Our graduate degree programs are designed to train and empower diverse thinkers through multi-disciplinary approaches and hands-on learning opportunities to make positive change.
MES
- Complete the York University Graduate Application Form.
- No documents will be reviewed prior to the submission of an online application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit supporting documents through the York University online portal, MyFile.
- Within four business days of application, you will receive a confirmation email with your nine-digit student reference number, which will allow you to access your MyFile account and upload your documents.
- It is important to check your MyFile regularly for any documents you are required to submit and updates to the status of your application.
- Fall 2025 Online Application: February 15, 2025
- Fall 2025 Submission of Supporting Documents: March 1, 2025
Transcripts
Academic transcripts or degree certificates (if degree conferral is not indicated on transcripts) are required from every post-secondary institution you attended. This includes:
- Undergraduate and graduate studies
- Exchange programs
- Studies for which you did not complete a degree
Transcripts are not required for studies completed at York University.
If you are currently completing your studies, submit your in-progress transcript.
More information about transcript submission is available on the York University Graduate Admissions page.
Statement of Academic Interest
Your statement must include the following three parts with no more than the allotted word limits:
Part 1: Research Project Title and Keywords (25 words maximum)
Part 2: Research Description (no more than 500 words maximum)
- Tell us about your research topic, research objectives or questions, theoretical frameworks and key literatures relevant to your topic, and research design/methodology. Provide a one-page bibliography (does not count in word limit).
Part 3: Personal Statement (no more than 250 words maximum)
- Tell us about your academic background, training and contributions to research, relevant work or other experience, and specific interests in the MES program. Identify full-time faculty members in environmental studies whose research aligns with your interests.
Note: You do not need to secure a supervisor prior to applying. However, it is strongly recommended that you connect with environmental studies faculty members to discuss your shared research interests and potential supervision. If you are accepted into the program, a supervisor will be assigned to you based on your research interests.
Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
You may also wish to include the following information (if applicable) in your resumé or curriculum vitae:
- Academic honours (scholarships, fellowships, awards, etc.)
- Academic and professional qualifications and memberships
- Publications and reports (if any are joint-authored, please provide a separate note describing your contribution)
Two forms – Referee and Supplementary Information – must be completed. These can be found under the “Supplementary Information Forms” link in your MyFile account. It is best to prepare your answers in advance and then copy and paste them into the form.
Referee Information Form
- You will be required to submit two references or referees.
- Please provide us with the names, email addresses and mailing addresses of your referees. A link will be emailed, on your behalf, to your referees to complete a Letter of Recommendation form.
- Your referees will have two weeks to complete the form.
Academic references are strongly preferred. It is possible to use professional references if necessary, provided that they address your critical thinking skills and how adept you are at dealing with theoretical concepts.
Supplementary Information Form
This is a standard graduate form, so some questions will not apply.
- Question 1: Awards information – Please list any external awards you have applied for (such as the SHHRC and OGS).
- Question 2: Language skill – Does not apply to the Master in Environmental Studies. Please leave this section blank.
- Question 3: Program options – If you are interested in one of our program options, please indicate it here. We strongly encourage you to browse the program pages for requirements and application procedures.
- Graduate Diploma in Environmental/Sustainability Education
- Graduate Diploma in Business and the Environment
- MES/JD program
- If you are not interested in any additional program options, you will leave this section blank.
- Question 4: Professors you hope to work with – Please identify three faculty members, as mentioned in your Statement of Academic Interest, who could be a potential supervisor.
- Question 5: Other information – You may include any additional information that you feel is relevant to your application that has not been previously mentioned.
Professional Experience Form
(if applicable)
We value professional and volunteer experience and appreciate that there may have been barriers that previously hindered your academic studies. Any domestic student that does not meet the minimum academic requirements may still apply to the MES program. You will be required to complete the Professional Experience Application Form in order to complete your application.
Completing this form will provide you with the opportunity to explain to the MES Admissions Committee why you do not meet the minimum academic requirements and how your work and/or life experiences have prepared you to be successful in our Master’s program.
Experiences may include:
• Work experience – paid or unpaid
• Academic experience – such as research projects
• Community or activist organizing or involvement
• Creative artistic practice (including work in popular cultural forms outside of formal arts institutions)
After you have applied and submitted your previous post-secondary transcripts, an admissions assessor will review your documents. If the assessor determines you do not meet our academic requirements, we will contact you and send you the Professional Experience Form in order to complete your application.
