Global Health Science Program
The Global Health Science Program is an academic medical program offered by the University of Alberta's Office of International Programs, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. It is designed for clinical and medical science students, dental students, nursing students, pharmacy students, students in public health, students studying mental health (psychology/psychiatry), students in health sciences related programs, young physicians, teachers, researchers, and experts in health related fields. The course is offered in both in-person and online formats. Note that the public health, mental health and pharmacy tracks are currently only available for the in-person format but medicine, dental and nursing tracks are available for both in person and online formats. It provides an interactive and unique format for participants to gain exposure to the Canadian healthcare system, family medicine, clinical medical practices; and the medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health, pharmacy, mental health curricula offered at the University of Alberta. The program aims to meet the needs of those interested in both clinical and research paths and allows participants to meet health faculty and trainees from various cultural and international backgrounds with similar career goals.
There is an option to participate in the International Academic Elective program. Go here for more details.
The Global Health Science Program provides the following:
- An interactive medical course in a unique format
- Medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health, mental health, and pharmacy tracks with laboratory science and rehabilitation medicine and other health sciences related tracks being added in the future. Availability of a track is dependent upon sufficient registrations for that track.
- Meaningful exposure to the Canadian health-care system, which may include hospital, family medicine and clinical medical practices
- An opportunity to meet with renown medical researchers such as U of A's Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Michael Houghton and Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and Order of Canada recipient Dr. Lorne Tyrrell. (Note: We do our best to provide these opportunities but they are subject to Dr. Houghton and Dr. Tyrrell's availability).
- An opportunity for participants to learn about Canadian society and culture
- An opportunity for participants to meet new friends with different cultural backgrounds
This program will be of particular interest to:
- Clinical medicine & medical science students
- Students in any year of their medical or health sciences program
- Students from Faculties of Medicine & Dentistry, Nursing Faculties and Schools of Public Health from international partners
- Young physicians, teachers, researchers, experts in health related fields
Program Requirements:
- Adequate English comprehension and speaking skills
- Canadian entry visa
- Cell phone
- Laptop
Summer 2027 In-Person Cohort
The next in-person offering of this program is Monday to Friday, July 12 - Aug. 6, 2027, 9 am - 4 pm. Tracks offered include: medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and mental health. Tuition is $4,160 CAD which includes emergency health insurance, lectures, tours, access to our eClass online learning hub, and 2 meals. Tuition fees do not include accommodations, meals or transportation to and from Edmonton International Airport. Tuition is $2,000 CAD for Canadian Citizens and does not include emergency health insurance, accommodations, meals, or transportation from EIA. Once we receive your application, we will issue an invitation letter to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA which ever applies to your country. Check out processing times for your country here.
Apply here for the Summer 2027 In-Person Cohort
GHSP In-Person Brochure (All Tracks)
Tuition Payment Information
Go to this link and look for "6. GHSP (MDGLO)-Fees". Use 9999999 as your student ID. Enter your fees as listed on this webpage. You will be sent an invoice to assist with your payment.
Registrants should not pay their tuition fee until they receive their visa. Deadline for payment is June 28, 2027. Refunds less a $75 administration fee are granted after the deadline until until the first day of class on July 12, 2027. After July 12, 2027 there are no refunds. If participants depart prior to completing the program, the full fees apply and no refunds are offered.
Accommodations & Meals
Participants pay for their accommodations and meals separately from their tuition. Single & shared rooms are available in Lister Residence (11613 - 87 Ave.) on campus starting in May and ending August 13, 2027. To book a room at Lister Residence, email groupbookings@ualberta.ca. Put "Booking for GHSP" in the subject line. Payment for accommodations is to be made directly to Lister Residence. Bedding which includes towels, face cloth, sheets, comforter/duvet, pillows, pillow covers are all included in the accommodation fees. There is no extra charge for these items.
Other options are:
St. Joseph's College Residence which is on North Campus very close to the classroom. Available May - August. Contact sjcres@ualberta.ca and put "Booking for GHSP" in the subject line. Group rates are available for 10 or more students.
Campus Towers, is a 5 minute walk from the classroom
Varscona Hotel is a 25 minute walk or 10 minute bus ride away.
There are many other options in Edmonton that can be found with a search of the internet.
Questions? Contact ghsprog@ualberta.ca
Winter 2027 Online Cohort
The GHSP Winter Online Cohort is a 3-week program featuring presentations by our award winning faculty and researchers including Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Michael Houghton who with his team of international researchers discovered the Hep C virus. Topics include Evidence-Based Healthcare, Innovations in Learning Sciences, Arts and Humanities in Medical Education, Discovery Learning in medical education, and presentations by our UME and grad students on their life and study at the UofA. Nursing and Dental tracks are also available. Students will have access to eClass External which houses additional resources, assignments and evaluations. The online cohort, which will be delivered through Zoom, will be held from Sunday, January 10, 2027 to Thursday, January 28, 2027, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm (MST Canada & USA) or Monday - Friday from January 11 - January 29, 2026 Beijing Time. Check local timezones for particular start time.
Apply here for the Winter 2027 Online Cohort
GHSP Online Cohort Brochure (All tracks)
Cost is $1,500 CAD/person or $50,000 CAD/institution (up to 200 participants/institution) and includes online sessions, course materials and publications through eClass External. Institutional sponsors please contact the GHSP office at ghsprog@ualberta.ca. Refunds less a $75 administration fee are provided until January 10, 2027 MST. After this date, no refunds are available.
Payment Information: Go to this link and look for "6. GHSP (MDGLO)-Fees". Use 9999999 as your student ID. Enter your fees as listed on this webpage.
Last updated August 19, 2026
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