Over 80% of the students studying master's in pharmacy in Canada are expected to get employed in a year. This is because Canada's healthcare expenditure is about to spike up to a walloping 11%, which would, in turn, create around 13,000 job openings in the pharma industry. So with the increasing number of job opportunities and more succulent paychecks, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the promising industries to steer your career towards. This blog will give every piece of information that you need to make such steering possible. Underneath are different sections informing you about top universities for doing your master's, fees, eligibility, scholarships, the application process, and job options.
Table of Contents
Top Universities for master’s in Pharmacy in Canada
A master's in pharmacy in Canada usually lasts one to two years, depending upon the university/institution you choose to study. The subjects of M.pharm range from chemicals, to biological systems and uncovering novel formulations for therapeutic medicines and their applications. So a leading educational institution for a master's degree in pharmacy will effectively cover all of the above-said subjects in such a way that it makes the students of the course industry-ready. This is the same sentiment or motto that all of the following top Canadian universities have in common for their students trying to pursue M.pharm through them.
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Universities to Study master’s in Pharmacy in Canada |
Course Name |
Duration |
01 |
University of Toronto |
Pharmacology |
2 years |
02 |
University of Manitoba |
Pharmacy |
2 years |
03 |
University of Manitoba |
Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
2 years |
04 |
University of British Columbia |
Pharmacology |
2 years |
05 |
McGill University |
Pharmacology |
2 years |
06 |
Western University Canada |
Physiology and Pharmacology |
2 years |
07 |
Fanshawe College |
Cannabis Applied Science |
1 year |
08 |
McGill University |
Pharmacology |
2 years |
09 |
University of Sasketchwen |
Pharmacy |
2 years |
10 |
Dalhousie University |
Pharmacology |
2 years |
11 |
University of Waterloo |
Molecular Pharmacology |
2 years |
12 |
Memorial University of Newfoundland |
Medicinal Chemistry |
2 years |
13 |
University of Alberta |
Pharmacology |
2 years |
M Pharm fees in Canada for International Students
Top universities in Canada might have expensive price tags. The tuition fees fluctuate between 7k CAD to 39k CAD. The number of years in the M.pharmacy program plays a big factor in stipulating the fees. Owing to the increased course fee, students consider a PG diploma in pharmacy over M.pharm. However, this strategy has a significant drawback if your aim is to work in Canada after graduation. M.pharm graduates get 3 years work permit according to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of Canada, whereas PG diploma graduates in pharmacy will only get a 1-year work permit.
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Universities to study M Pharm in Canada |
Tuition Fees |
Global University ranking |
01 |
University of Toronto |
$39,926 |
#25 |
02 |
University of Waterloo |
$11,300 |
#166 |
03 |
University of Alberta |
$12,670 |
#119 |
04 |
University of Manitoba |
$19,648 |
#601-650 |
05 |
University of Saskatchewan |
$10,096 |
#458 |
06 |
Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) |
$7,248 |
#751-800 |
Scholarship for Masters in pharmacy in Canada
If the expenditure is the one thing that stops you from pursuing your dream college/university for a master's in pharmacy in Canada, there is a very appealing solution to that in the form of scholarships. Most of the top universities in Canada help aspiring students with a scholarship to study for Postgraduate degrees in their respective institutions. Following are some of the scholarships, universities, and benefits they offer.
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Scholarship Name |
University |
Eligibility |
Awards (benefits) |
01 |
Ontario Trillium Scholarship |
University of Waterloo |
International applicants |
20,000 CAD |
02 |
Outstanding International Student Award |
University of British Columbia |
|
Varies upon students |
03 |
American Association of University Women- International Fellowships |
University of Saskatchewan |
|
18,000 CAD |
04 |
Thesis/course-based masters recruitment scholarship |
University of Alberta |
Enrollment in a thesis-based program |
16,650 CAD |
Eligibility for masters in pharmacy in Canada
The eligibility requirement for a master's in pharmacy in Canada is almost similar to that of most master's degree programs in Canada. The following are the eligibility requirements that an applicant should have before applying.
Mandatory
- All applicants should possess a bachelor's degree in pharmacy or related qualification that is equivalent to Canada’s Bachelor's program.
- You, as an applicant, must have completed the Canada Pharmacist Exam exams conducted by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC).
- For international applicants, it is necessary to have proof of English proficiency. Tests like TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE are expected proof of English proficiency.
Additional Requirements (varied from university to university)
- Some universities that offer master's in pharmacy in Canada ask their applicants to have attended the GRE exam and secured the expected score.
- Also, letters of recommendation from more than one guarantor play an important role in the decision-making process.
- Some Canadian universities, in addition, require the applicant to have a minimum of work experience in a related area.
Application Process for Masters in pharmacy in Canada
The application process in most Canadian universities is quite simple, regardless of the degree or the level of study. It just involves a few steps and can be done in the comfort of your with a little help from the internet.
- The first degree of action is to choose a university to do a master's in pharmacy in Canada.
- Visit the respective website of the university and fill up the online application form.
- Submit all the soft copies of the required documents along with the application form.
- Make application fee payments through the allocated payment portal.
- Several universities in Canada request applicants to attend their interview process. If this is the case, you will be interviewed for history, background, criminal records, and other similar fields.
- If you are qualified, the next step is to apply scholarship or financial aid (assuming that such a benefit is available at the university).
- After doing all these, the only thing that remains is to wait for the admission decision by the university.
M Pharmacy salary in Canada per month
Canada has a steady requirement for M.pharm graduates to fill in the various fields related to medicine. This can not be any truer than in Ontario, British Columbia, Brunswick, Alberta, etc. This increases the chances of you getting employed in Canada after your M.pharm graduation. The following table will give you a better understanding of the job market after M.pharm with popular job options and their estimated salaries.
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Careers in Masters in Pharmacy |
Salary (*Estimated) |
01 |
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) |
C$20k - C$55k |
02 |
Medical Writer |
C$33k - C$58k |
03 |
Research Scientist |
C$49k - C$97k |
04 |
Chemist |
C$42k - C$74k |
05 |
Analytical Chemist |
C$41k - C$73k |
06 |
Project Engineer |
C$52k - C$88k |
07 |
Validation Specialist, Drug/Chemical |
C$49k - C$78k |
08 |
Quality Control (QC) Chemist |
C$40k - C$61k |
09 |
Pharmacist |
C$80k - C$116k |
10 |
Pharmacologist |
C$50k - C$104k |
11 |
Clinical Laboratory Scientist |
C$34k - C$89k |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can do your masters in pharmacy in Canada. But you have to meet all the eligibility criteria. The eligibility might vary slightly depending on the university, but moreover, it remains the same. The following are some of the mandatory eligibility requirements put forth by nearly all universities.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Canada pharmacist exam is done by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC).
- Proof of English proficiency.