Please note: If you are asked to submit this form, it will become part of your application checklist and required to complete your application for a decision. Your application will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee without this form. Pre-application GPA assessments are not available. All application documents are assessed by our Admissions team.
(if applicable)
If your first language is not English, you must demonstrate you have an acceptable level of English by completing a language proficiency test:
- TOEFL – paper-based: 600; computer-based: 250; iBT: 100 (York code: 0894)
- IELTS (Academic) – overall band score: 7.5
Note: You must meet the required minimum score for your application to be considered.
For more details, see York University’s English language proficiency information.
MES/JD
Please note that applicants to the joint program must apply and be accepted into both programs separately. Students may apply to both programs simultaneously or during their first year in either program. For detailed information regarding application deadlines and admissions requirements for the JD program, please see the Osgoode website.
- Complete the online York University Graduate Application Form.
- No documents will be reviewed prior to the submission of an online application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit supporting documents through the York University online portal, MyFile.
- Within four business days of application, you will receive a confirmation email with your nine-digit student reference number, which will allow you to access your MyFile account and upload your documents.
- It is important to check your MyFile regularly for any documents you are required to submit and updates to the status of your application
- Fall 2025 Online Application: February 15, 2025
- Fall 2025 Submission of Supporting Documents: March 1, 2025
Transcripts
Academic transcripts or degree certificates (if degree conferral is not indicated on transcripts) are required from every post-secondary institution you attended. This includes:
- Undergraduate and graduate studies
- Exchange programs
- Studies for which you did not complete a degree
Transcripts are not required for studies completed at York University.
If you are currently completing your studies, submit your in-progress transcript.
More information about transcript submission is available on the York University Graduate Admissions page.
Statement of Academic Interest
Your statement must include the following three parts with no more than the allotted word limits:
Part 1: Research Project Title and Keywords (25 words maximum)
Part 2: Research Description (no more than 500 words maximum)
- Tell us about your research topic, research objectives or questions, theoretical frameworks and key literatures relevant to your topic, and research design/methodology. Provide a one-page bibliography (does not count in word limit).
Part 3: Personal Statement (no more than 250 words maximum)
- Tell us about your academic background, training and contributions to research, relevant work or other experience, and specific interests in the MES/JD program. Identify full-time faculty members in environmental studies whose research aligns with your interests.
Note: You do not need to secure a supervisor prior to applying. However, it is strongly recommended that you connect with environmental studies faculty members to discuss your shared research interests and potential supervision. If you are accepted into the program, a supervisor will be assigned to you based on your research interests.
Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
You may also wish to include the following information (if applicable) in your resumé or curriculum vitae:
- Academic honours (scholarships, fellowships, awards, etc.)
- Academic and professional qualifications and memberships
- Publications and reports (if any are joint-authored, please provide a separate note describing your contribution)
Two forms – Referee and Supplementary Information – must be completed. These can be found under the “Supplementary Information Forms” link in your MyFile account. It is best to prepare your answers in advance and then copy and paste them into the form.
Referee Information Form
- You will be required to submit two references or referees.
- Please provide us with the names, email addresses and mailing addresses of your referees. A link will be emailed, on your behalf, to your referees to complete a Letter of Recommendation form.
- Your referees will have two weeks to complete the form.
Academic references are strongly preferred. It is possible to use professional references if necessary, provided they address your critical thinking skills and how adept you are at dealing with theoretical concepts.
Supplementary Information Form
This is a standard graduate form, so some questions will not apply.
- Question 1: Awards information – Please list any external awards you have applied for (such as the SHHRC and OGS).
- Question 2: Language skill – Does not apply to the Master in Environmental Studies. Please leave this section blank.
- Question 3: Program options – You must indicate that you are interested in the MES/JD program here.
- Question 4: Professors you hope to work with – Please identify three faculty members, as mentioned in your Statement of Academic Interest, who could be a potential supervisor.
- Question 5: Other information – You may include any additional information that you feel is relevant to your application that has not been previously mentioned.
(if applicable)
If your first language is not English, you must demonstrate you have an acceptable level of English by completing a language proficiency test:
- TOEFL – paper-based: 600; computer-based: 250; iBT: 100 (York code: 0894)
- IELTS (Academic) – overall band score: 7.5
Note: You must meet the required minimum score for your application to be considered. For more details, see York University’s English language proficiency information.
