York University
Université York
Canada's third-largest university, in north Toronto, home to Schulich, Osgoode, Lassonde and bilingual Glendon.
- Students
- 53,100
- International
- 16%
- of students
- Tuition
- CA$38,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1959
About York U
York University was founded in 1959 and opened its main Keele Campus in north Toronto in 1965. It is Canada's third-largest university, with more than 53,100 students in over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, including 8,700+ international students from more than 160 countries, and a network of 375,000+ alumni. Besides Keele, it runs the bilingual Glendon campus, a new Markham Campus opened in 2024, and locations in Hyderabad, India and Costa Rica.
Undergraduates study in faculties including Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (the largest), Science, Health, the Lassonde School of Engineering, the Schulich School of Business, the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design, Environmental and Urban Change, and Education, with Osgoode Hall Law School for law. Glendon offers programs in English and French.
Entry is broad: most programs look for Ontario averages in the low-to-mid 70s, rising to the low 80s for Computer Science and Commerce, the mid 80s for Engineering, the high 80s for Nursing and the low 90s for Schulich's BBA. York suits students who want a big-city university with many program choices, strong professional schools and a large, diverse community on a campus with its own subway stations.
Tentanda via
“The way must be tried” — university motto
Why students choose York U
Schulich's Bachelor of Business Administration is one of Canada's most selective business degrees, with a supplementary application that includes a video interview and timed writing exercise.
York offers more than 36,000 experiential learning opportunities each year, according to the university.
International applicants are automatically considered for entrance scholarships worth up to CA$37,500 over four years, and can apply for the CA$180,000 President's International Scholarship of Excellence.
Two Toronto subway stations, York University and Pioneer Village, sit on the Keele Campus.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (September 2027)
Selectivity
York does not publish an overall admit rate. For Ontario high school applicants, most programs look for an average in the low-to-mid 70s or mid 70s; Computer Science, Commerce, Cybersecurity and Criminology the low 80s; Kinesiology the high 70s; Engineering and Social Work the mid 80s; Nursing the high 80s; and the Schulich BBA the low 90s.
Typical entry requirements
| Ontario high school (OSSD, six 4U/M courses) | Most programs low-to-mid 70s; Computer Science and Commerce low 80s; Engineering mid 80s; Nursing high 80s; Schulich BBA low 90s |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Minimum 28 points for most programs (e.g. Psychology); 30 for Engineering; 36 for the Schulich BBA |
| GCE A-levels | At least two A2 passes and three GCSE/IGCSE passes with a minimum C average; higher for competitive programs |
| China | Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate with a 75% average in Senior 3 (85% for Engineering) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 88 Most programs: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88 (tests before January 2026) or 4.5 (from January 2026), PTE 60, Duolingo 120, CAEL 60. Nursing requires IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 94/5.0. IELTS One Skill Retake and TOEFL Home Edition are accepted. |
Deadlines
- Ontario high school students (most programs) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 monthsJanuary 15, 2027
Applications received by the deadline get full consideration for programs and associated scholarships. The Schulich BBA and Social Work accept no applications after January 15 from any applicant group.
- President's International Scholarship of Excellence Non-binding In ~4 monthsJanuary 27, 2027
Student application deadline; the nominee (school) deadline is February 4, 2027. Worth CA$45,000 a year for four years.
- Schulich BBA supplementary application; Direct Entry Nursing Non-binding In ~4 monthsFebruary 1, 2027
Deadline for the Schulich BBA supplementary application and for Direct Entry Nursing applications.
- International and out-of-province high school students (most programs) Non-binding In ~6 monthsMarch 24, 2027
York keeps assessing applications until programs are full, but recommends applying early to allow time for a study permit.
Dates are from York's undergraduate application deadlines page for Fall 2027 (checked 29 September 2026). Supplementary application deadlines vary by program.
How to apply
Apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) or York's own online application (used for applications after the deadline), then track your file and upload documents in York's MyFile portal. Some programs require a supplementary application, such as Schulich's leadership profile, video interview and timed writing exercise, or portfolios and auditions for arts programs.
What admissions looks for
- Your academic average in the required senior courses, compared with each program's published range.
- Program prerequisites, such as MHF4U and MCV4U for Engineering and Computer Science, and chemistry and physics for Engineering.
- For Schulich, Social Work, Education and arts programs, a supplementary application such as a leadership profile, video interview, portfolio or audition.
- English (or, at Glendon, French) language proficiency at the required level.
Tips for applying to York U
- 1 If you are an Ontario student applying to Schulich or Social Work, submit by January 15, 2027: these programs take no later applications.
- 2 International students with a 90%+ final average are eligible for the York International Scholarship of Distinction (CA$15,000 in Year 1, CA$7,500 in later years), except in Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Engineering.
- 3 Accept your offer before the deadline in your letter: entrance scholarships and the 4-year residence guarantee expire with it.
- 4 Consider the bilingual Glendon campus if you want to study partly in French in a smaller setting within Toronto.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CAD
International applicants are automatically considered for entrance scholarships based on their final average: CA$37,500 over four years (90%+), CA$25,000 (80-89.9%) or CA$5,000 one-time (75-79.9%), per the 2026-27 schedule. The President's International Scholarship of Excellence is worth CA$180,000 over four years. York awarded CA$125M in scholarships and bursaries in 2024-25.
