What Do You Need for a Master's Application? Statements, Research Proposals, References, CV, Transcripts and English Scores at Graduate Schools in the US, Canada and the UK, with Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

Master's application materials are broadly similar across universities, but the details differ: how many statements and how long, how many references, which English scores, and when official transcripts are needed. Using official websites read in November 2026, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US, UBC and the University of Toronto in Canada, and the University of Manchester in the UK, this guide goes through each item. For timing, see our guide to planning your master's applications; for undergraduate planning, see our application timeline by grade.

1. Statements: personal statement, academic statement and research proposal

• Illinois Urbana-Champaign: all applicants upload an academic statement of 500–1000 words; there are also personal statement questions with a 250-word maximum each, where questions 1 and 2 are required and 3 and 4 are optional (Illinois application instructions).
• Manchester: some programs require a research proposal, and the website advises checking the department website because instructions vary (Manchester: how to apply).
• How to write them: an academic statement focuses on why you chose the field, what you have studied, the research or projects you have done and your plans after graduating; a personal statement focuses on your experiences and background. Read each program's prompts and word limits first rather than sending one generic draft everywhere.

2. References

• Illinois: most graduate programs require three letters of reference; check the number with your proposed program (Illinois application instructions).
• UW-Madison: letters are submitted by referees as PDFs through an online portal; each graduate program has its own recommendation process, and the Graduate School does not state a single number (UW-Madison apply).
• UBC: a minimum of two references is required for graduate programs (UBC application and admission).
• Manchester: the website says you may need two references (Manchester: how to apply).
• Whom to ask: master's admissions look at academic ability, so prioritize professors who taught your major courses or supervised your research or thesis; if you have relevant work experience, a supervisor who knows your work can be added. Ask at least a month ahead and send your CV, statement drafts and application list.

3. CV and transcripts

• CV: Illinois states that most graduate programs require a resume or curriculum vitae (Illinois application instructions). Organize it by education, research and projects, internships and work, publications and awards, and skills, with dates, your role and outcomes.
• Transcripts: at Illinois you upload a transcript for each institution, and official transcripts are needed only if you are admitted; at UW-Madison you upload copies, and official transcripts are needed only if the program recommends admission (UW-Madison apply).
• Documents for degrees from China: Illinois's China page asks for scanned official transcripts for all institutions, a scanned certificate of degree or diploma for each degree, and native-language copies with official English translations (Illinois: China).

4. English scores

University	Stated minimums
Illinois (full status)	TOEFL iBT 5.0 (scores dated after January 20, 2026; 103 before), IELTS Academic 7.5, Duolingo 135
Illinois (limited status)	TOEFL iBT 4.0 (79 before), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115
UW-Madison	TOEFL 5.0 (tests on or after January 21, 2026; 92 before), IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 125; with program approval and an ESLAT on arrival, TOEFL 4.5, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115–124
UBC	TOEFL 4.5 (tests from January 21, 2026; 90 before), IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each band, Duolingo 125; taken within the last 24 months
University of Toronto	Taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission; minimum scores not stated on the pages read
Manchester	Usually the equivalent of IELTS 6.0–7.5, depending on the course

(Illinois international applicants, UW-Madison requirements, UBC application and admission, U of T admission requirements, Manchester entry requirements) Universities list new TOEFL minimums for tests taken from January 2026 and the earlier minimums for older scores; check which set applies to your score. Individual programs may ask for more; check the program page.

5. Application fees

• Illinois: $90.00, paid by credit card (Illinois application instructions).
• UW-Madison: $75, plus an extra $6 processing fee for international applicants (UW-Madison apply).
• University of Toronto: CDN $135, non-refundable and non-transferable, plus a program-specific supplementary fee for some programs (U of T admission requirements).
• UBC and Manchester: fees are not stated on the pages read; check the application system.

6. Notes for domestic and international applicants (including students in China)

• Domestic applicants: students who earned their bachelor's degree in the same country can often skip English tests (for example, UW-Madison exempts applicants with a bachelor's degree from an accredited US institution); focus on statements and references.
• International applicants: note each university's English validity window (24 months at UBC and Toronto) and the format required for transcripts and degree documents; TOEFL minimums differ by test date, so check which set applies to your score.
• Students in China: China is not on Illinois's English-exempt list (Illinois international applicants), and UBC's China page states that applicants from Chinese universities are usually required to submit English results (UBC: China). Prepare scans of transcripts and degree and graduation certificates with official English translations.

Frequently asked questions

How many references do master's applications require?

It varies. Most graduate programs at Illinois Urbana-Champaign require three, though you should check with your program; UBC requires a minimum of two; Manchester says you may need two; and at UW-Madison each program sets its own recommendation process.

What statements does Illinois Urbana-Champaign ask for in a master's application?

All applicants upload an academic statement of 500–1000 words; there are also personal statement questions with a 250-word maximum each, where questions 1 and 2 are required and 3 and 4 are optional. Most programs also require a CV, and the application fee is $90.00.

What TOEFL scores do these universities require from 2026?

Illinois Urbana-Champaign requires TOEFL iBT 5.0 for full status (scores dated after January 20, 2026; 103 before); UW-Madison requires TOEFL 5.0 (tests on or after January 21, 2026; 92 before); UBC requires TOEFL 4.5 (tests from January 21, 2026; 90 before), taken within the last 24 months.

What documents do applicants with degrees from China need?

Taking Illinois Urbana-Champaign as an example: scanned official transcripts for all institutions, a scanned certificate of degree or diploma for each degree, and native-language copies with official English translations; official transcripts are needed only if you are admitted. China is not on Illinois's English-exempt list, and UBC states that applicants from Chinese universities are usually required to submit English results.

References

Illinois application instructions; Illinois international applicants; Illinois: China; UW-Madison apply; UW-Madison requirements; UBC application and admission; UBC: China; U of T admission requirements; Manchester: how to apply; Manchester entry requirements. Pages read in November 2026; rules and scores follow the latest official versions.