Admissions

Detailed information about admission requirements is available on the Faculty of Information website.

The BI is a second-entry undergraduate program. Students apply while in the process or after having completed at least the equivalent of two years of full-time study (10.0 credits) at the undergraduate level in any discipline with a GPA of at least a B- (2.70) prior to admission.

Credits from these courses are assessed as part of the admissions process, high school transcripts are not considered. Credits are not transferred into the University of Toronto, they will only be assessed to ensure applicants meet the admission requirements. 

To be eligible for admission to the BI, applicants must submit: 

Undergraduate Transcript (required) 
Applicants must demonstrate completion of at least 10.0 FCE university-level courses, 4.0 FCE of which must be at the 200-level or higher. Candidates must demonstrate good academic standing and aptitude for transition to the BI program. For applicants in their second year of university study, at the time of application, in the spring of second year, only the first 1.5 years of academic standing will be available for initial assessment. Acceptance into the program will be conditional upon the candidate completing second year and achieving the required academic minimums:

  • A minimum average of 70%, or 2.70 GPA in the most recent 5.0 FCE completed. 
  • At least 0.5 FCE with a grade of 70% or above in each of the following areas: 
    • formal systems (example courses include Calculus, Statistics, Formal Logic, Coding, or other math or science focused courses), 
    • socio-cultural systems (example courses include Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Sociology, or other humanities or social science courses), and 
    • creative practice (example courses include Design, Creative Writing, Performance or other art or design focused courses). 

Personal Statement (required) 
A statement that will specifically address the applicant’s intent in entering the BI program, their expectations of the program, and the ways in which their academic and other experience has prepared them for it. The statement can be presented using the applicant's preferred choice of media (essay, short video, powerpoint presentation, website, etc.) The statement will help the admissions committee identify applicants with excellent communication skills, and to determine fit between the applicant’s expectations and the BI program itself. 

Transcript Explanation Essay (optional) 
Transcripts don’t always speak for themselves or tell the whole story. We invite you to submit a brief (250 words max) statement that helps us read your transcript. You might wish to explain any circumstances that may have led to sub-optimal academic performance or tell the story of a change in your academic direction. 

Proof of English Facility (if applicable) 
All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Please see the requirements here.

The above application material will allow the admissions committee to assess and admit students who demonstrate a high likelihood of success in the BI. The admissions committee will examine the admissions portfolio as a whole and evaluate them on these criteria: 
•    success in current or previous academic environment
•    English proficiency
•    written communication skills
•    demonstrated interdisciplinary interest and facility
•    fit between students' intent and program goals

Second Degree Requirements 
Students who have graduated with a degree from the University of Toronto or any other accredited university may apply for this program to begin a second degree. Before applying, students are encouraged to determine whether a second degree is actually required for their purposes; for example, a “make-up” year as a non-degree student may satisfy admission requirements if students are intending to pursue graduate school. Students are governed by the rules of the Faculty in place at the time they commence their second degree.
 

Contact Information
Faculty of Information Office of the Registrar Student Services 
Bissell Building, 4th Floor 
140 St. George St.
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G6 
416-978-3234 
ugadmissions.ischool@utoronto.ca