Overview

Program Mission

We believe at the heart of planning lies a commitment to humane city-regions, healthy environments and social well-being for everyone (especially, for those who have been historically marginalized through traditional development practices); we strive to foster places that are livable, equitable, and sustainable.

Located within a large Geography Department at the University of Toronto, our approach to Planning is interdisciplinary, critical and engaged, where students can pursue their interests in planning theory and history, political economy and public finance, social planning and policy analysis, urban design, environmental studies, and international development.

We are a community of scholars, practitioners and activists engaged in studying the dynamics of city-regions and committed to fostering places that are sustainable, accessible, beautiful and just. Our distinguished faculty bring an unusually wide variety of perspectives to bear on planning education – based on extensive research and outreach projects across the economic, social, urban, environmental and design dimensions of planning.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Planning History, Thought, and Practice
Planning Decision Methods
Legal Basis of Planning
Workshop in Planning Practice
Communication in the Face of Power
Place, Politics, and the Urban
Toronto Urban Landscapes: Planning, Politics, and Development

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-10 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

93

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Toronto, Canada

Disciplines

Urban Planning View 7 other PhDs in Urban Planning in Canada

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

93

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

PhD applicants should have a recognized master’s degree and have completed all previous graduate level studies with an A- average or higher.
Students can enter the program with either a Master’s degree in Planning or a related field. They should demonstrate competence in analytical methods (or successful completion of one of two methods courses in the current MScPl program or an equivalent Master’s program).
We view professional planning or related experience favourably during the admissions process and encourage applications from those belonging to groups that are currently underrepresented in the academic and professional worlds of planning.

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Toronto and/or in Canada, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

6210 CAD / year

≈ 6210 CAD / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

6210 CAD / year

≈ 6210 CAD / year

Living costs

Toronto

Canada

1502 - 2563 CAD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Loading

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Planning.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Program Mission

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Toronto

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners