Bachelor of Science [BS] (Biomedical Science)
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$31,200 /Yr
The University of Ottawa Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science is a four-year Honours BSc (120 units) full-time on-campus program in Ottawa, Ontario. International students need an 80% admission average, IELTS 6.5, and pay CAD 43,263 per year (INR 29.13 Lakhs). The main intake is Fall (September).
The degree trains students for medical school, biomedical research, biotech, and public health roles through five choose-one options: Bioanalytical Science, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Medicinal Chemistry, Neuroscience, and Biostatistics. It suits Indian applicants targeting Canadian health-science careers who want a bilingual campus and co-op access.
- Five specialisation options let students pivot from research (Bioanalytical, Biostatistics) to health-professional prep (Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Neuroscience) after year one.
- Delivery in English, French, or a French Immersion stream that adds no extra tuition and unlocks federal bilingual jobs in the capital.
- Optional CO-OP (Cooperative Education) stream places students in 4-month paid research or industry terms with Ottawa Hospital, CHEO, Health Canada, and biotech firms.

Current Admission Status
Applications for the September 2027 intake are Not Yet Open. Expected international student deadline: 1 April 2027 (based on the prior cycle deadline of 1 April 2026).
The OUAC (Ontario Universities’ Application Centre) 105F portal opens in mid-September 2026 for the Fall 2027 cycle. Indian applicants should complete NEET or Class XII results, IELTS, and passport paperwork over the summer to file early in October.
Also Check: University of Ottawa Admission Requirements and Process
University of Ottawa Biomedical Science Fees and Living Costs 2027
International undergraduate tuition for Biomedical Science is CAD 43,263 per year (INR 29.13 Lakhs), unchanged from 2025-2026. The four-year gross tuition works out to CAD 173,052 (INR 1.17 Crore) before any admission scholarship.
| Fee Component | Amount (CAD) | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Tuition (International BSc) | CAD 43,263 | INR 29.13 Lakhs |
| Four-Year Gross Tuition | CAD 173,052 | INR 1.17 Crore |
| Application Fee (OUAC 105F) | CAD 156 | INR 10,504 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance (UHIP, annual) | CAD 756 | INR 50,912 |
| U-Pass Transit (per term) | CAD 244 | INR 16,429 |
| Ancillary Fees (annual, approx) | CAD 1,320 | INR 88,876 |
Source: University of Ottawa international tuition tables 2026-2027. All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of CAD 1 = INR 67.33 as of July 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
- Tuition is billed per term (Fall and Winter) at CAD 21,631.50 per term for a standard 15-unit load.
- The International English Admission Scholarship of CAD 15,000 per year (INR 10.10 Lakhs) reduces net tuition to CAD 28,263 (INR 19.03 Lakhs) for qualifying students.
- Verify fee at uottawa.ca international tuition page as ancillary fees update each May.
- UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) is mandatory for international students and cannot be waived by private travel cover.
Cost of Living in Ottawa for Biomedical Science Students
Ottawa is more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver, and a typical Biomedical Science student budgets CAD 1,500 to CAD 2,200 per month off-campus. On-campus residence with the mandatory 5-day meal plan costs CAD 7,125 (INR 4.80 Lakhs) for the 8-month term.
| Expense | Monthly (CAD) | Monthly (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Room / Off-Campus Rent | CAD 900 | INR 60,597 |
| Groceries | CAD 350 | INR 23,566 |
| Utilities and Internet | CAD 220 | INR 14,813 |
| Transport (U-Pass covered) | CAD 0 | INR 0 |
| Mobile Plan | CAD 55 | INR 3,703 |
| Personal and Books | CAD 275 | INR 18,516 |
| Monthly Total | CAD 1,800 | INR 1.21 Lakhs |
| Annual Total (12 months) | CAD 21,600 | INR 14.54 Lakhs |
Source: University of Ottawa Housing Services and Numbeo Ottawa index 2026.