- CA$9,000-13,000 plus a meal plan of CA$4,350-8,000
- Residence (8 months), estimated
- Up to CA$37,500 over four years
- York International Scholarship of Distinction (90%+)
- CA$180,000 (CA$45,000 a year for four years)
- President's International Scholarship of Excellence
Academics
Academic calendar: Fall/Winter terms plus a Summer term (entry in September, January or May)
Bachelor of Business Administration (Schulich School of Business)
Ontario averages in the low 90s or IB 36, plus a leadership profile, video interview and timed writing exercise by February 1.
Engineering (Lassonde School of Engineering)
Mid-80s Ontario average or IB 30, with chemistry, physics and calculus prerequisites.
Nursing: 4-Year Direct Entry (Faculty of Health)
Among York's most competitive programs, looking for Ontario averages in the high 80s and IELTS 7.0; applications close February 1.
Computer Science (Lassonde School of Engineering)
Low-80s Ontario average; related Lassonde degrees include Cybersecurity and Computer Science for Software Development.
Theatre, Film and Dance (School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design)
BFA programs selected by audition or portfolio; York ranks in Canada's top 10 for performing arts in QS subject rankings, per the university.
Psychology (Faculty of Health)
Offered at Keele and bilingual Glendon; York places in Canada's top 10 for psychology in QS subject rankings, per the university.
Research
- York has 32 research centres and is top ranked in Ontario for global collaborative research publications (SciVal 2020-2024), according to the university.
- York reports ranking 1st among Canada's comprehensive universities for AI publications.
- The Ontario government provided CA$9 million in 2024 to start the York University School of Medicine in Vaughan.
- The Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change runs an eco-campus next to the Las Nubes Forest Reserve in Costa Rica.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Health
- Lassonde School of Engineering
- Schulich School of Business
- School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
- Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change
- Faculty of Education
- Glendon College
- Osgoode Hall Law School
York reports a 90% employer satisfaction rate, based on a 2022 survey of Greater Toronto Area employers who hired York graduates.
Student life
Most students study at the large Keele Campus in north Toronto, which has two Toronto subway stations and regional bus connections. For eligible international admits, entrance scholarship offers can come with a 4-year residence guarantee tied to accepting the offer on time. The bilingual Glendon campus offers a smaller liberal arts community, and the Markham Campus opened in 2024. York's varsity teams compete as the Lions, and the university reports more than 36,000 experiential learning opportunities each year.
- York Lions varsity athletics.
- Glendon College, a bilingual English-French liberal arts campus in Toronto.
- York University and Pioneer Village subway stations on the Keele Campus.
- Students from more than 160 countries.
Housing. Residence costs an estimated CA$9,000-13,000 for eight months plus a meal plan of CA$4,350-8,000; entrance scholarship offers for international students can include a 4-year residence guarantee.
Location
Toronto is Canada's largest city. York's Keele Campus is in the North York area of the city, with two subway stations on campus, while the bilingual Glendon campus and the new Markham Campus offer smaller settings. The Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School also run downtown Toronto facilities, and Pearson Airport is the main international gateway.
Nearest airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Notable alumni
- RM Rachel McAdamsActor (Mean Girls, The Notebook); BFA in theatre, 2001
- JS Jagmeet SinghLeader of the federal New Democratic Party (2017-2025); law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School
- NB Navdeep BainsFederal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (2015-2021); York graduate
- MG Moya GreeneFormer CEO of Royal Mail and Canada Post; attended Osgoode Hall Law School
- AC Ann CavoukianFormer Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, creator of Privacy by Design; BA from York
- IF Ivan FecanMedia executive who led CTV and CTVglobemedia; BA in Fine Arts from York
- GD Gerry DeeComedian and host of Family Feud Canada; studied kinesiology at York
- MH Melissa Humaña-ParedesBeach volleyball player, silver medallist at the 2024 Olympics; studied communications at York
Frequently asked questions
What average do you need to get into York University?
Most programs look for Ontario averages in the low-to-mid 70s. Competitive programs are higher: low 80s for Computer Science and Commerce, mid 80s for Engineering, high 80s for Nursing and low 90s for the Schulich BBA.
When is York's application deadline for Fall 2027?
January 15, 2027 for Ontario high school students and March 24, 2027 for international and out-of-province students, with earlier dates for Schulich BBA, Social Work and Nursing. York keeps assessing applications until programs are full.
How much is York tuition for international students?
For 2026-27, York estimates about CA$38,000 for Computer Science, CA$40,000 for most Arts and Science programs, CA$40,000-44,000 for Business and CA$47,000 for Engineering.
Does York require the SAT?
Not for students in a recognized accredited US curriculum, though scores can help for competitive programs. Students outside such a curriculum need an SAT of 1170 or ACT of 24.
What IB score does York require?
At least 28 points for most programs, 30 for Engineering and 36 for the Schulich BBA.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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