Skip to main content Skip to local navigation
Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) Faculty of Graduate Studies

Admission

Academic Requirements

The academic requirements for admission to graduate diplomas, master’s programs and doctoral programs provided below are the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Candidates must meet or surpass the minimum requirements stipulated by the Faculty of Graduate Studies as well as any other requirements specified by the graduate diploma or program to which they are applying. All exceptions must be submitted to the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, for review and approval.

Admission to graduate programs and diplomas at York University is a highly competitive process. Meeting the minimum requirements of the Faculty, the program and/or the graduate diploma does not guarantee admission.

Quick Links

Note: York is also accepting Duolingo English Language test scores for admission. Please visit Admissions FAQs‚—Grad Section—Language Proficiency Test Information to learn more.

Because facility in the English language is essential to the pursuit of advanced studies at York University, an applicant will normally be required to demonstrate competence in English to the satisfaction of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the sponsoring graduate program in order to be admitted to the program. Proof of language proficiency is required for applicants who do not meet one of the following criteria:

1. Their first language is English; OR
2. They have completed at least one year of full-time study at an accredited university in a country (or institution) where English is the official language of instruction.

York University reserves the right to require a successfully completed language proficiency test. Each program identifies the minimum language test score requirements. The following minimum guidelines will be used when English Language tests are required:

(a)   Normally, for programs in the fine arts, humanities, and social sciences, the following minimum scores will be required:

  • a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based)or 100 (internet-based);
  • a minimum IELTS score of 7.5 (Academic Module);
  • a minimum PTE Academic score of 76;
  • Academic Program Level 9 with Pass;
  • Essential English (previous name Academic Program) Level 6 with Pass;
  • Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP) with Distinction;
  • English for Graduate Studies (previous name Graduate Studies Preparation Program) with Distinction;
  • a CAEL overall score of 70 with no component score less than 60;
  • a minimum CPE score of B, or;
  • a minimum CAE score of C2 ;
  • a minimum Duolingo score of 135.

(b)   Normally, for the graduate programs in Biology, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and Economics, the following minimum scores will be required:

  • a minimum TOEFL score of 577 (paper-based), or 90-91 (internet-based);
  • a minimum IELTS score of 7 (Academic Module);
  • a minimum PTE Academic score of 67;
  • Academic Program Level 9 with Pass;
  • Essential English (previous name Academic Program) Level 6 with Pass;
  • Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP) with Distinction;
  • English for Graduate Studies (previous name Graduate Studies Preparation Program) with Distinction;
  • a CAEL overall score of 65 with no component score less than 60;
  • a minimum CPE score of C, or;
  • a minimum CAE score of C1 ;
  • a minimum Duolingo score of 130.

(c)   Normally, for science-based programs (except Biology and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science) and Mathematics & Statistics, the following minimum scores will be required:

  • a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), or 79-80 (internet-based);
  • a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (Academic Module);
  • a minimum PTE Academic score of 60;
  • Academic Program Level 9 with Pass;
  • Essential English (previous name Academic Program) Level 6 with Pass;
  • Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP) with Distinction;
  • English for Graduate Studies (previous name Graduate Studies Preparation Program) with Distinction;
  • a CAEL overall score of 60 with no component score less than 60;
  • a minimum CPE score of C, or;
  • a minimum CAE score of C1 ;
  • a minimum Duolingo score of 120.

Some graduate programs require an applicant to demonstrate competence in the French language to the satisfaction of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the sponsoring graduate program in order to be admitted to the program.

York University reserves the right to require a successfully completed language proficiency test. Each program identifies the minimum language test score requirements. The following minimum guidelines will be used when French Language tests are required:

  • Test de français international (TFI) with a minimum score of 785;
  • Test de connaissance du français (TCF) with a minimum score of B2;
  • Test d'evaluation de français (TEF) with a minimum score of B2;
  • Diplome d'etudes en langue française (DELF) with a minimum score of B2;
  • Diplome approfondi de langue française (DALF) with a minimum score of C1 or C2;
  • TESTCAN with a minimum score of 4.

To be eligible for admission to a graduate diploma taken concurrently with a graduate degree program, candidates must meet or surpass the minimum requirements for the degree type stipulated by the Faculty of Graduate Studies as well as any other requirements specified by the program and graduate diploma to which they are applying.

To be eligible for admission to a stand-alone graduate diploma, candidates must meet or surpass the minimum requirements for master’s programs provided below as well as any other requirements specified by the graduate diploma to which they are applying.

