Masters In Biotechnology In Canada: Top Universities and Eligibility

Masters in Biotechnology in Canada is a 1.5 to 2-year programme. It is a research-oriented course available both full-time and part-time. Generally, the students who graduate in disciplines like chemistry, genetics, biology, and molecular biology are the ones who opt for this programme. 

Students interested in making a career in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, life sciences, or digital health will find this course exceedingly beneficial. Read further about the top colleges for a Master in Biotechnology in Canada degree, along with their admission requirements, program fees, and admission process. 

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Top Universities for Masters in Biotechnology in Canada

1. University of Toronto

The MS in Biotechnology at the University of Toronto is a two-year, full-time degree. It is designed to meet the evolving needs of individuals and the global industry sectors. The university has one of the best biotechnology faculties in the country that guides the students and teaches them how to succeed in the field. 

Offered under the School of Graduate Studies, this postgraduate course is interdisciplinary and involves 8-12 months of paid work experience in the industry. The faculty-to-student ratio for this program is 1:19.

Eligibility: 

• Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university with a final year average of 65%.
• Completion of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents in computer science.
• English language proficiency requirements: IELTS (6.5) and TOEFL (93).

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2. University of Guelph 

This Master of Biotechnology course is offered by the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Guelph. It is a one-year, full-time degree ideal for individuals who want to study a course with a molecular approach to science and business. Students indulge in stimulating classwork and research projects under the guidance of broadly experienced faculty members. Moreover, the University of Guelph offers the best of both worlds. On the one hand, individuals get the proximity to Canada’s largest city and the charm of a small university town on the other.

Eligibility: 

• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant science domain with at least 75%.
• A strong science background.
• English language proficiency: Minimum 7.0 in IELTS with 6.5 in each component. For TOEFL, a minimum score of 93.

3. University of Lethbridge

Located in Alberta, the University of Lethbridge offers an MSc in Agricultural Biotechnology at its Lethbridge campus. Students can choose to pursue it as a full-time (two years) course or a part-time (four years) one. 

This biotechnology programme consists of coursework, a thesis, and a co-op. Agricultural biotechnology is a multidisciplinary major that spans several departments at the university. International students can apply for admission to this program during the summer, fall, and spring sessions. 

Eligibility: 

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with first class/division 1 standing.
• Minimum 7.0 overall in IELTS or 92 in TOEFL to prove English language proficiency.

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4. University of Alberta 

This university offers an MS in Biological Science course. With an award-winning faculty and modern curriculum, this degree is ideal for any student wanting to succeed in this field. Apart from lectures, individuals are taught through seminars, professional development activities, and workshops. Some key subjects in this programme include genomics, bioinformatics, and biochemistry. 

Eligibility: 

• English language requirements: IELTS (6.5) Or TOEFL (90)
• A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a scale of 4.0.
• Minimum guaranteed funding

5. Concordia University

Concordia offers a Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology and Genomics that provides students with a solid foundation in theories and applications of genomics, protein biochemistry, and molecular genetics. Moreover, individuals can acquire an in-depth understanding of microbial biotechnology, protein production for the pharmaceutical industry, and functional genomics. 

The degree emphasises hands-on experience and training with state-of-the-art genomics and biotechnology research equipment. As the class size is small, students get one-on-one counselling from the faculty members. 

Eligibility: 

• BSc degree from an accredited university in a relevant field with at least 70%.
• English language requirements: IELTS (7.0) or TOEFL (93).

6. Brock University

The MSc in Biotechnology program at Brock University encompasses the vast field of chemical and gene biotechnology. Graduates of this master’s program work in the fields of pharmaceutical, nutritional biochemistry, energy, environment, and biotechnological-related issues in policy and finance. 

There are three entry points in this program. These are January, May, and September. Students can choose specialisations like Gene Biotechnology and Chemical Biotechnology in this two-degree MS program. 

Eligibility: 

• An honours bachelor’s degree with not less than 78% in a relevant field of study.
• English language requirements: Minimum 7.0 in IELTS (6.5 in each component) or 93 in TOEFL.

7. University of Windsor

The Master of Medical Biotechnology is a professional program by the University of Windsor that provides students with a solid foundation of theoretical concepts. Moreover, it offers practical, industrially applicable laboratory technique experiences used in medical biotechnology industries.

The skills and knowledge taught in this course allow individuals to develop a successful career in medical diagnostics, biotech entrepreneurship, product monitoring, and parametrical materials characterisation.

Eligibility: 

• Minimum 6.5 in IELTS or 83 in TOEFL.
• A bachelor’s degree with honours in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related field.

8. McGill University

This institute offers a Master of Science (Applied) in Biotechnology. It is a non-thesis program which can be completed in 16 months. The Institute of Parasitology coordinates it on the Macdonald campus of McGill University. This course has a limited enrollment, so the competitive level is excessively high. This course aims to provide training in a rapidly evolving field that has become an integral component of many scientific disciplines. Apart from giving students hands-on experience, this degree also helps develop individual communication and teamwork skills. 

Eligibility: 

• Graduate degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 75%.
• English language requirements: minimum 6.5 in IELTS/ 93 in TOEFL.

9. University of Saskatchewan

This university offers a Master of Biotechnology course to provide training to individuals wanting to make a career in this field. It can be pursued in various specialisations like Applied Microbiology, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Cell Biology. Students in this two-year program that starts in May each year study the microbial world and how it interacts with our own. Applicants can also opt for the September and January intake of this course. 

Eligibility: 

•  A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 70% in the last two years of study.
• English language requirements: Minimum 6.5 in IELTS or 92 in TOEFL

10. Durham College

Placed in the heart of Ontario, Durham College offers students an advanced biotechnology diploma. This program touches various industries like food production, health, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. The graduate of this course is qualified to work in various roles in these industries. Moreover, this MS course is rooted in real-world applications, and the labs of Durham provide hands-on training to individuals in this course. 

Eligibility: 

• A degree or diploma in a related field of study or comparable credential completed within the last five years.
• English language requirements: IELTS (6.5)/TOEFL (88)/PTE (58-64)

Admission Process For Masters In Biotechnology In Canada

While the admission process of the universities mentioned above can vary slightly, here is a detailed outline of the common admission process.

• Students must prepare the supporting documents before filling out the application form. These include LORs, SOP, academic transcripts, resume/CV, Canadian study permit, and IELTS/TOEFL test scores.
• Once students have all the necessary documents, they can complete the application form.
• As an applicant, one can visit the website of their desired university and choose the master’s program in Biotechnology that they like.
• Carefully filling in the details is vital. It includes your personal, professional, and academic information.
• After completing all these, one can proceed with the application fee.
• Students can track their application status or wait for the university to email them.
• Selected students must reply to their offer of admission as soon as possible to begin the visa formalities immediately.

Cost of studying for a Masters in Biotechnology in Canada

The cost of studying masters in Biotechnology in canada includes university fees and living expenses. The return on investment in Canada is higher than in other countries like the USA and the UK. 

An international student’s expense and cost of living in Canada is around 1.09 lakhs INR. The table below demonstrates the average monthly expense expected by an international student in Canada.

Cost of living in Canada

In Canada, the tuition fees of popular universities are high. Students can apply for scholarships to reduce the burden of academic finance.

Some of the popular scholarships that you can apply for to study for masters in biotechnology in canada are mentioned below:

Popular Scholarships to study Masters in Biotechnology in Canada

Career Opportunities 

After completing biotechnology in Canada, the average salary is 65L INR per year or 3,360 INR per hour. The Entry-level positions start at 41L INR annually, while most experienced workers make up to 1 crore INR annually.

Some of the popular career opportunities are:

Wrapping Up

As a nation, Canada is a world leader in biotechnology, with a number of hospitals, universities, and organisations working in its four major sectors. These include bio-health, bio-industrial technology, bio-health, and agricultural biotech. That is why it’s an ideal destination for students looking to prosper in this field. 

Students looking for a career progression in the biosciences and core biotechnology sector must get a Master’s degree in Biotechnology. An MS in Biotechnology includes projects, a thesis, and an internship. It can last up to two years. Canada has some of the best universities that offer PG Biotechnology courses. 

All the universities mentioned in this blog boast world-class faculty and impeccable placement opportunities for their students. After graduating with a Master’s degree in Biotechnology, individuals can apply for job titles like Laboratory Analytics, Business Development Executive, Pharmaceutical Sales Manager, Microbiologist, and Chemical Engineer. 

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