Bachelor Programme
Biology
Biology at Western looks at life from the cellular level up to global ecosystems, using modern analytical instruments, experimental design and data analysis. Modules include Honours Specializations in Animal Behaviour, Biodiversity and Conservation, Biology, Genetics, Genetics and Biochemistry, and Synthetic Biology, along with majors in Biology, Ecosystem Health and Genetics. Field courses can take students to places such as the Adirondacks, Costa Rica or Ecuador, and Science Co-op, independent study and honours thesis options are available.
University
Western University
Country
Canada
Level
Bachelor
Field
Biology
Duration
4 years (Honours); 3-year degree and co-op routes from 3 to 5 years
Language
English
Campus
London, Ontario (Main Campus)
Degree
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology (Honours Science + Ivey HBA combined degree available)
Intake
September
Application Deadline
January 15, 2027 (OUAC application deadline for equal consideration); English test results by mid-April 2027
Tuition Information
International: CAD 47,493 tuition in year 1 (50,492.46 single-payment total with ancillary fees and health plans) under Western's 2026-27 Science/Social Science/Bio-Medical Sciences rate. International tuition rises no more than 4% per year after year 1. Canadian students (2026-27): Ontario residents CAD 6,171 tuition (8,222.46 total), out-of-province CAD 7,719 tuition (9,770.46 total). The 2026-27 schedules are marked draft and Fall 2027 rates are not yet published.
Admission Requirements
- Apply on the OUAC using Western code ES
- Ontario: OSSD with at least six Grade 12 U/M courses (excluding co-op), including ENG4U; each required course needs at least 70%
- Ontario required courses: ENG4U, MCV4U and two of MHF4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, ICS4U, SES4U, MDM4U or SPH4U (SBI4U and SCH4U are needed for first-year Biology and Chemistry, which all Biology modules require)
- IB: full IB Diploma with at least 27 points (including TOK and Extended Essay), six subjects with three at HL, and no mark below 4. Program IB requirements: Math (any) and one Science, HL or SL (Biology and Chemistry are needed for first-year Biology and Chemistry)
- Applicants from other curricula (A Levels, AP, US high school and national curricula by country) are assessed against Western's curriculum- and country-specific requirements
- Admission average guideline: low to mid 80s (Science) (Averages reflect Ontario high school students. Reaching the guideline does not guarantee admission)
- English language proficiency is required if English is not your first language (tests written from January 1, 2025 and before March 2027): IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each section), TOEFL iBT 83 (20 in each section) for tests before January 21, 2026 or 4.5 overall (4.0 in reading, speaking and writing; 4.5 in listening) for tests on or after that date, PTE Academic 58 (56 in each section), Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 176 (169 in each section) or Duolingo 115 (100 in each subscore). A waiver may be possible, for example after four full-time years of secondary school in English