Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Science

The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs in Medical Science are available in a wide range of basic sciences, clinical sciences, and population health research. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, a student receives specialized training and exposure to Toronto's finest multidisciplinary research. The full-time MSc and PhD programs emphasize hands-on research, rather than coursework. The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) is the graduate unit of choice for MDs seeking training as clinician investigators, and graduates may seek positions as academics and health-care professionals in universities, government, and industry. The IMS participates in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Clinical Investigator Program (CIP).

Applicants may be accepted into the PhD program after completing an MSc degree (with an MSc thesis) with at least A– standing from a recognized university.

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

Applicants may be accepted into the PhD program via transfer from the University of Toronto MSc program. Outstanding students may be considered for reclassification/transfer into the PhD program without writing an MSc thesis.

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Students are accepted via direct entry into the PhD program after completing an appropriate BSc or an MD degree, without completing a two-year, thesis-based MSc degree.

Applicants whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction was not English, must demonstrate facility in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following English language proficiency tests.

???Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE); or

a minimum score of 100/120 on the Internet-based test and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum overall score of 7.5 with at least 6.5 in each component.

Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): minimum total score of 86 with minimum writing score of 32, reading score of 22, and listening score of 22. Test of Oral Proficiency assessment band = 7.