Medical laboratory science diploma
Facts checked 7 September 2026
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Part of the route toMedical Laboratory Technologist·Diploma
A 2.5-year polytechnic health sciences diploma teaching diagnostic pathology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and hospital lab practice.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
THE ROUTE
How this program works, step by step
Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.
The route (8 steps)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- General BC secondary school curriculum and coursework at the Grade 11 level.
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 school year- English 12 / English Studies 12 with a minimum grade of 73%
- Pre-Calculus 12. Requirement varies by school (British Columbia Institute of Technology, College of New Caledonia). Strictest requirement: 73%.
- Chemistry 12 with a minimum grade of 73%
- Biology 12. Requirement varies by school (British Columbia Institute of Technology, College of New Caledonia). Strictest requirement: 73%.
- High school graduation with English Studies 12 (min 73%)
Step 3 of 8
What you need to get in
- Situational judgment test score release
- Mandatory applicant questionnaire evaluating lab environment readiness
- Minimum 30 post-secondary credits with general chemistry and biology recommended
- Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire and admissions test
- Post-secondary university coursework in chemistry and biology (min C+)
Step 4 of 8
How to apply
- Apply through the BCIT portal during the competitive admissions window
- Submit high school and post-secondary transcripts with strong academic marks in senior sciences
- Complete the online candidate situational judgment test
- Provide criminal record review clearance and complete immunizations before hospital placement
- Tuition: Not published
Step 5 of 8
Medical laboratory science diploma
⏱ 2.5 years- 2.5 years (7.5 full-time terms) of lecture, specialized laboratory practice, and clinical practicum
- Clinical chemistry: biochemical automated analyzers, metabolic panels, and quality assurance
- Hematology and hemostasis: blood cell morphology, leukemia screening, and coagulation testing
- Clinical microbiology: bacterial culture, fungal identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility
- Transfusion science: blood group typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching for surgical transfusions
- Histotechnology: tissue processing, microtomy sectioning, and pathological cellular staining
- Supervised hospital laboratory clinical rotation (1,000 hours) in accredited BC diagnostic labs
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 2 schools in BC- British Columbia Institute of Technology — 2.5 years (Tuition not yet verified)
- College of New Caledonia — 2.5 years (About $3,600 per level)
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) National MLT Certification Examination
Step 8 of 8
Leads to: Medical Laboratory Technologist
- Explore Medical Laboratory Technologist wages, job outlook, and career pathways
SCHOOLS
Where you can take this(2 schools)
Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.
We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.