Pharmacy - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Pharmacy - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) cost?

  CAD 14,792 / year.

• What English score does it need?

  IELTS 7.0 overall is the score listed for this programme.

• How long is it?

  4 years, as listed by the university.

• What are the entry requirements?

  • A 78% overall standing in a two-year Master of Science (MSc) or equivalent degree, in a relevant field. || • We expect that most students entering our program will have previously graduated from a thesis based MSc degree. There is a possibility to be admitted to the PhD program in the absence of a thesis based MSc and equivalency will be established on a case-by-case basis. The Admissions Committee however, will require evidence that the student has fulfilled the expected MSc outcomes even in the absence of the MSc degree. || • Students in the MSc in Pharmacy program at the University of Waterloo may apply to transfer to the PhD in Pharmacy program after their first year in the MSc program but not later than the end of the second year. To be eligible to transfer, the following conditions must be met: || • The student must have completed at least 2 courses (a total of 1.00 credit units) at the graduate level, including PHARM 601, and have achieved a score of at least 75% in each course. || • The student must be in good academic standing, including not being on probation or carrying incomplete grades. || • The student must demonstrate good progress in a research project that the Advisory Committee considers could be expanded to a PhD project. || • The student must demonstrate superior academic, research and scientific writing and oral presentation skills such that the experience of conducting research, collecting and analyzing data and preparing and defending a thesis at the MSc level could be bypassed. Implicit in this is that the student must demonstrate the necessary potential for research skills and knowledge to successfully complete a PhD. || • Enrolment in the PhD program for transfer students will be counted from the date of initial registration in the MSc in Pharmacy program. The student may begin work on the PhD only after the transfer is approved. || • Resume || • Program-specific questions (PSQ) || • These are questions specific to the program you’re applying to. They can be viewed once you’ve started an application and are completed through a form in the online application. || • Transcript(s) || • References || • Three references are required, at least two academic. || • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable || • TOEFL 4.5 (writing 5, speaking 5), IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5) · English: IELTS 7.0 (no band below 6.5) · English test waiver: Exempt from submitting an ELP test score if any one applies: three or more years of post-secondary education at a Canadian institution or university; a completed graduate degree at a Canadian university; three or more years of post-secondary education or a completed graduate degree in an exempt country (list includes Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, UK, USA and others); at least three years' employment in a position where English was the language of business in a listed country; or three or more years of post-secondary education / a graduate degree at a university where English is the only language of instruction per the IAU WHED (this WHED exemption expires two years after graduation). Letters from a university stating the medium of instruction is English do NOT satisfy the requirement. Source: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-graduate-students/admissions/admission-and-english-language-proficiency-requirements · Application fee: CAD 150.00 per program, non-refundable (Graduate Studies Applicant Portal)

• Is there a scholarship?

  Waterloo publishes guaranteed minimum funding for research-based programs: full-time research-based master's students (domestic and international) often receive minimum funding of CAD 12,000 for one year; full-time doctoral students receive minimum funding of CAD 29,145 per year (effective 1 May 2026) for up to four years. Minimum funding can come from scholarships, awards and graduate teaching/research assistantships. Source View scholarship page