Admissions·Canada· 9 min read

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Admission Guide (Official Process)

How international students apply to Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson): TMU International Application vs OUAC, the Feb 1 date, portfolio programs and English options.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

University: Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Toronto, Ontario — formerly Ryerson University (renamed 2022)
How international students apply: TMU International Application (direct) if you are applying to TMU only for September or January; use OUAC if you study at an Ontario secondary school or apply to several Ontario universities — confirm on torontomu.ca
Guaranteed-consideration date: Around February 1 for September intake — but programs can close earlier when full; check your program's page
Application fee: Set by TMU (a direct international application fee applies) — see the official How to Apply page; do not rely on third-party figures
English proficiency: IELTS / TOEFL / other accepted tests, or ESL Foundation / English Boost pathways — thresholds set by TMU per program
Decisions: Posted on an ongoing (rolling) basis to your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal

Who TMU is (and the Ryerson name change)

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is a large public university in downtown Toronto, Ontario, known for career-focused programs across business, media, engineering, health, design and the arts. As a factual administrative matter, the institution was called Ryerson University until 2022, when it was formally renamed Toronto Metropolitan University. Older records, transcripts and third-party pages may still say "Ryerson" — they refer to the same university.

Because of the recent name change, many search queries and documents mix the two names. When you apply, use the current official channels at torontomu.ca; when you supply your own transcripts, keep them exactly as issued. This guide walks through the official undergraduate process for international students and defers every changeable figure (fees, grades, deadlines) to TMU's own pages.

TMU = the current official name; Ryerson = the former name (same university)
Strong in business, media/communication, engineering, health, design and the arts
Downtown Toronto campus

Which application to use: TMU International Application vs OUAC

TMU is unusual among Ontario universities in that many international applicants apply directly through the TMU International Application rather than only through OUAC. TMU directs international students who are applying to TMU alone (for the September or January intake) to use this direct application.

You would instead use the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) if you are studying at an Ontario secondary school, or if you are applying to several Ontario universities and want one shared application. Choosing the right route matters, so read the "How to Apply" page for international students on torontomu.ca before you start — the requirement can vary by your situation and program.

Direct TMU International Application — international applicants applying to TMU only (September or January)
OUAC — if you study at an Ontario high school, or apply to multiple Ontario universities
Confirm your correct route on the official How to Apply page before applying

Key dates and the February 1 guaranteed-consideration date

For September (Fall) entry, TMU sets a guaranteed-consideration date of around February 1. Complete applications received by that date get equal consideration. That is not a hard "apply by" cutoff for every program, though — TMU notes that programs can close applications earlier once spaces fill, so applying well before February 1 is the safer choice.

After you apply, watch your program's own page and your applicant portal for any additional deadlines to submit documents, portfolios or supplementary forms. Exact current dates change each cycle, so verify them on torontomu.ca rather than relying on this or any third-party summary.

~February 1 = guaranteed-consideration date for September intake
Some programs close earlier when full — apply early
Document / portfolio deadlines vary by program and are listed on the program page

Entry requirements and portfolio / supplementary programs

Admission is based mainly on your academic record in the required subjects for your chosen program, assessed against TMU's equivalencies for your school system. TMU publishes program-specific requirements and historical admission ranges; use those as a guide, but treat any specific average or cut-off as changeable and confirm it on the program page.

Several TMU programs are not decided on grades alone. Programs in areas such as media, design, performance and some professional fields ask for additional non-academic requirements — a portfolio, audition, interview, essay or supplementary form. These have their own deadlines and instructions, so start them early. TMU also offers a supplementary form in some cases where you can explain circumstances that affected your grades.

Academic requirements are program-specific — check the exact subjects and ranges on the program page
Portfolio / audition / interview / essay required for select media, design and performance programs
Non-academic requirements have separate deadlines — begin them early

English language proficiency options

If English is not your first language or your prior instruction was not in English, you will usually need to prove English proficiency. TMU accepts recognised tests such as IELTS and TOEFL (and other options), with minimum scores set per program — confirm the accepted tests and thresholds on the official English requirements page.

Applicants who do not yet meet the minimum score may have a route in through TMU's ESL Foundation Program or English Boost, which are designed to lead into undergraduate study. Consider these if your test score is close but not quite at the required level.

Recognised tests (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL) accepted — thresholds set per program
ESL Foundation Program / English Boost as pathways if you fall short
Verify accepted tests and current minimums on torontomu.ca

How decisions are released, and your next steps

TMU posts admission decisions on an ongoing (rolling) basis to your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal, so there is no single "results day" — check the portal and your email regularly, and keep your contact details current. Applicants who meet the guaranteed-consideration date generally hear back over the following months.

Once you have an offer, you can accept it, arrange finances and begin your study-permit process. Your admission and your study permit are two separate steps: an offer from TMU does not by itself let you enter Canada. For the study-permit stage, see our Canada guides linked below and follow the official IRCC (canada.ca) instructions.

Decisions posted rolling to the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal
Admission and study permit are separate steps
After an offer: accept, finance, then apply for the study permit via IRCC

Frequently asked questions

Is Toronto Metropolitan University the same as Ryerson University?

Yes. It is the same institution — Ryerson University was renamed Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022. Older transcripts, rankings and pages may still say "Ryerson." Use the current official channels at torontomu.ca when you apply.

Do international students apply to TMU through OUAC or directly?

Many international applicants use the direct TMU International Application (for September or January intake, applying to TMU only). You use OUAC if you study at an Ontario secondary school or are applying to several Ontario universities. Confirm your correct route on TMU's official How to Apply page.

What is the February 1 date at TMU?

For September entry, around February 1 is the guaranteed-consideration date — complete applications received by then get equal consideration. It is not a universal hard cutoff, and some programs close earlier when full, so apply early. Verify the current cycle's dates on torontomu.ca.

Which TMU programs need a portfolio or audition?

Several programs in media, design, performance and some professional areas require non-academic components such as a portfolio, audition, interview, essay or supplementary form, each with its own deadline. Check your specific program's page on torontomu.ca for the exact requirements and dates.

What English test scores does TMU require?

TMU accepts recognised tests such as IELTS and TOEFL, with minimum scores that vary by program; ESL Foundation and English Boost pathways exist if you fall short. Scores change over time, so confirm the accepted tests and current thresholds on TMU's official English requirements page rather than a third-party source.

Does a TMU offer guarantee I can study in Canada?

No. An admission offer and a Canadian study permit are separate steps. After you accept an offer you must apply for a study permit through IRCC (canada.ca). This is general information, not immigration advice — verify current requirements on the official IRCC source and consider a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer for your case.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: TMU — How to Apply (International Admissions); TMU — Undergraduate application dates; OUAC — Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) undergraduate guide; IRCC — Study permit (Government of Canada).

Last verified: 3 July 2026.