To be eligible for admission to a master’s program, applicants must hold, at a minimum, an Honours undergraduate degree or equivalent (typically a four-year full-time program) from a recognized post-secondary institution with at least a B (second class) standing in the final two years of full-time equivalent study. As approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Senate, individual graduate programs may have a minimum academic standing requirement greater than B (second class).

Undergraduate degrees not designated as honours degrees may be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree if they contain a minimum of 120 credits (typically, a four-year program with full-time enrolment) including the completion of a minimum of 6 credits at the fourth-year level at an accredited post-secondary institution.

Three year first cycle undergraduate degrees from European institutions that meet the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration may be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree.

Undergraduate degrees from Indian institutions that have received a ranking of five stars or A+ or higher by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council or from Indian institutions of higher education with whom York University has a signed partnership agreement may be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree.

In exceptional cases, an Honours undergraduate degree or equivalent is not required to be eligible for admission to specific master’s programs, as approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Senate.

Applicants lacking the preparation necessary to succeed in the master’s program applied to may, in some cases, be advised to apply to the relevant undergraduate Faculty as a visiting or non-degree student in order to further their academic preparation. Successful completion of additional studies as a visiting or non-degree student does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.

To be eligible for admission to a doctoral program, applicants must, at a minimum, hold an acceptable master’s degree with at least a B standing, or have been granted credit for one year of comparable work.

To be eligible for admission to programs with an approved direct-entry PhD admission option, applicants must hold, at a minimum, an Honours undergraduate degree or equivalent (typically a four-year full-time program) from a recognized post-secondary institution with at least a B (second class) standing in the final two years of full-time equivalent study.

Application Procedures

Formal application for admission to a graduate program or stand-alone graduate diploma includes submission of the York University's graduate studies online application.

For graduate diplomas that are taken concurrently with a graduate degree program, please contact the relevant graduate program office.

Document requirements differ by program and stand-alone graduate diploma. For more information, applicants should consult with the program director or visit the appropriate program or graduate diploma page.

All documentation submitted as part of an application becomes the property of York University and cannot be returned.

The deadline for the receipt of applications for admission varies considerably from program to program. Applicants should consult with the program director or visit the appropriate program page. In any case, applicants are urged to apply at an early date.

The Office of Admissions will assemble and review the submitted documentation to ensure that the application package is complete, make a determination as to whether or not individual applications meet the minimum admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the appropriate graduate program or graduate diploma, and forward the appropriate documentation to the relevant graduate program office.

The graduate program will review applications based on their admission requirements and academic expectations. Meeting the minimum requirements of the Faculty, the program and/or the graduate diploma does not guarantee admission. In consideration of acceptable qualifications, evidence of other relevant experience, portfolios of work, letters of recommendation, test results, matching interests, the availability of supervisors, the demonstrated capacity to succeed in the program applied for, and other considerations may be taken into account. The graduate program will recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies that offers of admission be made to specific candidates. Program recommendations are subject to the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Candidates must meet or surpass the minimum requirements for the degree type stipulated by the Faculty of Graduate Studies as well as any other requirements specified by the graduate diploma or program to which they are applying. All exceptions must be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for review and approval.

Once informed of an admission decision, the Office of Admissions will issue the official offer of admission. The offer of admission will include information about any conditions associated with the offer of admission, as appropriate. Admissions decisions are final and are not appealable. The Faculty of Graduate Studies may also send a letter containing information relevant to the offer of admission.

Any conditions of admission specified in the offer of admission must be met before registration. An offer of admission is made for a specific term and normally cannot be deferred. It is expected that each student will actively pursue an approved program of studies and will register as a full-time or part-time student, as the case may be, in the first academic session following admission. Students are expected to remain in the registration status (full-time or part-time) to which they were admitted unless a change of status is approved by the program director and the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Transfer Credit (Advanced Standing)

Following initial registration in a graduate program and prior to completion of the first term of study, graduate students may request transfer credit (advanced standing) for graduate-level courses completed at York University or another institution that have not been used to fulfill the requirements of another degree program or graduate diploma. Credit for such work will be determined by the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the program concerned. Transfer credit accepted towards the fulfillment of the degree program to which the student has been admitted may count for up to 50% of the coursework requirements for the York graduate diploma or degree program.

Change of Program/Change Within a Program

Students may register only in the degree program in which they have accepted an official offer of admission. A student who wishes to register in a different degree program must submit a new application.

Changes within a degree program (i.e. from one field or specialization to another field or specialization within a degree program) are subject to approval in accordance with program requirements and procedures, which may include the submission of a new application.