Admissions/Application

Application information for all programs is available below. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the relevant Graduate Program Administrator.

For more information on the graduate programs offered please visit our Programs page.

For more information on admission requirements and the application process please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies page and search for the program that interests you.

Community Health Sciences (MDCH) | Biomedical Technology (MDBT) | Master of Pathologists Assistant (MDPA) Programs do batch reviews after their deadline has passed.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (MDBC) | Cardiovascular & Respiratory Sciences (MDCV) | Gastrointestinal Sciences (MDGI) | Immunology (MDIM) | Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (MDMI) | Neuroscience (MDNS) | Medical Sciences (MDSC) | Prevision Health (MDPR) application periods are open throughout the year, with the application deadlines listed below.  

How and when to apply

  • Applications are completed using the online Student Admission Form.
  • Submitted applications are valid for one year (four terms) from the initial application date.
  • A non-refundable application fee is required per application. Please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies page about online applications for more information on the application fee.
  • Applicants are responsible for meeting the admission deadlines for each program, which can be found below.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (MDBC) | Cardiovascular & Respiratory Sciences (MDCV) | Gastrointestinal Sciences (MDGI) | Immunology (MDIM) | Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (MDMI) | Neuroscience (MDNS) | Medical Science (MDSC) all have rolling admission and review processes.

For exact term start dates view the Academic Schedule                                      

  1. Fall Term Application Deadline

    Domestic - June 1
    International - April 1

  2. Winter Term Application Deadline

    Domestic - October 1
    International - August 1

  3. Spring Term Application Deadline

    Domestic - March 1
    International - December 1

Application/Document Submission Deadlines

Starting term of program: Fall Term  

Type of Applicant: Domestic and International

Applications open: August 15

Applications close: December 1

Note: When choosing your references, please choose individuals who are external to your supervisor.

For exact term start dates view the Academic Schedule 

  1. Application/Document Submission Deadlines

    Starting term of program: Fall Term

    Type of Applicant: Domestic and International

    Applications open:  October 1

    Applications close: May 1

    For exact term start dates view the Academic Schedule 

     

  1. Application/Document Submission Deadlines

    Starting term of program: Fall Term

    Type of Applicant: Domestic and International

    Applications open: September 1

    Applications close: February 28 

    For exact term start dates view the Academic Schedule 

Applications for Certificate and Diploma Submission Deadlines

Starting term of program: Fall (September)

Type of Applicant: Domestic and International

Applications open: November 1

Applications close: May 31

Early Bird Deadline: April 15

Applications for Masters Submission Deadlines

Starting term of program: Fall (September)

Type of Applicant: Domestic and International

Applications open: November 1

Applications close: March 15

For exact term start dates view the Academic Schedule 

Academic Requirements

Please contact the appropriate graduate program administrator if you have any questions about admission requirements.

  1. Degree

    You must hold a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited university for admission to a master's level program. PhD applicants must hold an MSc degree. Direct-entry to the PhD program from a bachelor’s level program should be discussed with the program administrator.

    Decisions to accept applicants with a three-year degree are done on a case by case basis. Contact the program administrator for details.

  2. Grade Point Average (GPA)

    Please be aware of the temporary admission regulations during the COVID-19 period.

    Master of Science

    • BSc degree or equivalent
    • A minimum admission grade point average of 3.30 (on the University of Calgary four-point system; equivalent to a "B+") based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units (10 full-course equivalents).

    Doctor of Philosophy

    • MSc degree, or relevant master’s degree, recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, or transfer from MSc program, or, in exceptional cases, BSc degree or equivalent.
    • A minimum admission grade point average of 3.30 (on the University of Calgary four-point system; equivalent to a "B+") based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units (10 full-course equivalents) and any master’s course work if applicable.

    International applicants can find their respective requirements by visiting Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) International Admission Requirements.

  3. GPA below 3.30

    Questions regarding admission with a GPA below 3.3 should be directed to the Program Administrator.

You must demonstrate English language proficiency. 

