Program
The University of Saskatchewan’s nutrition graduate programs are designed for students interested in advancing research and practice related to human health. The programs emphasize research that addresses real‑world health and quality‑of‑life challenges, with research‑intensive study connected to clinical, community and population‑level nutrition priorities that inform policy, practice and innovation across health systems.
Why study Nutrition at USask?
- Build research capacity across a large cluster of health sciences disciplines on a single campus.
- Access unique state-of-the-art nutrition and food laboratories that support collaborative learning and research.
- Access scholarships, networking, professional development, and international work opportunities.
Quick facts
-
Expected length Thesis-based Course-based M.Sc. 2 years Ph.D. 4 years - Degree requirements
- Class delivery in-person
- Supervisor approval is required to apply
- Deadlines and admission details below
Gamechangers in improving health through nutrition research
Work alongside leading researchers tackling complex nutritional challenges that shape health, communities and care systems. At USask, graduate study in nutrition links rigorous research with meaningful local and global impact.
Nutrition master's and PhD research areas
A wide range of potential specializations are open to students in our nutrition graduate programs. Research activities focus on areas that are highly relevant to improving health and quality of life and include:
- clinical nutrition
- community nutrition
- nutritional biochemistry
- dietary assessment and nutritional epidemiology
- nutrition education
- nutrition intervention
- food security
- food biotechnology
- nutrition services administration
Research supervisors
Before applying, you must have approval from a faculty supervisor, as admission is not possible without one in place. Contact a faculty member whose research aligns with your interests and share your academic background and research goals. If they agree to accept and supervise you, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.
Please be aware that our faculty receive numerous emails from prospective students every week so you may not receive a response if you are not selected.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Pediatric nutrition, micronutrients, human milk, nutrient transport physiology | |
| Nutrition and dementia, long-term care, end of life nutrition, aging | |
| Perinatal nutrition, human milk, micronutrients, clinical trials, developmental origins of health and disease | |
| Oral health and nutrition; nutrition ehealth and mhealth, dietetic professional practice, qualitative research | |
| Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition and chronic diseases |
Tuition and funding
Funding
Admission to the graduate program does not imply financial support. Obtaining scholarship funding is very competitive. A limited number of graduate scholarships are available each year. Teaching fellowships and assistantships may also be available.
National granting councils (e.g. CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) and a number of other private or publicly funded agencies and organizations offer merit based fellowships and scholarships. Faculty members who hold research grants or external contracts may be in a position to offer Research Assistantships to their graduate students. Other potential sources of funding include endowment awards, varying in conditions and values.
Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.
Tuition and fees
Thesis or project-based master's program
Graduate students in a thesis or project-based program pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.
| Term | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2025 | ||
| January 1 - April 30, 2026 | ||
| May 1 - August 31, 2026 | ||
| Total per academic year |
Student fees
In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.
| Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 CAD |
Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.
Doctoral program
Doctoral students pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program. Both international and domestic Ph.D. students pay the same rate.
| Term | |
|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2025 | $1,812.00 CAD |
| January 1 - April 30, 2026 | $1,812.00 CAD |
| May 1 - August 31, 2026 | $1,812.00 CAD |
| Total per academic year | $5,436.00 CAD |
Student fees
In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.
| Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 CAD |
Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.
View 2026-2027 tuition and fees rates through the financial planning estimator tool. By June, tuition information on this website will be updated with 2026-2027 tuition and fee information.
Admission requirements
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
- A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
Qualified students who are required to take additional under‐graduate training in certain areas in order to proceed with graduate courses and research in their selected field may be conditionally admitted to the College.
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
- Master’s degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline. Depending on previous academic preparation, the student may be required to begin their program in the master’s degree, with the intention of transferring to the Doctor of Philosophy program.
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 75% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
Application process and deadlines
Deadlines and important dates
There is no set deadline for applying to this program. Applications are accepted year round. Students may begin in September or January each year.
Find a supervisor
Potential students must identify a supervisor willing to provide a confirmed commitment that a research project and funding are in place before an application can be processed. See Research supervisors above for more information.
Submit an online application
International students - Master's and doctoral students applying for a study permit do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma students, as well as Visiting Research students studying over six months, still need a PAL. Review federal international study permit policies before you apply.
Before beginning your online application, be sure that you have carefully reviewed all program information and admission requirements on this page.
During the application, you'll be asked for:
- Personal information such as your name, address, etc.
- Contact information of your three referees
- For your letters of recommendation, two of your referees must be academic contacts, and the third may be academic or professional
- Your complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions
The application takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may save your application and return to it later.
At the end of the application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee: $125 for domestic students and $145 for international students. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.
Submit required documents
Once you've submitted your online application, you will have access to upload your required documents, and provide the contact information for your references. To do this, go to the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab in your application.
Preliminary Statement of Marks
- Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
- The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college and must include a grading key/legend.
- All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
- Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
- Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:
- Completing a relevant test with the appropriate score is required before the application deadline.
- Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
- Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.
In addition to the above official documents, please upload the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae or resume: including publications, familiarity with research equipment, research-related experience and other relevant information
Contact
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
2A20.1 Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Avenue
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5
Graduate Chair
Roy Dobson
Email: roy.dobson@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Simone Downer
Email: grad-pharmacy-nutrition@usask.ca
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements