School of Graduate Studies Student Resources and Updates.
The following FAQs discuss return to campus plans, research activities, applications and admissions, personal accommodations, and financial supports.
In addition to this page, please refer to the following pages:
- Trent Forward site - For news and events
- New student welcome page
- Orientation resources
Graduate Student FAQ's
Below you will find the most commonly asked questions regarding applications and the admissions process for The School of Graduate Studies. Applicants are encouraged to read through our FAQ before sending any inquires or questions.
Trent Forward Graduate Student Questions
Q: Do I have access to study space on campus?
Bata Library’s Graduate study room 408 is open. Graduate students can access room 408 using the swipe entry option with their student card.
Q: How do I opt-out of health and dental coverage?
Domestic students have the option to opt-out of health and dental coverage. More information can be found through the Student VIP site.
Application Questions
Q: I have just applied and I have not yet received my student ID and email of acknowledgement from Trent University. When will I receive this?
Trent University School of Graduate Studies processes all applications through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) and we do not receive applications immediately upon submission. Once the OUAC application fee has been processed, please allow up to 5 business days for the university to receive your application and for applicants to receive their student ID credentials and instructions on document submission.
Q: Can my application fee be waived?
A non-refundable application fee of $100 CDN for research programs or $125 CDN for professional programs must be submitted for each program to which you are applying. This fee is payable to OUAC only and cannot be waived or deferred for any applicant (domestic and international). There are no exceptions to this policy. Please note that applications will not be processed or sent to The School of Graduate Studies unless payment is received by OUAC.
Q: Can I send The School of Graduate Studies my documents to be pre-assessed for eligibility before I apply?
To be fair to other applicants and due to the high volume of applications we receive, we do not pre-assess documents for eligibility. Any document submissions without an official application will not be processed or assessed until a full application is received.
Q: Can I still apply after the deadline?
Yes, we may still accept applications after the deadline. However, applications will be contingent depending on program availability and seats open for consideration. Please refer to the list of programs for information on deadlines as they vary for each program.
Q: Can I still apply if I don’t meet one or all of the admission requirements?
All are welcome to apply. All applications will be thoroughly reviewed and all factors of an application are taken into consideration. However, preference will be given to applicants who exceed the minimum requirements for admission into their chosen program.
Q: Can I apply for more than one program? If so, do I have to pay for each application?
Yes, applicants can apply to multiple graduate programs. You are required to pay the application fee for each application submitted.
Q: Where do I upload my required documents?
Documents must be uploaded to the applicant's myTrent portal > Academics tab > Admissions > Graduate Applications Documents Upload. Refer to your application acknowledgement email for instructions on submitting documents.
Q: Do I need to submit my official transcripts?
Transcripts are NOT required to be official and final when applying to the School of Graduate Studies. Official transcripts are ONLY required to be submitted if an applicant receives an offer of admission.
Previous or current Trent University students do not need to submit a transcript for degree and course work completed at Trent University. Transcripts must be submitted for any course work completed at another institution – i.e.) study abroad, letter of permission, transfer credit.
Q: Can I submit a WES Application?
Yes. Trent University will accept documents verified by WES (World Education Services). Once received from WES, authenticated transcripts will be assessed by the Trent University School of Graduate Studies for eligibility. We must receive the official document directly from WES. Please ensure that you have selected the ICAP Package (International Credential Advantage Package) and that WES provides a course by course evaluation.
Q: Do you accept an ECA (Education Credential Assessment) report and duplicate copies of my official transcripts from CES (Comparative Education Service)?
Yes, we will accept a copy of your ECA report and official transcripts sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies by Comparative Education Services.
Q: How long do documents take to be added to my application?
Please allow up to 2-3 working business days for documents to be processed and uploaded to your application. Please do not email The School of Graduate Studies for request on document status or receipt of delivery. Due to volume, we may not be able to respond to individual requests.
Q; Can I get my transcripts back?
Once supporting documents are submitted they become the property of Trent University and cannot be returned.
Q: How do I check the status of my application?
Applicants can track the status of documents and their application through myTrent. It is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor the status of all their documents to ensure all required documents and materials are received before the program deadline. You can review the required documents needed for your application under the academic’s tab on your MyTrent account to see what documents we have received and which ones are still pending.
Q: Can I apply for a conditional admission into a graduate program based on completing an ESL program at Trent University?
Some graduate programs may choose to offer admission that is conditional on the successful completion of ESL for applicants who do not meet the minimum English proficiency requirements. This is a case by case basis only. Applicants should be aware that preference will be given to applicants who meet or exceed the minimum requirements. Applicants who are interested in applying to ESL directly can contact the Trent International office for further information (international@trentu.ca).
Q: I am an international student who speaks good English. Do I still need to submit an English proficiency test?
Proficiency in English usage, both written and oral, is essential to pursue graduate studies at Trent University. It Is required for applicants to demonstrate an adequate level of English proficiency, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. We must receive a test score to complete an application.
*Please note that tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of application submission to be considered. Trent University reserves the right to request English language proficiency results from any applicant.
Q: I am an international student who has attended an English speaking institution previously. Do I qualify for a waiver for the English proficiency test requirement?
If you have successfully completed two or more years of post-secondary education at a university where the primary language of instruction is English, within the last two (2) years, the School of Graduate Studies is prepared to consider alternate proof of English language proficiency.
Your official transcript should specify that your program was taught primarily in the English language. If it is not clearly indicated on your transcript, you are required to provide an official letter from your previous institutions indicating the language of instruction is English.
Q: I am a Permanent Resident; do I need to complete the English proficiency test?
The requirement to complete the English proficiency test will be decided on a case-by-case basis for applicants who are Permanent Residents.
*Please note that Trent University reserves the right to request English language proficiency results from any applicant. If this is required, The School of Graduate Studies will notify the applicant accordingly.
Q: I am working with an agency to submit my application. How do I inform Trent University School of Graduate Studies?
Applicants can authorize an agent/agency to communicate on their behalf about their application. The applicant must fill out an Agent Authorization Form. This form can be found through myTrent portal – Academic tab – Forms – Agent Authorization Form. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that this form is filled out.
Q: I would like to authorize a third party to communicate on my behalf about my application. What should I do?
Applicants can authorize a third party to speak on their application on their behalf. The applicant must fill out the release of information form on their portal under the academics tab. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that this form is filled out. This form must be filled through the myTrent portal.
Reference Questions
Q: How and when will my referee receive the reference form link?
- Applications submitted on (or after) October 12, 2023: Online reference form links will be administered by the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). Links will be sent by the OUAC immediately once the reference section of the the application form is filled out. The School of Graduate Studies will receive completed reference submissions from the OUAC on a weekly basis. Please allow 5 – 10 business days for processing after a referee has confirmed completion of this form. Please contact the OUAC directly if a referee is experiencing issues.
Contact: gradapps@ouac.on.ca.
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Applications submitted before October 12, 2023: Online reference form links were administered by the School of Graduate Studies. Reference links were activated and sent to applicants’ chosen references.
Contact: gradreference@trentu.ca.
Q: What if my referee did not receive the link, or I need to change my referee?
If referees did not receive the link or it has expired, please navigate to the ‘Graduate Reference Self Service’ icon in myTrent, under the ‘Admissions’ header in the ‘Academics’ tab. Provide the name and email address of the referee and click 'submit'. The School of Graduate Studies will send the form to the referee. Applicants must follow up with referees to ensure timely completion.
Q: How will I know when my referee has completed the reference form?
Applicants are responsible for monitoring and ensuring timely submission of reference forms. After activating myTrent, applicants can monitor Trent University’s receipt of reference forms using the Required Documents icon located under the ‘Admissions’ header in the ‘Academics’ tab. When forms have been delivered to the School of Graduate Studies, they will be marked as ‘Received’. To determine which referee has submitted their form (ie. 'Reference 1' or 'Reference 2') please refer to the 'References' section of the application summary sheet you received from the OUAC when first applying.
Admission Questions
Q: My application is now marked as 'pending decision'. When will I find out if I am admitted?
The status of your application will change from 'applied' to 'pending decision' once the School of Graduate Studies confirms the application is complete. Complete applications are examined and evaluated for admission by the appropriate graduate programs. The timeline for this process varies by graduate program and is affected by the volume of applications received. All applicants will be officially notified by email of the action taken on their application.
