcript by emailing admissions.ischool@utoronto.ca
2. The Admissions Committee may at any time during the application process, request an official copy of transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended.
3. For students whose admitting degree was granted outside of North America, the Faculty of Information will accept transcripts sent directly from World Education Services (WES) as official transcripts in consideration for admission.  The Faculty of Information will consider the evaluation report from WES but will make its own evaluation decision.

Non-Academic Supporting Documents

A CURRENT CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)/RESUME

Submit online as a Word document or a PDF and outline the following:

• Education
• Relevant personal and work experience, both paid and unpaid
• Publications
• Professional activities
• Awards, honours, grants, and fellowships, as applicable

PERSONAL STATEMENT

This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the selection committee, pointing out how your academics, experience (work and personal) and career goals make you an excellent fit for the iSchool program.  Think of it much like the cover letter that accompanies an employment resume. Submit online as a Word document or a PDF. The personal statement should address:

• Aspects of your academic background, professional experience (e.g., work, volunteer positions, internships, etc.), and extracurricular activities that have prepared you to be successful in the Master of Information;
• Your career goals, and why the iSchool is the best place for you to pursue them;
• What main topics, concerns and issues you would like to explore during your studies;
• Upon graduation, how you expect to make a difference to the field and to society at large;
• Which Concentration(s) best suit your interests;
• What motivates you to pursue these area(s) of study;
• Your interest in the Concurrent Registration Option, if applicable;
• Inconsistencies in your academic record, if any.

Notes on format & writing style: The personal statement, written in essay format, should be no longer than 750 words. While you may choose to reference personal anecdotes, the overall aim of the statement is to keep your writing as relevant, specific, and concise as possible.

We strongly encourage that you consult University of Toronto Writing Centre for tips on how to write effective admissions letters.

ACADEMIC LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Two academic references are required.

• References MUST be academic in nature, i.e. must pertian to your academic abilities, performance, aptitude, etc.
• A third optional reference is permitted (which can be an academic or work/professional reference). You should only consider adding an additional reference if you are certain that it will be as strong as the other required references.
• If you last graduated more than five years ago, you may substitute work letters of reference. Work-related referees should be direct supervisors who can comment on your skills that are useful in the academic environment.

Selecting Referees

• Choose faculty members whom you believe will give you strong references.
• Teaching assistants or workshop instructors are generally not useful as academic referees.
• If your referees are not currently teaching you, send them your CV, mention the course(s) you took with them, as well as anything about your work that will remind them of who you are.
• If a referee seems vague or reluctant, find another referee.

Once you have added your referees to the online application, and paid the application fee, your referees will be emailed by the School of Graduate Studies (apply@sgs.utoronto.ca) with instructions directing them to a secure website where they will submit electronically: (i) a candidate assessment on a fillable Confidential Report form; (ii) a reference letter.
To ensure that your referees will be able to submit their letters by document deadlines contact your referees and confirm their availability well in advance of providing their contact information and pay the application fee early. You can monitor your online application to see if the letters of reference have been submitted.

It is the responsibility of applicants to notify referees of any deadlines earlier than the May 15th supporting document deadline, if they wish to be considered for awards.

Common Questions / Support:

• Referees didn’t get the email with submission instructions? Check junk mail folders first. You can also re-send reference requests to your referees if needed via the online application system.
• You should contact admissions.ischool@utoronto.ca if: there are changes to your referees; you need to submit a new email address for your referee; your referee experiences problems with submitting online; your referee does not have an institutional email address – provide their alternate email address.
• With all such issues, please include your full name and application number in your email.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY – IF REQUIRED

The iSchool reserves the right to require evidence of English language proficiency from any applicant educated outside Canada, whose first language is not English.

Learn more about English proficiency requirements.

Apply via the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Online Application (opens Oct 1). The application fee is $125.

• Select your MI concentration/program options on the online application.
• Have additional questions about the online application? Read the FAQ.

Selecting your program options on the online application

There are a myriad of options available for you in the MI program. Concentrations, collaborative specializations, combined programs, concurrent registration option, as well as the general program option, thesis option, co-op as well as a specialization. Please refer to our MI Area of Study page for an overview of these options. Once you have decided on your primary interests, please use the information below to help you complete the online application form.

Collaborative Specializations

• If you wish to pursue a specific Collaborative Specializations, select it here from the drop-down menu. Otherwise, do not make a choice from the drop-down menu.
• Remember: you must also apply directly to the Collaborative Specialization in which you are interested.

Areas of Study/Concentrations:

• Choose your choice of concentration(s) from the drop-down menu.
• You may select up to TWO concentrations. If pursing a thesis, however, you may choose a maximum of ONE concentration.
• If you will be pursuing the thesis option only (no concentration), do not make a choice from the drop-down menu.

  Combined Programs:

• If interested in the JD/MI Combined Program, indicate this here.
• If interested in the HBA/MI Combined Program, contact iSchool Admissions for details.

