The University of British Columbia offers Cell and Developmental Biology: Master of Science (MSc) - UBCV, a master's degree in Biological Sciences 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:Master's Degree
Field:Biological Sciences
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
Administered through UBC's Life Sciences Institute in the Faculty of Medicine, this coursework-plus-thesis MSc in Cell and Developmental Biology draws on close to fifty faculty researching topics from cancer and diabetes biology to microbiology and immunology, with lab access extending to the BC Cancer Research Centre and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute. Around 100 graduate students undertake original research from the start of their studies, working toward a minimum completion time of two years; recent cohorts averaged three years, with a maximum of 6.7 years and a 94.1% graduation rate. Applicants need a minimum B+ average (76% at UBC) and, for non-English-instruction backgrounds, English-proficiency scores of TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 125; the GRE is not required, but a firm commitment from a faculty supervisor is required before applying. Median net funding, after tuition and fees, has run around $25,639 per year. Graduates move into academia, biotechnology, healthcare, government, business and finance roles that draw on their training in modern cell and developmental biology.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:76.00 / %
Admission Requirements: Admission follows the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' general standard: a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution and a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC); this is a competitive process and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. Non-native English speakers must submit, within the last 24 months, IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7.0 and no component below 6.5, TOEFL iBT with an overall score of 4.5 on the six-point scale (tests from 21 January 2026), or Duolingo English Test 125 overall (Reading 115, Writing 120, Speaking 120, Listening 115). The GRE is not required. Two letters of reference and a statement of interest are required, and applicants need a firm supervisor commitment before applying.
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.