ROI reality: With the CAD 15,000 admission scholarship stacked, four-year net cost including living lands near CAD 200,000 (INR 1.35 Crore), and a co-op offer of CAD 20 to 25 per hour can offset roughly one term of tuition.
Read More: Cost of Living for Indian Students in Canada
University of Ottawa Biomedical Science Admission
Admission to the Honours BSc Biomedical Science is competitive, with the Faculty of Science asking for an 80% overall admission average and a minimum 70% in each science and math prerequisite. Indian applicants apply via OUAC 105F to the September (Fall) intake.
Academic Eligibility for Indian Students
| Requirement | uOttawa Ask | Indian Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Grade 12 Average | 80% | Approximately 80% to 85% in CBSE/ICSE/State Board best-of-four (CGPA 8.0 to 8.5 on 10 for Indian applicants) |
| Prerequisite Average | 70% minimum | Approximately 70% to 75% (CGPA 7.0 to 7.5 on 10) |
| Biology Grade 12 | Required | Class XII Biology (CBSE, ICSE, or State Board) |
| Chemistry Grade 12 | Required | Class XII Chemistry |
| Math (Calculus) | MCV4U or replacement | Class XII Mathematics with Calculus unit; else uOttawa MAT1339 in Year 1 |
| Physics or Earth Science | One additional 4U science | Class XII Physics preferred |
- WES (World Education Services) or uOttawa’s own International Office sets the official equivalence, so send transcripts through the platform they specify.
- NEET or JEE scores are not required, but strong marks in PCB or PCM strengthen the file for the top scholarships.
- AP and IB credit is granted for science prerequisites with AP score of 4+ or IB score of 5+.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
International applicants whose prior education was not fully in English must submit one accepted test. uOttawa lists the following minimum scores for direct admission to the English-stream Biomedical Science.
| Test | Minimum Overall | Component Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 in each band |
| TOEFL iBT (0 to 120 scale) | 86 | 22 Writing, 20 in other sections |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | Not specified |
| PTE Academic | 60 | 60 in each section |
| CAEL | 70 | 60 in each section |
Note: TOEFL iBT moved to a 1.0 to 6.0 band scale on 21 January 2026. University of Ottawa currently lists the 0 to 120 requirement shown above; both scales are reported during the 2026 to 2028 transition. Verify the current requirement on the official admissions page before applying.
- IELTS 6.5 is the most accessible route for Indian applicants because slot availability is highest across metros and Tier-2 cities.
- A Reading band of 6.5 or higher is the hidden bar because Year 1 relies on dense primary literature in BIO1130 and BCH2333.
- Students missing the minimum by 0.5 band can enter through the English Intensive Program (EIP) at uOttawa but tuition is billed separately.
- uOttawa is a QS Top 100 institution in Medicine (rank 93 in 2026), so competition for Biomedical Science seats runs above the published 80% threshold in practice.
Tip for Indian students: Aim for a Class XII composite above 85% and IELTS 7.0 to enter with the CAD 15,000 automatic scholarship comfortably rather than getting cut at the 80% floor when the applicant pool spikes.
Also Check: University of Ottawa Rankings and Subject Positioning
University of Ottawa Biomedical Science Application
Indian applicants file through the OUAC 105F portal (Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, form 105F). This is the mandatory route because uOttawa does not accept direct undergraduate applications from international applicants.
Expected Deadlines for the September 2027 Intake
| Intake | Expected Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2027 (September) - OUAC 105F Opens | Expected 15 September 2026 | Not Yet Open |
| Fall 2027 - Recommended Application Date | Expected 15 January 2027 | Not Yet Open |
| Fall 2027 - Final Application Deadline | Expected 1 April 2027 | Not Yet Open |
| Fall 2027 - Documents Deadline (uoDoc) | Expected 1 May 2027 | Not Yet Open |
| Winter 2027 (January) - International Undergraduate | Tentative October 2026 (limited seats) | Verify with Admissions |
- Expected dates project from the prior cycle (15 January 2026 recommended and 1 April 2026 final for Fall 2026), which uOttawa has held stable for five consecutive years.
