Why Toronto?
Why Toronto?
Cost of Living:
Information from student housing office (ranges of rental prices for various accommodations, + costs for utilities, transportation and internet)
All our graduate students receive a full base funding package of $28,250 + tuition. In addition to the base funding package, the department will top-up all funded-cohort students’ funding so that their income is at least $32,000. Our funding packages include a significant portion of tax-free funding (scholarships, fellowships, and stipends) which other countries, such as the USA, normally tax. As such, our total funding may be closer to an equivalent of $40,000 + tuition and fees in other countries where graduate student’s income is mostly taxed.
The quality of life (multi-ethnic/multi-culturalism, low crime-rate, high education level, universal health care, job opportunities) exceeds that in most US cities. We are located in downtown with many housing options within walking distances. The public transport system in Toronto is mature and convenient. Downtown Toronto is vibrant and safe, and many of our faculty and students take residence in this area. They walk, cycle or take public transport to work.
International Students:
International students comprise over 20% of the graduate study body at the University of Toronto, representing 138 countries. Toronto is among the top 10 most multicultural cities globally with 200 ethnic groups and over 140 languages spoken.
If you are accompanied by a spouse or common law partner, he/she is eligible for an open work permit.
City Life:
Toronto’s vibrant and varied communities (with many ethnic neighbourhoods) create a multicultural mosaic of restaurants (>5000), shops, and entertainment. Toronto restaurants are as ethnically diverse as any city in the world. Within walking distances of the campus lie Chinatown, Little Italy, Portuguese village, Koreatown, Kensington Market, Annex village…with many ethnic restaurants offering authentic and affordable cuisines. Within easy public transit, one can find Little India, Greektown, Cabbagetown, Roncesvalles (eastern European)…
Toronto hosts non-stop summer festivals, holds the famous Toronto International Film Festival (September) and the International Festival of Authors (October) that draw huge crowds, and has a theater scene rivals that of London and New York. Fans of classical music, ballet, modern dance (and other tastes) can find many choices of picking. See Now, blogTO, and Toronto.com for current on-goings.
Graduate Student Activities:
Check out the GASA webpage. University of Toronto boasts many first-class athletic facilities. Hart House is another focal point of student activities. Our volleyball teams and soccer teams always welcome new players. For more information on what the University of Toronto has to offer, check out the 2024-25 viewbook .
Outdoor Pursuits:
Toronto is a good base for many outdoor sports: kayak, canoe, sailing, cross-country skiing, down-hill skiing, hiking, back-packing… Get a taste from the list of outdoor recreation spots and activities.