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The MASc and PhD admission process is more similar to a job application, while the MEng follows a process more like traditional undergraduate admissions.

For MASc or PhD applicants, it is strongly recommended that you contact faculty members in advance. If a faculty member agrees to supervise and fund you, which is important since they cover a large portion of your stipend, you are essentially admitted. Administrative staff are not involved in the decision to accept you.

In contrast, MEng applications are reviewed by the MEng Admissions Committee. The review focuses on GPA, relevant experience as outlined in the applicant's resume, references, and the statement of intent.

Yes. MASc students may transfer to the PhD program after their first year if they demonstrate strong academic and research performance and have supervisor support. This is a formal process and not automatic done by completing a qualifying exam.

Yes, though it's less common. MEng students typically gain industry experience, but some choose to reapply for a research-based program (MASc or PhD). In that case, you'd need to find a supervisor and submit a new application.

In exceptional cases, yes. If a supervisor (MASC or PhD program) strongly supports your application, they can recommend admission even if your GPA falls below the usual cutoff. This is more likely if you bring research experience, a compelling personal statement, or external funding.

No. A gap of 1-2 years is quite common and may even enhance your application if you gained relevant work or research experience. For longer gaps, the admissions committee may look more closely at whether you've maintained or expanded your academic or technical skills.

Yes. Admission is granted if you are hosted by a supervisor that is core or affiliated with us. If they are not on the two lists, then admission through BME is not possible.

Each department has its own course requirements, funding structure (such as whether scholarships come with a top-up), whether TAship is mandatory (BME is optional), and program options like internships for MEng students. Choosing between BME and another department comes down to comparing these elements (and others) and deciding which structure best supports your goals. We encourage you to explore and contrast the details to make the most informed decision.

The MEng is a one-year, course-based program that may include an optional internship. In contrast, the MASc is a two-year, research-intensive program with fewer courses and a major research thesis, typically conducted in academic or clinical settings. For more detailed information, please visit the individual program pages on our website.

From a career perspective, it's difficult to say definitively which program will lead to a specific job outcome. We encourage you to explore our alumni directory to see where graduates of each program have gone. You can use keywords like "MASc" or "MEng" in the search bar to filter results by program.

Try to approach your application from the perspective of the admissions staff. We review hundreds of applications, and after a while, many of them start to sound the same. A useful way to think about standing out is to ask yourself: what kind of content catches your attention when you're scrolling through social media?

Here are a few tips: keep your application clear and concise, draw on personal experiences to make it authentic, and maintain a professional tone throughout. Statements of intent should be no more than one to two pages. Similarly, responses to faculty-specific questions should be kept to one to two paragraphs at most.