Admissions

Applications for 2023 open on October 1, 2022. The deadline to submit applications for entry in fall 2023 is January 25, 2023 (first round) and April 1, 2023 (second round). Applicants who want to be considered for scholarship funding should apply by January 23rd. 

Join in on our MGA Online Admissions Information Sessions! Register here for our online sessions.

Please contact mga.admissions@utoronto.ca for information about applying to the Master of Global Affairs program. 

Admission Requirements

• Four-year (4 year) Bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) or equivalent.

• A minimum CGPA of mid B (3.0), and a minimum GPA of B+ (3.3) in the final year of undergraduate studies. Admission is highly competitive and meeting this requirement does not guarantee admission.

• International Students: Please refer to the degree equivalency tool on the School of Graduate Studies website to ensure you have the required credentials to apply to the MGA program. Please visit the international students page to learn more about taking part in the Master of Global Affairs program.
• Students require both qualitative and quantitative skills to succeed in the MGA program. If your undergraduate degree heavily emphasized one but not the other, you can demonstrate competence in other ways. For example, if you have not taken any quantitative courses at your university, you can strengthen your application by submitting quantitativbe GRE or GMAT scores or high school grades in courses such as AP Calculus, International Baccalaureate, A-Level Further Mathematics, mention très bien in Mathematics in the French baccalauréat, Mathematics at the Cégep, Leistungkurs Mathematik in German-speaking systems, or equivalent courses. Conversely, if you completed a highly technical degree (especially if not in English), the admissions committee would welcome a writing sample in addition to the required short statement.

* If you are applying to any of our combined degree programs, dual degree or collaborative specialization, please ensure you meet the application requirements of both degrees and programs. For more information on our combined programs and collaborative programs please visit our Joint Programs page. 

How to Apply

Applications to the MGA program must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies through the online admissions application. For questions related to the SGS online application system please click here.

In order to apply for the MGA program, you will need:

• Transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statements of intent
• Resume or CV
• Online video question
• Proof of English language proficiency (if necessary)
• A $125 application fee (paid online by VISA or Mastercard. We are unable to consider requests to waive the application fee).

For full instructions about how to apply to the program, visit our MGA website. 

Courses

Year 1 courses are listed below. For information on Year 2 courses, please visit munkschool.utoronto.ca/mga

First Year

First-year courses are required core courses. They cannot be substituted for any other courses. These courses are open only to MGA students. Students from other departments will not be admitted.

Fall Term

• GLA1012H – Statistics for Global Affairs
• GLA1003H – Global Security
• GLA1005H/PPG1005H (MGA/MPP Course) – Decision Making and Strategic Thinking in the Global System
• GLA1010H – Microeconomics for Global Affairs

Winter/Spring Term

• GLA1014H – Global Development
• GLA1009H – Financial Management for Global Organizations
• GLA1001H – Macroeconomics: Markets, Institutions, and Growth
• GLA1006H – International Legal Challenges
• GLA1011H – Global Innovation Policy

Internships

The mandatory 10-16 week summer internship is a key component of the Master of Global Affairs program. It serves as a bridge between students and top-tier international and national institutions, businesses and civil-society organizations. Through the internship program, students clarify their career goals, develop professional networks, and hone the comprehensive set of skills required to succeed in a competitive global environment.

Placements will be available in international governmental and non-governmental organizations, national institutions and civil society organizations that operate globally, as well as with carefully selected partners in the private sector. Some recent internship placements include: World Bank Group, International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF Regional Office of South Asia, Sustainable Development Technology Canada, NATO Defense College, Global Affairs Canada, UNESCO HQ, Avascent, Canada-China Business Council and HSBC Canada.

For questions about MGA internships, please contact:

Julia Rao, Coordinator, Global Internships
julia.rao@utoronto.ca

Are you an employer interested in taking on an intern, learn how to become an MGA internship partner.

Dual Degrees

LSE/University of Toronto double degree – Master of Public Administration and Master of Global Affairs

The dual degree between the University of Toronto and the London School of Economics and Political Science will allow students to gain two distinct and complementary degrees — a Master of Global Affairs (MGA) from Toronto and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in London — in six sessions rather than the four years otherwise required to complete these degrees consecutively. Students enrolled in the dual degree will benefit from the unique academic strengths of each institution, the depth of the networks centred in their geographic regions, their distinct professional training, and internship resources. By combining a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Global Affairs, students will benefit from two complementary perspectives on the pressing global challenges of the 21st century.

Master of International Affairs (Hertie School) / Master of Global Affairs (University of Toronto)

This two-year program allows students to gain two distinct and complementary degrees – a Master of Global Affairs (MGA) from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and a Master of International Affairs (MIA) from the Hertie School. Students enrolled in the dual degree will benefit from the unique academic strengths of each institution, the depth of the networks centered in their geographic regions, their distinct professional training, and internship resources. By studying at institutions based in Berlin and Toronto, they will benefit from studying global affairs from two different contexts (European and North American) thus ensuring a cross-cultural and global experience.

Master of Public Policy (Sciences Po) / Master of Global Affairs (University of Toronto)

This two-year program combines the strengths of the Sciences Po School of Public Affairs and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy to create a unique graduate program combining a Master in Public Policy and a Master of Global Affairs.  Students gain complementary perspectives on the pressing challenges of the 21st century and benefit from the unique academic strengths of each institution. The program prepares students and future decision-makers for internationally-focused jobs, both in the private and public sectors.

Joint Programs

Juris Doctor/Master of Global Affairs (JD/MGA)

is offered with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law. The Combined Juris Doctor/Master of Global Affairs (JD/MGA) is designed for students interested in studying the intersections of law and global affairs. The combined program permits the completion of both degrees in four years, rather than the five years it would take to acquire them independently. Learn more about the joint JD/MGA program.

Master of Global Affairs/Master of Business Administration (MGA/MBA)

is offered with the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. The combined MGA/MBA program provides students with an opportunity to integrate a truly international approach and perspective into their study of business and bring a business perspective to the study of global affairs. Learn more about the joint MGA/MBA program.

We also offer a range of collaborative specializations with the MGA degree, including: Collaborative Specialization in Contemporary East and Southeast Asian Studies, Collaborative Specialization in Ethnic and Pluralism Studies, Collaborative Specialization in Environmental Studies and the European Studies Cluster.

Fees & Financial Aid

Learn more about funding options available to domestic students through the University of Toronto. Learn more about funding options available to international students.

Fees

Domestic Students

MGA Domestic Students Entering in Fall 2023
$21,070.00 (estimate based on 2022-2023 tuition); Incidental fees: $1,844.28
*All amounts are in Canadian dollars.

International Students

MGA International Students Entering in Fall 2023
$46,160.00 (estimate based on 2022-2023 tuition)* Incidental fees: $1,844.28
*All amounts are in Canadian dollars.

For more information on being an international student and visa requirements at the University of Toronto please click here. International students should try to get a student visa as early as possible as wait times for visas will vary and can delay your start date for the program.

Financial Aid

The Master of Global Affairs program does not offer a formal financial aid program. Instead, potential or current MGA students are encouraged to explore the options when looking to fund their degree. Admitted students are advised that funding sources are limited once they have begun the program. Current MGA students fund their degree through a combination of scholarships (if awarded), government loans, bank loans and personal finances. 

Learn more about financial aid options and scholarships and awards available to Master of Global Affairs students.

Career Strategies

In a global workplace where “business as usual” no longer exists, what makes your profile stand out?

The Master of Global Affairs program has a dedicated Careers team which supports students in their internship and full-time job search. In addition to linking students with opportunities and employers, we connect students with alumni, offer professional development workshops and networking sessions, and host a dedicated career week.

We’re here to help. Contact Sole Fernandez, Professional Development and Alumni Relations Coordinator, at sole.fernandez@utoronto.ca to learn more.

Student Leadership Initiatives

While studying at the Munk School, students in the Master of Global Affairs program can take part in a range of student leadership initiatives, case competitions and conferences. From publishing journals and hosting podcasts to serving as consultants on real-world problems, the student leadership initiatives offer students the chance to get involved, gain experience and apply their skills. 

Initiatives open to MGA students include:

• Beyond the Headlines
• Consulting Careers Initiative
• Environmental Working Group
• Equity, Diversity and Public Policy
• Global Conversations
• Indigenous Policy Initiative
• Mental Health Policy Initiative
• Munk School Black Students Association
• Master of Global Affairs Students Association
• Public Policy and Governance Review
• Spectrum

To learn more about the initiatives available this year, please contact sole.fernandez@utoronto.ca.

* Joint initiatives with the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy students: Consulting Careers Initiative, Indigenous Policy Initiative, Munk School Black Students Association, and Spectrum.

Alumni

The Munk School offers dedicated alumni benefits to MGA graduates, ranging from career development services (job postings, career advising sessions, networking opportunities and membership to industry specific platforms) to professional development workshops (Excel, Tableau) and complementary tickets to special events. 

The MGA Alumni Network engages MGA alumni and fosters connections creating a long-lasting sense of community around the School, and affinity towards the experience during and after the MGA program.

All students and alumni are provided access to our dedicated MGA Munk Connect platform that combines a customized approach with the interactivity of social networking and the elements needed to strengthen our alumni community — including a directory, job and message boards, newsletter, event announcements and mentoring opportunities. 

MGA alumni have also access to the full range of U of T alumni benefits, from alumni emails to library, financial and recreational services. Visit U of T’s main alumni page to learn more.

Want to know more?

Contact the MGA Alumni Relations Coordinator:
Sole Fernandez
sole.fernandez@utoronto.ca
416-946-8912

Questions?

For a complete list of frequently asked questions about the degree program, admissions process, fees and financial aid and more, please consult our FAQ page.  

If you have additional questions or would like to speak with the MGA coordinator, please reach out to mga@utoronto.ca.

Download the brochure

Want to know more? Download the Master of Global Affairs brochure.

If you have questions, please reach out to Rejeanne Puran, Admissions & Recruitment Officer, at mga.admissions@utoronto.ca or call +1-416-978-7794.