Applying to MUI

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The MUI Program has only one start date each year: Fall/September.

MUI only accepts applications through the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Online Application at: https://admissions.sgs.utoronto.ca/apply

The online application system for September 2023 start will open in October 3rd, 2022 and close March 10, 2023. 

Application requirements

A completed application consists of the following:

  1. Completion of the online application form through the link listed above
  2. Payment of the $125 CDN application fee via credit card
  3. Uploading the electronic version of all post-secondary transcripts and arranging for the official transcripts to be mailed directly to the MUI Program. 
    • Relevant four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (if you are applying in your fourth year of studies, submitting an incomplete transcript showing courses completed to date is acceptable)
    • A minimum mid-B average or 75% in the last year of study (3rd and 4th year level courses). When calculating GPA, MUI will take into consideration each institution’s individual grading scale
    • Successful completion of a 0.5 full course equivalent (FCE) in an undergraduate statistics course

    • Official transcripts (from each post-secondary institution that you have attended) and any additional supporting documentation should be mailed directly to the MUI Program at:

      • Master of Urban Innovation
        University of Toronto Mississauga
        Innovation Complex
        3359 Mississauga Road
        Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6 Canada

  4. Three reference letters.
    • A mixture of both academic and professional references is ideal, however you can choose any combination of the two.
    • We are looking for referees who can speak in detail about your character, your potential, and your abilities.
    • Please note that the email addresses of your referees should be an institutional or official business email address. Please contact mui@utoronto.ca if your referee's email is not accepted on the SLATE application system.
  5. A letter of intent
    • We want to know more about you! Tell us why you are interested in the program. Why is the program right for you? How does the program fit in with your career goals? Tell us about what your specific interests are (EX: Transit? Affordable Housing? Green Space?).
    • Your letter of intent should be concise. An ideal length is no more than 2 pages.
  6. A writing sample.
    • If creating a new writing sample, students should keep the piece of writing concise. No more than 2 pages is ideal.
    • If students are submitting a pre-existing writing sample, the Admissions Committee will consider 2 pages of your choosing, or the first 2 pages if there is no preference shared. Examples: 4th year essay, thesis, reflection, summary of an academic paper, etc.​​​​​​
  7. A CV or resume

    • Every student is different. Submit what is best suited to your academic background as well as your work experience.

English Proficiency for International Students:

If your primary language is not English and you graduated from a non-Canadian university where the language of instruction was not in English, then you must demonstrate your facility in English by successfully completing an acceptable English Facility Test.

This requirement must be met at the time you submit your application. Your application will not be considered until your official score report (that meets our minimum standards in all sections) is sent to the University of Toronto by the final application deadline of March 10, 2023.

Please note that the minimum scores required for the MUI program are higher than those set by the School of Graduate Studies.

  • IELTS:
    • Our minimum requirements for IELTS (Academic Version only) are: at least 7.5 in the overall band and 7.0 in each section (Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Writing).We only accept scores submitted electronically by the IELTS test centre. An institutional code is not required. 
    • You must provide the following information to your test centre when submitting:
      • IELTS Results Service Account name: University of Toronto - Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
      • IELTS Results Service Account address: 172 St. George St., Toronto ON M5R 0A3
  • TOEFL:
    • Our minimum requirements for TOEFL are: at least 100 in the Total and at least 22 in each section.
    • Results must be sent to us electronically from ETS – TOEFL. The institution code is 0982-00.

*Please also note that meeting the minimum English language facility scores does not guarantee admission to the program.

Work Experience:

Work experience is not required however, work related experience may be considered. Students who have work experience are still required to meet the minimum academic requirements. Work experience is not a suitable substitute for an applicant who does not meet the minimum admission criteria.

What happens after I apply?

The Admissions Committee is only able to review application files that are completed by the application deadline on March 10, 2023 . Completed application files consist of all required documents that meet our minimum admission standards and include payment of the $125 application fee.

The Admission Committee takes a holistic approach when considering applications. MUI seeks to admit exceptional students. Admission to the MUI Program will be competitive. MUI will accept an estimated 12-15 students per year. Candidates are evaluated based on previous academic performance, personal experiences and skills, extracurricular activities, previous work experience and a keen interest in economic development and urban issues.

Once an application is reviewed, applicants that are deemed qualified will receive an invitation for a Skype interview with the Admissions Committee. Please note that not all applicants will receive an invitation for an interview.

The final application deadline will be March 10, 2023 however, there is one interim deadline for those applicants who wish to receive an earlier admission decision.

The interim deadline for MUI will be January 16, 2023. This interim application deadline is recommended for those applicants who have already completed their undergraduate bachelor degree and/or for international applicants who need to obtain a visa to study in Canada. Please note that all visas are the responsibility of students/applicants. For those applicants who complete their applications between October 2022 and January 2023, their files will be reviewed in mid-January 2023, with Skype interviews scheduled for late-January to early February.

The final application deadline will be in March 10, 2023. All application files that are complete from January 2023 to March 2023 will be reviewed in early to mid-March, with Skype or in-person interviews scheduled in late March to early April 2023.

Please note: Only qualified applicants will receive an invitation for a Skype interview.

Offers of admission

Should you receive an offer from the MUI Program, applicants must accept (or decline) the offer in a timely fashion and submit a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure their spot in the program. Unfortunately, we cannot grant admission deferrals.

If you have any questions regarding how to apply or run into any technical issues with the application, please contact mui@utoronto.ca.