About PhD Program,
The UBC Department of Medical Genetics is an inspiring and productive community of scholars of genetics and genomics. It is an outstanding provider of knowledge, technical expertise, and compassionate care for our patients. Faculty members in the Department of Medical Genetics are at the forefront of their fields using cutting edge genetic, epigenetic, genomic, and bioinformatic methodologies to gain insight into diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative and neurological disorders, and other genetic diseases. Research is highly interactive and often involves local, national, and international collaborations which further enrich the research experience.
Individual labs conduct clinical and/or translational research and basic experimental research engaging a wide variety of approaches including the use of model organisms such as mice, flies (D. melanogaster), worms (C. elegans), and yeast (S. cerevisiae).
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Grade Point Average (GPA) – Canadian applicants:
- GPA calculation of Canadian degrees is based on all upper-level courses taken in the most recent, full time degree.
- Grade Point Average (GPA) – international degrees:
- Check your COUNTRY of education for minimum GPA and length of degree program to determine if your credentials meet UBC admission requirements. GPA calculation is based on the final, overall standing (grade) achieved in the last completed degree. Final standing is determined from your school’s grading system.
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:
Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language – internet-based
Overall score requirement: 100
Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:
The GRE is not required.
Prior Degree Requirements
MSc degree (focused on life sciences, biotechnology, etc.)
Course Requirements
Mandatory advanced-level courses in:
- Genetics and/or genomics
Strongly recommended advanced-level courses in one or more of the following:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biostatistics (Statistics)
- Bioinformatics
Additional criteria:
- Relevant laboratory research experience
- Excellent references with assessment of research expertise and aptitude
PhD Funding Coverage,
Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.
Program Funding Packages
Stipend Amount and Duration:
The recommended minimum yearly stipend for full-time Medical Genetics thesis-based graduate students (Canadian and international) is:
PhD: $33,000
New and current doctoral students at UBC receive the President’s Academic Excellence Inititiative PhD Award (PAEI) tuition award. International doctoral students also receive the International Tuition Award (ITA).The student pays any remaining tuition from their stipend.The stipend may come from an independent studentship award and/or from the Research Supervisor’s research grant.
Admission to the Medical Genetics Graduate Program normally includes a commitment from the Supervisor to ensure that each student is supported to the recommended funding level. Exceptions to this policy may be granted under unusual circumstances. Financial support from personal resources is not acceptable as “funding” for incoming students in the Medical Genetics Graduate Program.
The duration of the annual stipend is normally two years for an MSc student and four years for a PhD student. After the two-year MSc and four-year PhD point, continued funding is at the discretion of the Supervisor. The Supervisor should inform their student in writing (with a copy to the Medical Genetics Graduate Program office) at least six months prior to the end-date of the student’s stipend.
Funding depends both on satisfactory academic and research progress, as determined by the Student’s Supervisory Committee, and on the Research Supervisor’s continued grant support. Termination of funding for other justifiable reasons must be approved by a majority of the Medical Genetics Graduate Advisory Committee.
Application Requirement,
A complete application includes:
Application form
Letter of interest / intent (1 page)
Curriculum Vitae
References (3)
TOEFL or IELTS test scores – if applicable
- Your application will not be reviewed, and therefore be rejected if your OVERALL AND COMPONENT test scores are below the required Medical Genetics minimum scores. There will be no exceptions.
- Official post-secondary transcripts; and degree certificates (international students)
- Unofficial transcripts, web transcripts and poor-quality scans are not acceptable. Do not include high school transcripts.
- Each transcript must be scanned as a single PDF document and MUST include the grading key.
Other Requirements
Successful applicants meet and often exceed the admissions and pre-requisite requirements:
- Typically have relevant, independent, multi-month (wet or dry) laboratory research experience;
- Typically have excellent, detailed reference letters with assessment of applicant’s research expertise and aptitude by direct research supervisors, not just from course instructors;
- Often have won awards and/or published journal articles and/or presented posters or platform presentations and/or attended professional meetings and/or volunteered for science-related events (outreach, etc.)
Application Deadline,
Application Deadline: 15 January 2025
Application Fees
- Canadians (and Permanent Residents, Refugees, Diplomats): (CDN) $116.25
- International Applicants: (CDN) $168.25
