The University of Toronto is Canada's highest-ranked university and one of the world's top 25 research institutions. Unlike American Ivy League schools, UofT's acceptance rate is much higher overall — but the most competitive programmes are remarkably selective. This guide explains what the numbers mean and what they require.
University of Toronto Overall Acceptance Rate
| Level | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (overall) | ~43% |
| Undergraduate (competitive programmes) | 5% – 25% |
| Graduate (master's) | ~20–40% (programme-dependent) |
| Graduate (PhD) | ~10–20% (programme-dependent) |
UofT's overall acceptance rate looks high compared to US elite universities — but this is misleading. The most competitive programmes (Engineering Science, Computer Science, Commerce at Rotman) have acceptance rates far lower than the university average.
UofT Acceptance Rate by Programme (Undergraduate)
| Programme | Acceptance Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Science | ~5–8% | Most competitive undergraduate programme in Canada |
| Computer Science (St. George) | ~10–15% | |
| Commerce (Rotman, B.Com) | ~10–15% | Separate application to Rotman |
| Life Science (Biological basis of behaviour) | ~15–20% | |
| Actuarial Science | ~15–20% | |
| Arts and Science (general) | ~55–65% | Much more accessible |
| Music | ~25–35% | Audition required |
| Physical and Health Education (Kinesiology) | ~40–50% | |
| Architecture | ~10–15% | Portfolio required |
UTSG vs UTM vs UTSC
| Campus | Overall Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| St. George (downtown Toronto) | ~40–50% |
| Mississauga (UTM) | ~60–65% |
| Scarborough (UTSC) | ~60–70% |
St. George is UofT's most competitive campus — the flagship location and home to its most sought-after programmes.
UofT Acceptance Rate — Graduate Programmes
| Programme | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Rotman MBA | ~25–30% |
| LLM (Law) | ~30–35% |
| MSc Computer Science | ~10–15% |
| PhD (STEM disciplines) | ~10–15% |
| Master's Education (OISE) | ~30–40% |
| MSc Public Health | ~25–35% |
| MA Political Science / Economics | ~15–25% |
What Admitted UofT Students Look Like
Undergraduate Profile (Engineering Science and CS)
| Metric | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Ontario high school average (OSSD) | 94% – 99% |
| Average for Engineering Science | ~96–98% |
| Average for CS (St. George) | ~92–96% |
| Average for Commerce (Rotman) | ~90–95% |
| Average for Arts and Science | ~80–88% |
UofT's admissions decisions for most programmes are primarily grade-based — supplementary applications add context but your high school grades are the primary determinant.
Supplementary Application
Several UofT programmes require a Supplementary Application (SA) in addition to grades:
- Engineering Science
- Computer Science
- Rotman Commerce
- Architecture
- Education (some streams)
The SA asks about extracurricular activities, goals, and experiences. Top programmes weight both the SA and grades — a strong SA cannot fully compensate for below-threshold grades.
How Canadian vs International Acceptance Rates Differ
UofT has a much smaller international student intake for undergraduate programmes compared to graduate programmes:
| Level | International Student Share |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ~20% |
| Master's | ~30–40% |
| PhD | ~40–50% |
International undergraduate applicants are evaluated on the equivalency of their qualifications to Ontario high school standards. The OUAC (Ontario Universities Application Centre) lists grade equivalency by country.
UofT Grade Requirements by Programme (Reference)
| Programme | Approximate Minimum for Competitive Consideration |
|---|---|
| Engineering Science | 94%+ (equivalent) |
| Computer Science | 90%+ |
| Rotman Commerce | 88%+ |
| Life Science | 85%+ |
| Arts and Science (general) | 75%+ |
| Graduate (master's, most) | 3.5/4.0 GPA or equivalent |
IELTS and TOEFL Requirements for UofT
| Programme | IELTS Min | TOEFL Min |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (general) | 6.5 | 100 |
| Undergraduate (competitive programmes) | 6.5 | 100 |
| Graduate (SGS general) | 7.0 (Writing 6.5) | 100 (Writing 22, Speaking 22) |
| Rotman MBA | 7.0 | 100 |
| LLM | 7.5 | 110 |
| OISE (Education) | 7.5 | 100 |
UofT does not accept TOEFL MyBest Scores — a single valid sitting is required.
Tips to Strengthen Your UofT Application
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Maximise your grade percentage — for the most competitive programmes (Engineering Science, CS), grades are the primary filter. A 95% average with a weak SA is stronger than a 90% with a great SA.
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Take the right prerequisite subjects — Engineering Science requires Grade 12 Advanced Functions, Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry. Confirm prerequisites match your curriculum.
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Write a specific Supplementary Application — generic statements do not differentiate. Describe specific projects, competitions, or experiences and explain why they matter.
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Apply to multiple campuses — if St. George CS is your target but grades are borderline, applying to UTM or UTSC CS increases your chances while keeping you in the UofT ecosystem.
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IELTS above 7.0 — for graduate admissions, a competitive IELTS score above the minimum strengthens an already-strong application. The 7.0 minimum is not the target.
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — UofT requires IELTS 6.5 (undergraduate) or 7.0 (graduate), with no MyBest. A score above the minimum strengthens your application in competitive programmes. AI-powered band-level feedback.