- Biomedical Science is not on the March 1 competitive-programs list (which covers Nursing, BFA, BMus, Acting, select Engineering), so the 1 April deadline applies.
- Winter direct-entry into Year 1 Biomedical Science is not guaranteed; most applicants defer to Fall to keep the two-year prerequisite sequence intact.
Documents Checklist for OUAC 105F
- Official Class XII (or equivalent) transcripts uploaded through uoDoc within four weeks of submitting the OUAC form.
- Predicted or final IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, or Duolingo score sent electronically from the test provider.
- Passport bio page scan and study permit approval (for study permit stage after conditional offer).
- Personal statement is optional for Biomedical Science but recommended if the applicant is chasing the 90% Excellence Scholarship.
Application tip: File by 15 October 2026 and upload transcripts by mid-November because uOttawa releases conditional offers to the earliest complete files first, and the Fall 2027 admission scholarships lock in at the offer stage, not later.
Also Check: University of Ottawa Overview and Application Guide
University of Ottawa Biomedical Science Scholarships
Every international BSc applicant who accepts an offer is auto-considered for the two flagship English-stream awards. Combined, they can knock CAD 25,000 per year (INR 16.83 Lakhs) off the CAD 43,263 gross tuition, leaving a net of roughly CAD 18,263 (INR 12.30 Lakhs).
| Scholarship | Amount (CAD) | Amount (INR) | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| International English Admission Scholarship | CAD 15,000 per year (up to CAD 60,000 over 4 years) | INR 10.10 Lakhs per year (INR 40.40 Lakhs total) | 80% admission average, English-stream, Science/Arts/Engineering/Health Sciences/Social Sciences/Telfer |
| International English Academic Excellence Scholarship | CAD 10,000 per year (up to CAD 40,000 over 4 years) | INR 6.73 Lakhs per year (INR 26.93 Lakhs total) | 90% admission average, stacks with the Admission Scholarship |
| President’s Scholarship | CAD 30,000 (one-time) | INR 20.20 Lakhs | 92% average, bilingual (English and French), leadership record |
| Chancellor’s Scholarship | CAD 24,000 (over four years) | INR 16.16 Lakhs | 90% average, awarded to one applicant per direct-entry faculty |
| Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship | Reduces tuition by CAD 11,000 per year (approx) | INR 7.41 Lakhs per year | French-stream or French Immersion enrolment only |
- The Admission and Excellence scholarships renew annually, provided the student maintains full-time enrolment and a CGPA of 6.0 out of 10 or higher.
- Students who take the French Immersion stream can stack the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption on top of the English awards, though French Immersion has its own language screening.
- No separate application is needed for the two automatic awards; they are confirmed on the offer letter and applied to the Fall term invoice.
Scholarship reality: Only Indian applicants with a 90%+ Class XII (or IB 38+ / A-level A*AA) realistically pull down the full CAD 25,000 stack, so aim for the higher bar during Class XII prep rather than banking on external funding after arrival.
Also Check: University of Ottawa Scholarships for International Students
University of Ottawa Biomedical Science Salary and Placements
uOttawa Biomedical Science graduates working in Canada earn a median gross salary of CAD 64,000 per year (INR 43.09 Lakhs) at entry level, per PayScale 2026 data on biomedical scientists nationally. Ontario-based fresh graduates specifically report a first-job average of CAD 55,040 (INR 37.06 Lakhs).
