MD/PhD
On This Page
Program Overview
The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) offers the MD/PhD Program as part of its medical research education portfolio. It is intended for exceptional students who are committed to a career in medical research as a physician-scientist.
In addition to the four years required to complete the MD degree, the PhD typically takes four to six more years to complete. The PhD can be completed in any recognized, health-related, graduate program at the U of A, but it must be health-related.
List of available graduate programs
The MD/PhD calendar entry provides an overview of the MD/PhD Program.
For general information about the program, email fmdgrd@ualberta.ca.
Acceptance
Acceptance into this program is contingent upon the approval of the MD/PhD Committee. Only students who have already been admitted to the MD Program at the U of A will be considered.
Students who show a dedication to in-depth research training have a good chance of acceptance once granted admission to the MD Program. Your choice of PhD training environment, supervisor and project will also influence your application.
Approximately two to four students per year enter the program.
For all MD/PhD students, the PhD must be completed before commencing Year 3 of the MD Program.
There are two potential paths for admission to the MD/PhD Program:
- Current MD students should apply to the MD/PhD Program before completion of Year 2 and must be admitted to an approved graduate program through the regular application procedure process.
- Current U of A graduate students who gain admission to the MD Program may be eligible to enroll immediately in the MD/PhD Program.
In collaboration with the MD Program, students can defer their MD admission and continue full-time graduate registration.
Alternatively, students who are nearing completion of their doctoral program have the option to transition into the MD Program.
The PhD must be health-related and be through a recognized graduate program at the U of A but doesn’t need to be in the FoMD.
Eligibility
- Applicants must have been admitted to the U of A MD Program already.
- If you are already in the MD Program, you will need a commitment from a graduate supervisor but do not need formal admission to the graduate program to submit an MD/PhD application.
- Students in a graduate program who obtain admission to the MD Program are automatically eligible for the MD/PhD Program.
- International students should check the citizenship and residency requirements needed for the MD Program.
How to Apply
Before you Apply
Contact Program Director Alan Underhill: alan.underhill@ualberta.ca.
Application Package
To apply to the MD/PhD Program, you must submit the following items:
- Your curriculum vitae, highlighting any research experience
- Up-to-date transcripts
- A one- or two-page letter of purpose (e.g. career goals) and general plan (e.g. department choice and subject area) for your PhD
- Timeline of expected completion of both MD and PhD, by year
- Letter(s) of reference from former research supervisor(s) where available
- Detailed scientific research proposal for the PhD program (between two and four pages)
- Proposed or current supervisor's letter of recommendation
- Proposed or current supervisor's curriculum vitae, including their supervisory record
- Proposed or current supervisor's grant support
- Proposed or current members of PhD supervisory committee
Submit your application package as one PDF to fmdgrd@ualberta.ca.
Deadlines
Current MD students must submit by November 15 of Year 2.
Graduate students accepted into the MD Program must submit by June 30 of their MD admission year.
Complete application packages will be reviewed by the MD/PhD Committee and you will receive a formal letter to confirm the outcome.
Fees
Rates vary from year to year. However, fees are generally reduced because there are no MD Program differential costs.
Generally, students pay a flat program fee that is slightly higher than graduate tuition, but much lower than MD Program tuition.
Funding Opportunities
Students should consult with their PhD supervisor on funding options and can seek scholarship funding from local, provincial or national agencies.
Most of these awards will support the graduate training portion. However, MD/PhD-specific awards may provide partial funding through MD Years 3 and 4.
To verify your registration in the program, the chair can provide a letter.
MD/PhD students have been successful in receiving high-value scholarships.
Common sources of funding for doctoral students may include:
- FoMD-specific scholarships
- Department-specific awards (contact your program's graduate administrator)
- Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies awards
- Alberta Innovates
- Tri-Council funding (CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC doctoral studentships, Vanier awards)
- Supervisor's grant support
MD/PhD students specifically are eligible for other scholarships, including:
- H Jean McDiarmaid Scholarship
- Lorne Tyrrell MD/PhD Clinical Investigator Award
- EC Wershof Award
Eligible students are automatically considered for these scholarships. The value of these scholarships varies from year to year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants must have been admitted to the U of A MD Program already.
If you are already in the MD Program, you will need a commitment from a graduate supervisor but do not need formal admission to the graduate program to submit an MD/PhD application.
Students in a graduate program who obtain admission to the MD Program are automatically eligible for the MD/PhD Program.
International students should check the citizenship and residency requirements needed for the MD Program.
The MD/PhD calendar entry provides an overview of the MD/PhD Program.
For general information about the program, email fmdgrd@ualberta.ca.
Prepare an application package as one PDF and submit it to fmdgrd@ualberta.ca.
Current MD students must submit by November 15 of Year 2.
Graduate students accepted into the MD Program must submit by June 30 of their MD admission year.
Complete application packages will be reviewed by the MD/PhD Committee and you will receive a formal letter to confirm the outcome.
Students who show a dedication to in-depth research training have a good chance of acceptance once granted admission to the MD Program. Your choice of PhD training environment, supervisor and project will also influence your application.
The PhD typically takes four to six years and must meet all graduate program calendar requirements. An additional four years are required to complete the MD degree.
Approximately two to four students per year enter the program.
No. The PhD can be completed in any recognized, health-related, graduate program at the U of A, but it must be health-related.
Students should consult with their PhD supervisor on funding options and can seek scholarship funding from local, provincial or national agencies.
Most of these awards will support the graduate training portion. However, MD/PhD-specific awards may provide partial funding through MD Years 3 and 4.
To verify your registration in the program, the chair can provide a letter.
Rates vary from year to year. However, fees are generally reduced because there are no MD Program differential costs.
Generally, students pay a flat program fee that is slightly higher than graduate tuition, but much lower than MD Program tuition.
Contact fmdgrd@ualberta.ca with funding questions.