Masters in Biotechnology in Canada: Universities, Tuition Fees, and Job Outcomes

Highlights: 

• Top Universities: University of Toronto, McGill University, Concordia University are among the top universities in Canada offering a masters in biotechnology course. 
• Admission Requirements: Minimum 83% marks in a bachelor degree in a related field. Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for English language proficiency.
• Career: After biotechnology masters in Canada, you can excel your career as Biotechnologist, Research Scientist, Clinical Operation Manager with an average yearly salary of 37 lakhs.
• Demand: The demand for biotechnologists are high, indicating 65,000 more opportunities in next 5 years. 
• Top Provinces: Quebec, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan are the top 3 provinces in Canada with inclining demand and job opportunities for biotechnologists. 

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Are you a graduate in disciplines like chemistry, genetics, biology, and molecular biology? Then, a masters in biotechnology in Canada can be the right choice for your higher education. It is a 2-year postgraduate degree program, offered as Master of Science, Master of Biotechnology degree. Average annual tuition fees for this degree can range from 10 Lakhs to 35 Lakhs, depending on your chosen university. To get into a MSc Biotechnology in Canada degree from India, you need to have the following

• Bachelor degree in a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83-86%)
• 2-3 LORs (depending on the chosen university)
• Personal statement
• Updated resume/CV
• Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL score of 93 (or equivalent PTE or CAEL scores)
• Canada student visa

Entry-level positions in the field of biotechnology in Canada offer a starting salary of 49,218 CAD per year. It can go up to 127,942 CAD per year based on your experience. After your degree completion, you can work as a Research Scientist, Quality Control Specialist, Clinical Operation Manager, Health and Safety Coordinator and others. As per a National Report, published by BioTalent Canada, by 2029, 65,000 additional employees will be needed for the biotechnology industry. Given the skills shortage, future and recent immigrants to Canada with the right skills and background will be an invaluable source of talent. According to National Occupational Classification by the Govt of Canada, currently 22,100 jobs are available for biotechnologists and technicians. As an Indian student, you use National Occupational Classification website, Indeed, LinkedIn job sites to find a perfect job after completing a master in biotechnology in Canada.

Also Check: Best Student Cities in Canada

Best Universities for Masters in Biotechnology in Canada

The top universities offering Masters in Biotechnology in Canada, along with the application deadlines and tuition fees are tabulated below:

Note: 1 CAD= 60.75 INR as of June 15, 2024

Why Study Masters in Biotechnology in Canada?

Check out some of reasons behind why you should choose a MSc biotech in Canada to study.

• According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, some of the top universities for masters in biotechnology in Canada, including McGill University, York, and University of Toronto are among the top 50 universities in the world.
• The average starting salary after masters in biotechnology in Canada can go as high as 60,000 CAD (36.30 lakhs INR)
• The unemployment rate of Canada dropped from 7,43% in 2021 to 5.29% in 2023, indicating the availability of abundant job opportunities available in the country.
• Canada's bio-economy is predicted to require 65,000 more workers by 2029. Biotechnologists are in high demand due to its applications in medicine, agriculture, and other industries.

Specializations and Subjects for Biotechnology Masters Canada

Some of the most common specialisations and subjects covered in the curriculum of Masters in Biotechnology in Canada are:

• Bioinformatics
• Genome Structure
• Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Biotechnology
• High-throughput Instrumentation
• Biological Computing and Synthetic Biology
• Protein Engineering and Design
• Biotechnology and Drug Manufacturing
• Management of Technological Innovation

Admission Requirements for Masters in Biotechnology in Canada

The admission requirements for some of the top universities for Masters in Biotechnology in Canada are given below:

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MSc Biotechnology in Canada Eligibility Criteria

Checklist for the basic eligibility criteria for masters in biotechnology in Canada for international students

• BSc or BSc(hons) degree in biotechnology, biochemistry or related fields
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum overall aggregate of 75% or higher
• English Proficiency Test Scores: IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL: 93
• GRE Scores (optional)
• 2-3 LORs
• Letter of Intent
• Statement of Research/Objectives
• Updated Resume/CV
• Official Transcripts
• Valid Passport

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Cost of MSc Biotechnology in Canada Universities

Given below is the detailed breakdown of total costs of studying Canada for students willing to study abroad in Canada. It is always preferable to be aware of the costs involved and optimise the budget ahead of time to ensure a smooth experience.

Tuition Fees

A quick graphical representation of an MS biotechnology in Canada fees at the top universities are given below:

Note: 1 CAD= 60.75 INR as of June 15, 2024

Cost of Living in Canada

The estimated expenditure and cost of living in Canada for an international student is around 1.09 lakhs INR. The following table demonstrates the average monthly expense to be expected by an international student in Canada:

Note: 1 CAD= 60.75 INR as of June 15, 2024

Scholarships for Masters in Biotechnology in Canada

Numerous scholarships are offered by some of the top universities in Canada to international students who are in need of financial assistance to pursue Masters in Biotechnology in Canada. Following is the list of some of the popular scholarships in Canada for international students:

Note: 1 CAD= 60.75 INR as of June 15, 2024

Masters in Biotechnology in Canada Job Outcomes

Due to a high demand of workers in the bio-economy of Canada, candidates pursuing Masters in Biotechnology in Canada are open to various job opportunities in the biotechnology, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and health and research industries. As per Payscale, 39% students start as a fresher in the biotechnology jobs in Canada. While, around 45% students get a related job in their mid career and only 11% students join biotechnology industry with experience. Saskatoon, Calgary, Whitehorse and Moncton are highest paid cities for biotechnology jobs in Canada. Some of the most preferred job roles and positions after a biotechnology masters in Canada are given below. 

Note: 1 CAD= 60.75 INR as of June 15, 2024

Explore: Post-Study Work Visa in Canada

Return on Investment After Masters of Biotechnology Canada

Top universities in Canada provide a much better return on investment as compared to other countries such as the USA or UK in terms of tuition fees and general employability. The ROI after MS biotechnology in Canada are given below

As per the graph above, the top 3 universities offering maximum ROI after biotech masters in Canada are

• University of Lethbridge
• Durham College
• Concordia University

Few universities offer this degree as masters in medical biotechnology in Canada. It also has the same curriculum as the Masters in Biotechnology, with some medical related study. Apart from this, post graduate diploma in biotechnology in Canada is also a budding course, due to its duration and salary. This diploma can be completed within 1-3 years, and it offers an on job salary of 38,000 CAD per year. If you are willing to immigrate to Canada, a biotechnology degree can help you a lot as the Canadian Government emphasizes on skilled worker immigration. 

FAQs

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