| Role | Entry Salary (CAD) | Entry Salary (INR) | Common Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Assistant / Lab Analyst | CAD 45,000 to 55,000 | INR 30.30 Lakhs to 37.03 Lakhs | uOttawa Faculty of Medicine, CHEO, Ottawa Hospital |
| Biomedical Scientist (Regulatory) | CAD 60,000 to 75,000 | INR 40.40 Lakhs to 50.50 Lakhs | Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada |
| Clinical Research Associate | CAD 65,000 to 80,000 | INR 43.76 Lakhs to 53.86 Lakhs | IQVIA, Innomar, Bausch Health |
| Biotech Product Analyst | CAD 62,000 to 78,000 | INR 41.74 Lakhs to 52.52 Lakhs | Sanofi, Apotex, Novocol Pharma |
| Senior Biomedical Scientist (5+ years) | CAD 87,856 | INR 59.15 Lakhs | Big-pharma R and D, federal labs |
Source: PayScale Canada biomedical scientist survey 2026 and Ontario ZipRecruiter entry-level index.
- Take-home is roughly 68% to 74% of gross after federal plus Ontario tax and CPP; use the CRA online calculator for precise net numbers.
- The strongest pay bump comes from stacking a two-year MSc after the Honours BSc, which pushes entry salaries into the CAD 75,000+ band.
- uOttawa CO-OP placements report an average hourly rate of CAD 22, so a full 4-month term earns roughly CAD 14,000 (INR 9.43 Lakhs) that offsets tuition.
Med School and Graduate Pathways
Biomedical Science is treated as a strong pre-med undergraduate track in Canada because it covers the OMSAS-required biology and chemistry sequences. Around 15% to 20% of Honours BSc Biomedical Science graduates enter MD programs at uOttawa, McMaster, or Queen’s within three years, per departmental snapshots.
ROI reality: A CAD 55,000 first job pays back the CAD 173,052 gross tuition in roughly 7 to 9 years; with the CAD 15,000 automatic scholarship and 16 months of co-op, breakeven drops to 5 to 6 years.
Read More: Bachelor of Science Biomedical Science Program at uOttawa
Canada Visa Pathway for Biomedical Science Students
Indian applicants need a Canadian Study Permit to enrol in Biomedical Science at uOttawa. Processing takes 6 to 10 weeks after biometrics, and the study permit is issued for the length of the four-year program plus a 90-day cushion.
- Study permit application fee is CAD 150 (INR 10,100) plus CAD 85 (INR 5,723) for biometrics.
- Proof of funds must show CAD 22,895 (INR 15.41 Lakhs) minimum in a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) for applicants filing on or after 1 September 2026.
- The old SDS (Student Direct Stream) was discontinued on 8 November 2024, so all applicants now use the standard permit route with the same document set.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after graduation lasts up to 3 years because the Honours BSc is longer than 2 years; a Bachelor’s degree in any field automatically satisfies the PGWP field-of-study rule.
- PGWP applicants must show CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmark 7, equivalent to IELTS General 6.0 across all four modules) taken within 2 years of the application.
Spouses of full-time uOttawa BSc students can apply for an open work permit, and dependent children are eligible for tuition-free public schooling in Ontario while the study permit is active.
Visa reality: Ottawa has a lower study permit refusal rate than the pan-Canada average because provincial attestation letter (PAL) quotas in Ontario prioritise universities like uOttawa; keep the SOP tight and the funds documentation clean and expect an approval.
University of Ottawa Biomedical Science Ranking 2027
Biomedical Science sits between the Faculty of Science (host department) and the Faculty of Medicine (research supervisors and hospital placements), so both areas’ subject ranks matter for Indian applicants. uOttawa breaks into the QS Top 100 for Medicine in 2026.
| Ranking Body | Subject / Category | 2026 Position |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 | Medicine | 93 globally, 5th in Canada |
| QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 | Anatomy and Physiology | Band 51 to 100 globally |
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | Overall | 219 globally |
| Times Higher Education 2026 | Overall | 187 globally |
| Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking | Overall | 142 out of 824 globally, 10 out of 116 in Canada |
- QS Medicine rank of 93 places uOttawa above every U15 peer except Toronto, McGill, UBC, and McMaster in this discipline.
