What’s it like to study a Masters in Toronto?
The city of Toronto was established in 1834, taking its name from an Iroquois term for ‘place where there are trees in water’. Even though Ottawa was named capital of the fledgling Canadian nation, Toronto quickly industrialised and grew into a manufacturing hub.
Toronto has a long history of welcoming immigrants and today it is often cited as one of the most diverse cities in the world. More than 140 languages are spoken in Toronto and around 46% of the population were born outside Canada.
The Toronto skyline is dominated by the iconic CN Tower (the world’s tallest tower for 33 years), although a host of other skyscrapers rise above the waters of Lake Ontario. For postgraduates wanting some peace and quiet, it’s easy to escape to one of the city’s many parks and recreational areas, with the tranquil Toronto Islands only a 13-minute ferry ride away from downtown.
These ferries are part of Toronto’s extensive public transport system, which encompasses buses, trams (streetcars), commuter rail and subway. Cycling is also popular for those wishing to escape the city’s notorious traffic jams.
Cultural highlights include the Art Gallery of Toronto, which is one of the biggest art museums in North America. Its impressive collection features work by the likes of Rembrandt, van Gogh, Monet and Rothko. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is the most visited museum in Canada, with a world-class collection of culture and natural history exhibits.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is a major event in the Toronto cultural calendar: one of the largest and most influential film festivals in the world, it attracts around 480,000 attendees every September.
Student housing is available across the city, both off and on-campus. The cost of living in Toronto isn’t cheap, so it’s a good idea to begin your search for accommodation as soon as possible, giving yourself enough time to strike the right balance between location and affordability.
Universities in Toronto
Toronto is home to seven universities and several higher education institutions. The largest is the University of Toronto (UoT), which was founded in 1827 and has just over 90,000 students. Frequently ranked among the world’s top universities, UoT is a public research university.
York University and Ryerson University are also sizeable public research universities in Toronto. Meanwhile, OCAD University focuses on subjects related to Art, Design and Media. Other higher education institutions in the city include Centennial College and Humber College.
Careers in Toronto
A thriving, diverse economy makes the city an attractive option for postgraduates looking to stay on in Toronto after their studies have finished. As well as being Canada’s economic centre, Toronto is an international hub for banking and finance. Other major business sectors in Toronto include technology, design, fashion, energy and media. Toronto also has a booming film and TV production industry.
Many multinational companies have their Canadian headquarters in Toronto, including IBM, Microsoft, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola.
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