*Please note that all admission decisions are final; there is no appeal of admission decisions.
Q: Can I get a hard copy of my offer letter to obtain my student visa or for other purposes?
Please be advised that The School of Graduate Studies no longer provide hard copies of offer letters by means of postal service. Your letter of offer is sent to you by email; you are able to print this document and use it for obtaining your student VISA or other purposes.
Q: Do I have to pay a deposit upon acceptance?
A $2,500 deposit is required for professional graduate programs at Trent University. Research programs do not require an advanced deposit. Refer to your letter of offer to confirm.
This is a condition of admission. If a deposit is not paid, The School of Graduate Studies reserves the right to revoke the admission and offer the spot to another qualified applicant.
Q: Can I ask for a deferral on my offer of admission or change my intake date?
Deferral requests must submitted using the Deferral Request form available on the myTrent portal. For the School of Graduate Studies' detailed deferral policy, click here.
Q: How much is the tuition and fees for my program?
Applicants can find current tuition and fees for graduate programs on this page
Financial Aid and Scholarship Questions
Q: Where can I find information on scholarship opportunities at Trent University?
In the case of major scholarship competitions, students currently registered at Trent must meet an earlier deadline set by the University. Application forms and information regarding external scholarships may be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies.
Full-time students entering a second year of graduate study at Trent, or those planning further study at another university, should demonstrate that they have applied for external funding. External scholarships are awarded on academic merit, not financial need. Please visit our graduate scholarships page for more information.
Q: As an International student, can I get a scholarship to cover all my tuition and living costs while attending Trent University?
At Trent, all eligible graduate students may be offered competitive funding for support in their studies. However, funding offered is not intended to cover living costs and all fees.
Finances are an important part of an international student's journey in Canada. This often includes learning how to budget, and navigating systems for transferring money outside of your home country. Students are expected to be aware of tuition fees, and have sufficient funds to cover their living costs while attending Trent University. Students are encouraged to review the expected costs associated with living abroad.
Non-Canadian students should note that the university is required to charge a differential tuition fee for all International students. Please visit our international page for more information.
International Student Questions
Q: I have been offered a Graduate Teaching Assistant position as part of my funding for this fall but cannot travel to Canada - am I still eligible?
International students must have a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) to qualify for a GTA position. Students who are unable to secure a Canadian SIN will not be eligible to accept their Graduate Teaching Assistant position.
Q: Can I defer my Graduate Teaching Assistant position offer?
Graduate Teaching Assistantships are offered only in the fall and winter terms, If you are unable to accept your Graduate Teaching Assistant position for the term it was offered in your admission letter, you must decline the position offer (by email to graduate@trentu.ca), you cannot defer the position.
Q: What happens with RF/RFA payments?
Graduate Research Fellowships and Graduate Research Awards are applied to the student’s Trent University account, these funds can be applied to tuition. Excess funds that exist on the student account can only be accessed if the student holds a Canadian bank account to transfer these funds to. Excess funds in these accounts will not be paid out until a Canadian bank account is established.
Q: What happens to outstanding credits on my account?
Any outstanding credits will be applied against future tuition/fees.
Q: I am an international student - where do I find information on study permits?
Information for international students can be found on the Trent International Study Permit Page.
Q: If I cannot travel to Canada, can I ask for a deferral on my offer of admission or change my intake date?
Deferral requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. For the School of Graduate Studies' detailed deferral policy, click here.
Q: As an international student, can I get a scholarship to cover all my tuition and living costs while attending Trent University?
At Trent, all eligible graduate students may be offered competitive funding for support in their studies. However, funding offered is not intended to cover living costs and all fees.
Finances are an important part of an international student's journey in Canada. This often includes learning how to budget, and navigating systems for transferring money outside of your home country. Students are expected to be aware of tuition fees, and have sufficient funds to cover their living costs while attending Trent University. Students are encouraged to review the expected costs associated with living abroad.
Non-Canadian students should note that the university is required to charge a differential tuition fee for all International students. Please visit our international page for more information.
Q: Am I able to opt-out of UHIP coverage if I am not in Canada?
International students who are not studying in Canada my opt-out of UHIP coverage through the MyTrent portal: MyTrent > SUPPORT > Health and Wellness > Mandatory In-Ontario University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) opt-out form