If you want to join a research environment striving for excellence which impacts oral health, dental education and clinical practice in Canada and globally, you are in the right place.

Our researchers cover a large range of basic, translational, and clinical research, and have a deep-rooted belief in the importance and value of basic research for patient outcomes, dental education and advancing the profession.

From stronger, ‘smarter’ fillings to advances in nanotechnology and wound healing, and from cardiovascular testing to advances in dental implants and stem cell therapies, our researchers cross boundaries between oral and overall health, forging innovations in biomedical, cancer, and pain management research.

If you want to apply for an MSc or PhD, you need to have a firm idea of your research project or area before applying. You will then develop this with your potential supervisor. 

You do not need to be a dentist or involved in dental research to apply.

We welcome both domestic and international graduate students. Our recruitment is solely based upon academic merit and research potential.

MSc and PhD at a glance

Master of Science (MSc) – Dental Biomedical Sciences

The Master of Science program is two years of full time study.

You will follow a timetable of study and research. You may have the option to transfer to a PhD if you pass the PhD transfer examination in year two.

You have compulsory courses to complete and may choose a selection of electives (pending approval from your supervisor). Some electives can be chosen from other faculties at the University of Toronto.

In year one: you will develop a research project and proposal, and coursework. Coursework will normally include, as a minimum:

• Seminars in Oral Health Sciences (DEN 1001Y0) 
• Research Ethics (DEN 1010H) 
• an additional 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) that includes Introduction to Biostatistics (DEN 1015H). 

Exemptions may be granted for previously completed coursework at the bachelor's level.

In year two: you will complete your written thesis and its oral defense.

As part of your MSc, you will also:

• take part in all graduate research activities of your supervisor’s research group.
• present at meetings and publish original research findings where possible.
• participate in Faculty and student committees where relevant.

As part of your funding package, we pay your tuition and fees, and you will be paid a stipend of $18,500 CAD for two years (this amount is set by the School of Graduate Studies and may vary). 

Eligibility for the MSc

You must have a dental or four-year undergraduate science degree from a recognized university with a final year average of at least a B+ (3.30/4.00 GPA).

For international students

The International Degree Equivalencies tool on the School of Graduate Studies website will help you determine if your international degree makes you eligible.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Dental Biomedical Sciences

The PhD is five years.

Although you will need to complete some compulsory courses, the emphasis of the PhD is on independent study and research agreed with your supervisor.

As part of your funding package, you will be paid a stipend of $18,500 CAD for two years (this increases to $21,500 CAD when you successfully complete the transfer (from MSc) or Qualifying Examination, during year two), and tuition fees will be paid on your behalf for five years. This amount is set by the School of Graduate Studies and may vary. 

As part of your PhD, you will:

• take part in your customized program, approved by a supervisory committee, comprising advanced study and original research culminating in the defense of a thesis.
• complete the minimum course requirements of: Seminars in Oral Health Sciences (DEN 1100Y); Research Ethics (DEN 1010H); and an additional 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) that includes Introduction to Biostatistics (DEN 1015H). 
• pass the qualifying oral examination in year two which demonstrates your capacity for oral health sciences research; your thesis proposal; and, your breadth of knowledge relative to the research project.
• take part in all graduate research activities of your supervisor’s research group.
• present at meetings and publish original research findings where possible.
• participate in Faculty and student committees where relevant.

Eligibility for PhD

You must have a dental or Masters degree with a final year average of at least an A- (3.70/4.00 GPA), or demonstrated comparable research competence.

You can enter a PhD in two ways:

1. If your GPA is less than 3.70: enroll in the MSc first and transfer; or
2. If your GPA is 3.70 or higher, apply directly, using the application process below.

For international students

The International Degree Equivalencies tool on the School of Graduate Studies website will help you determine if your international degree makes you eligible. 

Funding your MSc or PhD

You are not personally responsible for the fees to complete your MSc or PhD and you cannot self-fund.

