Master of Science in Craniofacial Science
The Faculty of Dentistry offers advanced study leading to the MSc in Craniofacial Science through one of the following areas of study:
- Research in Population Health will explore the complex interactions (social, cultural, environmental) that affect the oral health of individuals, communities and populations.
- Oral health related clinical research includes both interventional and observational studies focusing on the following: disease prevention, diagnosis, risk, treatment, prognosis and health care.
- Basic science research in the areas of biomaterials, cell biology, developmental biology, microbiology and molecular biology is available.
Applicants must meet minimum admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Completion of the Masters program requires a minimum of 12 credits of course work in addition to the 18 credit thesis course (DENT 599). A minimum of 9 credits must be at the 500-699 level and a maximum of 3 credits can be taken at the 300 or 400 level. Students will normally take DENT 540 (Research Methods and Seminars in Oral Biology) and DENT 542 (Biology of Oral Tissues). The program will usually require a minimum of two full academic years; however, an extended program of part-time MSc studies is also available. The program is research-oriented, consisting of didactic courses and original research carried out under supervision. It is not a clinical program leading to clinical specialization, and is unrelated to licensure. In addition, the Faculty provides an opportunity for qualified students to enter combined programs leading to certification in a dental specialty in conjunction with this MSc.
The deadline for fully documented complete applications is March 1 for entry the following September.
Tuition Fees
Please see the UBC Calendar for current tuition fees.
Financial Assistance
Limited financial assistance in the form of Fellowships and Assistantships is available on a competitive basis for graduate students enrolled in degree programs. For further information, please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies website at www.grad.ubc.ca/awards.
Admission Requirements
All Clinical Programs - Important Info for Applicants
- Information for Prospective Clinical Students in the UBC Faculty of Dentistry
- Policy Statement on Infectious Diseases for All Clinical Programs
Applicants to graduate programs in the Faculty of Dentistry must satisfy the minimum requirements for admission by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Dentistry. Please note that until we receive an application form and fee we are not in a position to evaluate credentials.
Academic Requirements
Canadian or U.S. Credentials
Applicants with Canadian or US credentials must have a minimum average equivalent to a UBC B+ (76%) in third- and fourth-year courses.
International Credentials
International applicants must have a minimum overall average equivalent to a UBC B+ (76%). Applicants should have academic backgrounds within the general requirements listed by country on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants from a country in which English is not the primary language must present evidence of proficiency in English. One of the following tests of English proficiency is acceptable:
TOEFL
The minimum TOEFL score required is 580 paper-based or 93 internet-based, taken within twenty-four (24) months prior to the time of submission of the application. TOEFL score sheets must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Centre in sealed and official envelopes. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.
IELTS
A minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component of the academic (not general) IELTS test. IELTS score sheets must be sent directly from source in sealed and official envelopes. Photocopies of test score are not acceptable.
IELTS minimum requirements have changed and regarding applications to programs commencing in 2013, the IELTS minimum requirement will be an overall band score of 7.0 with a mimimum score of 6.5 in each component of the academic (not general) IELTS test.
PLEASE NOTE: Given that the number of applicants exceeds the number of positions available, a record that satisfies the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
Application Process
Application Deadline
The deadline for fully documented applications is March 1 for entry the following September.
Application Form and Fee
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2012-13 academic year.
Applicants are advised to apply using the online application system. The online application requires credit card payment via Visa or MasterCard, or debit card payment from bank accounts at Scotiabank, Royal Bank, or TD Canada Trust. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable and is required for each graduate program applied to per year.
Reference Letters
Three (3) references are required with the application. Referees must be individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications. A referee may be academic, professional, or personal. There are two possible formats for references, either electronic or paper letter:
Electronic Reference Format:
The online application system requires you provide each referee's name, address, and email address. Should you choose to include this, an electronic reference form will be securely sent to the referee which they may fill out and submit directly to our graduate office. Please note that we are unable to accept email addresses from Hotmail, Yahoo, GMail, or other free email accounts.
Paper Letter Reference Format:
A referee may prefer to send a paper letter. Paper letters of reference must be mailed directly to the Faculty of Dentistry in sealed and endorsed envelopes.
