MA/MS in Biology is a master's degree in Biological Sciences programme offered by St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Canada. The programme is delivered on campus. Tuition for international students is CAD 13,932 per year (CAD 6,966 per year for local students).
Biology at St. Francis Xavier University is offered at the graduate level as a Master of Science through the Faculty of Science, delivered in person on the Antigonish, Nova Scotia campus. The program is thesis-based with limited enrolment, centring on an individualized research project conducted under the supervision of a faculty member within a small research environment. Alongside their own research, students typically take on teaching assistantship duties and mentor undergraduate researchers in laboratory settings. Admission is intended for students holding a Bachelor of Science degree who have demonstrated strong scholarly potential, and applicants are expected to contact a prospective supervisor directly before applying. Most students admitted to the program receive a funding package that can include sources such as StFX graduate scholarships, teaching assistantships, Canada Graduate Scholarships, and MITACS awards, intended to cover tuition and part of living costs. The program suits students seeking close faculty mentorship and hands-on research experience in a collegial setting. It prepares graduates for further academic study or for careers in research and other organizations that value research training and publication experience.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:70.00 / %
Admission Requirements: StFX's thesis-based MSc in Biology is limited-enrolment, per the program page and the Graduate Studies admission-requirements page it links to: applicants need a BSc with a minimum 70% average. Meeting the minimum admission standards does not guarantee acceptance, as the program targets exceptional students who have demonstrated scholarly potential, and applicants are advised to contact a prospective faculty supervisor before applying. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no band below 6.0. Most accepted students receive funding covering tuition and living expenses, particularly for applications submitted before February 15.
Application Details
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply directly to StFX: for September 2027 entry, applications open 15 September 2026 and the general deadline is 1 September 2027, though competitive programmes such as the 4-year BScN (3 March 2027) and Bachelor of Education (1 December 2026) close much earlier; January 2027 entry closes 9 December 2026 and May 2027 entry closes 12 April 2027. International applicants must apply by 30 May 2027 for September 2027 entry (late applications reviewed case-by-case depending on visa timing) and by 30 September 2026 for January 2027 entry, confirming by 30 October 2026. Admission is not open-ended rolling; each intake has a firm published deadline, though the general Fall deadline stays open until 1 September while seats in non-competitive programmes remain. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
