Offered by Durham College in Oshawa, Canada, HD in Biotechnology - Advanced (Fast-Track) is a higher diploma in Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences programme. The programme runs for 2 semesters, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 15,836 per year (CAD 3,124 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Higher Diploma
Field:Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Duration: 2 semesters
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 3,124 / year
International tuition: CAD 15,836 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
This two-semester program provides students with existing academic credentials, hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge to prepare them for the biotechnology field. Biotechnology touches a broad range of industries including health, environmental, textiles, mining, chemical and materials manufacturing, energy, cannabis, food processing, and agriculture. In this program, students will: Learn how living organisms and parts of living organisms can provide new methods of production and facilitate the development of new products. Work in state-of-the-art labs using industry-grade equipment on real world applications gaining in person, hands on experience. Learn the regulations which govern the use of biotechnology. Graduate with a strong base of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to draw from in their future careers.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: This fast-track pathway targets graduates of a related college diploma or degree completed within the last five years. Durham College requires two post-secondary chemistry courses, one with a lab component, at a minimum grade of C/60 per cent, plus one post-secondary biochemistry course at a minimum grade of C/60 per cent. Proof of English language proficiency is required; applicants educated in a non-English-speaking country must meet Durham College's general English Language Proficiency Policy, which for diploma and certificate programs accepts IELTS Academic 6.0 (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 88 (no section below 22), PTE Academic 53 (no section below 49), CAEL 60 overall, or Duolingo English Test 110. The college may request additional information to demonstrate practical lab experience. Confirmed intakes for this pathway are September 2027, January 2028 and May 2028, opening for OCAS application in late September.
Application Details
Start Date:September 2027, January 2028 and May 2028
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through ontariocolleges.ca: for September 2026 entry the equal-consideration date is 1 February 2026 and offers must be confirmed by 1 May 2026; January 2027 entry has an equal-consideration date of 1 October 2026 (confirm by 1 November 2026); May 2027 entry has an equal-consideration date of 1 February 2027 (confirm by 1 March 2027) - applications after these dates are still assessed while seats remain, including for programs Durham lists as highly competitive (Paramedic, Practical Nursing, Dental Hygiene and similar), which share the same cycle rather than a distinct deadline. International applicants apply directly to Durham, not through ontariocolleges.ca, and are assessed on a rolling basis against each program's published intake availability; Durham publishes no fixed international closing date. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
