The Trent University is a public liberal arts university established in 1963 through the Trent University Act of 1962–1963. Following its founding, the university officially opened its doors to its first students during the 1964–65 academic year. It is primarily located in Peterborough, with another campus in Oshawa. Trent University is open to both domestic and international applicants.

The university offers full funding packages mainly for eligible research-based graduate students, approximately CAD $18,000–$23,000 for master’s students and CAD $23,000–$26,000 for PhD students. Teaching Assistantship (TA) positions are also available. International students may be eligible for Trent Graduate Funding, International Graduate Scholarships (available to eligible master’s students), the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Research Council Awards, and departmental awards. The Trent Graduate Students’ Association also provides bursary opportunities for graduate students, including international students.

Like other Canadian universities, admission is available for the Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer terms. For the Fall intake (September), applications generally close on February 1. The Winter intake (January) closes on June 1, while the Spring/Summer intake closes on October 1. Applicants should confirm deadlines with their specific department, as some programs have different application deadlines. Like many other Canadian universities, Trent University does not offer an application fee waiver. The application fee ranges from CAD $125–$140, depending on the program.

To apply, applicants need to submit the following documents:

Transcripts: Post-secondary transcripts obtained outside Canada may be subject to authentication through World Education Services (WES) or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto). Some international applicants may find it difficult to obtain transcripts from their previous institutions. In such cases, the university encourages applicants to use verification services such as WES or ECA. Trent University accepts documents verified by WES or ECA. Once received, authenticated transcripts will be assessed by the Trent University School of Graduate Studies for eligibility. Eligible applications will then be evaluated by the appropriate graduate program. All admission decisions are final, and there is no appeal process. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded as PDFs through the myTrent portal for admission consideration. Official transcripts will only be requested after an offer of admission has been made.

English Language Proficiency: Applicants who have completed two or more years of post-secondary education at a university in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States are exempt from this requirement. Applicants who completed two or more years of post-secondary education in a non-exempt country at a university where English is the primary language of instruction may submit alternative proof of English proficiency, such as a letter from their institution confirming English as the language of instruction or a transcript stating the same. If the previous degree was completed at an institution where English was not the primary language of instruction, applicants must submit one of the following test scores:

• IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0.
• TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 86.

Please note that Duolingo English Test scores are not accepted by the School of Graduate Studies at Trent University.

Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): According to IRCC, Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) are not required for master’s or PhD programs beginning on January 1, 2026. Therefore, the School of Graduate Studies will not issue PALs for these programs unless IRCC changes its requirements. However, PALs are required for applicants who have accepted offers into Pre-Master’s or Graduate Diploma programs. Eligible students will receive notification by email when their PAL is available for download through the myTrent portal. PALs are not sent by email.

Additional Documents for Specific Programs

Some programs require one or more of the following documents:

Personal Statement/Plan of Study: A one- to two-page essay describing your research interests, relevant experience, and career goals. This document should explain how your background has prepared you for your chosen field of study.

References: Trent University typically requires two to three references from individuals who can speak to your potential for graduate study. References may be academic or professional, depending on the program, and should come from people familiar with your work. Some programs, such as the Master of Management, do not require references.

Resume/Portfolio: Requirements vary by department. Some programs require both a resume (CV) and a portfolio, while others require only one. For example, Architecture requires a portfolio, whereas the MA in English requires only a resume. Where required, the resume should be concise and generally not exceed four pages.

Thesis-Based Programs: Many thesis-based programs (e.g., MSc and MA programs) require applicants to identify and secure a faculty supervisor before or at the time of submitting their application.

Visit the school’s graduate website here:

https://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/programs?scope=Graduate