PharmD stands for Doctor of Pharmacy. It is a professional degree program that prepares individuals to become licensed pharmacists.

What are the admission requirements for PharmD programs in Canada?

Admission requirements vary by university but generally include completion of specific undergraduate courses, a competitive GPA, and a Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) score.

Is there a difference between BPharm and PharmD in Canada?

Yes, there is a difference. PharmD is a more advanced and clinically focused degree compared to the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm), which is an older and less common degree.

2022-05-19 |

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What Are The Requirements To Study Pharmacy In Canada ?

How many years does it take to study pharmacy in Canada?

By Grad-Dreams

Canada

PharmD in Canada

PharmD programs in Canada can range from two to four years in length and cost anywhere from 17,000 to 63,000 CAD each year (about 11 to 40 lakhs INR for students from India). According to ImmiLaw Global, the profession of pharmacist is currently ranked as the fourth most desirable job industry in Canada for the year 2020. As a result, obtaining a doctorate in pharmacy from one of the most prestigious universities in Canada may be the best option for international job seekers.

When contemplating pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in Canada, the following are some key considerations to keep in mind:

An educational background in the medical sciences is necessary. Candidates, on the other hand, who have a conceptual understanding of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physical sciences are also acceptable.
A minimum of two years' worth of professional experience is encouraged but not required for admission to the program.
The minimum requirements for enrollment in this class are a satisfactory GPA, a passing score on the TOEFL iBT, and letters of recommendation.
An inherent love for service and caring for others, in addition to familiarity with the most recent digital technology, is an added plus.
PharmD graduates in Canada can anticipate an annual income in the range of 80,000 to 95,000 CAD upon entry into the workforce.

Start Your PharmD Journey in Canada Today!

#Why study PharmD in Canada?

Canada is one of the top 10 pharmaceutical marketplaces in the world. Every year, the pharmaceutical industry in Canada spends close to one billion Canadian dollars (CAD) on research and development. It is the top producer in the industry and ships almost half of its goods to customers in the United States (Statista 2020).
Canada is home to some of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical industry: Companies that are well-known all over the world, such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca, have their headquarters in major Canadian cities like Montreal and Toronto. They are now looking for people and have almost 28,000 open positions, including for pharmacists. (Representative of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society)
jobs in Canada that are well paid: Graduates in the sector can anticipate an attractive pay of 80,000 to 90,000 CAD (JobBank Canada), which can reach as high as 226,000 CAD, per year at the research level. This is because the PharmD industry in the country is expanding.
Increasing career opportunities: According to the findings of a survey conducted by JobBank Canada, it is anticipated that over 12,500 new positions in Canada will become available for medical graduates between the years 2019 and 2028. This is a significant increase in comparison to the most recent available figures for the profession of PharmD in Canada, which stood at 43,100.

#Course details

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program in Canada can range from two to four years in length and is intended for applicants who are interested in working with world-renowned professionals in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. They have the opportunity to participate in the program, which gives them the ability to contribute their knowledge to the process of developing solutions that will impact the way healthcare is delivered all over the world.

The following is a list of the kinds of knowledge and abilities that will put you in a better position to pursue higher education in the field of pharmacy in Canada, which is known as Canada.

It is essential to have a fundamental understanding of topics such as mathematics, biology, and chemistry, as well as information regarding health services law and public safety.
Competence in research, management, and analysis are all required.
Familiarity with the most recent digital technologies, particularly being able to operate the graphical software and databases utilized by the various firms in the future, is a talent that is strongly recommended.

#Admissions

The criteria for enrolling in a PharmD program in Canada are quite institution-dependent and have been broken down here for your convenience. The criteria include the dates by which applications must be submitted, the tests that must be passed to study in Canada, the scores that must be obtained on those tests, and a list of the required documents.

The following is a list of some of the best universities in Canada for getting a PharmD, along with the deadlines for applying to each one:

Institute	Application Deadline	Application Fee
University of Alberta	January 4, 2021	125
University of Toronto	January 4/September 5, 2021	300
University of Waterloo	January 5, 2021	125
University of Manitoba	January 18, 2021	110
Memorial University of Newfoundland	January 6, 2021	175
University of Saskatchewan	January 4, 2021	125
McGill University	January 3, 2021	160
University of British Columbia	September 7, 2021	200
Dalhousie University	January 6, 2021	115

#Admission requirements

Some of the most frequent admission requirements for PharmD programs in Canada are outlined here. Eligibility requirements for the program are typically determined by the specific university where it will be offered.