- Anatomy and Physiology 51 to 100 band matters because Biomedical Science’s Year 2 to 4 electives draw from these departments.
- The Life Sciences and Medicine broad-area rank is a direct proxy for Biomedical Science employer perception in India, especially for MSc admissions abroad.
Honest take: The QS Top 100 Medicine badge lifts uOttawa Biomedical Science graduates in global MSc and MD pools, but overall university rank (219) trails Toronto and UBC, so lean on the subject badge in personal statements.
Also Check: Top Universities in Ottawa Canada
The Honours BSc Biomedical Science at University of Ottawa suits Indian applicants who want a QS Top 100 Medicine-adjacent degree with five choose-one options and a co-op pipeline. The one decision-driver is whether the 80% grade floor is realistic given Indian Class XII pressure and whether the CAD 43,263 tuition can be halved by the CAD 15,000 automatic admission scholarship.
Biomedical Science FAQs
Ques. Is Biomedical Science at University of Ottawa hard for Indian students?
Ans. Year 1 is the weed-out year: BIO1130 (Biology I) and CHM1311 (General Chemistry) fail rates run around 15% to 20%, and the 70% prerequisite floor is enforced strictly for stream selection. Indian applicants with a strong PCB Class XII score usually cope well; the shock is the writing load, not the biology.
Ques. What can I do with a BSc in Biomedical Science from uOttawa?
Ans. Graduates go into medical school (MD), MSc research, biotech (Sanofi, Apotex), federal health regulators (Health Canada, Public Health Agency), hospital lab work (Ottawa Hospital, CHEO), and clinical research roles paying CAD 55,000 to CAD 80,000 in the first year.
Ques. Does the University of Ottawa Biomedical Science program have co-op?
Ans. Yes, an optional CO-OP stream places students in 4-month paid work terms at Ottawa Hospital, uOttawa Faculty of Medicine labs, Health Canada, and biotech firms; typical wage is CAD 22 per hour and total co-op earnings reach CAD 40,000 to CAD 55,000 over the four-year degree.
Ques. Which stream should I pick: Bioanalytical, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Medicinal Chemistry, Neuroscience, or Biostatistics?
Ans. Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience are the most popular pre-med feeders; Bioanalytical Science and Medicinal Chemistry lead to biotech and pharma R and D; Biostatistics is the newest option and opens data science plus public health careers. Stream is picked in Year 2, so applicants do not commit up front.
Ques. Can I stay and work in Canada after completing Biomedical Science at uOttawa?
Ans. Yes: because the Honours BSc is 4 years, graduates qualify for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) which supports the Canadian Experience Class permanent residence route; you need a CLB 7 language test (IELTS General 6.0 across all four modules) taken within 2 years of the PGWP application.
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- Application Deadline for Fall Intake - Apr 1, 2027
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| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $31200 (CAD 43334) |
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| Living Expenses | $11346 (CAD 15758) |
| Health Insurance | $363 (CAD 504) |
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| 2025 | $31149 (CAD 43263) |
| 2024 | $31200 (CAD 43334) |
| 2023 | $27858 (CAD 38692) |
| 2022 | $13929 (CAD 19346) |
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|---|---|
| Application Deadline for Fall Intake | Apr 1, 2027 |
| Document Submission Deadline for Fall Intake | May 2, 2027 |
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- Class 10 & 12 marksheets/transcripts
- School leaving certificate / passing certificate
- Passport copy
- English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo) if required
- Program prerequisite subjects (e.g. Math for Engineering/CS)
- Extra documents for some courses: Portfolio, Audition, Resume/statement

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|---|---|---|
| Excellence scholarship | $70,000 over 4 years ($17,500 per year) | Applicant must have admission average of 90% or higher. |
| Entrance scholarship | $40,000 over 4 years ($10,000 per year) | Merit Based |
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