Food Science: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - UBCV at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada is a doctorate in Food Science programme. 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:Food Science
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
The Food Science PhD in UBC's Faculty of Land and Food Systems has trained researchers since 1969 in food chemistry and biochemistry, process science, microbiology, safety and toxicology, biotechnology, quality evaluation and wine biotechnology. Current projects include bioactive compounds and nutraceuticals derived from food, biophotonic and nano-biosensing methods, carbohydrate chemistry and enzymology, metabolic engineering of wine yeasts, farm-to-fork food safety systems, stress responses in foodborne pathogens and enzyme structure-function studies. Beyond chemical, analytical, molecular biology and Biosafety Level 2 microbiology laboratories, the program runs a pilot plant and sensory evaluation facility for food-grade work, and students can use UBC facilities such as the Michael Smith Laboratories and the BioImaging Facility or collaborate with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Fisheries and Oceans. The degree is dissertation-based, delivered in person in Vancouver, and applicants must have a firm supervisor commitment before applying.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:76.00 / %
Admission Requirements: Students typically hold an MSc in Food Science or a related area, with clear evidence of research ability or potential; transfer directly from an MSc to the PhD is also permitted. UBC's Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies sets a minimum overall academic average in the B+ range (76 per cent at UBC); the program may apply a higher standard, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission given competitive selection. All applicants need a firm commitment from a supervisor before applying. Non-native English speakers from institutions where English was not the language of instruction must submit, within the last 24 months, TOEFL 4.5 overall (six-point scale), IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, or Duolingo English Test 125 overall. The GRE is not required. Three reference letters and a statement of interest are required, along with transcripts from all post-secondary institutions; permanent residents must provide a photocopy of both sides of their PR card.
Application Details
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.
