The University of British Columbia offers Bioinformatics: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - UBCV, a doctorate in Bioinformatics programme in Vancouver, Canada. The programme is delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 10,082 per year (CAD 5,739 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Doctorate
Field:Bioinformatics
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 5,739 / year
International tuition: CAD 10,082 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
UBC's PhD in Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary program applying computing to the management and analysis of biological data. It links academic groups in computer science, statistics, molecular biology and biotechnology with translational and clinical teams in hospitals, and draws on a partnership between UBC, Simon Fraser University and BC Cancer that gives students exposure to leading bioinformaticians and substantial practical work on real research problems. There are no set course requirements beyond the dissertation itself; students must pass a comprehensive examination with written and oral components within their first 36 months, and their committee comprises the dissertation supervisor plus three other members, with the supervisor and at least one other drawn from the Bioinformatics program. A firm commitment from a supervisor is required before applying. Delivered in person at UBC Vancouver.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:76.00 / %
Admission Requirements: Applicants normally hold an MSc in bioinformatics or a related area, with clear evidence of research ability or potential, and must secure a firm commitment from a supervisor before applying. UBC's Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies sets a minimum overall academic average in the B+ range (76 per cent at UBC), though the program may require a higher standard, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission given the competitive process. Applicants from institutions where English was not the language of instruction must submit, within the last 24 months, a TOEFL score of 100 overall (120-point scale) or 4.5 overall (six-point scale), an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 overall, or a Duolingo English Test score of 125 overall. A complete application includes a CV, official transcripts, two reference letters, and English test scores where applicable; the GRE is not required.
Application Details
Start Date:September and May
Application Deadline:Domestic and international undergraduate applicants both apply through EducationPlannerBC for Winter Session 2027/28 (September 2027 entry) and Summer 2027: applications open in early October 2026 and the equal-consideration deadline is 15 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST, the same date for both groups; a few programs keep reviewing late applications on a space-available basis afterwards. Earlier dates apply only to entrance-award consideration -- 15 November 2026 for the International Scholars Program and 1 December 2026 for Presidential/Centennial/Beyond Tomorrow scholars. Several limited-entry programmes -- Law, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing (advanced entry), Occupational/Physical Therapy, Social Work and Teacher Education -- set their own earlier deadlines from October 2026 through February 2027. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
