Canada continues to be a major study destination. In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Countries rankings, Canada placed 19th overall, and the Canadian Bureau for International Education reports that the reputation and quality of Canada’s education system is one of the top reasons international students choose Canada to pursue their higher education.
Furthermore, Toronto remains a multicultural and inviting city for students, even though Canada’s recent international student trend has shifted. After years of growth, the number of full-time international students in public postsecondary institutions in Canada decreased in 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. Even so, Toronto universities are worth looking into. Precisely for this reason, this article discusses some of the best biology universities in Toronto.
Top Schools Offering Biology in Toronto
1. University of Toronto
Founded by royal charter in 1827, the University of Toronto (U of T) is one of the best universities in the world and a leading research university in Canada. Its St. George campus is located in downtown Toronto near Queen’s Park, while the university also has campuses in Mississauga and Scarborough. Across its three campuses in the Greater Toronto Area, U of T offers more than 700 undergraduate specialist, major, and minor programs.
Some of the university’s strong life science options are found in its biology-related departments and programs. Students interested in biology can pursue areas such as Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Molecular Biology, Comparative Physiology, Biotechnology, Biology for Health Science, Paleontology, and related life science fields across U of T’s campuses. At the graduate level, U of T offers master’s and Ph.D. options across the biological sciences, including areas such as Cell and Systems Biology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Upon graduation, students may pursue teaching, research, health-related fields, pharmaceuticals, food and dairy, biotechnology, conservation, and environmental work.
2. York University
Located in Toronto, York University (YU) is a top international teaching and research university. Presently, York has more than 53,100 students enrolled in over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university describes its community as welcoming and globally minded, and it emphasizes preparing students for long-term careers and personal success.
As a top biology university in Toronto, YU’s Department of Biology offers undergraduate and graduate instruction in the major fields of biology. The department welcomes students interested in Cell and Molecular Biology, Physiology and Neuroscience, and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Undergraduate biology students can choose from courses in biochemistry, molecular genetics and cell biology, zoology, physiology, plant science, evolution, and ecology, with co-op options available. At the graduate level, York offers Biology programs leading to the MSc and Ph.D., supported by more than 60 faculty members appointed to the graduate program. Upon graduation, students may pursue careers in research, health-related fields, academia, biotechnology, and other science-based industries.
3. Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University describes itself as an urban institution dedicated to excellence, innovation, and inclusion, with a focus on career-oriented education and real-world impact.
Being one of the best universities for biology in Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University offers a Biology – BSc (Hons) through the Faculty of Science. The program is available in full-time four-year and five-year co-op formats, and its first year shares a foundation with the Chemistry and Medical Physics programs. Students can strengthen their math, research, and science skills while exploring subjects such as cellular structure and function, the environment, and bioinformatics. The Department of Chemistry and Biology also offers master’s and Ph.D. programs in Molecular Science, which can prepare students for careers in biology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and environmental sectors.
If you have been considering Toronto as an aspiring biologist, these universities can be strong options to begin your studies and prepare for future careers. Begin your application journey today for a chance to be ahead of your peers.
We hope you found this article on the best universities for biology in Toronto informative and helpful. Also, check out the Study in Canada and Available Courses for International Students pages for more information!
