About

No matter where your interests in the life sciences may lie, the Biological Sciences department provides exceptional opportunities for learning and mentorship to all students. The PhD in Biological Sciences offers more intensive training in research and application in a broad range of biological disciplines.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Admission decisions are based on the qualifications of the applicant as well as the ability of the Department of Biological Sciences and the University of Manitoba to serve the applicant’s intended program of study and area of specialization.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

To be considered for admission to the PhD in Biological Sciences program, you must have a minimum of a Master of Science (MSc) degree; however, under certain circumstances transfer from a MSc to PhD program and entry into the PhD without a MSc is possible. Individual qualifications other than these will be considered.

English Program Requirements

Test name: IAEP(Intensive Academic English Program)
Minimum score required : Pass Level 5/AEPUCE (Academic English Program for University and College Entrance) with a minimum of 65% overall

Test name: IELTS (Academic module) (International English Language Testing System)
Minimum score required : 6.5 overall

Test name: Internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL-iBT®)(Test of English as a Foreign Language)University of Manitoba institutional code: 0973*Please note if you have taken multiple tests, we will not consider your “best score” for admission. Individual tests only will be considered and must achieve the minimum requirements in each category and in overall score.
Minimum score required : For tests taken up to January 20, 2026:Overall score of 8620 in Reading20 in Writing20 in Listening20 in SpeakingFor tests taken on or after January 21, 2026:Overall score of 4.54.0 in Reading4.0 in Writing4.0 in Listening4.0 in Speaking

Test name: Pearson Test of English Academic
Minimum score required : 61 overall

Test name: Cambridge Assessment of English at the C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency level
Minimum score required : Minimum score of 180

Test name: Duolingo English Test
Minimum score required : Overall score of 120; minimum score of 100 in each of reading, writing, listening and speaking categories

Test name: IAEP(Intensive Academic English Program)
Minimum score required : Pass Level 5/AEPUCE (Academic English Program for University and College Entrance) with a minimum of 65% overall

Test name: IELTS (Academic module) (International English Language Testing System)
Minimum score required : 6.5 overall

Test name: Internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL-iBT®)(Test of English as a Foreign Language)University of Manitoba institutional code: 0973*Please note if you have taken multiple tests, we will not consider your “best score” for admission. Individual tests only will be considered and must achieve the minimum requirements in each category and in overall score.
Minimum score required : For tests taken up to January 20, 2026:Overall score of 8620 in Reading20 in Writing20 in Listening20 in SpeakingFor tests taken on or after January 21, 2026:Overall score of 4.54.0 in Reading4.0 in Writing4.0 in Listening4.0 in Speaking

Test name: Pearson Test of English Academic
Minimum score required : 61 overall

Test name: Cambridge Assessment of English at the C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency level
Minimum score required : Minimum score of 180

Test name: Duolingo English Test
Minimum score required : Overall score of 120; minimum score of 100 in each of reading, writing, listening and speaking categories

Career

Open the door with career opportunities

A degree in biological sciences is your launchpad to a wide variety of career and professional opportunities. The critical thinking, analysis, writing and communication skills developed over the course of your degree open up a world of endless possibilities, including many exciting careers in fields such as:

Research and development
Education
Conservation and environment
Industry, marketing and communications

Our program can also be used as a stepping stone to professional programs such as medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, therapies and environmental law, or to further research opportunities through graduate programs.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

2,220 / per term

Biological Sciences (PhD)