A master's degree in pharmacy or a degree that is similar to it from a reputable academic institution is required.
In some instances, the candidate is obliged to start their studies in the master's program with the understanding that they will eventually transition into the doctoral program in Pharmacy. In this circumstance, an undergraduate degree that took between three and four years to complete must be shown.
copies of the official transcripts that have been scanned.
A grade point average of at least 3.0 (about 70–80 percent or a first-class degree).
Tests of English Proficiency such as the TOEFL and the IELTS
Under certain conditions, additional exam scores, such as those from the GRE, can be required to enroll at specific universities.
A minimum of two to three years of relevant work experience is recommended for admission to certain educational institutions.
Statement of Purpose.
three letters of recommendation, each one written by somebody familiar with the candidate's study and professional activities.
the latest version of my CV/resume

The majority of courses will need prospective students to participate in an interview. Because of the current pandemic crisis, these interviews are going to take place over the Internet.

Students may furthermore be required to select and make contact with a supervisor within the department of the university that they are interested in applying to. If a supervisor agrees that your thesis proposal or research paper is worthy of acceptance, then this might lend credibility to your application and raise the likelihood that you will be admitted.

Be aware, however, that this in no way constitutes a guarantee of acceptance, and that applicants still need to maintain a high overall game by submitting impressive letters of recommendation, statements of purpose, and resumes, among other things.

#Eligibility

The following table provides information regarding a few of the institutes in Canada, as well as the requirements that are associated with them in the form of eligibility scores and other specifications for PharmD.

Institute	Eligibility
University of Alberta	Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent
University of Toronto	Min 77% in master's degree or equivalent
University of Waterloo	MSc. degree or equivalent with a minimum of 78% or more
University of Manitoba	MSc. degree in a related field 2 LORs; Statement of Chosen Advisor
Memorial University of Newfoundland	Undergraduate or graduate program with Eng as a medium of instruction 2 letters of appraisal
University of Saskatchewan	Master's degree or equivalent in Pharmacy or related field Avg GPA of 75% or more in last 2 years of education
McGill University	A BSc degree or MD etc. in the related field; Min GPA of 3.0 (at least 3.2 in last 2 years of study)
University of British Columbia	A master’s degree in a related field CV; SOP; 3 LORs GRE is not required
Dalhousie University	GPA of 3.7 or above 1st class thesis master’s degree or its equivalent

#Language requirements

When applying to get a PharmD in Canada, prospective students who come from countries where English is not the native language are required to submit their scores on an English proficiency test. The following is a compilation of the detailed scores for the same event:

Institute	IELTS	TOEFL
University of Alberta	6.5	88
McGill University	6.5	86
University of Toronto	6.5	100
University of Waterloo	7.5	90
University of Manitoba	6.5	86
Memorial University of Newfoundland	6.5	80
University of Saskatchewan	6.5	86
University of British Columbia	7.0	100
Dalhousie University	7.5	100

#Student visa

International students who have already been accepted to a Canadian university and have confirmed their enrollment are required to apply for a Canadian student visa as soon as possible after getting their acceptance letter and confirming their enrollment. Take note that the visa can be obtained via the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your place of residence, whichever is closest to you.

Application Mode: Online as well as Offline (paper application).

The application process for a Canadian student visa might take up to a year to complete (differs between various visa offices).

Documents Required: The following is a list of the most important documents that must be submitted with your application for a permit:

Submission of an Application for a Study Permit
Acceptance letter to be sent.
Results from standardized examinations such as the IELTS (a score of 6.5 or higher is required), TOEFL, and so on.
Evidence of the support provided financially
Passport photographs.
Valid passport.

Interview for Visa: To successfully secure a student visa, international candidates will be required to participate in an interview with the Canadian Embassy that is located closest to their home.

#Cost of studying

A comprehensive breakdown of the cost of living in Canada, including tuition fees as well as costs incurred before and after arrival, has been prepared here to assist you in budgeting for your time there.

Pre-arrival costs

The following is an instant list of expenses that must be considered by students who have decided to pursue their higher education in Canada:

Type of fee	Cost (in CAD)
Visa Application Fees	150 (for Indian applicants)
Health Insurance	10,000
IELTS Fees	185-190
TOEFL Fees	160-250
Airfare	450-1400

#Tuition fees

The following is a breakdown of the tuition costs for PharmD programs offered in Canada to students from India:

University	Tuition Fee (in INR, per year)
University of Alberta	1,001,500
University of Toronto	1,975,085 to 9,840,029
University of Waterloo	3,611,617
University of Manitoba	1,229,601
Memorial University of Newfoundland	1,035,344
University of Saskatchewan	1,549,620
McGill University	2,783,826
University of British Columbia	1,545,822
Dalhousie University	1,533,159

#Living expenses

The following is a breakdown of the additional costs that will be incurred as part of the cost of living in Canada if you intend to do your PhD in Pharmacy from the country. Students need to be aware that the cost of living in Canada varies depending on the city that they choose to live in and the lifestyle choices that they make. It is generally agreed that Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive but also the greatest places in Canada for overseas students to study.

