The Best Universities for PhDs in Biological Sciences in Canada (2026)

Canada is a popular choice for PhD study in Biological Sciences, offering strong research funding and a wide range of specialisms.

This guide showcases leading Canadian universities for PhD research in Biological Sciences, based on international ranking tables.

There are many reasons why someone might want to study Biological Sciences at a university in Canada. Here are just a few:

• Canadian universities are acclaimed for the high quality of their Biological Science PhD programmes. These rigorous programmes offer a comprehensive, in-depth study of various biology disciplines that can add great value to your academic profile.
• By offering state-of-the-art laboratories packed with cutting-edge technologies, Canadian institutions create a conducive environment for innovative research in Biological Sciences.
• Completing a PhD degree opens door to various positions within academia or private public sectors like Biotechnology companies , Government agencies etc., promising bright career prospects.
• There are extensive funding options available specifically aimed at assisting students pursuing higher studies in science. These include scholarships, grants, teaching assistantships and research stipends.

The following tables give the 10 top universities in Canada for Biological Sciences, according to global and local university rankings. It can show you which Canadian universities are amongst the best in the world - and help you compare institutions on an international level.

This information is based on the latest rankings tables, researched and published by Times Higher Education, QS and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Each ranking system uses its own methodology, with different factors having more or less influence on a university's result.

Our guide has more information on how to use international rankings to decide on the best research universities for PhD study.

The Times Higher Education rankings are strong in academic focus and diverse teaching metrics, but do not include employer-specific metrics. Additionally, the rankings may not include all specialist institutions.

The QS World University Rankings are designed to meet the needs of prospective students, with more weight given to student-centric metrics such as staff/student ratio, international recruitment and employer opinion. The rankings are balanced between qualitative and quantitative data, but give less weight to research than some other rankings.

The ARWU rankings reflect the presence of elite academics and the future academic success of graduates. However, they do not directly assess the quality of education at a university or take into account other aspects of university performance.

Tips from the author

I hope this guide helps you see where biological research is strongest in Canada. Beyond rankings, look closely at labs, supervisors and research focus areas. Giving yourself time to explore different research groups and funding options will put you in a much better position when applying so make sure to start early. You can make a list of your course needs and use it to narrow down your options if it gets too hard to choose between different programmes and universities.