Waterloo’s PharmD program welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
We’re thrilled that you are interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacist. The School of Pharmacy recognizes that everyone's lived experiences are
different, and aims to provide various pathways that reflect the diverse qualified applicants we receive each year.
Whether you are an international applicant, a college graduate, a mature student, or have previous pharmacy education, all applicants to the PharmD program must meet the same core admission requirements. Before applying, please note the following.
Minimum university-level education
Applicants must have completed a minimum of one year of full-time university study (5.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) and a minimum of 8.0 FCEs of university-level study by the time of admission.
Prerequisite courses
All applicants must complete the required prerequisite courses. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Please review the Required Courses webpage for details.
International coursework
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada are required to submit detailed course outlines or syllabi for all courses being used to meet PharmD prerequisite requirements at the time of application.
Older coursework
Prerequisite courses completed more than 10 years before the application deadline will be subject to review after your application has been submitted. As pharmacy and the underlying sciences continue to evolve, applicants with prerequisite courses that are more than 10 years old are strongly encouraged to consider updating or upgrading this coursework before applying.
Applying directly from an Ontario College
As we do not admit directly from the college level, college applicants must supplement their studies with at least one year at a university (i.e. a minimum of 4.0 FCEs). This is required as although some college applicants may be granted applicable university credit for purposes of meeting the Biology, Chemistry, Math and Humanities/Social Science subject requirements, all candidates must have a minimum total of 8.0 FCEs at the University institute level. You can review the admission requirements further on the PharmD application process webpage.
If you have questions about supplementing your studies at Waterloo and the possibility of transferring credits to one of our undergraduate programs, please consult the University of Waterloo Transfer student website.
Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Assistant programs do not satisfy the academic requirements for admission to the PharmD program and are not eligible for transfer credit. Graduates of these programs must complete additional university-level study to meet admission requirements. However, these programs can help strengthen the non-academic components of your application. The knowledge gained through pharmacy-related education, work experience, and professional relationships with pharmacists can support your understanding of the profession and contribute to a competitive application.
Can I apply as a Pharmacy student or graduate?
Yes. Applicants who are enrolled in, or have graduated from, a pharmacy program at another institution are welcome to apply. However, applicants with previous pharmacy education are not eligible for advanced standing or direct entry into upper years of the program. All admitted applicants begin in Year 1 of the PharmD program. This is because the University of Waterloo PharmD curriculum follows a cohort-based design that incorporates unique program requirements, coursework, and experiential learning opportunities, all of which must be completed in a prescribed sequence.
Applicants must also meet all PharmD admission requirements, including the prerequisite course requirements and minimum university-level education requirements.
Applying as a graduate from another pharmacy degree program
If you have graduated from a pharmacy degree program and wish to become licensed to practise pharmacy in Canada, you should follow the licensure pathways and requirements established by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) and the applicable provincial regulatory authority.
Pharmacy graduates from other institutions who are seeking licensure in Canada may be required to complete credential assessment and PEBC examinations, depending on their educational background and pathway to licensure. For more information, please visit the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada website.
Individuals who already hold a pharmacy degree and are interested in applying to the University of Waterloo PharmD program must meet all admission requirements, including the prerequisite course requirements and minimum university-level education requirements. Applicants are not eligible for advanced standing and, if admitted, will begin in Year 1 of the program.
Am I eligible if I'm an international student?
Yes. We consider applicants from all countries and admit the most qualified candidates regardless of citizenship or place of residence.
All applicants must meet the PharmD admission requirements, including completion of the required prerequisite courses and minimum university-level education requirements. For details, please review the Required Courses webpage.
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada are required to submit detailed course outlines or syllabi for all courses being used to meet PharmD prerequisite requirements at the time of application. Applications cannot be fully assessed until this documentation has been received and reviewed.
Evaluating courses from other institutions
Prerequisite courses completed at other institutions are assessed individually. Course equivalency is determined through a detailed review of the course outline or syllabus. Documentation should include information such as the course description, learning outcomes, lecture and laboratory hours, prerequisites, and required textbooks or course materials.
Waterloo Pharmacy does not evaluate international pharmacy degrees
If you completed a Pharmacy program that PEBC did not recognize you must complete another Pharmacy degree. To qualify for admission to our PharmD program, you must meet all published admission requirements, including academic requirements completed at a recognized institution.
PharmD English language requirements
Applicants must meet the English language requirements for the University of Waterloo and must complete one acceptable university ENGL course (0.5 credit). View Waterloo’s official English language policy, acceptable tests and required scores.
Thinking of a second career?
Individuals considering a career change are welcome to apply to the PharmD program. You may be considered a mature student if you have been away from formal education for an extended period, typically four or more years.
As the PharmD program is a second-entry professional program, all applicants, including mature students, must meet the same admission requirements. This includes completion of the required prerequisite courses, a minimum of one year of full-time university study (5.0 FCEs), a minimum of 8.0 FCEs of university-level study, and a minimum Cumulative Admission Average (CAV) of 75.0%. For more information, please review the PharmD application process webpage.
If you have not yet completed university studies, you will first need to obtain admission to a university program and complete the required university-level coursework before becoming eligible to apply to the PharmD program. Information for mature applicants seeking admission to undergraduate programs at the University of Waterloo is available on the Applying as a mature student webpage.
Applicants with graduate degrees should note that master's and PhD coursework is generally not included in the calculation of the PharmD Cumulative Admission Average (CAV). Because graduate programs vary considerably in structure, assessment methods, and grading practices, they cannot be evaluated consistently across applicants for admission average purposes. However, graduate studies may strengthen the holistic review of an application by demonstrating academic achievement, research experience, leadership, communication skills, and other experiences that contribute to the non-academic assessment of applicants.
Applicants with prerequisite courses completed more than 10 years before the application deadline should be aware that these courses will be subject to review. Given the evolving nature of pharmacy and the health sciences, applicants are strongly encouraged to consider updating or upgrading older prerequisite coursework before applying.
