At Knox College, study is more than academic. It’s a formative journey shaped by close-knit learning, thoughtful mentorship, and a vibrant community rooted in faith and scholarship. As part of the Toronto School of Theology and a federated college of the University of Toronto, Knox offers rigorous programs that prepare students for ministry, psychotherapy, theological research, and personal growth.
Students benefit from small class sizes, engaged faculty, and a learning environment where questions are welcomed and conversations matter. Professors bring deep expertise and a genuine commitment to your spiritual, intellectual, and professional development.
We invite you to explore program information, review the application requirements and deadlines, and take the next step in your academic and professional journey.
Applicants are required to complete an online application form, which must include a Statement of Intent and a current Résumé or curriculum vitae.
Your Statement of Intent should be approximately 1-2 pages in length. In your statement, please address the following areas:
All applicants must include a current résumé or curriculum vitae. We encourage inclusion of relevant volunteer, vocational, and faith-based experience that may demonstrated preparation for study.
Knox College requires all applicants to submit official transcripts from each post-secondary institutions attended. An official transcript sent directly from the issuing institution to be considered official.
Institutions may submit official transcripts one of the following ways:
Admissions Counsellor
Knox College
59 St. George Street
Toronto, ON
M5S 2E6
Please note that Knox College cannot accept transcripts submitted directly by applicants, nor can we consider scanned copies or screenshots from a Student Information System as official transcripts.
Applicants who have completed studies at recognized institutions outside of Canada must hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, as assessed by the University of Toronto.
To support the evaluation process, applicants are encouraged to submit official international transcripts directly to World Education Services (WES) for verification.
If WES is not used, all transcripts, certificates, and other formal academic documents not issued in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation and submitted along with the original documents.
As part of your online application, you will be asked to provide the names and valid email addresses of your referees.
Once your application is submitted, each referee will receive an email from Knox College Admissions containing detailed instructions and a secure link to upload their reference letter directly. Applicants are advised to inform their referees in advance and to ask them to check their junk or spam folders if the email is not received promptly.
Please note that references may be contacted by Knox College to verify authenticity.
Pastoral Reference
All applicants are required to submit a pastoral reference. This reference should provide insight into your faith journey, your involvement in a spiritual community, and your potential for success in theological study. The referee must not be a family member.
For applicants to the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program, the pastoral reference must be provided by your current minister.
Academic or Professional Reference
In addition to a pastoral reference, all applicants must submit either an academic or professional reference. This reference should speak to your intellectual readiness, academic or vocational strengths, and engagement within an academic or professional setting. Referees should be individuals who taught you in an academic context or worked closely with you in a professional capacity, and who can assess your potential for success.
TST Transfers and New Program Applications
Applicants who are current, former, or withdrawn students from a Toronto School of Theology (TST) member college and are seeking to transfer to Knox College (either to complete an existing Basic Degree program or to begin a new one) are required to submit a letter of recommendation. This letter must come from the Basic Degree Director at the applicant’s current or most recently attended TST college. The letter should address the applicant’s academic standing and character.
To study at Knox College and the University of Toronto, applicants must demonstrate effective communication in English. Proof of English-Language proficiency must be submitted by the application deadline for the application to be considered. Applicants should review the Knox College English-Language Proficiency Requirements in detail.
Applicants to the Certificate in Theological Studies – Presbyterian Leadership Studies (CTS) or the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program who are certified candidates or currently in the process of certification for ministry with the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) should submit their Education and Reception (E&R) Letter or Notice of Certification by the Presbytery to Knox Admissions once available.
Applicants may submit additional supporting documents as needed following discussion with the Admissions Counsellor, such as a supplementary letter to the Admissions Committee or additional reference letters.
| Domestic Applicants | International Applicants |
|---|---|
| CTS / MDiv / MTS: October 15, 2025 (Winter start only)
MPS, Spiritual Care (Jewish Focus only): October 15, 2025 (Winter start only) |
CTS / MDiv / MPS / MTS: January 30, 2026 |
| MPS: April 10, 2026 | |
| CTS / MDiv / MTS: May 1, 2026 (Fall start only) | |
| CTS (PCC E&R only): June 10, 2026 |
The Knox College Admissions Committee oversees the Basic Degree (CTS, MDiv, MPS, and MTS) admissions process ensuring the minimum admission requirements are upheld for all Basic Degree Programs as mandated by Knox College, the Toronto School of Theology, the University of Toronto, and the Association of Theological Schools.
The Knox College Admissions Committee does not disclose the reason(s) for declining admission or offer feedback to declined applications. All decisions related to Basic Degree Program admissions are final and are not subject to appeal.
Basic Degree program applicants who are offered admission may request to defer the start of their program, by one year only, until the following September, and will be required to pay a non-refundable deferral fee of $50 CAD. If an applicant is unable to start the program following a deferral, their admissions file will be closed. A new application will be required for admission to program studies at a later date.
Applicants to a conjoint basic degree program must hold an appropriate baccalaureate degree with adequate standing (normally at least B- standing in their final year) from an institution approved by a Canadian provincial quality assurance agency, or accredited by a US agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or demonstrated educational equivalent of a North American baccalaureate degree as judged by the Admissions and Procedures Committee (A&P Committee), which may make reference to information provided by the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Toronto.
In cases where an institution is not from an institution approved by a Canadian provincial quality assurance agency, or accredited by a US agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the TST member college must submit a transcript, brief information about the institution, including faculty and their academic credentials, and an accompanying letter indicating its desire to admit the student to the TST Registrar, who serves as Secretary to the A&P Committee, for consideration by the Committee. The College representative on Basic Degree Committee (BDC) will present the case to the A&P Committee at its meeting. The A&P Committee has the authority to make decisions on non-standard credentials. In cases where precedents have been set by the A&P Committee, TST colleges may admit graduates from such institutions without submitting a request for consideration. A college may appeal the decision of the A&P Committee in respect of equivalent credentials to the BDC.
The Admissions and Procedures Committee process is coordinated and managed by TST, and as a result, may take additional time to render an admissions decision. This process may impact an applicant’s opportunity to begin program studies in a semester. Application files that are delayed by the A&P process will be considered for the next semester admission. No programs offer program start in summer semester.
