Academic Requirements
Master’s Programs
While each program has its own minimum requirements, the following will give you a guideline to determine your eligibility to submit an application.
- 4-year (honours) bachelor’s degree
- B+ or better in your major subjects
- B- or better overall
Program Requirements
- 4-year (honours) degree, typically a Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field (e.g.: Science, Life/Health Sciences, Psychology, Biostatistics, or related discipline
- Minimum B+ (77%) average overall, but generally an A- (80%) average overall is required to be competitive
Important Note: Prior to applying, prospective students must seek out a thesis supervisor from the Department of Health Sciences who will commit to supervising the student. The application process requires that the prospective student and supervisor draft a proposal of the research thesis project, to be included in the application package.
Students should contact prospective supervisors by email and attach to the email: 1) an up-to-date CV, 2) an unofficial transcript, 3) a statement of skills/experience relevant to the prospective supervisor’s research, and 4) a brief statement about why the student is interested in working with the supervisor.
Data Science
For complete information regarding the collaborative master’s program in Data Science, including admission requirements, please visit the Data Science website. This is available for the MSc program only.
Required Documents
After you have submitted your online application and your application fee has been processed, you will be instructed on how to upload your required documents in Carleton Central. For complete information regarding required documents, please visit the Graduate Admissions website.
| Document/Forms | Details |
|---|
| Document/Forms Details; Transcript(s) | All post-secondary transcripts are required |
| Letters of Reference | Three (3) are required and should be submitted by former professors (preferably your project/thesis supervisors). An academic referee is a faculty member with whom you have studied and is able to assess your potential for graduate level study and research. References from non-academic supervisors may be accepted in certain cases i.e. professional references or for professional programs. NOTE: References from family members, friends, students, former or current classmates, employees, colleagues and/or Teaching Assistants are not accepted. Contact your referees before you apply online to confirm their availability. When filling in your online application, you are asked to include email addresses for your referees. NOTE: Valid institutional or organizational email addresses are required. Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, etc. are not accepted and will be verified. |
| Statement of Intent | One (1) is required. The statement of intent is to be written in consultation with the proposed faculty supervisor from the Department of Health Sciences. Please see the Forms page for the Thesis Research Proposal (Statement of Intent) and Supervisor Agreement Template for HS MSc and PhD. This 1-page document must include: 1) an abstract of the proposed MSc research thesis project (background/rationale, research question(s), aims) and 2) supervisor information (name, contact information, and statement from the proposed supervisor acknowledging commitment to supervise and fund the student for the proposed thesis project). Both proposed supervisor and student must sign this form. |
| CV/Resumé | One (1) is required. This must include an up-to-date CV of the applicant, with a Statement of Experience highlighting the student’s specific skills in research design, analysis, and writing; their willingness or ability to work collaboratively or in interdisciplinary teams; and their expertise, previous research, and/or work experience that positions the student to be successful in the interdisciplinary program. |
| Data Science Specialization Form (MSc only) | One (1) is optional. You will need to complete the Data Science Specialization Form if you are interested in applying to the collaborative master’s program in Data Science. This will be made available to you when you apply. |
| Language Proficiency (ESL Test Scores) | Required, if applicable. For Carleton’s ESL requirements and policies, please visit the ESL Requirements website. |
Language Requirements
The language of instruction at Carleton University is English. For admission into Carleton’s graduate programs, you will need to demonstrate that your knowledge and use of English are strong enough for graduate studies at an English-language university.
If your first language is not English, you can demonstrate your language proficiency by:
- presenting one of the official Language Proficiency (ESL) test scores as defined in the table below;
- showing that you have completed ESLA 1900 or ESLA 1905 at Carleton University with a final grade of B- or higher; or
- presenting official certification (transcripts) that you have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at a university in any country in which the primary language is English, where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was English, and the language of instruction in their most recently completed undergraduate or graduate degree was English.
Applicants who present their most recent degree and transcripts from a Canadian institution are exempt from language proficiency requirements, unless otherwise required by an individual program.
Note: Letters from your universities stating the medium of instruction is English are not acceptable.
Minimum Language Proficiency (ESL) test score requirement:
| Language Proficiency Test | Score |
| Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL, CAEL-CE) | 70 (minimum 60 in each band) |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | Overall score of 125, with minimum 120 in each integrated sub-score |
| IELTS, IELTS Online (Academic) | 6.5 IELTS (minimum 6.0 in each band) |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) including PTE Online (Academic) | 60 overall (minimum 60 in each Communicative Skill) |
| TOEFL iBT (including iBT Home Edition) | For exams taken before January 21, 2026: 86 (20 in reading and listening; 22 in speaking and writing) For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: 4.5 overall (minimum 5.0 in writing, 4.5 in reading, listening and speaking) |
IELTS One-Skill Retake is accepted
TOEFL MyBest Scores is accepted
Please note that some graduate programs may require a higher level of understanding of the English language and will have higher ESL requirements. It is your responsibility to review and meet the minimum requirements of the program to which you are applying. Graduate Studies reserves the right to require further documentation or additional testing if they feel it necessary to demonstrate the required level of English language proficiency.
Carleton University is committed to ensuring that all students have fair access to English Language testing, including those students who require accommodations to complete the test. All tests accepted by Graduate Studies offer accommodations to students who require it, including but not limited to students with disabilities, and nursing mothers. Please note that arranging accommodations for an ESL test may take up to six weeks.
DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.
