How to Apply to Biology at York University (Canada): Apply Directly to Biology in the Faculty of Science at Keele Campus (BSc YSB, iBSc YSZ) or Bilingual Biology at Glendon (YYF), with Honours Streams in Biotechnology and Biomedical Science; Admission and Prerequisites for Canadian, International (Including China) and Transfer Applicants

York University is in Toronto, Canada; this article is about York University in Canada. Biology is offered in two places: the Faculty of Science at Keele Campus (BSc, and an International BSc, iBSc) and a bilingual BSc at Glendon Campus. Biology is a program you can apply to directly. Below is what you need to know for 2027 entry, based on York’s official information, for Canadian applicants (citizens and permanent residents), international applicants (including students in China) and transfer students. Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, kinesiology and health science are outside the scope of this article; see York’s website.

1. Biology degrees and streams at York

• Keele Campus Biology (the biology program page): Faculty of Science, degrees BSc and iBSc, full-time or part-time, with fall, winter and summer entry (first and upper year), OUAC codes YSB (BSc) and YSZ (iBSc).
• Degree paths (the Faculty of Science biology page): a Bachelor of Science (90 credits, normally three years), a flexible multi-disciplinary program; Honours degrees (120 credits, normally four years), which can be a Specialized Honours in Biology or in the Biotechnology or Biomedical Science streams; an Honours Double Major that can be combined with another Science or Health major (for example Chemistry, Physics, Kinesiology & Health Science or Psychology); and the International BSc (iBSc), which combines a Biology major with international courses, new cultural experiences and language study. York describes Biology as its longest-established scientific program.
• Example first-year courses: Biology I (cells, molecular biology and genetics), Biology II (evolution, ecology, biodiversity and conservation biology), Chemical Structure, Chemical Dynamics, Mathematics I and II for the Biological and Health Sciences, Computer Use for the Natural Sciences, plus an approved non-science elective; York notes this is only an example.
• Research and labs: York says the program focuses on developing independent analytical and applied skills through research projects and laboratory investigations.
• Glendon Campus Biology (the Glendon biology program page): BSc, OUAC code YYF, fall entry only (no winter or summer entry), taught in a bilingual English and French environment; students can also take courses at Keele Campus. Applied-learning options listed are internships, placements and project-based learning.
• Outlook: York says biology prepares students for medicine, research, biotechnology, conservation and other fields; the Keele page mentions pharmaceuticals, healthcare and conservation industries.
• Direct entry and streaming: because you can apply to biology directly, there is no “general first year, then choose” step; any average or course condition for entering the Specialized Honours, Biotechnology or Biomedical Science streams is not published on the pages read. York lists Neuroscience (Biology), Biochemistry, Biomedical Science and Biotechnology as separate programs; their pages were not read and are not covered here.

2. Canadian applicants (citizens and permanent residents): prerequisites and applying

• How to apply: York says you can apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) or through York’s own application (use York’s application if you apply after the deadline). After applying you receive an acknowledgment email with a York student number and upload transcripts, language scores and other documents in the applicant portal, MyFile. How to apply
• Ontario high school applicants: Keele Campus Biology (BSc or iBSc): the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) including ENG4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and MHF4U plus two additional 4U/M courses; SPH4U is recommended. OUAC codes YSB (BSc) and YSZ (iBSc). Glendon Campus Biology BSc (OUAC code YYF): ENG4U or FRA4U, SBI4U, SCH4U and MHF4U plus two additional 4U/M courses, with SPH4U and 4U French recommended.
• High school outside Ontario: York lists requirements for each province (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec CEGEP, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the territories). For example, British Columbia (Keele Biology): English 12, Anatomy and Physiology 12, Chemistry 12, Principles of Math 12 / Foundational Math 12 / Pre-calculus 12 and one additional Grade 12 academic subject, with Physics 12 recommended; Alberta: ELA 30-1, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Math 30-1 and one additional 30/31 academic course, with Physics 30 recommended. For other provinces, choose your curriculum on the program page.
• Admission averages: York says Keele Biology applicants with averages in the mid-70s or higher may be considered and Glendon Biology applicants with low-to-mid 70s or higher; keeping an offer requires a final academic average of 70% in both. This is the level at which applicants may be considered, not a cut-off for admission. York also says admission is a holistic review (consistency of results over several years, results in specific prerequisites, repeated course attempts and external test scores); meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission, and some programs have limited enrolment.
• Deadlines (the deadline table): for September 2027 entry, January 15, 2027 for Ontario high school students and March 24, 2027 for other high school students, international students and transfer or mature students; for January 2027 entry, November 18, 2026; for May 2027 entry, April 1, 2027 (the program page lists fall, winter and summer entry). York says it continues to accept applications until each program is full and recommends applying early if you need a study permit. The admissions FAQ still shows the 2026 dates (January 15 and February 2, 2026), which differ from the current table; use the deadline table.
• Application fee: not published on the pages read; check York’s website.
• In-province advantage: no guaranteed admission or reserved seats for Ontario residents are published on the pages read; tuition categories are covered below.

