Admissions

Prospective students whose native language is not English are required to take an English language proficiency test. Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs before your application is complete. The School of Urban and Regional Planning requires the following minimum scores for the ELP tests that are accepted by the SGSPA at Queen’s University:

• TOEFL (paper-based): 600
• TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT): The minimum overall score is 100, made up of the minimum scores in each component test as follows:
  • Writing test: 25/30
  • Speaking test: 25/30
  • Reading test: 25/30
  • Listening test: 25/30
  • Applicants must have the minimum score in each test, as well as the minimum overall score.
• IELTS: 7.0 academic module overall band score and a 7.0 for each test band (listening, reading, writing and speaking)
• PTE Academic: 65
• Canadian Academic English Language (Computer Edition) (CAEL CE): 70 (minimum overall score).

*English Proficiency Test Scores are valid for two years.

A complete application must include official, up-to-date transcripts for all current and previous study the applicant has listed in the Academic Background section of the application.

Transcripts can be uploaded to the online application as PDF files. The transcripts must be scanned (black and white recommended) and saved as a PDF file, and uploaded successfully. Complete instructions are available to applicants on the Transcript Upload section of the online application.

If a transcript or transcripts cannot be successfully uploaded to the online application, applicants are responsible for ensuring that an official transcript or transcripts of all current and previous university-level studies are sent to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs by all universities previously attended. All hard copy transcripts received as part of an application for admission must be received in sealed envelopes.

Final transcripts: Hard copy original official transcript showing degree completion and conferral, will be required from all applicants who accept an offer of admission to graduate studies at Queen's University. These final transcripts are to be sent directly from the issuing institutions to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, in sealed envelopes.

Transcripts sent from the issuing university should be sent to:

School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs
Queen's University
Gordon Hall Room 425
74 Union Street
Kingston, Ontario
Canada K7L 3N6

Notes:

1. Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation provided by the institution issuing the transcript.
2. Photocopied transcripts or those printed from a university website are not permitted.
3. Degree and graduation certificates must be included if the transcript does not indicate the type of degree and date granted.
4. Transcripts are to be sent directly from the issuing institutions to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, in sealed envelopes.
5. All hard copy transcripts received as part of an application for admission must be received in sealed envelopes.
   Transcripts submitted with applications become the property of Queen's University, are subject to verification, are not available for copying and will not be returned to the applicant.
6. Official transcripts are NOT REQUIRED for any study of any kind carried out at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs will access the student record directly for applicants who have attended or are currently attending Queen's University.

Two current academic recommendations are required. If you have been out of university for longer than 4 years, then one or more professional recommendations may be acceptable at the discretion of the SURP Admissions Coordinator. However, all effort should be made to include academic recommendations. Applicants applying online will have the option to have their referee submit the letter of recommendation to Queen's University electronically. Photocopied or stale-dated letters are unacceptable.

A "statement of interest" is required. State your interest in the field of urban and regional planning, e.g. is there a specific topic you propose to study and how do you propose to address your topic in your program at Queen's?

There is a non-refundable application fee of $120.00 CAN for each application to a program. Those applying online must pay the application fee using a MasterCard or Visa credit card. Those applying with a paper application must submit with that paper application a certified cheque or money order of $120.00 CAN, payable to Queen's University.

• Application Deadline for ALL applicants, including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, landed immigrants, and international applicants:
  • March 1 for admission consideration with grants and financial awards.
  • After March 1, applications MAY be considered on a rolling basis if there are spots still available.
  • While applications for international applicants close March 1 for September admission but we recommend completing it by January 31 because immigration procedures are lengthy.
• Notification of Acceptance:
  • For complete applications received by March 1:  April 1
  • For applications received after March 1:  6 weeks or longer
• Formal Acceptance by Applicant on SGS portal:
  • As indicated in the notice of acceptance from the SURP Admissions Coordinator.
• Payment of Acceptance Deposit
  • In order to secure an offer of admission to our program, a student must pay a $500 acceptance deposit within four weeks of accepting the offer of admission. The Graduate Programs Coordinator will inform accepted students of the exact due date for the acceptance deposit and how to make the payment.

To submit an online application:

Visit the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs application portal. Create a new user account, complete and submit your application by completing all the screens presented to you. 

Note: When submitting your application, if you are interested in being considered for financial awards from the University and Department, select the box labelled "I Wish to be considered for Financial Aid" in your application.

*Reminder to select 'Save and Continue' before moving to the next set of questions. 

Yes. We have no fixed pre-requisites. The majority of our students come from the social sciences and humanities.

The vast majority of our students have never completed a planning course before enrolling in the program.

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MPL) is offered only as a full-time, in-person program. This intensive five-term professional degree emphasizes collaboration through classes, labs, group projects, fieldwork, site visits, and close interaction with faculty and classmates, with students typically committing up to 60 hours per week. As a result, the program is not compatible with full-time employment or part-time study, and students are expected to live in Kingston during the fall and winter terms. In limited cases, students who have completed their coursework and secured full-time employment may be granted part-time status after their fifth term to finish their thesis or report.

No. Students do not need to arrange a supervisor before admission or contact faculty in advance. Research topics and supervisors are selected near the end of the first year based on students' evolving interests, their report or thesis proposal, and faculty expertise and availability.

An interview is not part of our admissions process. But we encourage prospective candidates to visit the school if you are in Central Canada, to meet our faculty, staff and students. The fall Open House is a good time to visit, but we welcome visits throughout the year.

The MPL program does not offer TA jobs. MPL students are considered for TA positions in the Department of Geography and Planning after PhD and research MA/MSc students. But you may also write the head of the Queen's Department in your undergraduate field to enquire about opportunities. SURP students have TA'd Geography, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies and Civil Engineering courses recently, but the jobs are often mainly reserved for Graduate Students in research streams in these departments.

A TA job is a large commitment for a student in an intense, course-based professional Master's degree such as an M.PL.