Anthropology (Science)

Anthropology is concerned with the unity, diversity, and evolution of humanity (and non-human primates) and of human culture and society from a comparative and global perspective. The Department of Anthropology was established in 1936 and has included many of the most prominent figures in Canadian anthropology. The first MA degree was awarded in 1949; the first PhD in 1956.

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Anthropology's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Admission is offered primarily to excellent students who, by the time of enrolment, have completed a master’s degree in anthropology (or a cognate subject).

• All applicants are expected to have achieved grades averaging the equivalent of a University of Toronto A– or better in their last full year of study. Most successful applicants will have finished or be in the process of completing an MA or MSc.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they have the appropriate background to enter a particular program of graduate study.

• Two letters of reference.

• A brief statement of interest (not exceeding 1,000 words).

• Applicants are required to identify departmental members with whom they want to conduct PhD research. The department regrets that it cannot admit students to the PhD program, regardless of their qualifications, unless a supervisor is available.

• Undergraduate students with strong backgrounds in anthropology or relevant disciplines (grade point average of 3.70 or above in their last 5.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) and who have earned an appropriate bachelor’s degree with a concentration in anthropology or a cognate discipline may apply directly for admission to the PhD program.

Duolingo English Test:Tests completed on or after July 1, 2024: Overall score of 120 with a score of 120 in production.

Tests completed before July 1, 2024: Overall score of 120, with no subscore below 100.

International Baccalaureate English:A minimum score of at least 4 (predicted or final) in Higher Level or Standard Level English A: Literature or English A: Language and Literature. English B Higher Level is not acceptable. Learn more about IB English.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS):The minimum requirement is an overall band of 6.5, with no band below 6.0. Results from IELTS (Academic) for UKVI test sittings are accepted. Learn more about IELTS.

Note: We do not accept the IELTS Indicator test or results from the IELTS One Skill Retake. Applicants must achieve the scores listed above on a single date.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic:The minimum requirement is an overall score of 65 with no part below 60. Results from PTE (Academic) UKVI test sittings are accepted. Learn more about PTE.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):Tests completed before January 21, 2026:

- The minimum requirement is a total score of 89 with 22 in each of Speaking and Writing
- Applicants must achieve the scores listed above on a single date. TOEFL MyBest (super-scored) results will not be used.

Effective January 21, 2026 there will be a new TOEFL scoring format. Admission requirements for the new scale are under review and will be posted once finalized.

Paper based test: Tests will be reviewed on an individual basis. Learn more about TOEFL

We do not accept TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL ITP or TOEFL ITP Plus for China for admission purposes.