Admissions and FAQs

Admissions & Applications

Our application deadline for the 2025/26 academic year is February 1, 2025.

How do I apply?

Applications for admission must be completed and submitted on the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs website (https://eservices.queensu.ca/apps/sgsapp/). There is a non-refundable application fee of $120, payable to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, including an online application form and specific instructions regarding how to submit the following documents:

A Statement of Interest about how applicants’ background experiences and career aspirations make them ideally suited for the program (up to 4000 characters in the online application);
Answering program specific questions including any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted your past success.
Transcripts for all post-secondary education;
Two references from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic performance.

In addition to the online application and the above required documents, applicants are required to submit an electronic resumé/curriculum vitae to tmed@queensu.ca.

Note: Referees are notified that you want them to provide a reference for you by email after you have submitted your online application. Your referees will have 14 days to submit their references from the day you submit your application. If you submit your application on of February 1, the referees will have until February 14 to submit them. Please be mindful of these timelines and please ensure to include the correct email addresses of your referees on your online application. Applications will not be deemed incomplete and will not be reviewed until all listed references are received.

What are the requirements for the admission?

In order to be considered for admission, applicants for the MSc in Translational Medicine program need to hold an 4 year undergraduate honours degree with a minimum of a B+ average (3.3 GPA) in the last two years of their program, and applicants for the PhD program need to hold a master’s degree with a minimum of an A- average (3.7 GPA).

You are required to complete the online application via the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs website, which includes demographic information, a Statement of Interest which should include a clear understanding of what translational medicine is and how you are best suited for the program, transcripts, and two references. You are also required to submit an electronic resumé/curriculum vitae to tmed@queensu.ca.

Do you have a preference for undergraduate majors?

No. We do not have a preference or requirement for undergraduate majors as we believe translational medicine is in nature interdisciplinary. We encourage you to consider your background when considering potential supervisors and projects.

Can I transfer my graduate course credits from other programs?

No. The 3 core courses (TMED 800, 801, 802) are required for all students enrolled in our programs. For PhD students who hold a master’s degree in an area related to their current research, the elective course requirement could be waived. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis, and approval needs to be sought through the Graduate Program Committee.

Do I need to contact a Faculty before I apply?

It is not required to contact and confirm a Faculty member's interest BEFORE you apply. However, we recommend that you do so as soon as possible so that you could learn more about the alignment of Faculty member’s expertise and your research interests.

Please note that you must be accepted and matched with a supervisor in order to be accepted in the program; the responsibility to find a supervisor lies with the student.

My transcripts do not use Letter Grade. How do I know if I fulfill the admission requirements?

At Queen’s, a B+ is equivalent to a percentage conversion of 77-79.9% and a Grade Point Average of 3.3 (out of 4.3), and an A- is equivalent to a percentage conversion of 80-84.9% and a Grade Point Average of 3.7 (out of 4.3).

Do I need to decide a research area before I apply?

While it is not essential to commit to a research area before applying, it is important to consider your background when approaching supervisors about potential projects. Please note that you must be accepted by a specific supervisor in order to be in the program; the responsibility to find a supervisor lies with the student.

Do I have to work with the Faculty listed on the website?

Yes, you are certainly expected to work with our program faculty to obtain a degree from the programs.

Information for International Students and Language Requirements

Yes, we are are accepting international students for the 2024/25 academic year. The tuition for international MSc students is $12,927.45 per academic year and $5,772.99 per academic year for international PhD students.

In cases where English is not the first language, nor was the language of instruction in undergraduate studies, applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Those applicants will need to provide proof of English language proficiency through one of the following:

International English Language Testing System (Academic module) with a minimum score of 7 in each component, or
TOEFL iBT with a passing score of 93 including a minimum score of 24 on the speaking section.

Please note that these requirements are higher than the minimum standards set by the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (https://www.queensu.ca/sgs/prospective-students/how-apply). Students will be involved in observing the clinical care of patients, and hence a thorough understanding and ability to communicate in English is essential.

However, if in the 12-month period prior to the application, an applicant has studied for at least two terms at a post-secondary institution where English is the official language of instruction, a request to be exempted from the English language proficiency test requirement may be made to the Director of Admissions, School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

Do you accept applicants at various times throughout the academic year?

No, our program has a Fall intake only (unless you are accepted into the combined BSc.H/MSc program). The application deadline is February 1.

Program Details

What’s Translational Medicine? How is it different from other graduate programs?

The uniqueness of our programs is a curriculum interweaving graduate level research with authentic clinical experiences. You can also browse our TMED Faculty page to learn about our Faculty member’s research areas.

Are MSc and PhD in Translational Medicine research programs or professional programs?

Our programs are research-based, and students are expected to complete and defend a thesis to fulfill the degree requirement. PhD students are also required to complete a comprehensive exam by the end of their second year in the program.

There is NO course-based option for the programs.

Are the programs offered on a full-time or part-time basis?

Our programs are offered only on a full-time basis.

Do you have an online option?

No. All courses and training are offered on-campus at Queen’s University at Kingston.

Do you have a mini-master’s route like other graduate programs at Queen's Health Sciences?

Yes. Students registered in the MSc in Translational Medicine with first-class standing (a minimum A- average, equivalent to 3.7 GPA or 80%), and who show exceptional promise in their research may be considered for promotion to the PhD in Translational Medicine, without completion of the MSc. The process is the same as other graduate programs and guided by the Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Council Manual.

Do you have combined MD/MSc or MD/PhD options available?

Yes, there are MSc-MD, and PhD-MD routes available. Applicants need to meet the credentials for the graduate programs and the medical school. These routes are extremely competitive. The deadline is May 1 of each year. Please note the admissions process is NOT administered through our program. For more information or to apply, please visit their website at https://meds.queensu.ca/academics/md_phd

What are the tuition fees and funding?

The tuition of our MSc and PhD in Translational Medicine is the same as other research graduate programs at Queen’s, which is set at $5,772.99 (domestic rate) for the 2024-25 academic year. For international students MSc tuition is $12,927.45 and PhD tuition is $5,772.99. Please visit the Office of the University Registrar for more details on tuition and fees: http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/financials/tuition-fees.

Students enrolled in the programs will receive funding packages to assist with living expenses and coverage of tuition: MSc – minimum $25,000 per year for 2 years; PhD – minimum $26,000 per year for 4 years.