Minimum funding for MSc and PhD in Pharmacy students
The School of Pharmacy guarantees a minimum amount of financial support to eligible full-time graduate students in our MSc and PhD programs that is equal to or greater than the University of Waterloo minimum funding amounts; funding amounts are noted in the offer of admission. This funding is used first to cover the cost of tuition and fees; any amount remaining is reimbursed to the student and can be used toward living expenses. Students should reasonably expect to have additional sources of funding beyond what is provided by the university, school, or supervisor, to support the total cost associated with the pursuit of higher education.
To remain eligible for this funding, students must:
- maintain full time registration in the MSc in Pharmacy or PhD in Pharmacy program.
- be in good academic standing in their program.
- be within program time limits.
- be without alternate funding sources such as graduate scholarships, internships, or international student sponsorship.
For the funding period of May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027, the minimum total annual funding levels for eligible students in the Pharmacy graduate programs are:
- Domestic and International MSc: $22,074
- Domestic PhD: $29,145
- International PhD $44,560 (includes International Doctoral Student Award; see Information for international students, below)
Typical sources of funding
Graduate Research Studentship
A significant portion of funding for eligible MSc and PhD in Pharmacy students is provided by their research supervisor(s) through a Graduate Research Studentship (GRS), funded from the supervisor's research grants.
The GRS is calculated each term based on the number of TA units held during that term. GRS funding is arranged by the department and is paid through Quest, typically at the beginning of each term.
Science Graduate Award
The Science Graduate Award (SGA) provides funding to eligible graduate students in the faculty of Science, subject to the terms of the award.
As part of a student's overall funding package, the SGA helps offset the GRS contribution required from supervisors. It is intended to support graduate student capacity and encourage timely program completion. The SGA is administered through Quest and is typically paid during the first month of each term.
Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)
The School of Pharmacy guarantees GTA positions to eligible full-time graduate students as part of their overall funding package, in accordance with university regulations, as well as with relevant federal and provincial regulations.
For more information, visit the Pharmacy Graduate Teaching Assistantships webpage and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA).
Other sources of funding
Graduate scholarships
Students are strongly encouraged to apply for major scholarships from agencies like NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, and OGS. Recipients typically receive funding beyond the guaranteed minimum and are more competitive for future awards, as these scholarships significantly strengthen their CVs. External funding also helps reduce the supervisor’s required GRS contribution. For scholarships administered by Waterloo, refer to the Graduate Funding and Awards Database.
Graduate Research Assistantship
A Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) is a paid position whereby students are employees of a faculty research supervisor. GRAs are sometimes offered in place of GTAs at the discretion of the faculty supervisor. As with GTA positions, GRA positions are subject to taxes and other federal and provincial deductions.
Internships
Students who are interested in partnering with organizations can find out more information about internships at Waterloo Pharmacy by visiting our internship web page.
Information for international students
International MSc and PhD students receive the same minimum funding guarantees as domestic MSc and PhD students.
In addition to the minimum funding provided to all eligible students admitted to the Pharmacy MSc and PhD programs:
- Eligible international MSc students are automatically considered for the International Master's Award of Excellence (IMAE). One award is granted annually to a newly admitted student.
- Eligible international PhD students receive the International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA)
All awards are subject to their respective terms and conditions.