Type of Expenditure	Monthly Costs (CAD)
Housing/Accommodation	1,300 to 3,500
Food and Utilities	250 to 800
Transportation	156 to 200
Internet and Entertainment	220 to 360
Living Expenses Guarantee Fund	Min 10,000 per year

#Scholarships

Because enrolling in a Ph.D. program in Canada might be a significant financial burden for a lot of people, Canada, being a student-friendly country, offers a variety of financial incentives for people who are thinking about applying to doctoral programs there. The following is a list of some of the most common scholarships available to international students studying in Canada:

Name of the Scholarship	Amount	Eligibility
Vanier Graduate Scholarships	50,000 CAD per year (renewable up to 3 years)	Applicants with outstanding leadership qualities who are pursuing research or doctorate programs and have demonstrated merit.
University of Waterloo International Funding	2,045 per term for 2 years	International students who are enrolled in master's or doctorate programs in Canada are eligible for multiple awards.
University of Alberta Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship	5,000	Candidates from other countries interested in the doctoral program at the University of Alberta
UAlberta Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship	45,000 CAD for two years	A foreign student enrolled in the university's doctoral program
Ontario Graduate Scholarship	15,000 CAD per year	Meritorious enrolled in master's or doctoral programs
IDRC Research Awards	up to 15,000 CAD	Master's or doctorate students from developing nations
Killam Predoctoral Scholarships	30,000 ( for 2 to 3 years)	Students wanting to pursue doctoral or master's degrees at Dalhousie University
Connaught International Scholarship	Varies	International students pursuing doctoral programs at the University of Toronto
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship	18,000 per year	Meritorious students pursuing doctoral or master’s programs at the university
JN Tata Endowment Scholarship	varies	A minimum of 60% of their bachelor's, Indian students want to pursue master's or doctorate studies abroad.
Abdul Majid Bader Graduate Scholarship- Dalhousie University	51,158	Outstanding candidates enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree at Dalhousie University

#Job prospects

It is common knowledge that Canada as a nation places a great priority on the quality of its healthcare system; hence, degrees such as the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) are sure to be among the most in-demand educational opportunities in the nation. According to the Canadian Occupational Projections System, it is anticipated that the country will have an abundance of available workers in the sector of pharmaceuticals by the year 2028. On the other hand, the fact that one in five Canadians will be older than 65 by the year 2024 ensures that there will be a significant demand for medical experts in the years to come.

Around 31,000 licensed pharmacists are working in Canada's community pharmacies, which number over 7,000 in total (Job Bank Canada). As a result, a Canadian professional with a PharmD has a great deal of opportunity ahead of them and can anticipate an annual salary ranging from 80,000 to 95,000 CAD when they first enter the workforce. This annual average can reach over 200,000 Canadian dollars for those who are interested in research opportunities in Canada.

In Canada, graduates of pharmacy programs are qualified for a variety of well-paying occupations in the country. The following table provides a comparison of the earnings that are earned by graduates in various sectors in Canada once they have received their PharmD.

Designation	Salary (in CAD, per year)
Pharmacist	89,000
Clinical Pharmacist	92,000
Assistant Pharmacy Director	194,000
Clinical Research Scientist	78,000
Healthcare Consultant	93,000
Pharmacist in Charge	112,000
Biomedical Engineer	98,500
Biostatistician	167,000
Pharmaceutical Researcher	226,000

The final point I'd want to make is that Canada as a country is working hard to provide the finest possible prospects for its graduates. This is evidenced by the fact that the country added roughly 84,000 jobs in October, resulting in an unemployment rate that fell to 8.9 percent. There are countless excellent chances available to students who graduate with degrees in Pharmacy and professions that are closely related to it because there is a low supply of qualified applicants relative to the need for healthcare professionals across the country.

As a result, if the PharmD in Canada is a program that interests you and you are thinking about pursuing it, then you should stop giving it any more thought because, if current trends and historical data are taken into consideration, then the PharmD in Canada can be an excellent option for pursuing an education in another country.