Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Canada

Canada is known around the world for its natural beauty, friendly people, good food, and high-quality, affordable education. Of the many courses offered, its courses in Pharmacy offering various degrees deserve special mention because of the practical-based education which combines theory and practical hands-on studies to ensure that students who pass out are truly the best, and can go on to become leaders in their respective fields.

With several universities offering Pharmacy degree courses, it comes as no surprise that Pharmacy is one of the best courses in Canada. Moreover, an international student has several options to choose from - just in the case of Pharmacy.

Also see Best courses in Canada.

Another reason that the course of Pharmacy is popular amongst international students is that after completing a degree, international students have a good chance of securing a steady job in Canada itself. Even if an international student is not interested in getting a job in Canada itself, the degree and experience that international students gain from Canadian universities are recognized worldwide. This gives international students an edge in the field of pharmacy and boosts their careers as well. Some facts-

• Canada is home to 14 Nobel Prize-winning scientists in the different fields of Science and Medicine. This shows the high quality of the teachers in Canada's top universities.
• Most of the Universities present in Canada are public universities i.e. they are funded by the government of Canada. Additionally, since the number of private universities is extremely small, the cost of studying in the country is among the lowest (even though the quality of education is extremely high). So opportunities for international students with limited means are very high.
• While French is the native language of choice, most of the local population are bi-lingual, so most have considerable knowledge of English. Additionally, most Universities offer courses in English and French to meet the diversified needs of both international and home-grown students.
• Through its well-developed economy Canada offers various high-paying job opportunities in the health science arena, so a high quality of living is relatively easy if the candidate has a Master's degree.

Scholarship Options Available for International Students

It is a fact that the tuition fee is quite expensive, even though most disagree. The tuition fee increases as per the university and its conditions. Furthermore, for some pharmacy courses, there is an additional charge for practical equipment which is additional to the base tuition fee. However, every university has great scholarship programs that are catered to international students who would like to study in Canada from all over the world. Some of the most popular scholarship programs offered by Canadian universities are as follows -

• York University International Student Scholarship Program : International students who have shown exceptional academic performance are awarded a scholarship of CAD 10,000 per month for four semesters.
• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships: This scholarship is awarded by the University of Toronto to students who have shown outstanding performance academically. The scholarship is very special and not only looks at academics but also the student's creativity and leadership qualities. The scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.
• Carleton Prestige Scholarships: Carleton University awards this scholarship to outstanding academic students who have scored 90% or higher academically. The scholarship is available for undergraduate international students only.
• University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students: Offered by the University of British Columbia, this scholarship is awarded to students who show outstanding academic achievement. This scholarship is exclusively for international undergraduate students.

M.S. in Pharmacy - An Outlook

• An M.S. degree in Pharmacy trains students in the various sectors of heat, clinical, and medical science. This degree is authorized by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).
• Top colleges for M.S. in Pharmacy include the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Manitoba, University of Alberta, and University of Waterloo.
• Some other popular universities offering the MS in Pharmacy program are McGill University, Dalhousie University, University of Montreal, University of Calgary, and Western University.
• General admission requirements include exceptional TOEFL or IELTS scores, strong academics with a minimum average of B+ in the undergraduate courses, resume, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, GRE (as per the University requirements), and financial documents supporting the entire cost of the student's education and accommodation in Canada during his study period.
• The degree includes a thesis-based or research-intensive coursework program coupled with an internship period followed by an examination meted out by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC).
• Funding is available in the form of scholarships, assistantships, and awards.

Advantages of Getting an MS from Canada

• A low tuition fee for quality education in return is the best benefit of all.
• Up-to-date technology and ample resources providing total exposure are available in Canada offering a very satisfying educational experience.
• Top-notch Faculty guides students in perfecting their areas of interest through more importance to the practical aspects of education.
• Easier visa and immigration procedures make Canada a more attractive destination.
• Ample job opportunities ensuring career growth are available here.
• Rich cultural experience expanding worldview and abundant exposures opening new horizons are part of the education learned.
• Comfortable lifestyle with a safe and chilled-out society adds to the appeal.