The English Language Requirement can be met in one of the following ways:

  1. Degree

    Completion of a three- or four-year degree offered by an accredited university in a country the University of Calgary recognizes as English language proficiency exempt; 

  2. English Language Assessments

    Completion of one of the following English Language Tests:

    • TOEFL (Internet based): 105
    • TOEFL (Paper based): 600
    • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): 7.5
    • Duolingo: 145 with no subscore below 125
    • PTE (Pearson Test of English): 75
    • CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language test): 70 with a minimum of 70 in each section
    • ACC (Academic Communication Certificate): 'A-' in each course

    Note that English language tests can not be more than two years old when you apply

    Submitting Official Proof of English Language Proficiency and other Test Scores 

    Arrange for the agency where you completed your test to send an electronic copy of your official score report to the University of Calgary. The information you supplied in your online application is not considered official, but will assist the Department in evaluating your application until the official score is received.

    •    Duolingo - Instructions to share Duolingo scores can be found on their website.
    •    IELTS - Instructions to share IELTS scores can be found on their website.
    •    TOEFL - Instructions to share TOEFL scores can be found on the ETS website. Ensure you indicate the Department Code associated with your program of interest. Department codes for TOEFL can be found in the TOEFL Information Bulletin. The University of Calgary institution code is 0813.
    •    GRE - Instructions to share GRE scores can be found on the ETS website. Ensure you indicate the Department Code associated with your program of interest. Department codes for GRE can be found in this document. The University of Calgary institution code is 0813.
    •    PTE - Instructions to share PTE scores can be found on their website.
     

     

  1. Biomedical Technology (MDBT) Requirements:

    A four-year BSc in Biological Science or equivalent. 

    Completed coursework in at least two of the following subject areas is strongly recommended:

    •Microbiology
    •Immunology
    •Molecular Biology
    •Pharmacology and/or physiology.  

Programs offered through the Graduate Science Education Office do not require GRE scores for admission purposes.
Individual supervisors may require these scores. You will need to discuss this issue individually with any prospective supervisors.

Supervision and Funding Requirements

All thesis based programs require applicants to find a prospective supervisor before they apply for admission. Your application will not proceed to review unless you have found a supervisor to support the application. Please note that the Office of Graduate Science Education cannot help to match applicants to a supervisor.

Please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies page for the program you are interested in to find a list of potential supervisors.  Links to these pages can be found below. Please note that the supervisor list can be found in the middle of each program page.

  1. Exceptions:

    • The Biomedical Technology (MDBT) and Precision Health (MDPR) programs do not have a supervisor requirement
    • Master of Pathologists’ Assistant (MDPA) supervisor is appointed after admission

  2. Potential Supervisors

    • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MDBC) MSc | PhD
    • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences (MDCV) MSc | PhD
    • Community Health Sciences (MDCH) MSc | PhD
    • Gastrointestinal Sciences (MDGI) MSc | PhD
    • Immunology (MDIM) MSc | PhD
    • Medical Science (MDSC) MSc | PhD
    • Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (MDMI) MSc | PhD
    • Neuroscience (MDNS) MSc | PhD

Students admitted to the Cumming School of Medicine thesis-based graduate programs receive funding from their supervisor.  Our funding policy can be found here.

Please note a new funding policy will be effective September 2022.

Funding should be discussed with your prospective supervisor prior to submitting your online application.

  1. Exceptions:

    Funding is not provided for students in the Master of Biomedical Technology (MDBT), Master of Pathologists' Assistant (MDPA), and Precision Health (MDPR) Certificate and Diploma programs.

    Third Party funded students do not qualify for supervisor stipends.

  2. Funding sources:

    Supervisor Stipend

    Stipends are the guaranteed funding payments provided and set up by your supervisor as per the minimum program requirements. These payments are not employment income and do not qualify for statutory deductions.

    External Funding

    External funding consists of grants, awards and scholarships, not dispersed by the program. 

    Government Sponsored

    Some governments sponsor or support students studying abroad. 

    Cotutelle

    See Faculty of Graduate Studies Cotutelle Program 

Students are responsible for paying their own tuition and fees. Further information on these costs is available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

Supporting Documentation Requirements

  • You are responsible for ensuring all supporting documents have been uploaded before the program deadlines.  This includes official transcripts, references and any other documents required by your program.
  • Documents submitted become the property of the University of Calgary and will not be returned to you nor sent to another institution.
  • Check the To Do List in your MyUofC Student Center for a list of any documents still required. Contact the program administrator if you are having problems uploading documents.

  1. Documents being mailed should be sent to:

    Paper transcripts should be sent to:

    Faculty of Graduate Studies

    MacKimmie Tower, Second Floor

    University of Calgary

    2500 University Drive NW

    Calgary, AB T2N 1N4

    Canada

    E-transcripts will be accepted if sent directly from the issuing institution and should be sent to gradtranscripts@ucalgary.ca.  

