Biotechnology is a field of study that combines various subjects like physics, biochemistry, engineering, and chemistry, and the micro principles learned will help students with research and development. As per a recent study, it is estimated that Canada has a skills shortage of more than 33% in the field of biotechnology. Also, the companies have 20% of the jobs vacant in the same field.   

With the growing number of industries, employers are also on the lookout for skilled talent. Thus, it can be said that Canada has an excellent scope in biotechnology, and students can obtain a good job if they wish to pursue a program beyond a bachelor's. The universities in Canada also offer various disciplines in biotechnology which include ecology, health sciences, food sciences, agriculture, and more. 

If you are one of those who want to travel to Canada to build a successful career in biotechnology, the information stated here will certainly be of great help. So, make sure to read it till the end. 

Why Study Biotechnology Courses in Canada?

The universities in Canada offer various disciplines in biotechnology and they often deal with biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, and mathematics. The concepts from these subjects are brought together to create technologies for human life advancement. But, why should students choose Canada to pursue their studies in biotechnology? Let us read on to know more about it. 

Best universities - Canada has the best universities in the world, and these are known to provide quality education along with excellent job opportunities. More than 28 universities have made it to the QS World Ranking list of 2022. 

Research-oriented programs – Most of the universities in Canada focus on research. This encourages individuals to explore more about the topic and extend their knowledge. The top universities that focus on research are the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, etc. 

Affordable fees – The tuition fee for most of the courses in Canada is quite affordable. The fees however change depending on the course and the university you pick. However, it is considered lesser when compared to the universities from the UK and the US. 

Funding & scholarships – The government of Canada offers excellent scholarships and funding to support international students. Students can obtain scholarships and grants based on their merit. The Canadian student visa also allows the student to work for 20 hours every week when studying. 

Specialization Highlight

Best Universities for Biotechnology Courses in Canada

The biotechnology courses in Canada are grouped into two specializations which are research and development. Some of the branches of biotechnology are,

• Environmental Biotechnology
• Medical Biotechnology
• Marine Biotechnology
• Industrial Biotechnology

The biotechnology courses are offered by the universities in India as bachelor, master, and Ph.D., and we have listed the top five universities and a few details on the programs offered by them. 

University of British Columbia – One of the top and well-known universities in Canada, the University of British Columbia offers Master's Programs in biological engineering and molecular biology. Some of the courses offered by the university are, MEng in Chemical & Biological Engineering, MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and MSc in Cell and Developmental Biology. 

University of Toronto – The University of Toronto is ranked 34th in the QS World University Ranking of 2023. The university offers two programs in Biotechnology and they are MBiotech in Biotechnology and HBSc in Molecular Biotechnology.

McGill University – The University of McGill is ranked 31 as per the QS World University Ranking of 2023. The university offers bachelor's and master's programs in biotechnology, and the popular ones include MScA in Biotechnology, BS in Biotechnology, and MSc in Biology.

University of Waterloo – One of the universities with students from diverse backgrounds, the University of Waterloo offers a Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering, and two master's programs namely MS in Biology and MASc in Chemical Engineering. 

The University of Alberta – The University of Alberta has a ranking of 110 and there are two bachelor's programs for students to choose from. The university offers a BA in Biology and a Bachelor in Conservation Biology along with an MSc in Biological Science. 

Level of Study

Students who wish to pursue a bachelor's or master's in biotechnology in Canada need to fulfill the eligibility requirements as put forth by the university. The requirements can vary from one university to another and also based on the program offered, but the basic eligibility for bachelor's and master's are mentioned below. 

Bachelors Programs

The universities in Canada offer excellent bachelor's programs for international students, with scholarships. Most of these courses have a duration of 2-3 years. Some of the popular courses in biotechnology in Canada include,

• BS in Biotechnology
• Bachelor in Biomedical Engineering
• BA in Biology
• Bachelor in Conservation Biology
• Bachelor of Computing (Hons) in Biotechnology

Eligibility Criteria 

Students who wish to apply for a bachelor's program in biotechnology in Canada need to meet the below-mentioned eligibility criteria.

• Students should have completed their high school or 10+2 and need to have an aggregate of 60% and above. 
• Students should also have a background in subjects like maths, physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Students should also have the minimum score in English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL. 

Application Process 

Students can apply for the bachelor's programs online on the official website of the university. Students should also upload some academic documents when applying for a bachelor's degree.

