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Admission Requirements

The M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Health Sciences Programs are pending approval by the UBC Board of Governors 
and the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

The M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Health Sciences programs are governed by the general graduate guidelines of the College of Graduate Studies' policies and procedures. Minimum requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies are available here

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Health Sciences

Applicants to the M.Sc. in Health Sciences degree are normally expected to have a bachelor’s degree in the health sciences, social sciences, or related field of study with a B+ (equivalent to UBC 76%) average or higher in their third- and fourth-year classes or at least 12 credits in third- and fourth-year classes in their intended field of study with an A- (equivalent to UBC 80%) or higher average. Their background training must be sufficient for advanced work in their chosen field. Please see the College of Graduate Studies website.

Applicants from universities outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. Test scores must be from examinations written within the last 24 months.

Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to the College of Graduate Studies are listed on the College of Graduate Studies website.

In exceptional cases, applicants who do not meet the requirements stated above, but who have had significant formal training and relevant professional experience, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the Faculty of Health & Social Development (FHSD) Research and Graduate Training Committee and approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Health Sciences

Applicants to the Ph.D. degree in Health Sciences degree are normally required to have a master's degree (or equivalent) in health sciences, social sciences, or a related field, with clear evidence of research ability or potential and a minimum overall average in the B+ grade range (equivalent to 76-79% at UBC) in all graduate coursework. Applicants with an undergraduate or graduate degree in an unrelated field may be considered for admission, particularly if they have a strong background in equity, Indigenous methodologies, or another research priority with FHSD.

Applicants from a university outside Canada at which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. Test scores must be from examinations written in the last 24 months. 

Acceptable English Language Proficiency tests and minimum required test scores for admission eligibility for applications to the College of Graduate Studies are listed on the College of Graduate Studies website

No applicant to the Ph.D. program will be admitted until an eligible member of the Faculty of Health and Social Development faculty has agreed to supervise the thesis/dissertation research. Applicants are strongly urged to identify and contact a potential research supervisor prior to submitting their application materials.

In exceptional cases, applicants who do not meet the requirements stated above, but who have had significant formal training and relevant professional experience, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the FHSD Research and Graduate Training Committee and approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. 

Please contact fhsd.graduateprogram@ubc.ca with questions or for more information.


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