› Admission Requirements
The Biopharmaceuticals Stream accepts 42 students per academic year. The following criteria is used to assess applicants. Due to the competitive nature of the application process, successful candidates typically exceed the minimum requirements.
While MBiotech combines science and business curriculum, no business courses are required for admission—just the interest!
› Undergraduate Degree
- A four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized university in any of biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, or related field
- International degree equivalency can be found here
- Minimum mid-B average (73-76% or 3.0 GPA) in the final two years of study
Transcripts can be scanned and uploaded to applicants’ online applications. Scanned transcripts are suitable for application purposes, however all successful applicants will be required to submit official transcripts in order to register for the program. An official e-copy or print copy of your transcript will be requested at the time an offer of admission is made. If an offer of admission is conditional upon the successful completion of your program (for those students who are applying in the final year of their undergraduate degree) final grades for pending courses will also need to be confirmed via the submission of an official transcript.
Note for International Degrees:
The University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies establishes degree & GPA equivalencies for international degrees. Please consult the School of Graduate Studies Admission Requirements to determine your country of study's equivalency to the four-year bachelor's degree requirement and mid-B GPA requirement.
› GRE (if required)
For applicants with degrees from non-Canadian institutions, official copies of GRE General Test Scores are mandatory. Applicants should write the GRE General Test, rather than the GRE Subject Test as the GRE Subject Tests in Chemistry and Biology have been discontinued. If the GRE General test is not available where you live, please contact the MBiotech Office for further guidance.
Applicants should aim to score at or above the 75th percentile. This is not a cut-off, but typical of a median or 'good' score. Scoring in the 90th percentile is deemed excellent.
We highly recommend you check test dates early in order to meet our application deadline in early January.
› English Proficiency Test (if required)
Meet the minimum scores required in one of the following:
- TOEFL: Total: 100, Writing: 22, Speaking: 22
- MELAB: 85
- IELTS: Overall 7.0 and 6.5 in each component
- COPE: Reading: 22, Listening: 22, Writing: 32, Total: 86
- Students with an undergrad or graduate degree from a recognized English-language university will not be required to submit an English Proficiency Test
More details about these tests, including minimum scores, can be found on the SGS English-Language Proficiency Testing website.
› Letter of Intent
In your cover letter, please ensure it remains concise, limited to one page with single spacing and 0.75-inch margins. Start by introducing yourself and expressing your enthusiasm for the Biotech (Pharma)program. Highlight your scientific background, detailing any relevant research or lab experience that has shaped your skills and knowledge in the field. Additionally, include any business or practical work experience you have, such as specific courses or internships that have contributed to your understanding of the industry. Finally, articulate your aspirations, outlining where you envision yourself in five and ten years, and how the program aligns with your career goals.
Letters of Intent should be saved and submitted as .pdf documents.
› Résumé/CV
A current copy of your resume or CV is required and should be uploaded to your online application.
The résumé or C.V. should be saved and submitted as a .pdf document.
› Reference Letters
As part of your application, three letters of reference are required. Good choices of referees, in the following order of preference, would include:
- Professors or other key individuals familiar with your undergraduate research or undergraduate thesis
- Professors familiar with your third and fourth year academic history
- Employers with relevance to the biotechnology or science industry
- Teaching assistants, others
You will need to submit your referee information via the application portal as part of the application process, so ensure you have these details confirmed prior to opening your application.
Referees with institutional e-mail addresses can upload their references directly to your online application. Enter your referees’ names and institutional e-mail (university, college or company e-mail address) into your online application when prompted. The system will automatically e-mail an electronic reference request to each referee after you have entered the referee’s information on the ‘Recommendation’ page of the application. It is highly recommended that applicants contact their referees ahead of time to confirm both their availability and their preferred institutional email address.
› Application Fee
An application fee of CDN $125.00 is required.
Applications will not be reviewed nor considered complete unless all required documentation has been submitted and the application fee has been paid.
› Admission Interview
All short-listed candidates will be interviewed before they are offered admission into the MBiotech program. Interviews are by invitation only.
› › Questions? Review our FAQs. For more information or questions regarding admission requirements or process, please email us at mbiotech@utoronto.ca