You are now in the main content area

Reference FAQ: Realize your future with TMU Graduate Studies

Program specific requirements should be reviewed prior to submitting your online application.

Ensure your referee agrees to provide a reference. Choose referees who know your skills and experience, and who can communicate your ability to succeed as a graduate student.

Program-specific requirements should be followed. Detailed, supportive reference letters are expected and a brief or generic letter will make your application less competitive. Please ensure that your referees can attest to your writing, research and other academic skills.

Yes, your reference letters will need to be submitted again.

We recommend that you contact your referees with a minimum of four weeks' notice before the application first consideration date. Ensure that your referees are available and have ample time to complete the reference form by this date.

No, all reference letters are completed electronically by your referee. When you submit and pay for your application fee they will receive an email within 2-3 business days with a link that will direct them to a secure form which is submitted directly to our online system.

No, we do not contact referees on behalf of applicants.  However, All submitted reference forms are verified for authenticity.

Ensure you have provided the correct email address. This information is found on your OUAC Ryerson Application Summary.
Make sure you advise them to check all possible spam folders. Emails are sent from gradreference@torontomu.ca
Subject line for the email sent is - Reference - "your name". - "Program", Toronto Metropolitan University

If all has been verified you can send an email to gradreference@torontomu.ca to have the email resent. Your 9-digit student number must be included in all correspondence.

Send an email to gradreference@torontomu.ca with your 9-digit student number, the referee’s name and the updated email address. You will not be able to edit this information on your application summary.

No, program-specific requirements should be followed. We do not add additional references to an application.

  • Ensure all mandatory fields are filled in before submission.
  • If you have uploaded a .pdf try deleting the uploaded document and recreating a new .pdf  Sometimes the file becomes corrupt and our system will not allow submission.

Time will vary depending on the provided information. There are some drop down questions and a section to add comments or upload a letter.
You are able to save this information and return to complete the form if you do not have time to finish.

Reference letters should be received by the first consideration date , of the program that the applicant has applied to.

If there are any further reference related questions which you can not locate on our page please email us at gradreference@torontomu.ca