• Visit the website of the university, and fill out the application form.
• Upload the academic certificates, scorecards of the English language tests, a letter of intent, an updated resume, reference letters, and proof of funding. 
• Once done, pay the application fee, and wait to hear from the university.

Cost of Studying 

The cost of studying biotechnology in Canada includes the tuition fees and the cost of living. The fees for bachelor's programs can range between 25,000 CAD to 68,000 CAD annually. The average cost of living per month can range between CAD 1500 – CAD 1800 and this depends on where you live and on what you spend. These expenses would cover the accommodation, travel, food, books, and other expenses. 

Masters Programs

The top universities in Canada offer excellent master's programs in Biotechnology in Canada. The MSc courses have a duration of 1 – 2 years, whereas the MEng courses have a duration of 3-4 years. Some of the popular courses are, 

• MSc in Biology
• MSc in Biological Science
• MASc in Chemical Engineering
• MSc (Water) in Biology
• MSc in Biology
• MScA in Biotechnology
• MBiotech in Biotechnology
• MEng in Chemical & Biological Engineering
• MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• MSc in Cell and Developmental Biology

Eligibility Criteria

Students who wish to pursue master's courses in Biotechnology need to fulfil all the admission requirements. The details of the same can be obtained on the official website of the university, however, a few common requirements are mentioned below. 

• Certificates for all the educational qualifications
• Scorecards of English proficiency tests
• Scorecards of GRE or GMAT if required
• Letter of Recommendations 
• State of Interest
• Updated Resume
• A valid passport and student visa
• Proof of Funding

Application Process 

Students who are applying for a Master's in Biotechnology in Canada need to have a thorough understanding of the admission process. A few steps of the same are listed below.

• Start by checking for the course you wish to pursue, and choose the best university for the same.
• Every university has an eligibility criterion. So, visit the official website of the university to check for the same.
• If you are eligible for the program, prepare a checklist of the documents you need to upload and keep them all ready. Now you are good to proceed with the application online.
• Enter the details asked, and you will also have to pay the application fee as mentioned on the website. 
• Once the fee is paid, upload the documents asked and apply.
• Now, you will have to wait to hear from them. While some universities ask for an interview, there are a few who approve and send the letter of acceptance. Make sure to reply to the email with the acknowledgment or confirmation of the admission. 
• If you are asked for an interview, prepare for the same. Once you are through, you will receive the acceptance letter.
• Once you have the acceptance letter, you can go ahead and apply for the student visa and make the travel preparations. 

Cost of Studying 

The cost of living and the tuition fees are the major expenses when you are studying in Canada. The tuition fees can vary from one university to another and can range between CAD 20,000 to CAD 63,000. This does not include books or accommodation.

International students do obtain a discount on the fees or a scholarship, but they need to take care of other expenses like rent, books, food, transport, etc. On average, an international student in Canada has an expenditure of CAD 1987 per month. Out of this 50% is towards the rent, about 14% towards food, and the rest for books, transport, internet & mobile bills, and other miscellaneous costs.

Scholarships for Biotechnology Courses in Canada

The universities in Canada offer scholarships or stipend to international students who wish to pursue various courses in biotechnology. Some of the scholarships are merit-based, and some provide discounts on the total tuition fee.

Let us have a look at the scholarships offered by the universities.

The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship – The scholarship is provided to international students who have registered for a full-time bachelor's course. The scholarship is provided on merit and is provided to students with a minimum GPA of 3.20. 

McGill’s Entrance Scholarship Program – Offered by McGill University, the scholarship is provided to students who have enrolled for the first time, for an undergraduate degree. Students can receive a minimum scholarship of CAD 3,000 to CAD 12,000. 

The above-mentioned ones are the most popular scholarships, and the other available scholarships are listed below in tabular format. 

Job Scope for Biotechnology Courses in Canada

The job scope for students who have completed their courses in biotechnology in Canada is really good. Professionals can work in various industries which include hospitals or the human health sector. Different departments they get to work in are cardiology, oncology, and infectious illnesses to name a few. 

As the industry of biotechnology is huge, the pay scale varies drastically based on various factors like the education completed, the work experience, and the specialization. Some of the available job roles and the average salary for the same are mentioned below. 

Canada offers the best when it comes to biotechnology programs and job opportunities in the field. If you are planning to make a career in biotechnology, make sure to check out the best universities in Canada and the programs offered and submit your application.