University of Toronto

Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto (U of T), in Toronto, Ontario, is the largest university in Canada.

The College System

Every arts and science student on the St. George Campus is a member of one of the seven colleges (federated and constituent), which act, ideally, as a smaller-scale intellectual and social community for its members. In practice, they are mostly residential and administrative in nature. The university administers almost all courses, and what courses one may take are independent of one's college. While U of T's college system was originally based the system at the University of London, U of T's colleges are not as autonomous, nor do they bear as much of an instructional responsibility to their students. However, first-year seminars and academic programs are offered by all colleges.

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Colleges have differences in character and resources. Trinity and Innis are both quite small, and thus more selective. St. Michael's remains solidly Catholic, and to a lesser degree Trinity is quite Anglican. Victoria College is the wealthiest of the federated colleges, and thus has more scholarships and better facilities. Each college is home to certain academic departments, and thus also sometimes attract such students. Trinity is home to the Munk Centre for International Studies, while the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies is associated with St. Michael's.

Related Topics:
Munk Centre for International Studies - Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies

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Federated colleges

• University of Trinity College (est. 1851, federated 1904)
• University of St. Michael's College (est. 1852, affiliated with U of T 1881, full federation 1910)
• Victoria College (est. 1836, federated 1892)

Constituent colleges

• University College (est. 1853)
• New College (est. 1962)
• Innis College (est. 1964)
• Woodsworth College (est. 1974)