Medical Laboratory Science

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Applying as a Canadian applicant

Domestic students should apply online or by phone at 1-888-892-2228.

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Admissions - September 2025

Admission requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older with mature student status (See Mature Student definition for details.)
  • Grade 12 Compulsory English, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1251), or equivalent

  • Grade 12 Mathematics, C or U or equivalent; OR Conestoga College Preparatory Mathematics (MATH1420), with a minimum grade of 65%

  • Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry C or U, or equivalent; OR Conestoga College Preparatory Chemistry (SCIE1030), with a minimum grade of 65%

  • Grade 11 or 12 Biology C or U or equivalent; OR Conestoga College Preparatory Biology (SCIE1010), with a minimum grade of 65%

  • OR

  • Admission requirements may be met by completing the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees certificate or equivalent courses from the Academic Upgrading programs offered by Colleges across Ontario.
  • For more information on preparatory programs, visit Academic Upgrading

Note re: admission requirements

  • It is recommended that Chemistry be completed within five years prior to the start date of the program.

  • Grade 11 Biology is accepted for admission to this program, however Grade 12 Biology is recommended based on the material covered in the program.
  • Applicants possessing degrees/diplomas from institutions where the language of instruction was not English will be required to provide test scores as evidence of their English language proficiency. Test scores, if required, would be a minimum of TOEFL iBT 88 with no individual skill less than 22; IELTS 7.0, a writing band no less than 6.5, and no band less than 6.0; CAEL 70 with no sub-test band scores less than 60; PTE Academic 58; Cambridge Exams 180 with no individual score less than 170; or equivalent scores in other recognized standard tests of English.
  • We offer a language program for students whose English language skills are below the standard required for admission but who have met all other admission criteria. You will be eligible for admission to the degree program after completion of level 4 of the General Arts and Science – English Language Studies (ELS) program with an overall grade average of 80% and no grade less than 75%. Your placement in the ELS program is determined by scores on an in-house English language test or TOEFL or IELTS.

Canadian admissions contact

Admission procedures

  • An academic strength is calculated by averaging the submitted marks of required subjects. If more than one mark is received for a required subject, the highest mark will be used in the calculation.
  • Ten (10) additional marks are added to each Advanced level, OAC, U, U/C, and post-secondary course used in the calculation of academic strength.
  • A sound mathematical and English background is important for success in this program and is considered during the admission selection process. Minimum cutoffs apply.
  • Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician students who graduated from Conestoga College and are wanting to complete the Medical Laboratory Science Program will need to apply to level 3 of this program by completing an Advanced Standing Application.

Program requirements

  • Mandatory work-integrated learning (WIL) document requirements must be completed by students prior to student field/clinical WIL experiences. Successful WIL completion is required for students to progress to program completion. To qualify for field/clinical WIL learning experiences, students must present the following at the start of the program in accordance with pre-admission information provided by the College:
  • A complete immunization record including MMR, Tdap, varicella, COVID-19 and hepatitis B.
  • TB Testing: Evidence of current 2-step or previous 2-step + current 1-step if more than one year has passed since 2-step testing.
  • Standard First Aid and CPR – BLS level (must be completed in Canada)
  • An annual Police Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) to be completed in Canada. Police Checks must be clear of any unpardoned criminal offences. An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate in WIL experiences which will jeopardize progress in the program. Acceptance for WIL is at the discretion of the agency; some agencies may request students to provide a VSS completed within six months of WIL start date. Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the program chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability.
  • Students are responsible for costs associated with respirator (N95) fit testing required for WIL experiences.
  • Applicants are advised that a latex-free environment in the College or clinical setting is NOT guaranteed.
  • Travel/Clinical Placements within the program: Students are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from assigned learning settings external to the College and for covering any costs incurred. The location of these learning sites could be anywhere in the province of Ontario or outside the province.
  • Applicants should display integrity, reliability, maturity, self-direction, self-discipline, determination, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, poise, and leadership attributes.

Credit transfer

You might be eligible to enter a program at an advanced level, or be exempt from a course, if you have formal post-secondary education. Learn more about credit transfer opportunities.

Pathways

Some Conestoga programs have pathways for current students, including certificate-to-diploma, diploma-to-diploma and diploma-to-degree opportunities. Learn more about pathways at Conestoga.

Articulation agreements

Conestoga partners with other post-secondary institutions, allowing students the opportunity to study elsewhere, usually in pursuit or an academic credential. Learn more about articulation agreements.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Through PLAR, Conestoga may credit prior learning or skills acquired through employment, formal and informal education, or life experiences. Learn more about PLAR at Conestoga.

Disclaimer

The College reserves the right to alter information including requirements and fees and to cancel at any time a program, course, or program major or option; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies in the job market or for budgetary reasons; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations, over-acceptance of offers of admission, budgetary constraints, or for other such reasons. In the event the College exercises such a right, the College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to the College. Students actively registered in cohort delivered programs who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses that may result due to changes in the program of study. Unless otherwise stated, students registered in non-cohort delivered programs must complete the program of study within seven years of being admitted to the program.