Program information
When can I start the program?
At the University of Waterloo, 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.
| Admit term | Term dates |
|---|---|
| Fall | September - December |
| Winter | January - April |
| Spring | May - August |
For term start, end and other important dates, refer to Important dates | Current Graduate Students | University of Waterloo
What is the duration of the program?
The MSc and PhD programs in Pharmacy are not bound by a fixed timeline. However, students must meet specific regulations regarding minimum enrolment and overall time limits for program completion. Requests for extension to program time limits are required each term a student needs to extend their program. For MSc students, the time limit is six full-time terms (or 12 part-time terms); for PhD students, the time limit is 12 full-time terms (or 24 part-time terms).
Certain internal program requirements do follow defined timelines. For full details, please consult the university’s regulations on student status and academic progression, linked below. For department-specific timelines, refer to the MSc and PhD in Pharmacy website.
Related links
I see there is a non-degree option. Can I apply?
The non-degree enrolment option allows individuals to register for a specific graduate-level course without committing to a full graduate program. Students admitted under this option are assessed part-time tuition and any applicable fees for the term in which the course is taken.
Graduate students currently enrolled at another Canadian university may be eligible to take courses through either the Canadian University Graduate Transfer Agreement (CUGTA) or the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student (OVGS) program.
Before submitting an application, prospective students must:
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Confirm that the desired course is offered in the intended academic term.
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Review the admission requirements to ensure eligibility.
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Contact the course instructor to obtain permission to enrol.
All applicants are evaluated according to the university’s standard graduate admissions criteria.
Related links
Application process and materials
Can my application fee be waived?
No, we do not waive application fees.
What are the application deadlines?
| Admit term | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | February 1 of the same calendar year |
| Winter | June 1 of the preceding calendar year |
| Spring | October 1 of the preceding calendar year |
What if I cannot get my transcripts before the application 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 on your behalf ahead of the deadline.
- 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.
- International applicants should additionally consider study permit wait times before applying. See Study permit - Canada.ca for information.
I don't have my official final transcript. 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.
I'm currently finishing my undergraduate degree. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, you are welcome to apply for a future term even if you haven’t yet completed your undergraduate studies. If you receive an offer of admission, it will be conditional upon successfully completing your degree and meeting all minimum admission requirements before the start of the program.
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.
Do I need to submit GRE scores?
No, GRE test scores are not required for admission to our graduate programs. However, if you submit them, they may be used in the assessment of your application (which may or may not be to your advantage).
Relevant links
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.
Related links
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. Admission decisions depend on several factors, including:
- Availability of funding from potential supervisors
- Whether faculty members are accepting new students
- Alignment between the applicant’s interests and experience and the faculty member’s research
- Volume of applications in a given term
- Strength and competitiveness of the applicant pool
| Year | MSc | PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 | 8 | 3 |
| Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 | 9 | 2 |
| Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 | 15 | 4 |
| Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 | 8 | 3 |
When will I receive a response to my application?
Submitting your application early does not guarantee an early response. Applications are typically reviewed after the deadline for the term you've applied to. Early reviews may occur if time permits or at the request of a faculty supervisor.
Offers of admission will be extended to applicants who have the endorsement of a faculty supervisor within the first two weeks of the application deadline. Applications that do not meet minimum admission requirements will be denied immediately. If no supervisor is available for eligible applicants by the end of the review period, remaining applications will be denied.
If I am not offered admission for the term I applied for, am I eligible to defer my application to another term?
Deferrals are only permitted when a research supervisor has clearly indicated their intention to accept the applicant, and when a delay in securing research funding or other acceptable, unforeseeable circumstances prevent enrollment in the originally intended term.
Financial information
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.
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Current minimum funding for full-time PhD Pharmacy students: $28,353 per year, for four years (12 terms)
- Current minimum funding for full-time MSc in Pharmacy students: $22,074 per year, for two years (6 terms)
The above funding amounts include employment income from guaranteed teaching assistantships (TA), the Science Graduate Award (SGA), and the Graduate Research Studentship (GRS) and is contingent on academic standing.
Part-time students are not typically provided funding.
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. This award is provided to one international student admitted into the MSc in Pharmacy program, per year.
Related links
- Minimum funding for MSc and PhD in Pharmacy students
- Awards and scholarships for graduate students in Pharmacy
- International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA)
- International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE)
- Academic progression: Program completion time limits
- Living costs and housing | Future Graduate Students
How much will my program cost?
All active students are required to pay tuition and fees for each academic term throughout the duration of their program. There are three academic terms (fall, winter, and spring) in one calendar year. Financial support is normally only provided to full-time students who are within the established program time limits.