Pharmacy graduate program admissions frequently asked questions

Graduate presenting research baord with others listening and chatting

Program information

When can I start the program?

At the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ, the calendar year is divided into three academic terms. The School of Pharmacy accepts applications for admission to our MSc and PhD programs in all three terms.Ìý

Application deadlines based on admit term
Admit term Application deadline
Fall (September) February 1 of the same calendar year
Winter (January) June 1 of the preceding calendar year
Spring (May) October 1 of the preceding calendar year

How much is tuition?

What is the duration of the program?

The MSc and PhD in Pharmacy programs do not adhere to a fixed timeline. However, there are specific regulations regarding minimum enrollment requirements and time limits for program completion. There are, however, within program requirements that do follow a timeline. Refer to the MSc and PhD in Pharmacy website for details.

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Application materials

Can my application fee be waived?

No, we do not waive application fees.

What if I cannot get my transcripts before the deadline?

If you are not able to obtain any of your required application materials by the deadline, you should apply for the following term.

  • Applicants are advised to begin their application at least one month ahead of the application deadline, to ensure they have time to obtain their student ID and upload all required supporting documents to Quest, and to give referees time to submit their reference form ahead of the deadline.Ìý
  • Applicants are responsible for following up with their referees to confirm completion of the reference form.
  • Applications that are incomplete after the application deadline (including those that are missing any references) will be denied unless a potential supervisor has informed the pharmacy graduate coordinator that they are considering the applicant for admission.

I don't have my official final transcript.Ìý Can I still apply?

At the application stage, you only need to submit your unofficial transcript(s). However, if you are admitted, you will be required to submit your official final transcript(s) as a condition of admission before starting your program. Please be sure to include the grading scale or transcript legend when uploading your transcript.

Can I apply for a term after the application deadline for that term has passed?

No, applications cannot be submitted after the deadline for a specific term. However, if a supervisor intends to offer you admission for an earlier term than the one you originally applied for, your admit term may be adjusted accordingly. The request must be initiated by the supervisor and is subject to approval.Ìý

Supervision

Is it necessary to find a supervisor before applying?

Applicants to our graduate programs are not required to secure a supervisor prior to submitting their application. However, we strongly recommend that MSc and PhD applicants review the research profiles of potential faculty supervisors and reach out to those they are interested in working with. This allows applicants to assess whether the faculty member has the resources, capacity, and interest to consider them for admission to their research group before submitting the online application.

Can you tell me which faculty members are accepting students?

The department does not maintain a list of faculty members who are currently accepting students, as this information is subject to frequent changes and depends on factors such as the supervisor’s availability, capacity, and funding. It is the responsibility of applicants to directly contact potential supervisors to inquire about their ability to take on new students.

I have emailed several potential supervisors but have not received a response. Can I still apply?

While it is not necessary to have a supervisor secured before applying, admission to our graduate programs is highly competitive. Faculty members receive a large number of similar inquiries, so we recommend that applicants take a more focused and strategic approach when reaching out to potential supervisors. Instead of sending generic emails, it is important to clearly communicate how your experience and research interests align with their work. Focus on making a meaningful connection and demonstrating why you would be a strong addition to their research group. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to differentiate yourself from other applicants.

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Academic requirements

What average is required for admission?

To be eligible for admission to our programs, applicants must have a minimum academic average of 78% in the final two years of a four-year Honours Bachelor of Science or an equivalent program (for MSc), or a 78% overall standing in a two-year thesis-based Master of Science or an equivalent degree in a relevant field (for PhD). Applicants holding international credentials are advised to consult the international admissions equivalencies for further guidance on eligibility.

What is meant by "or equivalent degree"?

Generally, "or equivalent degree" refers to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. However, candidates who possess a relevant Bachelor's level degree in other fields (e.g., Bachelor of Mathematics) are also encouraged to explore opportunities for graduate studies in Pharmacy. Prospective applicants should contact their preferred supervisor to discuss how their academic background aligns with the research conducted within the supervisor's group and the broader objectives of the School.

My prior degree is not from Canada. How can I verify if I meet the minimum admission requirements?

Applicants who have completed degrees outside of Canada should refer to the provided international admission equivalencies to determine if their qualifications meet the minimum requirements for admission. It is important to note that the School of Pharmacy minimum is higher than the university's minimum and students who are offered admission often exceed these minimum standards.

How can I be exempted from the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement?

The Graduate Studies Admissions office regularly updates the online list of universities exempt from ELP requirements. If your country or institution is not listed, you will be required to submit results from an accepted ELP test.

Exceptions to the ELP requirement will be considered only on a case-by-case basis, and must be requested by a faculty supervisor who supports the application. In such instances, conditional admission may be offered. The department does not entertain exceptions outside of this established process.

Prospective applicants who do not meet the minimum ELP requirements may consider completing the English for Academic Success program prior to submitting their application.

Are GRE scores required for admission?

The GRE is not a mandatory component of our admissions process. However, applicants who choose to submit GRE scores may have these scores considered as part of the overall assessment of their application, which may or may not be advantageous.

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Admission decisions

How many applicants are accepted each term?

There is no set number of admissions per term for the MSc and PhD in Pharmacy programs.ÌýOffers of admission are based on a variety of variables, such as:

  • whether the faculty member has the funds to support a studentÌý
  • whether the faculty member is taking new students
  • whether the faculty member is interested in supervising the applicant
  • the number ofÌýapplicants within a given term
  • the number of applicants thatstand out asÌý±ð³æ³¦±ð±è³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²¹±ôÌýfrom among the cohort of applicants to our programs for the term to which a candidate appliesÌý

Number of students admitted to School of Pharmacy graduate programs by year and program

Year MSC PhD
Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 9 2
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 15 4
Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 8 3

I submitted my application early. When will I get a response?

Applicants should not expect a response before the application deadline for their chosen term. Early submissions may be reviewed if time permits or at the request of a faculty supervisor.

Applications that do not meet minimum admission requirements will be denied immediately. Eligible applications will be reviewed further by potential supervisors. If no supervisor is available by the end of the review period, the application will be denied.

If I did not get an offer, can I defer my application to the next term?

Application deferrals are only permitted when there is a clear indication from a research supervisor that they intend to accept the applicant, andÌýwhere there is a delay in receiving research funding, orÌýother acceptable and unforeseeable circumstancesÌýarise.

Scholarships and funding

Will I receive a full scholarship to fund my program?

Full-time MSc and PhD students in Pharmacy who are within program time limits are provided with funding that meets or exceeds the minimum required by the university. However, this funding is insufficient to cover the full costs of tuition and living expenses for most students. As such, students should anticipate the need to secure additional sources of funding beyond what is provided by the university, school, or supervisor.

  • Current minimum funding for full-time PhD Pharmacy students:Ìý$28,353
  • Current minimum funding for full-time MSc in Pharmacy students:Ìý$22,074

The above funding amounts include employment income from guaranteed teaching assistantships (TA), the Science Graduate Award (SGA), and the Graduate Research Studentship (GRS).Ìý

International PhD students receive the International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA) in addition to the above noted funding.

Exceptional international MSc applicants are automatically considered for the International Masters Award of Excellence (IMAE) at the time of application. This award is highly competitive, and applicants must have a minimum equivalent admission average of 80% to be considered. Pharmacy has only one of these awards to give out per fiscal year.

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