PhD in Microbiology In Canada: Best Doctorate Degrees & Top Universities

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree can be a truly rewarding and fascinating experience. In a graduate program, especially in the niche of Microbiology, the scope of research subjects seems never-ending. A PhD in Microbiology in Canada can be a stepping stone to being a skilled and knowledgeable Microbiologist or providing a better grasp of the role of microbiology in diseases and illnesses for public health.

This handy guide is curated with the intent of helping you find the right university for your PhD dreams. The list consists of the five best universities that accept international students for PhD in Microbiology in Canada. We will cover the admission requirements as well as intake dates and course costs.

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Top Canadian Universities for a PhD in Microbiology for International Students

University of Calgary, Alberta

In the four-year thesis-based M.Sc Microbiology and Infectious Diseases program, students are given the opportunity to work with faculty members in performing various research studies like lung infections in cystic fibrosis, systemic infections, molecular diagnostics, and vaccine development. 

Minimum Requirements

1. 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the final two years of the undergraduate degree
2. M.Sc degree with First Class Division or equivalent
3. Two reference letters
4. Any one of these English proficiency tests: 
5. TOEFL score of 105
6. IELTS score of 7.5
7. PTE score of 75
8. CAEL score of 70 with no section below 70
9. ACC with A- in each course

A supervisor is required to oversee the performance and research of each student and should agree to the same before a student applies for admission.

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Program Fees and Intake

The program has four intake periods: May, July, September, and January. The fee for international students is CAD 8,081 annually and is paid on a pro-rata basis in four instalments per year.

Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia

Students taking the Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology at Dalhousie University usually have their independent research published in two to three highly respected journals. The duration of the course ranges from four to five years. The course covers topics from diseases to immunity. 

The PhD classes are determined by the supervisory committee, and students are required to attend a weekly journal club to present groundbreaking publications. Applicants must contact a faculty member whose research interests them and request them to take on a supervisory role.

Minimum Requirements

1. A First Class thesis-based Master’s degree or its equivalent granted by a recognized university
2. Minimum GPA of 3.3 in the last 60 credit hours of study
3. Any of the following English proficiency tests:
4. Internet-based TOEFL (Academic iBT) score of 100
5. IELTS score of 7.5
6. Dalhousie College of Continuing Education (CCE) English-language test with A grade

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Program Fees and Intake

The PhD in Microbiology and Immunology has three intakes during the year: September, January, and May. The estimated fees, including tuition, incidental fees, and supplies, come up to 11,960 CAD per year for international students who plan to live off-campus and without a meal plan. The inclusion of campus residence and meal plan will raise the cost to a maximum of 26,520 CAD.

University of Manitoba, Manitoba

You have the option to apply for a Doctorate of Philosophy in Microbiology or a PhD in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. The department of Microbiology offers various areas: 

• Microbial Ecology
• Molecular Microbiology
• Microbial Physiology
• Microbial Genomics
• Microbial Interactions and Pathogenicity
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Microbial Protein Structure

Minimum Requirements

1. An M.Sc degree from a recognized university with a 3.0 GPA in the final two years of study 
2. Supervisor support
3. Two letters of recommendation
4. One of the following English language proficiency tests and relevant scores:
5. Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP) with pass level 5
6. Academic English Program for University and College Entrance (AEPUCE) with 65% overall
7. IELTS with a score of 6.5 overall
8. CAEL with individual subject scores above 60
9. Internet-based TOEFL with an overall score of 86 and 20 in each section
10. PTE with an overall score of 61

Program Fees and Intake

The University of Manitoba offers the PhD programs with three intake periods: September, January, and May. The PhD program tuition fees are set at 2,775 CAD per term for the first two years. From the third year, a continuing fee of 520 CAD is applicable per term.

McGill University, Quebec

The McGill University in Montreal provides the PhD in Microbiology course that is personalized to suit the needs of the students. Students looking to pursue higher education after their Master’s would greatly benefit from a PhD at McGill University.

The department of microbiology is complete with top-of-the-line training in four areas:

• Cellular and molecular immunology
• Microbial physiology and genetics
• Virology
• Medical microbiology

Minimum Requirements

1. An M.Sc. degree in any of the following fields: microbiology and immunology, biological science, or biochemistry
2. Supervisor confirmation
3. Any of the following English proficiency tests with the relevant minimum scores:
4. Internet-Based TOEFL with an overall score of 86, and an individual score of 20 in each component
5. IELTS with a band score of 6.5
6. McGill Certificate of Proficiency in English
7. McGill Certificate of Proficiency – English for Professional Communication

Program Fees and Intake

The PhD in Microbiology program at McGill University has intakes in May, September, and January. The tuition for the PhD programs is subject to the Fall and Winter intake periods. Fall intake tuition fees are estimated to be around 10,490 CAD per year, while the Winter intake tuition would be around 9,105 CAD per year.

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan

Students looking to pursue their graduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon are offered a variety of options when it comes to Microbiology. It provides a PhD in three areas of Microbiology:

• Applied Microbiology
• Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology
• Veterinary Microbiology

All three PhD programs are four years long and are thesis-based. The faculty members are diverse and incredibly supportive of students pursuing their passions.

Minimum Requirements

1. A Master’s degree or its equivalent in a relevant field of study from a recognized university
2. A cumulative weighted average score of 70% in the final two years of study
3. One of the following English language proficiency tests and relevant scores:
4. Internet-based TOEFL with an overall score of 86 with a minimum score of 19 in each section
5. IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 and each section above 6.0
6. PTE with an overall score of 63 and each section above 59
7. Intensive ESL Advanced Level (ESL 50)l Plus completion of Academic Writing Elective A from the University of Regina with a score of 60%
8. Level 4 with a score of 75%
9. CAEL with an overall score of 70% and each section above 60
10. Duolingo English Test (DET) with an overall score of 115 and a score of 95 in each area

Program Fees and Intake

The PhD programs have intakes for September, January, and May. The annual tuition fees for international students is estimated to be around 8,100 CAD.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped narrow down your ideal universities to earn a PhD in Microbiology in Canada. The application process for PhD programs requires an agreement between you and a faculty member willing to take on a supervisory role, so it is important you apply to your preferred program as early as possible to avoid any delays in admission.

If you are looking for potential scholarship opportunities for Indian students earning a PhD in Microbiology in Canada, check out this blog.

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