Thinking of applying for a master's in pharmacy in Canada? Numerous institutions and universities offer an MS/MSc in pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences in Canada for aspirants. Some also award MPharm degrees. The country is a major global pharmaceutical hub offering attractive employment opportunities for skilled graduates. Canada has a shortage of qualified pharmacists, and hence the demand for these professionals is steadily on the rise.
Reasons for Studying Master’s in Pharmacy in Canada
Course Highlights of Masters in Pharmacy in Canada
At master’s, there is a wide range of potential specializations available and some of the modules taught in these include pharmacy law, practice and ethics, pharmacy mathematics and calculations, drug and vaccine delivery, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, biotechnology, and molecular biology, pharmacokinetics, among others.
Due to the requirement for highly advanced training and knowledge-gathering in pharmaceutical sciences, an MS in pharmacy goes deeper into the core subject and several multi-disciplinary aspects as well. This includes analysis of policies, health-based communications, primary care technologies, and more. Here are some of the topics that are covered:
Gene therapy
Medicinal chemistry
Drug development
Advanced pharmacokinetics
Systemic cancer treatment practices and principles
Science grant writing
Pharmacy education, geriatrics, health services design and aging
Management of chronic diseases
Strategic biopharmaceutical technology management
Applied pharmaco-economics and health economics
Cost of Studying MS in Pharmacy in Canada
The major expense is obviously the tuition fee, followed by living costs. Students will have to pay around $9000 per term. Mostly, one academic year will have two years. Living expenses are dependent upon where students live; on campus or off campus, sharing with roommates. As per the University of Toronto, the estimated living expenses are $2,000 per month, including rent, food, transportation, cell phone, internet connection, personal items, and so on.
Pre-Arrival Costs For Masters in Pharmacy in Canada
Application fees, visa costs, travel fares, and health insurance are some of the pre-arrival costs that students need to consider. While applying to Canadian universities, the registration fee can be anywhere from $100-200. Similarly, health insurance premiums will vary as per the provincial policy and may cost anywhere between $600-$900 per year.
Requirements/Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Pharmacy in Canada
Here are the eligibility criteria for admissions:
Four-year undergraduate course in science or any relevant area of study. These may include degrees in Natural/Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, or Health Professions such as Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, or Pharmacy.
Minimum GPA score requirement. Most universities will require a minimum 75% average, or GPA of at least 3.0 (4.5 scale), in year undergraduate program.
Scores in standardized tests like GRE may be required.
Scores in English language proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS.
Documents Needed for Masters in Pharmacy in Canada
Here are the documents needed for admission:
CV/Resume.
Standardized score sheets
English language proficiency score sheets
Official academic transcripts and mark sheets
Valid passport and photograph
Personal statement and references wherever required
The average salary of pharmacists in Canada has been rising over the last few years, indicating rising demand alongside. As per Glassdoor, the average salary for a Pharmacist is $1,17,503 per year in Canada.
Job profiles available to pharmacy graduates include hospital pharmacists, medical sales representatives, community pharmacists, pharmacy practice assistants, medical sales representatives, QA/QC executives, regulatory affairs officers, research scientists, process development scientists, and pharmacy practice assistants. Sectors like biotechnology, retail, and health, and medicine absorb skilled graduates every year. At the same time, there are new jobs available in fields like clinical research, education, and more.
Student Visa Procedure for Canada
You can apply offline or online for your student visa. You will have to visit the nearest visa application center in your city for submitting documents if you are choosing the offline format. If you choose the online mode, you must submit all documents online and visit to provide biometrics. After that, you may be called for a visa interview. The study permit from Canada will cover the duration of your course and three months thereafter.
You must provide proof of funds for supporting yourself throughout the course. You should be able to pay the minimum prescribed every month for studying in Canada. You will have to take a medical test before arrival as well.
Study in Canada with upGrad Abroad
With upGrad Abroad, pursue BBA in Canada at Yorkville University, Canada, and save upto INR 25 lakh as compared to a regular degree course in Canada. Bachelor of Business Administration is a four-year course where in the first two years you will be studying online with an Indian Partner University. For third and fourth year you will be going to Canada and study in Yorkville University. To know more, get in touch with our counsellors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a master’s in pharmacy in Canada?
An MS in pharmacy course in Canada requires 2-3 years on average. The structure of a conventional master’s course in the country is a little different than many other master’s programs in other disciplines. It is usually available as a non-thesis or thesis-based program for students. This is the key difference between these programs.
What is the salary of M Pharm in Canada?
M. Pharm graduates can expect salaries of USD 84,541 (INR 63.40 lakh) per year with experience and this may even go up to a handsome USD 106,592 (INR 79.94 lakh) per annum. Median hourly rates for Canadian pharmacists stand at USD 33.74 (INR 2,531), although pharmacists at the entry-level earn almost-similar salaries without many differences as per reports.
Can I do M Pharm in Canada?
Yes, you can do M. Pharm in Canada after completing your B. Pharm course in India. However, you will have to qualify for the English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. M. Sc. in Applied Clinical Pharmacology and M. Sc in Pharmacology are the two popular course options here. You must meet the other admission criteria, including minimum UG marks, educational background, scores in standardized examinations, etc. You should be completing any four-year Bachelor of Science degree which is relevant. The minimum score/GPA criteria aside, you will not have to provide the GRE scores in most cases.
Is Canada good for pharmacy?
Canada is one of the world’s leading destinations for studying pharmacy courses. The pharmaceutical and pharmacy course is immensely popular in the country, being offered across some of Canada’s top universities and other educational institutions. They collectively rank higher amongst the world’s leading 500-600 universities for pharmacy. Canada has a flourishing pharmacy sector with excellent job opportunities for skilled graduates in the field as well.
Which exam is required for MPharm in Canada?
The primary exam that students need to take to seek admission is to prove English language proficiency. For this, one can take IELTS or TOEFL exam, depending on what is accepted by the desired university.
What is the difference between MS in Pharmacy and MSc in Pharmacy in Canada?
Both MS in Pharmacy and MSc in Pharmacy in Canada are two-year graduate programs. The difference is only in the nomenclature as some universities award MS degrees while others call it an MSc program; the course modules are the same. It is also known as MPharm in some places.
She is an experienced writer and journalist who has extensively covered the education sector in India and Abroad. Now helping Indian aspirants realise their foreign education dream by providing them w...
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