Your tuition fees and stipend are typically funded by:

Your research supervisor:

• MSc: year one
• PhD: years one and five

The Graduate Office at the Faculty of Dentistry in combination with the supervisor:

• MSc: year two (graduate office pays stipend and supervisor pays tuition)
• PhD: years two, three and four (graduate office pays stipend and supervisor pays tuition)

Should a student transfer from the MSc to PhD, the student will be considered to be in year three of the PhD program.  

You may be able to (particularly if you are an international student) apply for a scholarship from organizations, such as charities or government agencies. If you obtain a scholarship, this could improve your chances of being accepted. 

See Scholarships and Awards on the School of Graduate Studies website, or contact us at admissions@dentistry.utoronto.ca or gradstudies@dentistry.utoronto.ca for more information.

Due to your supervisor being partly responsible for your funding, it is important to contact a potential supervisor and have an agreement in place before applying, as they need to have (or be able to secure) funding to be able to offer you a place on their research team.

• See Stage one: consider your research project of the application process below.

Application process: how to apply for an MSc or PhD

Our application process is run jointly with the School of Graduate studies.

Stage one: consider your research project

Write a statement of research interest to guide your thoughts and find a potential supervisor.

Consult our list of graduate faculty members to find out which faculty members may supervise graduate students and where to find out more information about their research interests. 

Once you have identified a potential supervisor, get in touch with them by email to find out if they:

• are accepting new MSc or PhD applications just now
• think your project has potential and fits with their research portfolio.

Do you research – find what you are passionate about – do not send prospective emails to all supervisors. Be specific about what you want and who you contact.

How to write a statement of research interest

Prepare this before you start to contact potential supervisors and it will help guide your conversations. You can then refine it after speaking to a supervisor, before submitting your application.

1. Why you?

Explain what makes you a good candidate for graduate studies (maximum 250 words).

2. Why us?

Explain why the Faculty of Dentistry is the ideal place for your studies (maximum 250 words).

3. What is the project?

Describe which specific project(s) you are interested in. Provide names of potential supervisor(s) and what communication you have had with them (maximum 300 words).

4. Your perspective

Describe your career goal(s) and future perspective. How will your studies at our Faculty help you achieve those? (maximum 150 words)

Stage two: apply for the program

Once you have found a potential supervisor, complete the online application form on the School of Graduate Studies website. 

This includes submitting:

1. Your current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
2. Your finalized statement of research interest. 
3. Two letters of reference from individuals (preferably university faculty members) who are familiar with your previous academic work. Once you enter you referees’ information on the online application, they will receive an email with a link to upload their letter. If your referees are submitting hard copies of their reference letters, ask them to enclose the letter in a sealed envelope with a signature across the seal.
4. Paying the non-refundable application service fee of $125 CAD.

Getting documents to us

Upload them directly to the online application

By email

admissions@dentistry.utoronto.ca

By mail

Admissions Office
Faculty of Dentistry
124 Edward Street, Room 104
Toronto, ON M5G 1G6

By fax

+1 (416) 979-4944

Stage three: submit additional documents

In addition to the above, ensure the Admissions Office at the Faculty of Dentistry receives:

1. Official transcripts of all your previous university and other post-secondary education. Transcripts must be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the issuing institution in electronic format, or a sealed envelope. If not originally in English, a notarized translation must be attached. If you are a University of Toronto student already, you do not need to send in your official University of Toronto transcripts, we will download them from ROSI.
2. If you completed your first degree in a country where English is not the native language, you must provide proof of your English abilities by completing an English proficiency test. You must request official test scores are sent by the testing agency directly to the Admissions Office using our institution code of 0982.

We recognize the following tests

How we select students and when you will hear

Once a supervisor is allocated to you, we will contact you to offer a place.

If you have applied for a PhD and your application goes to the next stage, you will be invited to an interview with a panel of academics where you will present your past and future research.

Have questions? Contact us

admissions@dentistry.utoronto.ca

+1 416 864 8113