3. International applicants: English, grades and funding

• English requirement (the language requirements page): Keele Campus teaches in English. Applicants from countries not on York’s exemption list (which includes Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore) must submit a test: TOEFL iBT (88 for tests before January 2026; 4.5 on the new scale for tests from January 2026), IELTS Academic 6.5 (IELTS General is not accepted), PTE Academic 60, CAEL 60, Cambridge C1 Advanced (no score below 180) or Duolingo 120; some programs require higher scores. Scores are valid for two years.
• Exemptions: no test is needed if you completed four full years at an accredited high school in English (or French) in Canada or a country where English is the official primary language, or four years of high-school study taught in English, or one year of an English-language university degree, or two years of an English-language college diploma. Time in ESL courses does not count, and exemptions are not granted based on letters, SAT/ACT scores or Grade 12 English. York’s English Language Institute offers three pathway programs that lead into undergraduate programs without a language test.
• Documents: the documents page requires official transcripts (conditional admission is possible with non-official documents, but official originals are needed before classes start) and course descriptions for post-secondary work outside North America. York says undergraduate applications are typically assessed within six weeks after all documents are received.
• Scholarships (the international student page): no application needed (automatic) — York International Scholarship of Distinction (final average 90%+, CAD 37,500 in total), York International Merit Award (80%–89.9%, CAD 25,000) and York International Entrance Award (75%–79.9%, CAD 5,000), with averages determined by curriculum. Application required — the President’s International Scholarship of Excellence (CAD 45,000 a year, CAD 180,000 over four years; application deadline January 27, 2027 and nomination deadline February 4, 2027, while another part of the international page says January 26), and, for Faculty of Science applicants only, the York Science Scholars Award (CAD 5,000 entrance scholarship plus CAD 5,000 after a guaranteed summer research position following first year; application deadline February 20, 2027). York says international scholarships are limited and you should be prepared to support yourself; all undergraduate international students pay a CAD 2,000 non-refundable acceptance deposit.
• Proof of funds and study permit: the international page says a provincial attestation letter is part of the study permit package (stated as applying from January 22, 2024); check York International and the Canadian immigration authorities for current rules. The required proof-of-funds amount is not published on the pages read.

4. Applicants from China

• Minimum requirement (the international student page, “Chinese High School”): the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate, with successful completion of the final year of Senior 3 / Grade 12 and a minimum overall average of 75% on all academic courses; some programs require higher.
• Documents for preliminary review: high school transcripts and the Grade 12 mid-year grade; other documents depend on your background and are listed in MyFile. A conditional offer can be based on these.
• Course prerequisites: For both Keele Campus and Glendon Campus Biology: Grade 12 biology, Grade 12 chemistry and Grade 12 math, with Grade 12 physics recommended (Glendon also recommends Grade 12 French). These must have been satisfied within the previous five years.
• Gaokao: the page for Chinese high schools does not say how gaokao results are used and gives no gaokao cut-off; ask York’s admissions office.
• English: China is not on the exemption list, so you must submit a test from the previous section or qualify for an exemption. Glendon also has French-language test options (see York’s website).
• Interviews and credential evaluators are not mentioned on the pages read; check York’s website.

5. Transfer students

• From a college: Completion of a diploma program, or at least two full semesters or one year of full-time study at an accredited college; an overall average of 3.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent); SBI4U, SCH4U and MHF4U (or equivalent, satisfied within the previous five years), with SPH4U recommended (Glendon also recommends 4U French).
• From a university: At least four full-year courses or one year of full-time degree studies at an accredited university; an overall average of 2.3 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent); the same SBI4U, SCH4U and MHF4U (or equivalent, within five years), with SPH4U recommended.
• Mature students: Be at least 21 by the end of the calendar year of admission, have been out of full-time high school for at least two years, and have attempted less than one full year at an accredited college or university; SBI4U, SCH4U and MHF4U are required, with SPH4U recommended.
• Transfer-credit rules are not published on the pages read; check York’s website and the Registrar.

6. Costs

• Tuition (the tuition page, estimates for 2026–27, CAD): for most Arts and Sciences programs, about 6,200 for domestic students and about 40,000 for international students (tuition and ancillary fees; the international page lists books and fees of about 1,415 separately). York says domestic and out-of-province tuition rose 2% relative to 2025–26; supplementary fees are charged per credit, typically CAD 40–50. Tuition for 2027–28 is not published on the pages read; use York’s Course and Program Fees page.
• Living costs: York estimates residence/apartment (8 months) CAD 9,000–13,000, meal plan CAD 4,350–8,000, off-campus rent CAD 12,000 or more; the international page gives slightly different ranges. Health and dental care is CAD 359, or CAD 1,151 for international students including UHIP.
• Scholarships for Canadian students (the scholarships page): York has one Schulich Leader Scholarship of CAD 100,000 (25,000 × 4 years) for a student admitted to a Science, Technology or Mathematics program; candidates must be nominated by their high school (nomination deadline January 27, 2027; application deadline February 17, 2027). Other domestic entrance awards are not listed on the pages read.

7. Co-op and research

• Co-op (the co-op page): York’s co-op is optional, paid, full-time work in 4, 8 or 12-month terms, and the Faculty of Science list of programs with co-op includes Biology. You do not choose co-op on the OUAC application; after first year the Co-op & Career Centre tells you how to apply. York says its co-op job board is largely located in the Greater Toronto Area. Whether international students can join and how work permits are handled is not published on the pages read; check York’s website.

Sources: York: Biology (Keele) program page; York: Biology (Glendon) program page; Faculty of Science: Biology; How to apply and deadlines; Language requirements; Required documents; International student page; Tuition and fees; Scholarships and bursaries; Co-op. Dates and fees without a printed year should be checked for 2027 entry; averages are guidelines and do not guarantee admission.