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Applying for Admission

Fall 2023 Admission: On-going

New round of admissions for domestic students for Fall 2023 on-going. Completed applications will be reviewed starting May 15th, 2023. 

 

Program Funding

Policy Studies Doctoral Award: Funding package of $25,000 provided for domestic students (Canadian citizens and permanent residents). Available for up to 4 years of study for students who maintain satisfactory progress in the program.

The Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC): Scholarship in migration and integration available to first-year students. Find out more here. 

Minimum Academic Requirement

  • Completion of master's level degree in a social sciences discipline (or equivalent).
  • Minimum GPA of 3.33 / 4.33 (B+), or equivalent, in the last two years of study.

The ideal advanced student for this program will have a strong, demonstrated capacity to undertake advanced study in policy-related fields, with a high level of accomplishment in their Master's level study.

How to Apply?

For further information on deadline dates, English language proficiency requirements and the online application, please see the Graduate Admissions Office website at Future Students/Admissions.

1. Calculate your GPA

2. English Language Requirements 

3. How to Apply 

4. Apply Online Now

5. Financing your studies

Program Specific Documents

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School at Toronto Metropolitan University, the PhD in Policy Studies program requires the following materials:

Instructions for Statement of Interest

You are required to submit a statement of interest using the downloadable template. 

  • This is a locked template so you cannot make any changes to the headings, please follow the form guidelines. 
  • Fill in responses in the shaded grey text boxes. Once you have completed the entire form save document as a PDF before submitting (once document is saved as a PDF, responses will no longer be shaded in grey).  
  • If you are having any issues with the template please contact us. 

Question #6: Plan of Study/Research Proposal (500 to 1000 words maximum, plus references)

The plan will be evaluated based upon:

  • Identification of an important policy research question, the theoretical approach that informs the study, the research method and kind of data that will be collected, and the significance or importance of the findings for policy makers or scholars. 
  • Indication of how your previous professional experience or study prepared you for the study you propose (e.g., appropriate training or degree, publications, awards or achievements). 

You may find the following source useful for writing up a Plan of Study.

Pzreworski, Adam and Salomon, Frank, On the Art of Writing Proposals. Social Science Research Council, 1995 rev., 1988.  (external link) 

 

Include a sample of your written work (no more than 30 pages) with your application. Be sure to include your name.  If possible, this writing sample should relate to your research interests/policy studies.

Please submit an updated CV/résumé and highlight in your statement of interest how your previous studies and experiences have prepared you for graduate study at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Three Letters of Recommendation are required for each application. The three recommendations should be from academic referees – former professors or research supervisors familiar with applicant’s abilities.