Academic Fees Structure

Full-time Master’s students undertaking a degree that includes a comprehensive examination, Major Research Paper, or Thesis requirement must continue to register on a full-time basis and pay the full-time fee once they have completed the defined program length or have begun their last required course (whichever comes first), until all degree requirements have been completed.

Master's students proceeding to their degree on a part-time basis, and undertaking a degree that requires a comprehensive examination/requirement, Major Research Paper, or Thesis, must register in those sessions in which they are completing course requirements for the degree. Once they have begun their last required course, these students must register annually and pay the part-time fee until all other requirements have been completed.

Because the course of study in many graduate departments is program/student specific and often cannot be described in terms of a specific number of courses, and because graduate education more often than not results from the sum of experiences encountered during the program, School of Graduate Studies fees are assessed on a program basis rather than on the number of courses taken. The fee charged for the Fall and Winter sessions often covers the Summer session immediately following if studies are in the same degree, except for part-time Special Students. Part-time Non-Degree (Special) Students do pay summer fees. For more information, refer to the SGS Calendar, Fee Regulations, Section 14.3.

Note: The Academic Fee is also called the "Program Fee".

Minimum Degree Fee

Master's Programs

The minimum degree fee (MDF) is the academic fee associated with the program length for each graduate master’s program. It represents the minimum amount of academic fees (excluding incidental and ancillary fees) that every student must pay prior to graduation, regardless of registration option or full-time/part-time status. 

Program length refers to the period of time for an academically well- prepared student to complete a master's program while registered full-time and taking a 100% academic load. All master’s students are responsible for paying at least the amount of academic fees that would be charged to a student with the same legal status who began the program at the same time and registered full-time for the entire program length. 

Master’s students who complete the degree program requirements without having been charged the MDF will be assessed a balance of degree fee assessed prior to graduation, which represents the difference between the MDF and actual academic fees that were charged to the student over the course of their registration in the program.

Important notes:

• Students who take longer than the defined program length to complete their degree will pay more than the MDF. In these cases, the difference will not be refunded.
• Students who undertake their studies on a part-time basis are required to pay at least the same amount of academic fees for their degree as a full- time student taking a 100% academic load would pay. Many part-time students are charged a balance of degree fee prior to graduation.
• Students who accelerate through their program and finish the degree requirements in less time than the program length will be charged a Balance of Degree Fee (MDF minus academic fees actually charged) at the time of graduation.
• Any fees paid as a non-degree student (whether at U of T or at another institution) will not be counted towards the Minimum Degree Fee.
• The SGS-approved transfer of graduate academic credit also does not reduce the required Minimum Degree Fee.

For international students who change to domestic status during their study period, the MDF will be assessed as follows:

• If the legal status change occurred within the program length, the MDF will be based on the domestic tuition fee.
• If the legal status change occurred after the program length, the MDF will be based on the international tuition fee.

Example of Balance of Degree Fee charged at the time of graduation:

A domestic student began an MEd program in 2023-24, the Minimum Degree Fee is calculated by multiplying the program length of 4 sessions (with academic fees charged in 3 of the sessions) by the full-time domestic academic fee (program fee) from the year the student began the program.

•    2024 Fall sessional domestic fee = $5,035
•    $5,035 multiplied by 3 chargeable sessions = $15,105* 

Therefore, the MDF for this student would be $15,105.

i.e., 1.5 multiplied by $10,070 = $15,105 *
The Minimum Degree Fee for most MEd programs if a domestic student began 2023-24 would be: $15,105.

For more information and examples about Minimum Degree Fees, please visit the website of the Registrar's Office and Student Experience Registration and Fee Information.

* The program length of most MEd programs is 4 sessions full-time, with a typical registration sequence of Fall/Winter/Summer/Fall. The exception is the MEd in Counselling Psychology which has a program length of 5 sessions full-time (2 years of academic fees). The Minimum Degree Fee (domestic) for the MEd in Counselling Psychology, started in 2023-24 is $10,070 multiplied by 2 = $20,140.