Top 5 Universities for Master of Science in Pharmacy in Canada

1

University of Toronto

• The Master of Science in Pharmacy program is available at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto with collaborative specializations in ten areas.
• The program can be completed within 3 years (full-time) and within 6 years (part-time).
• Another option for a combined degree at the faculty is the Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program/MSc program. To qualify for this program, candidates must first be admitted into an accredited Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program prior to enrolling in the MSc program for concurrent completion.
• The research areas for the MSc in Pharmacy program are- Molecular Basis of Drug Targets and Diseases, Drug Development and Disease Diagnostics, Clinical Pharmacy Research, Drug Safety and Health Services Research.
• To be eligible for the MSc in Pharmacy program, candidates need to possess a four-year BSc or BA degree in Natural/Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, or Health Profession like Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, or Pharmacy with at least a B (75%) average, or its equivalent, in the last two years of full-time study. Additionally, applicants must find a supervisor within the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.
• If the applicant's undergraduate degree is not from a recognized Canadian or US university, they will need to take the GRE and score at the 50th percentile or higher.
• International candidates who do not have English as their first language are required to achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 100/120 on the iBT or 600 on the paper-based TOEFL test.
• The tuition fee for the MSc in Pharmacy program is as follows:
  • Domestic students- CAD 9,000
  • International students- CAD 33,000

2

University of British Columbia

• The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia provides a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program with a strong focus on research.
• The program is dedicated to studying Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Nanomedicine, and Chemical Biology, as well as Epidemiology and Health Outcomes.
• Applicants seeking admission to the MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences program must possess a four-year undergraduate degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, medicine, biotechnology, biomedical sciences (e.g. chemistry, biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, pharmacology), biomedical or chemical engineering, economics, or epidemiology, and must have achieved a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC).
• GRE scores are not required.
• International students hailing from countries where English is not the primary language are required to obtain a TOEFL score of at least 100 or an overall IELTS band score of 7.0.
• Before applying, individuals interested in the MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a program centered on research, must arrange for a supervisor from the faculty.
• The tuition fee for the MSc in Pharmacy program is as follows:
  • Domestic students- CAD 5,500 for the first year
  • International students- CAD 9,700 for the first year

3

University of Manitoba

• The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba provides a 2-year Master of Science in Pharmacy program with a selection of required elective courses, allowing students to tailor their studies to their individual preferences and requirements.
• The research themes for the program include Biotargets and mechanisms of disease, Drug discovery, design, development, and delivery, Population therapeutics and health outcomes research, and Translational pharmacotherapy and practice.
• Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Science in Pharmacy program must hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as biochemistry, biology, cell biology, chemistry, computer sciences, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy, or statistics. Additionally, they must have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.5 scale) in the last 60 credit hours of their undergraduate program.
• It is necessary for the applicant to engage in negotiations with the faculty in order to secure a traineeship position in research.
• International students originating from non-English speaking nations are required to achieve a minimum overall score of 6.5 on the IELTS examination or an overall score of 86 on the TOEFL iBT to be considered for admission.
• The tuition fee for the MSc in Pharmacy program is as follows:
  • Domestic students- CAD 3,000 per term
  • International students- CAD 6,700 per term

4

University of Alberta

• The Master of Science in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the University of Alberta can typically be finished within a 2-3 year timeframe.
• The research areas for the program include Cardiovascular, Computational drug discovery, drug delivery, medical chemistry, neurology/critical care, obesity/Type 2 Diabetes, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacogenetics, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacometrics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and translational Pharmacology.
• Applicants are required to possess a bachelor's degree with a minimum admission GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, based on the most recent 60 units of graded coursework completed at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution, to qualify for the program.
• Prior to submitting their application for admission, candidates are required to secure the agreement of a suitable faculty member who will provide supervision.
• International students hailing from non-English speaking nations are required to meet the language proficiency standards set by the university.
• The tuition fee for the MSc in Pharmacy program is as follows:
  • Domestic students- CAD 1,600 per term
  • International students- CAD 3,100 per term

5

University of Waterloo

• The University of Waterloo's Faculty of Science presents a 24-month full-time Master of Science in Pharmacy. This program is accessible on a part-time schedule.
• The research aspects of the program involve chemistry, biology, statistics, chemometrics, mathematics, physics, and chemical engineering.
• Applicants must have maintained an average of at least 78% in the last two years of a four-year Honours Bachelor of Science program or its equivalent in order to qualify for the program.
• Prior to seeking admission, students must first obtain a supervisor from the faculty.
• International students from countries where English is not the primary language are required to demonstrate their English proficiency by obtaining a minimum TOEFL score of 90 or an overall IELTS band score of 7.0.
• The tuition fee for the MSc in Pharmacy program is as follows:
  • Domestic students- CAD 8,500 per year
  • International students- CAD 26,000 per year

Job Prospects in Pharmacy

• Pharmacy degrees open avenues of job opportunities in clinics and hospitals as Pharmacists or in private pharmaceutical companies as Pharmacy technicians.
• Industrial sectors also employ Pharmacists for medicine formulations, information on drugs, and even in the sales and marketing department.
• Opportunities are also open in the educational sectors as lecturers in the respective specialized areas of Pharmacy as well as in the community and social sector.
• More information about potential job opportunities as a pharmacist in Canada are available here.