MES Planning
Complete the York University Graduate Application Form.
- No documents will be reviewed prior to the submission of an online application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit supporting documents, supplementary forms and English language proficiency (if applicable) through the York University online portal, MyFile.
- Within four business days of application, you will receive a confirmation email with your nine-digit student reference number, which will allow you to access your MyFile account and upload your documents.
- It is important to check your MyFile regularly for any documents you are required to submit and updates to the status of your application.
- Fall 2025 Online Application: February 15, 2025
- Fall 2025 Submission of Supporting Documents: March 1, 2025
Transcripts
Academic transcripts or degree certificates (if degree conferral is not indicated on transcripts) are required from every post-secondary institution you attended. This includes:
- Undergraduate and graduate studies
- Exchange programs
- Studies for which you did not complete a degree
Transcripts are not required for studies completed at York University.
If you are currently completing your studies, submit your in-progress transcript.
More information about transcript submission is available on the York University Graduate Admissions page.
Statement of Academic Interest
Your statement must include the following three parts with no more than the allotted word limits:
Part 1: Research Project Title and Keywords (25 words maximum)
Part 2: Research Description (no more than 500 words maximum)
- Tell us about your research topic, research objectives or questions, theoretical frameworks and key literature relevant to your topic, and research design/methodology. Provide a one-page bibliography (does not count in word limit).
Part 3: Personal Statement (no more than 250 words maximum)
- Tell us about your academic background, training and contributions to research, relevant work or other experience, and specific interests in the Planning program. Identify full-time faculty members in environmental studies whose research aligns with your interests.
Note: You do not need to secure a supervisor prior to applying. However, it is strongly recommended that you connect with environmental studies faculty members to discuss your shared research interests and potential supervision. If you are accepted into the program, a supervisor will be assigned to you based on your research interests.
Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
You may also wish to include the following information (if applicable) in your resumé or curriculum vitae:
- Academic honours (scholarships, fellowships, awards, etc.)
- Academic and professional qualifications and memberships
- Publications and reports (if any are joint-authored, please provide a separate note describing your contribution)
Two forms – Referee and Supplementary Information – must be completed. These can be found under the “Supplementary Information Forms” link in your MyFile account. It is best to prepare your answers in advance and then copy and paste them into the form.
Referee Information Form
- You will be required to submit two references or referees.
- Please provide us with the names, email addresses and mailing addresses of your referees. A link will be emailed, on your behalf, to your referees to complete a Letter of Recommendation form.
- Your referees will have two weeks to complete the form.
Academic references are strongly preferred. It is possible to use professional references if necessary, provided that they address your critical thinking skills and how adept you are at dealing with theoretical concepts.
Supplementary Information Form
This is a standard graduate form, so some questions will not apply.
- Question 1: Awards information – Please list any external awards you have applied for (such as the SHHRC and OGS).
- Question 2: Language skill – Does not apply to the Planning program. Please leave this section blank.
- Question 3: Program options – You must indicate that you are interested in the Planning program.
- Question 4: Professors you hope to work with – Please identify three faculty members, as mentioned in your Statement of Academic Interest, who could be potential supervisors.
- Question 5: Other information – You may include any additional information that you feel is relevant to your application that has not been previously mentioned.
Professional Experience Form
(if applicable)
We value professional and volunteer experience and appreciate that there may have been barriers that previously hindered your academic studies. Any domestic student who does not meet the minimum academic requirements may still apply to the MES program. You will be required to complete the Professional Experience Application Form in order to complete your application.
Completing this form will provide you with the opportunity to explain to the MES Admissions Committee why you do not meet the minimum academic requirements and how your work and/or life experiences have prepared you to be successful in our Master’s program.
Experiences may include:
• Work experience – paid or unpaid
• Academic experience – such as research projects
• Community or activist organizing or involvement
• Creative artistic practice (including work in popular cultural forms outside of formal arts institutions)
After you have applied and submitted your previous post-secondary transcripts, an admissions assessor will review your documents. If the assessor determines you do not meet our academic requirements, we will contact you and send you the Professional Experience Form in order to complete your application.