  Proposed Area of Study: 

• If you intend to pursue the Thesis Option, enter “Thesis”.
• If you intend to pursue the General Program Option (GPO), enter “GPO”.
• If you intend to pursue the Concurrent Registration Option (CRO), enter “CRO”.
• If you intend to pursue the Identity Privacy & Security (IPS) specialization, enter “IPS”.
• Otherwise, leave this area blank.

Application Status Check
You may log in to your profile on the application website to confirm the receipt of your supporting documents at the university or amend your current contact information. Your application will be marked “Under Review” when it has gone to the Admission Committee for consideration.

Notification Of Admission Decisions  
Decisions are made as soon as it is possible to do so, rather than by a specific date. By the end of the current admissions cycle (typically in May) the outcomes of all applications should be communicated.

Successful candidates will be notified shortly after their files are reviewed and will receive a congratulatory email from the iSchool as well as an official Offer of Admission package with instructions on how and by when to accept the offer (and specifications on any conditions of the offer, if applicable).

Possession of the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Information and the School of Graduate Studies does not guarantee admission. Candidates must be competitive among fellow applicants.

Registration: Enrolment & Fees Payment
Information on registration procedures and events for new students will be communicated throughout the months preceding the start of the academic year.

Before You Apply

You must be admitted to and enrolled in the iSchool degree program. Pay close attention to the admission requirements, application procedures and application deadlines for the valid collaborative specialization:

1. Addiction Studies  Apply
2. Aging, Palliative & Support Care Across the Life Course  Apply
3. Book History & Print Culture  Apply
4. Environmental Studies  Apply
5. Knowledge Media Design  Apply
6. Sexual Diversity Studies  Apply
7. Women & Gender Studies  Apply
8. Women’s Health  Apply

Your Application

• Apply directly to the Collaborative Specialization
• Follow the procedures and deadlines specified by the Collaborative Specialization

After You Apply

• Admission Decisions & Notification
  The Collaborative Specialization makes the selection decision and will notify you of program acceptance.
• Registration: Enrolment & Fee Payment
  Information on registration procedures and events for new students will be communicated throughout the months preceding the start of the academic year.
• Completion of Collaborative Specialization
  You must fulfill all the requirements for the iSchool degree as well as any additional requirements of the collaborative specialization. Successful completion of the collaborative specialization will be noted on your academic transcript.

Concurrent Registration Option (CRO) | Master of Information/Master of Museum Studies (MI/MMSt)

• Apply to each program separately:
  • Master of Information application
  • Master of Museum Studies application
• On the application form indicate your Area of Study as the Concurrent Registration Option (CRO) and describe in your personal statement your interest in this option.
• You will be considered for admission to each program separately.
• If offered admission to both programs the Faculty will contact you to confirm your commitment to concurrent studies.
• While CRO students may choose to begin in either program (MI or MMSt), it is strongly recommended [and/or at the discretion of the Faculty]  that students begin with the MI in the first year.

Faculty of Law & Faculty of Information | Juris Doctor/Master of Information (JD/MI)

• Satisfy the admission requirements independently for both the Faculty of Information and the Faculty of Law (including writing the LSAT).
• Apply to each program separately:
  • Juris Doctor application
  • Master of Information application

• You must gain admission to both the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Information.
• If you are a current 1st year JD student or a 1st year MI student, you may apply for admission to the combined JD/MI program by:
  • Satisfying the normal application and admission requirements for the other Faculty and
  • Notifying the other Faculty’s Registrar

Combined HBA/MI Program

The BA/MI Combined Program is designed for students who wish to earn both a specialist BA degree as well as the Master of Information degree.

The Combined Program allows students to complete both degrees in five and a half years (4 + three sessions over 2 years) rather than the normal six years.

Enrolment in this program is highly competitive and will be limited to students with an A- average (meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission).

Please see the information in the School of Graduate Studies Calendar for details:

UTM, Honours Bachelor of Arts, Major in Communication, Culture, Information and Technology /Master of Information

UTM, Honours Bachelor of Arts, Specialist in Digital Enterprise Management / Master of Information

UTM, Honours Bachelor of Arts, Specialist in Interactive Digital Media / Master of Information

If you are interested in applying to the Combined HBA/MI Program, please contact admissions.ischool@utoronto.ca for details.

Admission Requirements

• A four-year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, from a recognized university.
• If your degree was earned outside of Canada then use the International Degree Equivalency Tool to identify an equivalent credential.
• Satisfy any specific qualifications required for desired courses.
• If your first language is not English, then check if you are required to take a proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS).

Your Application

1. Application Form & Fee
   • Apply via the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Online Admissions Application.
   • Read the frequently asked questions before starting the online application.
   • The application fee is CAN $125.
   • An application is valid for one academic year of non-degree studies.
2. Application Deadline for Admission
   March 31 – online application and payment
   April 15 – supporting documents
3. Supporting Documents
   • Please read carefully and thoroughly about the preparation and submission of academic and non-academic Supporting Documents above.

Course Enrolment

• Admission as a Special Student does not guarantee enrolment in a desired course, since Degree students are given priority in all courses.
• Please note that courses taken as a non-degree student cannot be transferred for credit into the Master of Information or Master of Museum Studies.