Required Application Documentation
Fully documented applications must be received by the graduate office by the application deadline. Early submission of the application and supporting documentation is strongly encouraged to ensure all requirements are met.
Along with the application form and fee, a fully documented application must include:
- Two (2) official copies of university transcripts from all colleges and universities attended sent from source in sealed and endorsed envelopes (except UBC transcripts).
- Two (2) official copies of the degree certificate if the official transcript does not indicate the degree received and degree conferral date.
- If university transcripts and degree certificates are issued in a language other than English, a literal English translation of two (2) sets of official transcripts (and degree certificates if necessary) must be obtained from the issuing university’s translation service. Send both the original language and literal English translation transcripts in sealed envelopes endorsed by the issuing university.
- A TOEFL or IELTS score sheet taken within twenty-four (24) months prior to the time of submission of the application if the qualifying degree was received from a country in which English is not the primary language.
- Three (3) references in either the electronic reference format or sealed and endorsed paper letter format.
- After submitting documents please allow one - two weeks for received items to appear on your online checklist due to the high volume of mail and inquiries we receive during the admission period.
Send all application documentation to:
Graduate Programs Admissions
UBC Faculty of Dentistry
2199 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying
Can I apply with an international degree?
Yes, provided you meet the minimum requirements, both international and domestic applicants are weighted equally in the pool of applicants.
Are there any additional examinations or pre-requisites required?
Other than those listed above, there are no additional examinations or pre-requisites required.
Am I required to have to have found a supervisor prior to applying?
Applicants are not required to have found a supervisor prior to applying; however admission to these programs is based on supervisor availability.
Prospective applicants are welcome to peruse our research pages at www.dentistry.ubc.ca/research and contact any faculty via email whose research is of interest.
Can I apply after the application deadline?
Online applications will close after the application deadline and only fully documented applications received by the deadline will be considered for admission. We will keep any application documentation on file for consideration should you choose to apply for the next available intake. Please note that reference letters and English proficiency score sheets are only valid for 24 months.
Can I apply to the PhD stream with an undergraduate degree?
Yes, provided you also meet the minimum requirements specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Please note that you may not transfer from the PhD track to the MSc track once accepted to the PhD program; however you may transfer from the MSc track to the PhD track with Faculty approval and after meeting the minimum requirements.
Can I apply to both the MSc and PhD streams?
Yes, you may apply for both. Please note that you may not transfer from the PhD track to the MSc track once accepted to the PhD program; however you may transfer from the MSc track to the PhD track with Faculty approval and after meeting the minimum requirements.
Application Documentation
It is difficult to get university transcripts from my country, do you accept other copies?
As per the Faculty of Graduate Studies, we must receive copies of official transcripts and degree certificates if required in sealed and endorsed envelopes direct from the issuing university.
Will you offer conditional acceptance or extensions if I cannot send documents before the application deadline?
At this time we do not offer conditional acceptance or extensions. We do encourage applicants to consider applying for the following year should they not be in a position to meet the application deadline or requirements.
My transcripts are in French from a Canadian University, do you require English translations?
We will accept French language transcripts from a Canadian University.
What do I need to send if my transcript does not include grades?
If transcripts are issued without grades, you must request a ranking letter from the Department or Faculty Dean’s Office. Along with copies of the original transcripts, the ranking letter must be sent in a sealed and endorsed envelope from the issuing university.
What if my university only issues one copy of transcripts?
You must make photocopies of your original academic records and have the issuing university verify the photocopies are consistent with their records, stamp them with an official university stamp or seal, and have the original and photocopy sent in sealed and endorsed envelopes.
What if my university does not issue English translations of university transcripts or degree certificates?
Take a photocopy of your transcripts and degree certificates if required to a certified English translator and have them provide a complete, word-for-word, literal English translation. Ensure they include information on the reverse side of the documents. Have the translator place the original language photocopy and English translation in a sealed and endorsed envelope. Send both the endorsed envelope from the translator and the official transcripts from the issuing university to our graduate office.
Contact
If you have further questions about our programs, please contact us at the following address:
Mrs. Jackie Lee, Assistant Manager
Admissions
UBC Faculty of Dentistry
2199 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Canada
Tel: 604.822.8063
fodadms@dentistry.ubc.ca
