Academic Requirements
Meeting all admission requirements ensures that your application will receive consideration. Review each requirement carefully to determine your eligibility and prepare to submit your application for admission.
General Requirements
- Masters: For admission into a master’s program, most programs require a four-year undergraduate (or equivalent) bachelor's degree with a minimum Ontario grade of B+ (77%) in the last two years of full-time study.
Program-Specific Requirements
Some programs may require additional criteria for admissions, such as course specific grades, a higher average than the general admission average (i.e. master’s or Ph.D. programs), or will admit students with an average lower than the general admission average (i.e. graduate diplomas).
Eligibility Requirements
- Honours degree (a four-year undergraduate bachelor's degree)
- General degree (3 years) plus domestic B.Ed. also eligible to apply
- Minimum B+ (77%) or equivalent in the last two years of full-time study, or last ten full academic credits
- Appropriate previous education and training, plus feasible proposed course of study and research project
- Applications will also be considered in light of a range of other evidence that may, in some circumstances, mitigate a lower academic average
- A GRE test score is not required for admission into this program
All applicants, domestic and international, must submit the following documents to complete their application:
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts
- 2 letters of reference: Academic references are preferred; however, professional references will be accepted. Reference forms will be emailed to the referees that you have appointed on OUAC
- Plan of Study:
- Thesis stream/Research Project stream: Applicants should provide a plan of study indicating a research interest that they would like to pursue. Typically the plan of study is 1-2 pages and outlines applicant's objectives in the M.Ed. graduate program.
- Personal Statement:
- Course-based stream: Applicants should provide a personal statement that indicates their motives for applying to the M.Ed. and link their personal and professional experiences with their proposed learning goals. Additionally, applicants may wish to indicate courses of interest, areas of research interest, and any additional information to support the application.
- Writing Sample: A sample of your writing of about 20 pages or less. The preferred submission format is PDF. Good choices for writing samples include: an undergraduate essay, lab report, research report, journal article, a chapter from a master's thesis, or a published article.
- Detailed Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of Citizenship (i.e. copy of passport or birth certificate)
- Supervisor (thesis-stream only): A supervisor is required for the thesis-stream; however, applicants are not required to list a supervisor at the time of application. Students should not contact supervisors as part of the admission process. Successful applicants to the thesis-stream will be automatically paired with a supervisor by the program based on faculty availability and the research interests listed in the Plan of Study. Applicants are welcome to review faculty and outline interest in working with a particular individual in their Plan of Study; however, preferences are not guaranteed. Please visit the program's Faculty and Research page for a listing of faculty and areas of research.
Language Requirements
Proficiency in English usage, both written and oral, is essential to pursue graduate studies at Trent University. It is required for applicants to demonstrate an adequate level of English proficiency, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin.
The following tests are acceptable forms of proof of English language proficiency:
- TOEFL iBT, iBT Home Edition, iBT Paper Edition (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum acceptance score is 4.5 (with a minimum score of 4.5 in writing and 4.0 in speaking). For tests taken prior to January 1, 2026 the minimum acceptance score is 93 (with a minimum score of 22 in both speaking and writing).
- CAEL or CAEL online (Canadian Academic English Language Test). The minimum acceptable score is 60, with at least 60 in Writing Proficiency.
- IELTS (International English language Testing Services) - Academic testing. The minimum acceptance score is 6.5, with no band below 6.0.
- PTE Academic In-person or Online. The minimum acceptable overall score is 60, with no sub-score below 60
- Cambridge English Qualifications. C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Advanced English). The minimum overall score of 176 with no sub-score below 169.
Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of application submission to be considered. Trent University reserves the right to request English language proficiency results from any applicant.
English Proficiency Exemptions:
Applicants who completed two or more years of post-secondary education at a university in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the USA are exempt from this requirement.
If you have completed two or more years of post-secondary education in a non-exempt country at a university where the primary language of instruction is English, the School of Graduate Studies is prepared to consider alternate proof of English language proficiency.
DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.
