Admissions

English language requirements

Applicants who have not completed three or more years of post-secondary work at a Canadian institution or at an institution at which English was the primary language of instruction, or have not been employed for a similar period of time in a position in which English was the primary language of business will be required to provide certification of English language proficiency through an approved examination.

Please see the English Language Proficiency section of the Graduate Studies Calendar for further details regarding English language proficiency and admission of students from other countries.

Admission requirements

Requirements for admission to the program are:

  • Successful completion of either:
    • A four-year honours undergraduate degree or equivalent with a B (75%) minimum overall average. International students must have a four-year honours undergraduate degree or equivalent with a B (75%) minimum overall average from one of the recognized universities listed on the International Association of Universities web site.
    • A three-year degree, or equivalent, with at least a B (75%) average, 8 years of Canadian tax-related work experience showing career advancement and a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score of at least 550, or an equivalent Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score using Educational Testing Service (ETS)'s Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Comparison Table for Business Schools. 
  • There are no prerequisite courses required for the Master of Taxation (MTax) program. If the knowledge acquired in your degree studies and/or in your career is equivalent to that provided by all of the following, then you will be exempt from the pre-admission course (TAX 600):
    • Two-course introductory sequence in Canadian taxation law,
    • Introductory financial accounting.

If the Admissions Committee concludes you do not have the above knowledge, you must take TAX 600 - Introductory Tax and Accounting for MTax students as a pre-admission course.

You are encouraged to have completed the following university courses as well:

  • Business Law
  • Introductory Finance
  • If your first language is not English, you may be required to demonstrate English proficiency through an acceptable examination and score as set out by Graduate Studies.
  • The MTax admissions committee bases its selections on an applicant's previous academic performance, work experience and other relevant information. An interview may be required.
  • A GMAT score report (including a copy of your response to the analytical writing assessment segment of the exam) is required by all students that do not hold a degree from a Canadian university. A GMAT score may also be requested from any applicant.
  • Two references will be requested, with at least one being academic.
  • Include a one-page statement indicating why you wish to study taxation and what you hope to accomplish.
  • Include a copy of your resume.

Application

Graduate Studies applications are completed online.

Note: applications will not be processed without the application fee.

Summary of information needed:

  1. An application fee of $125.  You can pay by credit card, please follow instructions in the online application.
  2. Keep a copy of the application form.
  3. Two letters of reference, at least one being an academic reference.
  4. Copies of original transcripts/degrees awarded for all undergraduate and graduate programs attended. Please follow the procedures found on the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) Office (GSO) website.
  5. A one-page statement indicating why you wish to study taxation and what you hope to accomplish.
  6. Your resume.
  7. A copy of your official English proficiency results from an examination acceptable to Graduate Studies.
  8. A copy of your GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) score report (including a copy of your response to the analytical writing assessment segment of the exam) is required by all students that do not hold a degree from a Canadian University. A GMAT score may also be requested from any applicant.
  9. Interview may be required.

Applications are normally due by April 1 each year for a September start date.