Biomedical Engineering sits inside Toronto Metropolitan University's Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, one of the university's most career-oriented and co-op-heavy faculties. TMU (formerly Ryerson) is a large, downtown-Toronto public comprehensive university — roughly 50,000 students, ranked #1 in Canada for student services by Maclean's, and a reported 92% of graduates employed within two years of finishing their degree. For applicants weighing a four-year BEng in Biomedical Engineering, the pitch is straightforward: a degree that blends electrical, mechanical, and biological engineering fundamentals, direct access to a downtown campus a subway ride from Toronto's hospital and medtech corridor, and — because it's a full bachelor's degree rather than a diploma — a clean path to the maximum Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) regardless of field of study.
This guide walks through what the data actually shows: acceptance realities, real tuition figures, admission requirements, the IELTS/TOEFL rules that apply, and what BEng graduates from TMU generally go on to do.
Acceptance Rate
TMU does not publish a program-level, or even a university-wide, acceptance rate. Admission runs through Ontario's centralized OUAC application system and is decided primarily on academic averages and program-specific prerequisite grades — Math and Science for Engineering — rather than the holistic essay-and-interview review used by US universities.
What this means for Biomedical Engineering specifically:
- There is no published minimum admission average to target. TMU's own guidance notes that oversubscribed faculties (Ted Rogers School of Management and Computer Science are named explicitly) admit well above the university's general floor, and Engineering programs follow a similar dynamic given strong demand for STEM seats.
- Because admission is grades-based, a strong secondary record in the specific prerequisite Math and Science subjects for Biomedical Engineering matters more than a polished personal statement.
- Treat any single number you see quoted online as an unverified estimate — TMU has not published one for this program.
Bottom line: budget for an OSSD-equivalent average comfortably above TMU's general admission floor, verify the exact prerequisite subject list on the Biomedical Engineering program page each cycle, and don't rely on a headline acceptance-rate figure that TMU itself doesn't publish.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Biomedical Engineering is billed at TMU's Engineering and Architectural Science international tuition rate. Approximate annual figures (per TMU's published fee schedule):
| Cost Item | Amount (CAD/year) |
|---|---|
| International tuition | $44,500 |
| Domestic tuition (Ontario, for comparison) | ~$11,900 |
| Estimated living expenses (Toronto) | $30,454 |
| Total estimated cost of attendance (international) | $74,954 |
Over a four-year BEng, that puts total program cost in the neighborhood of $300,000 CAD before any scholarships, co-op earnings, or part-time work — though TMU's engineering co-op terms typically let students earn income during at least one work term, which meaningfully offsets that total for many students. Applicants also pay an OUAC base application fee (CAD $156 for the first three program choices), plus TMU's own supplementary application fee (CAD $90 for up to two choices) where a program requires one.
Admission Requirements
Based on TMU's published undergraduate and Engineering-faculty requirements:
- OSSD or equivalent secondary credential, with strong grades in the specific Math and Science prerequisite courses Biomedical Engineering requires — TMU's grades-based system weighs these prerequisite subjects alongside your overall average
- Official transcripts (final and/or predicted results, depending on your curriculum)
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo), unless exempt
- Application fee: OUAC base fee (CAD $156 for three choices)
- No essay, interview, portfolio, or audition is required for Biomedical Engineering — TMU's "Grades Plus" supplementary process applies mainly to Creative School and Community Services programs, not Engineering
Intakes: TMU's guaranteed-consideration date for Fall admission is February 1, with decisions released on a rolling basis afterward. A limited set of programs also admit for a January start, subject to space, though Biomedical Engineering primarily runs a Fall intake.
How to Get Into TMU's Biomedical Engineering Program
-
Nail your Math and Science prerequisite grades, not just your overall average. TMU's grades-based system evaluates the specific courses Biomedical Engineering requires (typically advanced functions, calculus, chemistry, and physics) alongside your overall OSSD-equivalent average — a strong overall average with a weak prerequisite grade can still hurt your application.
-
Target an admission average well above TMU's general floor. Engineering programs at TMU are consistently oversubscribed relative to seats, so treat the university's general published minimum as a floor, not a target.
-
Clear the English requirement with room to spare. Engineering coursework at TMU is lab- and report-heavy, and while TMU sets no individual section minimums for the general requirement, an uneven Writing or Speaking score creates a real skills gap once group project work and lab reports start.
-
Apply as early as possible within the intake window. TMU processes undergraduate decisions on a rolling basis after the February 1 guaranteed-consideration date, so earlier, complete applications have a practical edge as seats fill.
-
If you're short of the English requirement, ask about TMU's English Language Institute (ELI) pathway rather than assuming rejection — it's a structured, real route into degree studies for qualifying applicants.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
TMU sets its general undergraduate English proficiency floor at the faculty level, with one relevant carve-out for Engineering programs:
- IELTS Academic: minimum 6.5 overall (recommended 7.0); no individual section minimums are enforced at the general admission stage
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 83 for most Engineering and Architectural Science programs (excluding Computer Science and Architectural Science specifically) — a lower bar than TMU's general undergraduate TOEFL minimum of 92
- PTE Academic: 60 minimum; Duolingo English Test: 120 minimum
- Waiver: applicants who completed secondary study taught and examined in English at an approved institution are generally exempt; scores are valid for 2 years
- Conditional admission: applicants below the requirement may be offered a place paired with TMU's English Language Institute (ELI) pathway
Because Biomedical Engineering coursework involves substantial lab reporting, group project work, and technical presentations, clearing the minimum comfortably — rather than exactly at 6.5/83 — removes English proficiency as a friction point once classes start. For TMU's full English-testing breakdown across programs and levels, see the TMU guide.
Career Outcomes
TMU does not publish outcomes data specific to Biomedical Engineering graduates, but the university's broader figures give a reasonable proxy:
- Graduates employed within two years: ~92% (university-wide figure TMU actively promotes)
- Top recruiters (university-wide): Canada's "Big Five" banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC), Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Shopify, and Amazon — engineering graduates specifically are also well-placed with Toronto-area hospital networks, medical device companies, and health-tech employers given the program's biomedical focus and the city's dense healthcare-technology sector, though TMU does not publish a biomedical-engineering-specific employer list
- TMU's co-op-integrated Engineering programs and downtown location give Biomedical Engineering students a genuine structural advantage for work-term placements compared to a suburban or smaller-city campus
FAQ
Does TMU publish an acceptance rate for Biomedical Engineering specifically? No. TMU does not publish a university-wide or program-level acceptance rate. Admission is grades-based through Ontario's OUAC system, and Engineering programs are generally admitted above TMU's published general floor given strong STEM demand.
How much does TMU's Biomedical Engineering program cost? International tuition is CAD $44,500/year, with total estimated cost of attendance (including living expenses) around CAD $74,954/year — roughly CAD $300,000 for the full four-year degree before any scholarships or co-op earnings.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need? IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (recommended 7.0), or TOEFL iBT 83 — a lower bar than TMU's general undergraduate TOEFL minimum of 92, since Biomedical Engineering falls under the Engineering and Architectural Science carve-out (excluding Computer Science and Architectural Science specifically).
Is Biomedical Engineering at TMU a full degree, and is it PGWP-eligible? Yes — it's a four-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), a full degree program. As a degree-granting university program, it remains broadly Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)-eligible regardless of field of study, and a completed 4-year degree generally qualifies graduates for the maximum 3-year PGWP, subject to standard IRCC conditions.
Does Biomedical Engineering require a supplementary application, portfolio, or interview? No. TMU's "Grades Plus" supplementary process (portfolio, audition, or interview) applies mainly to select Creative School and Community Services programs — Biomedical Engineering admission is based on grades and prerequisite courses only.
What if my English score is below TMU's requirement? You may be offered conditional admission through TMU's English Language Institute (ELI) pathway, which bridges qualifying applicants into degree studies once they reach the required English level.