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.
Typical sources of funding
Graduate Research Studentship
A significant portion of funding for eligible MSc and PhD in Pharmacy students is provided by the research supervisor(s), from the supervisor's research funding, in the form of a Graduate Research Studentship (GRS).
The GRS amount is calculated on a term-by-term basis and is determined by the number of TA units held in a given term. GRS funding is arranged by the department and paid through Quest, normally at the beginning of each term.
Science Graduate Award
The Science Graduate Award (SGA) provides support to eligible graduate students in the faculty of Science, subject to the terms of the award.
The SGA is part of the overall funding provided to graduate students and is intended to offset the GRS amounts required from supervisors, to encourage greater capacity for graduate students, and to encourage students and supervisors to work together to ensure timely completion of their programs. The SGA is paid through Quest, normally in the first month of the term.
Graduate Teaching Assistantship
The School of Pharmacy guarantees TA positions to eligible full-time graduate students as part of their overall funding package, subject to university regulations, as well as to federal and provincial regulations.
TA funding offsets the GRS funding required by the supervisor. TAs are paid monthly during the months worked.
TAs are an important part of the graduate student experience, enhance the student's CV, and offset the GRS amounts required by supervisors.
Other sources of funding
Graduate scholarships
Students are encouraged to apply for major scholarship funding through agencies such as NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, OGS, etc.
Students who secure such funding normally receive more funding than the posted guaranteed minimums, and are more successful in securing further scholarships and awards as such awards greatly enhance their CV. Graduate scholarship funding also helps to offset the GRS amount required by the supervisor.
Details on scholarships administered through Waterloo are found within the graduate funding and awards database.
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.
Graduate Research Assistantship
A Graduate Research Assistantship (RA) is a paid position whereby students are employees of a faculty research supervisor. RAs are sometimes offered in place of TAs at the discretion of the faculty supervisor, offset the GRS funding amounts required by supervisors, and are paid on a monthly basis. As with TAships, RAships are subject to taxes and other federal and provincial deductions.
Information for international students
The minimum funding levels for international MSc and PhD students are the same as they are for domestic MSc and PhD students.
In addition to the minimum funding that is provided to all eligible students who are admitted to MSc and PhD programs in Pharmacy:
- Eligible international MSc students are automatically considered for the International Master's Award of Excellence (IMAE).
- Eligible international PhD students receive the International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA).
Only one international MSc student who is admitted to Pharmacy is selected to receive this award per year.
All current eligible international students are encouraged to apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) for International students, or any other scholarships and awards for which they are eligible; refer to the Graduate Funding and Awards Database.