Why should you get a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Canada?

Pharmaceutical Science deals with the study of the production of different kinds of drugs, their safe dosage levels, and efficient usage. A doctorate in Pharmacy will allow you to be well versed in this field, provide you with the opportunity to learn from the best in this evergreen and ever-changing field of work. Other than the above advantages, Canada, thanks to its excellent job opportunities and a strong economy will provide you with ample chances to use the knowledge gained to produce drugs and medicines to combat a large number of diseases around the world.

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Canada - General Information

• A doctorate generally has a time span of four to six years (Most students complete the degree within five years). The first two years are comprised of extensive coursework followed by strict examinations. The remaining years of study are devoted to research-intensive work followed by the preparation of the research thesis and its oral defense from other scientists.
• A Ph.D. in Pharmacy covers the various sectors of health sciences such as drug-related studies, medical formulations, pharmaceutical chemistry, etc.
• Admissions to the Doctorate programs require a Master's degree in the relevant field of interest with a minimum grade point average of 3 on 4, resume, statement of purpose, letter of recommendation, research proposal, TOEFL, and GRE. Some Universities require the completion of particular examinations after the Master's degree by prospective Ph.D. students. But some universities do offer a combined MS cum Ph.D. course.

Advantages of having a Ph.D. degree from Canada

• Canada is a well-developed country with numerous resources and innovative technology giving students the required exposure in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• Universities are equipped with excellent laboratory facilities to ensure smooth research and their tie-ups with various research institutes all over the country opens avenues of opportunities for the students training in this field.
• Excellent board of professors have been put together to impart the necessary training to these students perfecting them in their area of interest.
• Student exchange programs allow the candidates to get worldly exposure accustoming them to Pharmaceutical technologies used in various countries.
• Ph.D. students are provided with a stipend during their education making it affordable. Apart from this, other sources of financial support are also available in the form of tuition fee waivers and awards.
• You are considered an expert in your chosen field by completing a doctorate.
• Job opportunities in this field are enormous in Canada, and with a completed doctorate the starting salary itself is quite grand ensuring a high quality of life.
• Canada also proposes a rich cultural experience as a part of the educational program resulting in diversified knowledge and a broader frame of mind.

Disadvantages of getting a Ph.D. from Canada

• A Ph.D. degree takes up to 6 years for completion and can be pursued only after a Master's degree. This results in an extended education phase before landing a job.
• Doctorate studies can be very challenging and competitive demanding enormous time and dedication.
• Doctorate degrees have only a small advantage over other degrees. The pay-scale does not depend only on the educational background but also mostly on work experience so don't be surprised if an M.Sc in Pharmacy candidate with tremendous professional experience gets paid more than a Ph.D. in Pharmacy fresher.

Top 5 Universities for Ph.D. in Pharmacy in Canada

University of Toronto

Most of us are aware of the academic excellence of the University of Toronto. Be it an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate degree - the university of Toronto has always delivered a great student satisfaction rate and has been recognized for providing excellent education.

But that is not all, the University of Toronto is also ahead in the field of research, thanks to the beautiful harmony of researchers, Ph.D. students, and professors who contribute towards it. Hence, it must be of no surprise that the University of Toronto provides an excellent opportunity to Ph.D. students of Pharmacy as well.

If you are looking to get a Ph.D. in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto, here is some information that is crucial to know.

• The students of Ph.D. at the University of Toronto not only get a chance to conduct their research under renowned researchers, but they also get an opportunity to intern at famous hospitals and research institutes.
• You can apply for their Ph.D. program after an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate degree. There is another category called the 'flex-time'(meaning part-time), which is different than the other two by the length of duration only.
• The duration for PhD after MSc is for 4 years, whereas the duration for PhD after BSc is 5 years. The longest duration goes to the above-mentioned 'flex-time' category, with the duration of 8 years .
• The entry requirements are as such - First is the Ph.D. after MSc include passing with at least a B+ grade, along with 2 years of master's. For the Ph.D. after BSc degree, you would need at least 4 years of a bachelor's degree, with at least an A- grade.
• International students must rank in the top 50 with their GRE scores. Additionally, the IELTS requirements are overall 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in every component.
• The fees at the University of Toronto are on the higher side. It costs a whopping $180,000 without any grants or scholarships. It is advisable to attain one of the several grants or scholarships provided for Ph.D. students before applying.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia has a long-standing reputation of being on par with top universities in academics, but without costing too much. Yes, that is right. British Columbia is one of the most affordable universities in Canada, which also provides a great education. Moreover, the university has been one of the leaders in almost every field of research possible, including pharmaceutical sciences. Hence, it is of no surprise that students from all over the world would not miss a chance to get a Ph.D. from this university.

Here is what you need to know about getting a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from British Columbia:

• The program has been designed while keeping in mind the student's needs and wants, in the growing economy. Hence, when you study for a Ph.D. degree at the University of British Columbia, you will have a chance to interact with world-leading experts and have brainstorming sessions with the best people in the field.
• Unlike the University of Toronto, British Columbia offers one category of a Ph.D. in pharmacy. Needless to say, the requirements at British Columbia are a tad bit lenient than the University of Toronto.
• The duration of the Ph.D. degree is of 4 years.
• The eligibility criteria require you to have a postgraduate degree with at least a B+ grade overall. There is no GRE required, although students will need to submit their GMAT scores.
• The English language requirements are an IELTS overall score of 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in every component.
• Unless you are sponsored or have won a scholarship, the Ph.D. program is not free. The tuition fee for every year is $9,000 (approximately). There are several grants and scholarships available for the Ph.D. program. It is important to keep in mind that the process of getting awarded a grant or scholarship happens only through the University of British Columbia website.
• As of now, there are no internships provided to Ph.D. students, but the lack of internships is covered by providing students invaluable resources - including interaction with field experts.

University of Manitoba

The University of Manitoba has been distinguished to provide great degree courses in the field of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Hence, it might be of no surprise that Manitoba is one of the best universities to attain your Ph.D. from.

Here is what you need to know about getting a Ph.D. in Pharmacy from Manitoba:

• The University of Manitoba offers a wide-range of thesis-based subjects that one can choose to research. The subjects range from drug design, development, & delivery to epigenetics & pharmacogenomics. Not only this, but a student can opt to do a collaborative research program in one of the available subjects and make a substantial contribution towards world-leading research.
• The duration of the Ph.D. degree is of 4 years.
• The entry requirements of Manitoba need you to have an MSc degree from an accredited university, with at least a B+ grade. Furthermore, it is important to have 2 recommendation letters, as well as a statement of the chosen advisor.
• The English requirements for Manitoba are - an IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in every component. Alternatively, a TOEFL score of 86 overall is acceptable as well.
• The fees for the Ph.D. course is $22,000 (approximately). It is possible to waive off the tuition fee by being awarded a scholarship by the university. At the University of Manitoba, your supervisor may be able to sponsor you as well, although the regulations for the same are quite different.
• As of now, the University of Manitoba does not provide any internships. They may be a viable option in the near future.

University of Waterloo

At the University of Waterloo, teaching is a holy grail. Every course and degree is taught while keeping in mind unlocking the growth potential of the students. The University of Waterloo, while known for its outstanding research, is much more focused on the fields related to and about entrepreneurship, pharmacy, and many more.

Here is what you need to know about getting a Ph.D. in Pharmacy from Waterloo:

• The Ph.D. program at Waterloo allows you to conduct research in the area of your interest, all the while being able to have access to the latest research resources and being able to interact with experts from the field of pharmacy. Students also get a chance to be a part of cutting-edge research that develops the face of pharmacy and drug development.
• The duration of the Ph.D. degree is of 3 years.
• The eligibility criteria of Waterloo requires a student to have an MSc degree in the related field with at least a B+ grade overall.
• The English language requirements of the university are as follows - an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in every component. Furthermore, a TOEFL score of 90 overall is accepted as well.
• The fees for a Ph.D. degree at Waterloo costs $63,000. Several scholarships and grants are available at the university which can help waive off the tuition fee.
• At Waterloo, internships are available as a part of the Ph.D. program. More details are available during the application process.

University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is another university that is known for its affordable education. The level of education provided at Alberta is not compromised, regardless of their low tuition fee. Furthermore, students will find themselves being engaged in several fields of research, alongside world-leading experts in the respective field of study. This is true for even the Ph.D. programs and at Alberta, students have the option to achieve a degree in Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Here is what you need to know about getting a Ph.D. in Pharmacy from Alberta:

• The Ph.D. students don't only conduct ground-breaking research, but they also get a chance to overlook research faculty and contribute towards them. Moreover, the supervisors at Alberta provide great opportunities to students as a means of learning more while conducting research side-by-side.
• The eligibility criteria for Alberta are more GPA-based. Students must have a GPA score of 3.0 out of 4.0 or they can provide academic qualifications equivalent to the same.
• The English language requirements of the university are as follows - an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in every component. Furthermore, a TOEFL score of 88 overall is accepted as well.
• The course fees stand at $18,000. The university has several scholarships available to waive off the tuition fee as much as possible.
• As of now, the University of Alberta does not provide any internships. They may be a viable option in the near future.

Is Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences important?

A Ph.D. in Pharmacy is an excellent way of being in the center of a pharmaceutical field, but it is not mandatory. Whether to get a Ph.D. or not depends on your individual mindset and your reasons for the same.

To know more about the jobs available after a Ph.D. in Pharmacy, click here