  1. Transcripts

    One official sealed transcript must be received from every post-secondary institution attended. Paper transcripts should be mailed by the institution you attended directly to the

    Faculty of Graduate Studies

    MacKimmie Tower, Second Floor

    University of Calgary

    2500 University Drive NW

    Calgary, AB T2N 1N4

    Canada

    E-transcripts will be accepted if sent directly from the issuing institution and should be sent to gradtranscripts@ucalgary.ca.

    Applicants who have attended the University of Calgary (UofC) do not need to send their UofC transcript.

    Official sealed transcripts previously submitted to the UofC from another post-secondary institution may be on file; contact the program administrator.

     

  2. Degree statement not on transcript

    If your transcript does not state the degree and date awarded, you must ask the institution(s) to submit one official sealed copy of the Degree Certificate with your official transcript.

  3. Transcript(s) not in English

    Two official sealed transcripts are required.

    Send one official sealed transcript(s) to a certified translator. The translator must mail the following to the Faculty of Graduate Studies office in a sealed envelope:

    • A verbatim, certified translation of the transcript;
    • The original transcript used for translation

    A second official sealed transcript in the original language must also be received by the Faculty of Graduate Studies office.

  1. English Language Test Score *TO BE MAILED

    An English Language test score must be sent by the testing company directly to the Graduate Science Education (GSE) office. University of Calgary institution code is 0813.

  1. References

    All applications require two academic references. When filling out the online application, students must enter their referees’ names and current contact information. Note that email addresses must be from an institution or place of work (ie: not Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, etc.).

    Once your application is submitted, your referees will be sent an automated email with further instructions on what they need to provide. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all reference documents are received by the Graduate Science Education (GSE) Office no later than the admission deadline.

    Referees must be familiar with your academic or research background and be able to speak to your ability to study at the graduate level. All reference letters received must be written in English on institutional letterhead.

    Should your referee have any questions about providing their reference, please have them contact the program administrator.

    Exceptions: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MDBC) and Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences (MDCV) require three references for PhD applications.

    MDCH applicants:  When choosing your references, it is preferred that you choose individuals who are external to your supervisor.

    MDPR applicants: References are not required.

  2. Note

     Your referees will receive an email to the addresses entered in the online application, providing them with a link to:

    • The Reference Form
    • Instructions on completing and uploading their reference letter and form

    You are responsible for ensuring your referees have uploaded the reference letter and form prior to program deadlines.

  1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume *TO BE UPLOADED

    Your up-to-date CV or resume is required for all programs.

     

  1. Confirmation of Supervision and Guaranteed Funding

    Confirmation of Supervision and Guaranteed Funding form is completed by the supervisor.  See program for submission instructions.

    Exceptions: Community Health Sciences (MDCH) requires a Supervisory Support Letter be sent to the program administrator by the proposed supervisor.

    MDCH Supervisor Support Letter for Applicants to CHS Graduate Programs

    MDCH Confirmation of Funding

    Course-based programs do not require supervisors or guaranteed funding.

  1. Additional Supporting Documents *TO BE UPLOADED

    Biomedical Technology (MDBT) requires a Vision Statement outlining the reasons why you would like to be admitted.

    The Vision Statement should be:

    • one page in length
    • single spaced
    • written in size 12, Time New Romans font
    • have your name on it

    The Precision Health program (MDPR) requires a Vision Statement outlining the reasons why you would like to be admitted.

    The Vision Statement should be:

    • one page in length
    • single spaced
    • written in size 12, Time New Romans font
    • have your name on it

After you submit your application

  • Your unique University of Calgary Identification Number (UCID)
  • Instructions on how to check the status of your application through your MyUofC Student Centre
  • How to upload the required supporting documentation

Should you have any questions or concerns throughout the application process, please contact the relevant Program Administrator.

After your application is complete, it will undergo a review process. Please allow 6-8 weeks* for processing once your application is complete and all documents are received.

*Please note that the Community Health Sciences (MDCH) program will not be making admissions decisions until March/April.

  1. Offers of Admission

    Offer of Admission Letters are sent to the email address provided on the application. Paper copies of Offer of Admission Letters are not provided. Emailed copies are sufficient for applying for a study permit.