Program
The Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics Program at the University of Saskatchewan provides students with opportunities to study cutting-edge advances in the field vaccinology and infectious diseases.
Why choose USask for Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics?
- You will have access to world-class research centres including the Canadian Light Source, and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization and International Vaccine Centre.
- Learn from the wealth of industry knowledge available at Innovation Place – one of the most successful university-related research parks in North America.
- This program combines interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary academic learning with practical experience under the mentorship of a team of experts.
Quick facts
-
Expected Length Thesis-based Course-based M.Sc. 2 years Ph.D. 4 years - Degree requirements
- Class delivery in-person
- Supervisor approval recommended before applying
- Deadlines and admission details below
Gamechangers in the field of vaccinology and infectious diseases
Trailblaze the fight against infectious diseases as you explore vaccine science, tackle societal and ethical challenges, and innovate immunotherapeutic solutions. With access to advanced facilities, you’ll drive breakthroughs that shape the future of global health.
Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics M.Sc. and Ph.D. research areas
This multidisciplinary program offers students the following three streams:
- Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics: Social Issues. The research in this area will involve the complex social, health care, legal and ethical issues associated with vaccination and other immunotherapeutics. Students in this program will receive an M.Sc or Ph.D.
- Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics: Design & Production. The research in this area will focus on the design and production of vaccines and other immunotherapeutics. Students in the program will receive an M.Sc. or Ph.D.
- Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics: Scientific Bases. The major focus of research in this area would be the science that underlies vaccines and other immunotherapeutics. Students in the program will receive an M.Sc. or Ph.D.
Research supervisors
Before applying, we recommend contacting a potential supervisor whose research areas align with your interests. Share your academic background and research goals. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Mycobacterial virulence factors, TB host-pathogen interactions and aerobiology, Anti-TB vaccines and therapies, Animal models of TB | |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis, infection biology, antibiotics, persistence, 3D microtissue models, single-cell imaging | |
| Viral Pathogenesis; Vaccine Development; Vaccine Delivery by Nanotechnology | |
| Vaccines, adjuvants and immunotherapeutic agents, Vaccine formulation and delivery systems, Immunobiology of Toll-like receptors, Mucosal immunology | |
| Vaccine Development, Prion Diseases, Kinome Analysis, Infectious Disease | |
| Sexually transmitted and blood borne infections, Tuberculosis, social epidemiology and determinants of health, population health intervention research, Indigenous health, Clinical quality improvement, Epidemiology | |
| Pulmonary immunity by vaccination, vaccine formulation, mucosal immunology, mRNA vaccines, subunit vaccines, adjuvants, animal models, particle engineering, molecular imaging, thermostable vaccines | |
| Molecular virology, Viral pathogenesis, Virus-host interactions, Vaccinology, Mucosal immunization, Viral vectors, Dendritic cell vaccines | |
| Salmonella transmission and virulence, gene expression associated with Salmonella biofilm information, Salmonella vaccine development | |
| Mucosal immunology, neonatal vaccinology, swine immunology, and elucidating mechanism of adjuvant signalling | |
| Cellular immunology, therapeutic vaccines for breast cancer treatment | |
| Molecular biology, pathogenesis and vaccine development of influenza virus |
Tuition and funding
Funding
Scholarships are available and are awarded on the basis of academic merit.
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 |
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 |
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
- 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
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 80% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. coursework required in master’s program)
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 their program in January, May or September each year.
Submit an online application
International Students - Review federal international study permit policies before you apply. We do not anticipate that the implementation of the PAL process will limit graduate enrollment at USask.
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.
You may be required to submit the following documents:
- A curriculum vitae or resume
- A statement/letter of intent (approximately one to three pages in length) which should include:
- Specific areas of interest that could lead to a thesis topic
- A statement of education and employment history and how it relates to the study of Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics
- A description of your educational and career goals
- An assessment of how the Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics Program will help achieve these goals.
Contact
V & I Program
School of Public Health
104 Clinic Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4
Program Chair
Dr. Sureesh Tikoo
Email: thesis.admissions@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Email: thesis.admissions@usask.ca
- School of Public Health
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements