Program Overview
BCIT’s Medical Laboratory Science Diploma is designed to prepare students for competency in laboratory diagnostics and health care support services. The curriculum focuses on analytical, microbiological, immunologic, hematologic, molecular, and clinical chemistry techniques, combined with clinical placements to translate learning into practice.
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The program is a 2.5-year, full-time diploma that integrates on-campus lectures / labs with a 35-week clinical placement in real lab settings to ensure graduates are job-ready.
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Clinical placements (Clinical 1, 2, 3) progressively build students’ competencies in phlebotomy, microbiology, hematology, histology, transfusion science, molecular diagnostics, etc.
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The program’s structure reflects BCIT’s applied, experiential philosophy: theory taught in classes is continuously reinforced in labs, simulations, and real clinical settings.
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Students must adhere to institutional and site standards: confidentiality, immunization, criminal record checks, and physical requirements (e.g. ability to handle lab equipment, process specimens). BCIT - Education for a Complex World
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The program draws upon BCIT’s health sciences infrastructure, simulation labs, and partnerships with clinical laboratories across British Columbia.
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Graduates from this program are prepared to challenge the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) national certification exam, enabling professional practice in Canada.
Key Program Features
- <ul> <li data-start="6311" data-end="6393"> <p data-start="6313" data-end="6393">Strong integration of theory
- lab practice
- and real-world clinical placements</p> </li> <li data-start="6394" data-end="6526"> <p data-start="6396" data-end="6526">Extensive hands-on and clinical experience (35 weeks of placement) ensures job readiness <span data-state="closed"><span data-testid="webpage-citation-pill"><a href="https://www.postsecondarybc.ca/news/6-bcit-programs-to-prepare-you-for-a-job-in-bcs-healthcare-system/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Post-Secondary BC+2BCIT - Education for a Complex World</span></a></span></span></p> </li> <li data-start="6527" data-end="6629"> <p data-start="6529" data-end="6629">High pass rates and reputation among Canadian medical labs <span data-state="closed"><span data-testid="webpage-citation-pill"></span></span></p> </li> <li data-start="6630" data-end="6713"> <p data-start="6632" data-end="6713">Infrastructure ready for experiential learning (clinical labs
- simulation labs)</p> </li> <li data-start="6714" data-end="6766"> <p data-start="6716" data-end="6766">Alignment with national credentialing (CSMLS exam)</p> </li> </ul>
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program typically become Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs / Medical Laboratory Scientists) working in:
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Hospital and clinical laboratories
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Public health laboratories
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Diagnostic labs
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Research labs (clinical / translational)
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Pharmaceutical / biotech companies
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Veterinary and environmental testing labs
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Sales / technical representation for lab instruments and reagents
Upon graduation and passing the CSMLS exam, many students find employment relatively quickly (often within months). ApplyZones
Program Curriculum
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The program combines on-campus lectures, laboratory practicals, simulations, and clinical placements.
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There are three separate clinical courses (Clinical 1, Clinical 2, Clinical 3) embedded into the program:
• MLSC 1103 (Clinical 1) — ~2 weeks, focusing on phlebotomy, safe practices, communication, etc. BCIT - Education for a Complex World
• MLSC 2213 (Clinical 2) and MLSC 3213 (Clinical 3) — longer placements involving microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, histology, molecular diagnostics, etc. BCIT - Education for a Complex World -
Clinical placements total ~35 weeks in duration across the program.
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The program includes courses in immunology, microbiology, hematology, molecular diagnostics, transfusion science, anatomy & physiology, specimen procurement, integrative laboratory studies, communications, etc.
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A sample course matrix (for past cohorts) shows credit allocations, sequencing, and course names for each term. BCIT - Education for a Complex World
Admission Requirements
While BCIT’s program page does not list a full detailed admission requirements breakdown, typical expectations include:
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Completion of high school or equivalent, including science & math prerequisites (biology, chemistry, possibly physics)
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Strong academic performance in those prerequisite courses
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Some programs require or use an online assessment as part of evaluation (some applicants report encountering this in BCIT’s MLS application process)
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Meeting physical and program requirements (e.g. ability to perform lab work, handling specimens, fine motor skills) as per the BCIT’s “Physical and Program Requirements” document. BCIT - Education for a Complex World
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
$3,993.51
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Tuition is assessed per term; BCIT provides a tuition estimator to calculate full program cost depending on domestic/international status. BCIT - Education for a Complex World
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Historical figures (for tech programs) show first-year fees around CAD 3,993.51 for domestic students (though this may not reflect all components or current rates) BCIT - Education for a Complex World
Financial Aid & Scholarships
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BCIT’s Student Financial Aid & Awards office provides information on scholarships, bursaries, and awards. BCIT - Education for a Complex World
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In British Columbia, some students in health/medical programs may access provincial bursaries or funding supports.
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Some students report that a “Priority Program Bursary” of about CAD 2,000/year is automatically applied to the tuition of BCIT’s medical lab tech program without applying.
About British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Vancouver, Canada
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University ProfileApplication Information
- Language English
- Duration 2.5 years (five terms plus clinical placements)