The U of T Mississauga Bridging Programoffers mature students the opportunity to be admitted to undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), when they do not meet traditional admission requirements and/or have been away from formal education for some time.
The Bridging Program allows students to complete a qualifying year of part-time studies (earning degree credits), to use as a basis of admission to one of our undergraduate degree programs.
As a mature student, the Bridging Program helped me turn uncertainty into purpose. It showed me that every new beginning starts with courage; and that education is truly a lifelong journey.
Mustafa Memon, Double Major in Art & Art History and Professional Writing & Communication; Minor in Cinema Studies
Program structure
Students admitted to the Bridging program enroll in 2-3 half credits over the Fall and Winter academic session. Students get to choose their courses from a list of over 30 first year, half-credit courses, primarily in the humanities and social sciences. These are degree level courses that will count towards their undergraduate studies, upon successful completion of the program.
In the Fall term all students complete one half-credit course:
If they achieve a course grade between 63-72.9% they may proceed to the Winter term with one additional half-credit course, for a total of 1.0 FCE (credit).
If they achieve a course grade of 73% or higher, they may proceed to the Winter term with up to two additional half-credit courses, for a total of up to 1.5 FCE (credits).
If they achieve a course grade less than 63%, they will be withdrawn from the Bridging program.
Upon completion of the Fall and Winter terms:
If they achieve an overall average between 63% to 72%, they will be admitted to part-time degree studies at UTM.
If they achieve an overall average of a 73% or better, they will be admitted to full-time degree studies at UTM.
If they achieve an overall average less than 63%, they are not admitted to degree studies at UTM.
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Requirements
There are two pathways (sets of criteria) through which students may be considered for admission to the Bridging program. Once admitted, the program structure, fees, and outcomes are the same.
Regular Pathway
Be at least 19 years of age in the year the program begins
Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Convention Refugee in Canada*
Have been away from formal, full-time academic education for at least two years
Have not attempted degree-level academic work (or equivalent) at a post-secondary institution such as a university or polytechnic institute
Have not completed more than two years of full-time studies in a College of Applied Arts and Technology (or equivalent), such as a three-year advanced diploma of an academic nature
Be at least 17 years of age in the year the program begins
Be a Permanent Resident or Convention Refugee in Canada*
Access to previous academic transcripts is not available
Letter explaining the circumstances that have prevented you from providing final, official transcripts for a direct application to undergraduate studies
These amounts include both the tuition cost for the course(s) and the non-academic incidental fees, which include all the resources and services available to U of T students. For general questions around non-academic incidental fees, click here.
Students should also budget approximately $150 for books and supplies for each course.
Consideration towards additional costs related to transportation and childcare needs should also be taken.
UTM Bridging Program students will receive an itemized fees invoice and payment instructions once enrolled in courses (July).
*To successfully complete the UTM Bridging Program, students are required to take a minimum of one course in the Fall term and one course in the Winter term, resulting in 2 courses (1.0 credits).
OSAP offers a mix of grants and loans to Ontario residents to help pay for post-secondary education. Factors including course load, academic progress, family contributions, and residency will determine eligibility. The application for Part-time OSAP will be available in the late Summer.
The Noah Meltz Program of Financial Assistance helps undergraduate students pursue their University of Toronto studies on a part-time basis. In addition to applying for the Noah Meltz Program, students studying on a part-time basis should also apply for OSAP for Part-Time Students funding. The Meltz application will be considered after OSAP results are available. The Financial Aid Office will review the two assessments to determine which program would provide the best source of funding (e.g., which program provides more total funding or which program provides more non-repayable grant). Students may also be eligible for a top-up Meltz grant in addition to Part-Time OSAP funding.
Students who have defaulted on previous student loans are not eligible for either Meltz or OSAP and are encouraged to remove themselves from the funding restriction list before applying to the Bridging Program.
Fall funding will be provided to UTMBP students who demonstrate financial need. It is expected that students exhaust all financial resources (including government student loans) prior to submitting a Request for Financial Assistance form. Needs-based grants and bursaries do not need to be repaid. The deadline to submit this form is September 30 of each year.
Winter funding is automatically considered based on academic achievement. Students who successfully complete the Fall term in the UTM Bridging Pathway, and enrol in a Winter term course (or two), will automatically be granted an award.
Final Grade in Fall Course
Award Amount
93%
$1,500
83%
$1,200
73%
$900
63%
$600
Awards will be applied to outstanding University of Toronto fees in late-January. If all fees have been paid in full to the student prior to this, the student will receive the award amount as credit. Awards above were determined for the 2026/2027 year and are subject to change.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the UTM Bridging Program, please contact our Pathways Team at:
