Doctorate in Philosophy Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Specialization Human and Molecular Genetics

Admission Requirements

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have a master's degree in science (with a background in biology, biochemistry, human kinetics, pharmacology, physiology or biopharmaceutical sciences) with a minimum average of B+ (75%).

Note: International candidates must check the admission equivalencies for the diploma they received in their country of origin.

• Demonstrate a good academic performance in previous studies as shown by official transcripts, research reports, abstracts or any other documents demonstrating research skills.
• Identify at least one professor who is willing to supervise your research and thesis.
• We recommend that you contact potential thesis supervisors as soon as possible.
• To register, you need to have been accepted by a thesis supervisor.
• The thesis director must be a member of the collaborative program.

Notes

• The admission requirements listed above are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission to the program.
• Admissions are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.
• Candidates must apply to the primary program and indicate in their application for admission to the PhD program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine that they wish to be accepted into the collaborative-specialization in Human and Molecular Genetics. Students are normally informed about their acceptance into the collaborative program at the same time as being informed about their admission into the primary program. To be admitted to the collaborative program, candidates must also be accepted in the primary program.

Fast-Track from Master’s to PhD

Students enrolled in the master’s program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa may be eligible to fast-track directly into the doctoral program without writing a master’s thesis, provided the following conditions are met:

• Successful completion of the seminar and all the core courses required for the master's program.
• Satisfactory progress in the research program.
• Written recommendation by the supervisor and the advisory committee.
• Approval by the graduate studies committee.

Notes:

• The transfer must take place within sixteen months of initial enrollment in the master’s.
• The minimal admission average requirements for the doctoral program must also be met.
• Following transfer, all the requirements of the HMG doctoral program must be met: six units of courses including three HMG units, the seminar in the primary program, comprehensive exam, presentation of one research seminar, and the thesis.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to understand and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required. Most of the courses in these programs are offered in English.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Note: Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

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.