PhD & Professional Doctoral Programs

The Minimum Degree Fee for PhD and professional doctoral programs is the fee associated with one year (three sessions) of full-time studies and represents the minimum amount of tuition that every PhD or professional doctoral student, regardless of registration status or option, must pay upon completion of the program, prior to graduation. As most doctoral students study longer than one year (three sessions), doctoral students do not typically owe a balance of degree fee. If a student has paid more than the MDF due to the time taken to complete the degree requirements, there will be no refund of fees.

All students are subject to tuition and fees for each session and year of registration, including sessions following the defined program length, until the program is completed. All PhD and EdD students must maintain continuous registration.

Calculation of Fees

The fees schedule for 2024-25 is not available at the time of publication. In the 2023-24 academic year, the one-year full-time academic fee was as follows:

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents - Academic / Program Fee (one-year, full-time)

PhD: $6,210.00
MA (Admitted in 2023-2024 Fall-Winter Session): $6,390.00
EdD: $7,537.00
MEd, MT and MA-CSE: $10,070.00

Incidental Fees

In addition to the academic/program fee, all students are charged mandatory incidental fees (for University and student society services) and system access fees (for access to ACORN): $2,003.96 for all OISE degree programs.

International Students - Academic / Program Fee (one-year, full- time)

MA: $28,900.00
PhD: $6,210.00* 
EdD: $42,270.00
MEd, MT and MA-CSE: $43,680.00

* NOTE: Starting in Fall 2018, International PhD and Flexible-time PhD students pay domestic tuition rates. See International Student Fees section below for further information.

Incidental Fees

In addition to the academic fee, all students pay incidental fees. International students also pay the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) fee. The 2023-24 full-time incidental fees for international students was: $2,003.96 + $756.00 UHIP

Calculation of Fees Applicable to Each Program

For planning purposes, the calculation of fees applicable to each program is as follows:

• MEd Degree Students
  The Minimum Degree Fee (MDF) is 1.5 times the one-year full-time Academic Fee and is assessed for the academic year in which the program is begun. Exception: the Minimum Degree Fee for the Counselling Psychology program is 2 times the one-year full-time academic fee.
   
• MA and MT Degree Students
  The Minimum Degree Fee (MDF) is based on the Program Length and the number of sessions in which a full-time student taking a 100% academic load would be charged fees. For example, the MT program’s Program Length is 5 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W), therefore a full-time student taking a 100% academic load would be charged the full-time Academic Fee in Fall and Winter of Year 1, and Fall and Winter of Year 2. 
   
• EdD Degree Students
  Fees will be assessed according to the pattern of registration, but all EdD students must maintain continuous registration. The full-time fee is charged for the minimum period of required full-time study and for subsequent registrations.
   
• PhD Degree Students
  The full-time fee is charged each year throughout the program, except for students in the flexible-time PhD program, who will pay the part-time fee during their years of part-time registration.
   
• Fees for Final Year Doctoral Students
  Academic fees for the final year for EdD and PhD students will be prorated, based on a 12-month academic year, for the number of months that elapse between September and (including) the month in which the final thesis (including corrections required by the final oral examination committee) is submitted to the School of Graduate Studies. Fees for the final month will not be charged if the requirements are met before the 15th day of the month.
  
  NOTE: Part-time flexible-time PhD and reinstated students are not eligible for the pro-rated fee.

Non-Degree (Special) Students

• Full-time Special Students pay annually the one-year full-time academic fee plus incidental fees and system access fees.
• Part-time Special Students pay the course fees plus incidental and system access fees. In the 2023-24 academic year, the academic course fee for a half-course was $1,510.50 for domestic students and $6,552.00 for international students. 

International Student Fees

In accordance with the recommendations of the Ontario government, students who are not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada will be charged the international student fee unless they have received an International Fee Exemption. Please refer to the Centre for International Experience website for information related to immigration requirements for studying in Canada, including financial resource requirements and study permits. Please note that international tuition is set at a level that more closely reflects the true cost of educating students. The Ontario government subsidizes domestic tuition with taxpayer funds.

International OISE students in full-time and flexible-time PhD programs at the University of Toronto are charged academic fees equal to those for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. This tuition structure became effective September 2018 pay.  PhD students who started their programs before September 2018 will not receive a refund for tuition fees paid prior to its introduction. Please note that this tuition structure does not apply to students in OISE’s EdD, MT, MA and MEd programs of study.