Please note: If you are asked to submit this form, it will become part of your application checklist and required to complete your application for a decision. Your application will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee without this form. Pre-application GPA assessments are not available. All application documents are assessed by our Admissions team.
(if applicable)
If your first language is not English, you must demonstrate you have an acceptable level of English by completing a language proficiency test:
- TOEFL – paper-based: 600; computer-based: 250; iBT: 100 (York code: 0894)
- IELTS (Academic) – overall band score: 7.5
Note: You must meet the required minimum score for your application to be considered.
For more details, see York University’s English language proficiency information.
PhD
- Complete the online York University Graduate Application Form.
- No documents will be reviewed prior to the submission of an online application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit supporting documents through the York University online portal, MyFile.
- Within four business days of application, you will receive a confirmation email with your nine-digit student reference number, which will allow you to access your MyFile account and upload your documents.
- It is important to check your MyFile regularly for any documents you are required to submit and updates to the status of your application.
- Fall 2025 Online Application: January 15, 2025
- Fall 2025 Submission of Supporting Documents: February 1, 2025
Transcripts
Academic transcripts or degree certificates (if degree conferral is not indicated on transcripts) are required from every post-secondary institution you attended. This includes:
- Undergraduate and graduate studies
- Exchange programs
- Studies for which you did not complete a degree
Transcripts are not required for studies completed at York University.
If you are currently completing your studies, submit your in-progress transcript.
More information about transcript submission is available on the York University Graduate Admissions page.
Statement of Academic Interest
Your statement must include the following three parts with no more than the allotted word limits:
Part 1: Research Project Title and Keywords (25 words maximum)
Part 2: Research Description (no more than 1500 words maximum)
- Tell us about your research topic, research objectives or questions, theoretical frameworks and key literature relevant to your topic, and research design/methodology. Emphasize your contribution to fields of scholarship and/or practice. Provide a one-page bibliography (does not count in word limit).
Part 3: Personal Statement (no more than 1000 words maximum)
- Tell us about your academic background, training and contributions to research, relevant work or other experience, and specific interests in this PhD program. Identify full-time faculty members in environmental studies whose research aligns with your interests.
Note: You do not need to secure a supervisor prior to applying. However, it is strongly recommended that you connect with environmental studies faculty members to discuss your shared research interests and potential supervision. If you are accepted into the program, a supervisor will be assigned to you based on your research interests.
Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
You may also wish to include the following information (if applicable) in your resumé or curriculum vitae:
- Academic honours (scholarships, fellowships, awards, etc.)
- Academic and professional qualifications and memberships
- Publications and reports (if any are jointly authored, please provide a separate note describing your contribution)
Sample of Written Work
- The writing sample should be your best and most recent academic writing (such as a thesis chapter or article) as appropriate to your research area.
- The writing sample must be in English and no more than 50 pages.
Two forms – Referee and Supplementary Information – must be completed. These can be found under the “Supplementary Information Forms” link in your MyFile account. It is best to prepare your answers in advance and then copy and paste them into the form.
Referee Information Form
- You will be required to submit two references or referees.
- Please provide us with the names, email addresses and mailing addresses of your referees. A link will emailed, on your behalf, to your referees to complete a Letter of Recommendation form.
- Your referees will have two weeks to complete the form.
Academic references are strongly preferred. It is possible to use professional references if necessary, provided they address your critical thinking skills and facility with conceptual and theoretical materials.
Supplementary Information Form
This is a standard graduate form, so some questions will not apply.
- Question 1: Awards information – Please list any external awards you have applied for (such as the SHHRC and OGS).
- Question 2: Language skill – Does not apply to the PhD in Environmental Studies. Please leave this section blank.
- Question 3: Program options – Does not apply to the PhD in Environmental Studies. Please leave this section blank.
- Question 4: Professors you hope to work with – Please identify three faculty members, as mentioned in your Research Statement, who could be potential supervisors.
- Question 5: Other information – You may include any additional information you feel is relevant to your application that has not been previously mentioned.
(if applicable)
If your first language is not English, you must demonstrate you have an acceptable level of English by completing a language proficiency test:
- TOEFL – paper-based: 600; computer-based: 250; iBT: 100 (York code: 0894)
- IELTS (Academic) – overall band score: 7.5
Note: You must meet the required minimum score for your application to be considered.
For more details, see York University’s English language proficiency information.
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Environmental Studies at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.