Information for international students

Why choose FIFSW?

In addition to being the top school of social work in Canada (and #2 internationally), FIFSW students have the opportunity to access the rich variety of programs at University of Toronto, which is consistently ranked with the top universities in the world. Our Faculty is located in the heart of Toronto, one of the world’s most multicultural urban regions and safest cities — a terrific place in which to learn and live. Toronto and the surrounding area offer a variety of high-quality practicums for our students. Our diverse, internationally recognized faculty bring a wealth of community experience and cutting-edge scholarship to the classroom. International students at FIFSW receive support from U of T’s Centre for International Experience are enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).

Did you know?

U of T invites applications from well-qualified students from around the world. Approximately 25% of the Univerity’s student body is international, with students coming from 159 countries and regions.

More resources for international students applying to the University of Toronto — including information on study permit information, details specific to students from the U.S. and housing — can be found via U of T’s portal for future international students.

Once you have been accepted to U of T, be sure to connect with the Centre for International Experience for pre-arrival support.

School of Graduate Studies (SGS): Applying to U of T as an international student

The process for applying to graduate school at U of T is the same for international and domestic students, but some admission requirements are different for international students. SGS provides information to help all international students better understand what is required.

Applying to FIFSW: International Credentials Equivalencies (ICE)

Candidates for admission to the Two-Year MSW Full-Time Program require an appropriate bachelor’s degree from a recognized university as assessed by the University of Toronto, and shall have achieved at least a mid-B or better in the final year of full-time study or equivalent, in senior level courses (300 or 400 level. In addition, we require three full-credit courses in the social sciences, to include a half-credit course in elementary research methodology.

Note: According to the School of Graduate Studies Calendar, “an appropriate bachelor’s degree that has appropriate breadth, depth and, where appropriate, an affinity to the graduate program to which the applicant is seeking admission as determined by the School of Graduate Studies”.

Use the International Credentials Equivalency tool to see the credentials required from the country of your degree conferral for master’s and doctoral admissions at the University of Toronto.

Candidates for admission to the MSW Program with Advanced Standing require a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a recognized university, and shall have achieved at least a mid-B or better in the final year of full-time study (or equivalent).

All applicants must show evidence of facility in the English language. If your primary language is not English and you graduated from a non-Canadian university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, then you must demonstrate your facility in English by completing one of the tests listed below:

TOEFL Paper-Based Test Score of 580 and TWE Score of 5
Internet–based TOEFL Test Score of 22/30 for both the Writing and Speaking Sections, with an overall TOEFL Score of 93/120
IELTS Minimum required score: 7.0 (Academic) with at least 6.5 for each component
The Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE) – Required score: 76 (with at least 22 in each component and 32 in the writing component)
International ESL Program, School of Continuing Studies, University of Toronto Required score: a final grade of B in Level 60

For more information on the English language facility requirement please see the School of Graduate Studies web site.

Applicants educated at non-Canadian institutions should note that their educational background will be assessed for equivalency with a University of Toronto degree as described above. Please visit this web page and select a country from the list to determine which international credentials are required for masters and doctoral admissions at the University of Toronto.

Individuals who do not meet the minimum academic standing noted would not be eligible for admission consideration for the MSW Program. In order to be eligible to apply to our program, the following are options you may want to consider:

Complete a make-up program consisting of four full university courses or equivalent at the senior-level (third or fourth year), and attain a B+ standing. As part of the make-up program, we recommend that you take a half-credit course in elementary research methodology (this course can be completed at the 200 level). Upon completion of the make-up program, and provided you have received the B+ average, you can apply to the two year MSW Program.

Contact information: Enrolment Services, U of T, 172 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5R 0A3, Canada; tel. 416-978-2190 https://future.utoronto.ca/finances/financial-aid/

Complete the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, and attain a mid-B standing. As part of the BSW program, we recommend that you take a half-credit course in elementary research methodology.

Upon completion of the BSW degree program, and provided you have received the mid-B standing, you can apply to the MSW program with Advanced Standing.

The BSW is not available at the University of Toronto. In the Toronto area it is available at both York University and Ryerson University. For a complete list of accredited social work programs in Canada please visit the Canadian Association of Social Work Education web site.

Please Note: Completion of the above does not guarantee admission.

For more information, contact the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work’s Admissions Office by email at: admissions.fsw@utoronto.ca.

More information can be found on our International Students page.