The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) fee is a compulsory non-academic fee for all international students. In 2023-24, the cost for twelve months was $756 for a single student. Students with families pay additional fees.

International students who are studying remotely outside of Canada may apply to the UHIP Office for a UHIP exemption on a per-term basis. Student  may only apply during certain time periods, please refer to the UHIP Office website for details.

Late Registration Fees

After the registration deadline, enrolment in and access to courses through ACORN will be cancelled for students whose status on ACORN is not “Registered”. In extenuating circumstances, a request for late registration may be considered. If approved, students will be required to pay a late registration fee of $44.00. For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office and Student Experience (email: oise.registration@utoronto.ca).

Minimum Payment to Register

Tuition may be paid by session. The Minimum Payment to Register (MPR) for each session will be displayed on the current session ACORN invoice and comprises unpaid fees from previous session[s] + 100% of current session tuition fee charges. A student’s status on ACORN will change from “Invited” to “Registered” when registration is complete

The deadline date for payment to register for the 2024 Fall session is September 13, 2024. Pay the MPR by August 23 to ensure that your payment is processed in time to meet the deadline to register. 

The date for those registering for only the Winter (January to April) session is December 20, 2024. Pay the MPR by November 30 to ensure that your payment is processed in time to meet the deadline to register.

The balance of the required fees is due without further notice and is subject to service charges, as outlined on the University of Toronto Student Accounts website.

Non-Refundable Tuition Deposit (for newly admitted Master of Teaching and MA-Child Study and Education students)

Newly admitted students to the Master of Teaching and MA-Child Study and Education programs must pay a non-refundable three hundred dollar ($300) tuition deposit by June 1 to hold their admission space in the program. Mastercard or Visa credit card payments are made by logging-in to ACORN using the JOINid credentials that newly admitted students received upon completing and submitting their online admission application. 

Service Charges

All fees and charges posted to the ACORN account are payable. If not paid in full, any outstanding ACORN account balance is subject to a monthly service charge billed on your ACORN invoice on the 15th of every month at a monthly rate of 1.5% compounded (19.56% per annum). 

Fees/Convocation

Degree requirements for all students must be completed before the appropriate dates for eligibility to graduate. Students who have outstanding fees will be permitted to attend convocation. However, such students will not receive their diploma, and a financial hold will be placed on the student’s financial account and transcripts and confirmation of degree letters will not be released until fees have been paid. Students with outstanding fees who are attending the ceremony will receive an empty envelope, which will be identical to the other envelopes containing diplomas. Please note that owing a balance of degree fee is the exception to the diploma hold rule.

Refund of Fees

Fees are adjusted or reversed in accordance with the School of Graduate Studies refund schedule, published on the Student Accounts website. Students who cancel their last course and registration in the session on or after the published date for the first day of classes are subject to a minimum charge of $320.00. 
 
Refund of fees, if any, will be determined by the date of receipt of a written notice of withdrawal from a session to the Registrar's Office and Student Experience (ROSE)' Registration Team (email: oise.registration@utoronto.ca). There is a minimum charge for withdrawals on or after the published date for the first day of classes in the Fall and Winter Sessions. In the 2022-23 academic year, the minimum charge was $311.00 (for the 2023 Summer Session, the minimum charge was $320.00).

Note the tuition deposit ($300) for newly admitted students to the Master of Teaching and MA-Child Study and Education programs is non-refundable.

Outstanding Fees and Other University Obligations

The following academic sanctions will be imposed on students who have outstanding financial obligations to OISE and the university (including fees, residence charges, library fines, loans, bookstore debts, health service accounts and unreturned or damaged instruments, materials, and equipment), , in accordance with the University’s Policy on Academic Sanctions for Students who have Outstanding University Obligations.

• Diploma will be withheld
• Statements of results and/or official transcripts of record will not be issued.
• Official letters will not be issued.
• Payments made by continuing or returning students shall be applied first, to outstanding OISE and university debts and second, to current fees. Thus, registration may be refused to a continuing or returning student.