A typical master’s programme in pharmacy in Canada differs from other master’s programmes in Canada. It can be studied as a research-intensive, thesis-based, or non-thesis course and can last anywhere between two to three years. Furthermore, students can select between full-time and part-time study options. Universities also provide graduate specialised courses for students interested in learning more about certain subfields such as drug design, pharmaceutics, biomolecular pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmaceutical sciences, and so on.
In this blog:
1. The curriculum of the Course
2. Criteria for obtaining a master’s degree in pharmacy in Canada
3. Canada’s Top 10 Universities and Courses
4. Cost of Pharmacy School in Canada
5. Scholarships for Pharmacy Masters in Canada
6. The Scope of a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy in Canada
The curriculum of the Course
A master’s in pharmacy in Canada goes deep into the core of pharmacy as well as a range of interdisciplinary subjects, owing to the necessity for specific knowledge and training required to operate in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Topics covered include health communication, policy analysis, primary care technology, rural pharmacy practice, and so on. Take a look at the list of courses below, which were derived from the University of Waterloo’s MSc in Pharmacy course offerings, to get a sense of what you’ll be learning.
- Strategic Management of Biopharmaceutical Technology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Grant Writing in Sciences
- Advanced Pharmacokinetics
- Gene Therapy
- Applied Health Economics & Pharmacoeconomics
- Drug Development
- Principles and Practices in Systemic Treatments in Cancer
Criteria for obtaining a master’s degree in pharmacy in Canada
In general, the criteria for admission to a master’s in pharmacy programme in Canada are similar to those for other Canadian medical programmes. Depending on the nature of the institution’s programme, candidates must meet at least one or a combination of the following requirements:
- BSc degree in a comparable subject from a recognised university, with a mid-B average in the last two years of a four-year Canadian degree (as per Canadian norms).
- Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from a recognised and approved university in the candidate’s home country that meets Canadian criteria.
- Relevant experience in the area of pharmacy, as well as completion of a university-based pharmacy residency programme.
- In addition, IELTS or TOEFL scores, a statement of intent, two or three letters of recommendation, and a CV must be submitted. Additionally, GRE scores may be required by a small number of colleges.
Have you taken the GMAT before?
Canada’s Top 10 Universities and Courses
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most well-known universities and programmes for masters in pharmacy in Canada, based on the QS World University Rankings 2022:
Name of the University |
QS World University Rankings 2022 |
Popular Courses |
University of Toronto | 26 | MSc in Pharmacology MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences MSc in Applied Clinical Pharmacology |
The University of British Columbia | 46 | MSc in Pharmacology MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences |
McGill University | =27 | MSc in Pharmacology (Thesis) MSc in Pharmacology (Thesis)-Environmental Health Sciences |
University of Alberta | 126 | MSc in Pharmacology MSc in Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (Thesis-based) |
University of Waterloo | =149 | MSc in Pharmacy |
Western University (Ontario) | – | MSc in Physiology & Pharmacology |
Dalhousie University | – | MSc in Pharmacology MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences |
University of Saskatchewan | 458 | MSc in Pharmacy MSc in Pharmacology |
Queen’s University | =240 | Master of Science in Biomedical and Molecular Sciences |
University of Guelph | 581-590 | Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences |
Have you taken the GMAT before?
Cost of Pharmacy School in Canada
When it comes to studying in Canada, master’s degree programmes in pharmacy might cost anywhere from USD$7,300 and $40,900 [approximately INR 5,51,000 and INR 30,88,000 INR]. The projected average programme price charged by Canada’s leading colleges for masters in pharmacy is listed below:
Furthermore, living costs differ depending on the city in which you will be residing. Taking into account various living expenditures, average expenses for a master’s degree in pharmacy in Canada might range from 800 to 10500 USD [approximately INR 58,900 – 7,92,300 INR].
Scholarships for Pharmacy Masters in Canada
Are you interested in learning more about your scholarship choices in Canada? For overseas students seeking scholarships, look into the following popular masters in pharmacy programmes in Canada:
- University Dean’s Scholarship by University of Saskatchewan
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship-Ontario Trillium Scholarship International
- Master’s Award of Excellence by University of Waterloo
- Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship & Thesis/Course-based Masters recruitment Scholarship by University of Alberta
- University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
- Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship & Ontario Trillium Scholarship by University of Toronto
The Scope of a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy in Canada
Graduates of pharmacy programmes in Canada are employed in a wide range of industries, including health and medical, retail, biotechnology, and so on. On average, entry-level pharmacy postgraduates earn roughly 70,000 USD per year. All Canadian universities that offer a master’s degree in pharmacy are ranked well for graduate employability across the world. Toronto, Alberta, and Waterloo universities are in the top ten in Canada for graduate employability. Furthermore, pharmacists, biotechnology labs, and retail are no longer the only places where a postgraduate with a master’s degree in pharmacy may work. At universities, clinical research centres, and other entities, jobs in research for new medications and their interactions are available. Pharmacists with advanced degrees, medical writers, and programmers can now work in a new field. Subject matter experts work with doctors and scientists to create materials and papers that accurately represent research as well as other clinical and regulatory documents.
Without a doubt, evaluating the many masters in pharmacy programmes available in Canada and determining whether or not they are a good fit for you is a difficult undertaking, much alone applying for one and getting accepted. If you’re caught in this situation, the specialists at Jamboree can help you take the initial steps toward a bright future by assisting you in selecting a university and the process that follows. Book a free fifteen-minute session with our expert counsellor and begin your journey of studying pharmacy in Canada.