How to Apply

First: Check admission requirements

Students applying to take summer courses at BMSC should have completed 2nd year of an undergraduate degree program before the course start date. Each summer course also has one or more course-specific prerequisite(s). Check which prerequisite courses are required for each course you are interested in taking before you apply.

Students accepted into the Fall Semester program must have completed their 2nd year in biology, zoology or botany. Completion of introductory courses in ecology and statistics is required, and completion of courses in invertebrate zoology and non-vascular plants are strongly recommended.

Second: Apply online to BMSC

The scholarship deadline for summer program applications is March 5.


The scholarship deadline for Fall Program applications is March 31.


All applications completed before these deadlines are eligible for internal BMSC scholarships. Applications received past the scholarship deadline are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis and will not be considered for internal scholarships.


Acceptance to courses at the BMSC is based on a number of factors including academic performance and a statement of interest. The average GPA of accepted students varies with the pool of applicants.

Priority will be given to 3rd and 4th year degree program students registered at member universities. Other applications from qualified persons are welcome and will be considered on their individual merits.

The Director of the BMSC has final authority in accepting students for courses.

Step 1 - Complete and submit the BMSC online application form and required documents below.

Summer 2025 – APPLY NOW!

Scholarship deadline: March 5, 11:59 pm PST


Fall 2025 – APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE SOON

Scholarship deadline: March 31, 11:59 pm PST

 

Required documents for all applications:

  1. Transcripts for all post-secondary academic activities (official or unofficial). Submit transcripts as PDF files, screenshots are not acceptable.
  2. A brief statement of interest explaining the appropriateness of the specific program(s) you are applying for to your own professional development. If you are applying for more than one course/program, you may choose to submit a customized statement for each.
  3. Course specific additional documentation, if applicable.

Summer Directed Studies: Students applying to complete a Directed Studies course must submit a project proposal and letter from a supervising faculty member. Contact the University Program Coordinator if you need help finding a faculty member to supervise your project.

Fall Directed Studies: Most students do not require any supporting documents. Fall Directed Studies projects will be discussed after arrival. University of Victoria students should be prepared to complete registration via Pro Forma upon arrival.


To audit a course:

Please contact University Programs if you wish to take a course at the BMSC without receiving university course credits.


Questions? Contact the University Programs office

Email: university@bamfieldmsc.com
Phone: 250-720-3301 ext. 219

If you have technical difficulties completing your application, please email the University Programs office and we will work with you to complete it – if technical difficulties delay the submission of your application, you will be considered for scholarships even if your application is not officially completed until after the deadline.

Step 2 - Pay the BMSC application fee.*

Early bird application fee (before scholarship deadline): $50 CAD
Application fee (after scholarship deadline): $75 CAD

Instructions on how to pay the application fee will be provided upon submitting an application form.

If you have submitted your application form and additional documents before the scholarship deadline and pay your application outside of business hours, your application will still be considered for scholarships. We will contact you the next business day for confirmation.

 

Step 3 - You will be notified by email of the course(s) you have been accepted to.

You will receive a confirmation email once your application is complete.

All applicants will be notified about the status of their application via email. These status notifications are typically sent in late March for Summer program applications and mid-April for Fall Program applications.

The Director of BMSC has final authority in accepting students for courses.

Third: You’ve been accepted! Next steps:

1. Pay course deposit to BMSC

Course deposits are applied toward BMSC fees.

Course deposits are non-refundable*, however summer course deposits can be transferred to another course in the same year. If you decide not to take a course after you have paid the deposit, you must notify the University Programs Coordinator at BMSC, in addition to withdrawing registration at your member university.


SUMMER PROGRAMS:

Summer field courses

  • $300 CAD for each 2-week or 3-week course
  • $600 CAD for each 4-week or 6-week course

Bamfield Research Internships

  • $300 CAD for a 3-week placement
  • $600 CAD for a 6-week placement

Prior to April 1, you must pay a deposit to hold your place in courses you were accepted to and still intend to take.


FALL PROGRAM:

  • $1500 CAD for the full semester program.

Prior to May 1, you must pay a deposit to hold your place in the Fall Program.

2. Register for course(s) at the correct university

Your acceptance offer will contain the course registration numbers and instructions to register for the course at your university. Registration procedures vary, select the appropriate category below.

– Canadian undergraduate students:

Undergraduate student at a WCUMSS member university (UVIC, UBC, SFU, UAlberta, UCalgary)

  • UVic students: Once you have been accepted, you can self-register using the CRN numbers provided in the course code document we sent you in your acceptance letter.
  • SFU students:  Once you have been accepted, you can self-register using the course codes provided in the course code document we sent you in your acceptance letter.
  • UBC, UA, and UC students: We have forwarded the class list to your department and you will registered by the department administration.

Please check by your course add/drop deadline that you are indeed registered, and contact us if you encounter any difficulties.

– International undergraduate students:

– Non-Credit Option:

Auditing Student

Application procedures for persons who do not require credit, including those not registered at any college or university:

If you do not require credit for courses, it is not necessary to apply/register at a member university. Instead, you will pay and Audit tuition fee to BMSC. This tuition fee is in addition to the BMSC Fee that covers room, board, and user fees.

Audit tuition at BMSC are $600 for each 3-week summer course, and $1200 for each 6-week course, payable to BMSC on the first day of classes.

Note: Students must have permission from the instructor to audit or to take the course for no credit. Students taking courses for credit have priority over noncredit students.

Fourth: Prepare for your trip to BMSC

  1. How will I get there?
  2. Obtain a PCOC card and First Aid certification for boat use.
  3. See ‘How to prepare’ FAQs
  4. Stay connected FB-fLogo-Blue-printpackaging  Twitter_logo_blue

Questions? Contact the University Programs Office.

phone: 250-728-3301 ext. 219