1. January 6, 2025: You must make your application payment and submit all transcripts electronically by this date. Note: Transcripts are uploaded only after the payment is made.
2. January 13, 2025: You must submit all other supporting documents (Letters of Reference, CV, Statement of Interest, Portfolio, and Writing Sample(s)) by this date.

Submissions are due by 11:59pm (EST; Eastern Standard Time).

Domestic applicants must complete an appropriate bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, with a final year average of at least mid-B from a recognized university prior to the start of the academic term applied to. International applicants should hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree or its equivalent as assessed by the University of Toronto. Use the International Credentials Equivalencies Tool to see which international credentials are required for masters programs at U of T. 

Transcripts

Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted electronically. Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required to submit official hard copy transcripts to the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design prior to registration.

Carefully read the Transcripts page for submission instructions.

Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. The required minimum scores and further details on how to submit test results are listed on the School of Graduate Studies website. This requirement should be met at the time of application.

Applicants must:

1. Self-report the test results on the online admission application as instructed and;
2. Arrange for the official results to be sent electronically to the University of Toronto by the testing agency. The Daniels Faculty will not approach testing agencies on behalf of an applicant.

Please note: Applicants submitting English proficiency testing may be asked for further demonstration of their English proficiency.

Note: All documents being sent or handed in to the Daniels Faculty should clearly indicate applicant number and full legal name of applicant on packaging unless being sent directly from an institution. Once supporting documents are submitted they become the property of the University of Toronto and cannot be returned.​

All supporting documents listed below are mandatory and must be submitted on the Admissions Application. Carefully read the information below for guidelines on each supporting document. 

1. Curriculum Vitae

Applicant’s curriculum vitae (resume) must be submitted electronically on the Admissions Application. There are no page limits or specific requirements; however, we encourage applicants to edit this carefully. It is not recommended that an applicant include their photograph on their CV or any other application materials.

2. Letters of Reference

Three letters of reference are required for each application. These letters of reference are submitted electronically on the Online Admissions Application and are only shared among the programs listed on the application. The system will automatically email an electronic submission request to each referee as soon as the reference portion of the application has been saved. It is highly recommended that applicants confirm referee availability prior to submitting contact details. All letters of reference must be received by the document deadline for the application to be considered complete.

We recommend checking with each referee to ensure they have received the automatic email request. University of Toronto emails will sometimes be blocked by email security filters. If a referee has not received the email, please ask them to check their Junk Mail folder. If they still have not received the request, applicants have the ability to re-send the request through the Online Admissions Application. Do not use this function as a reminder for your referee.

Letters of reference will be part of the official student academic record; they are confidential and applicants/students will not have access to them. For more information, please see FIPPA and its Application to the University of Toronto. 

3. Portfolio

All applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio of creative work on the Admissions Application. Carefully read through the Portfolio information and specifications before uploading your portfolio. Only digital submittals will be accepted. Hard copies will not be reviewed.

4. Statement of Interest

Possible approaches to your statement of interest include: your interest in your proposed field of study, how you might propose to engage the educational opportunities presented to you during graduate school, how some of your recent experiences and/or interests have motivated you to pursue graduate study.

Your statement is an opportunity to provide information not found elsewhere in your application. (Maximum word count: 750 words).

5. Writing Sample(s)

These should demonstrate academic communication skills and be from previous university courses if available and should not exceed approximately 20 pages. The subject of the writing samples is less important than the quality of writing and clarity of ideas. For mature students or those who do not have writing samples from previous educational courses, please submit a published or professional writing.

Individuals who possess a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, or the first year of a professional Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture may qualify for admission into the Master of Landscape Architecture with advanced standing, reducing the duration of their studies to 2 years. The curriculum completed prior to application should include planting design that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of a regional flora in its environmental and metropolitan contexts (such as the Great Lakes/St-Lawrence Region), history and theory of Landscape Architecture, grading and earthwork, and visual representation tools and techniques including 3D modelling and digital fabrication (e.g. laser cutting, CNC milling, 3D printing). Students admitted to advanced standing will have completed the equivalent of the intensive foundational first year of the Master of Landscape Architecture program however, admission is determined on a case-by-case basis after a thorough and holistic review of all submitted documentation.

Steps to Apply

Students interested in being considered for advanced standing status must apply directly to the Master of Landscape Architecture – Advanced Standing option on the Online Admissions Application. Do not apply to both the MLA advanced standing option and the MLA 3-year program.

In addition to all application requirements listed above (CV, portfolio, references, etc.), advanced standing applicants are required to complete the Eligibility Summary form and the Alternate Consideration webform if they wish to be considered for advanced standing status. The forms are available on the online admissions application only after making application payment. 

On the Eligibility Summary form, you must summarize your most relevant and advanced courses that you believe deem you eligible for advanced standing. The purpose of the Alternate Consideration webform is to confirm your  willingness to be considered for the 3-year Master of Landscape Architecture program if, through the careful review of your application, it is determined that you are not eligible for Advanced Standing. Both forms are required.

Eligibility

Advanced standing is determined by the Admissions Committee, following a thorough review of an applicant's admission materials (portfolio, transcript, cv, letters of reference, AP Eligibility Summary form). The decision of the Admissions Committee is final. An appropriate degree from a recognized university with a mid-B average in the final year of study is required. Students must have previously completed, at minimum, three design studio courses, two advanced courses in visual representation, two courses in Landscape Architecture history and theory (one in 20th century), and a minimum of one course in planting design, horticulture, or plant biology or ecology.