Canada · Master's
University of Toronto
MA in Political Science
University of Toronto
Course Overview
Toronto's Department of Political Science is the largest and most highly ranked in Canada, and the one-year MA is deliberately compressed: coursework across your chosen fields plus a major research paper, finished inside twelve months. Fields include comparative politics, international relations, political theory, Canadian government, public policy, and political economy, with the Munk School of Global Affairs and the Asian Institute adjacent for regional and security specialisation.
The one-year structure suits two very different applicants. For those heading to a doctorate, it is a fast, well-supervised way to produce the writing sample and faculty references that funded PhD admission turns on — and Toronto MA graduates place into strong North American and European doctoral programmes. For those heading into policy work, diplomacy or development, it is a credential earned in a single academic year rather than two, which matters when you are self-funding. Sri Lankan applicants with foreign-service, think-tank or civil-society backgrounds are a natural fit for the comparative and IR fields.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Four-year Bachelor's degree with a mid-B+ average or better in the final year (roughly a Sri Lankan Second Upper to First Class) — a three-year Sri Lankan degree may require a qualifying year or an additional postgraduate diploma.
- check_circle Substantial background in political science or a cognate discipline (history, economics, law, international relations, sociology).
- check_circle Statement of intent identifying your fields and the faculty whose work you want to build on.
- check_circle Writing sample — an undergraduate research paper or dissertation chapter.
- check_circle Two academic references. The GRE is not required.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall (no band below 6.5).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 93 Overall (writing 22+).
- check_circle Waived if your degree was completed at a recognised university where English is the sole language of instruction — a Medium of Instruction letter is required and covers most Sri Lankan applicants.
- check_circle The writing sample also functions as informal evidence of academic English, so choose it carefully.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (CAD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (12 months, international) | CAD 33,000 | Rs. 7,755,000 |
| Living Expenses (12 months, Toronto) | CAD 22,000 | Rs. 5,170,000 |
| UHIP Health Insurance & Incidental Fees | CAD 2,000 | Rs. 470,000 |
| Study Permit, Flights & Setup | CAD 2,500 | Rs. 587,500 |
| Total Programme Investment | CAD 59,500 | Rs. 13,982,500 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Graduates split between doctoral study and policy careers — federal and provincial public service, Global Affairs Canada, policy and research institutes, international organisations, political risk and consulting, and NGO and advocacy leadership. Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit for a one-year Master's runs up to three years of open work rights, and Master's graduates score well under Express Entry. Sri Lankan graduates come back into policy roles at the Institute of Policy Studies, Verité Research, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, LIRNEasia and the Foreign Ministry, into political-risk and governance advisory for the multilaterals, and into teaching posts at Colombo, Peradeniya, Jaffna and the private universities.
Related Programs
Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA)
University of British Columbia (UBC)
MA Anthropology of Travel, Tourism and Pilgrimage
SOAS University of London
MA Economics and Public Policy
Sciences Po
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in Canada. We handle everything from applications to visa processing.
ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.