MS in Pharmacy in Canada 2026: Top Colleges, Fees & Requirements

Studying a Master’s in Pharmacy in Canada offers you access to one of the world’s most advanced healthcare systems, with the country spending 12.1% of its GDP on healthcare. The growing shortage of skilled pharmacists and an expected 13,000 new job openings by 2028 make it a high-demand profession.

Here are some reasons why you should pursue a master’s in pharmacy in Canada:

• Growth of pharmacy as a market: The pharmacy market in Canada is set to increase rapidly because of a high consumption of pharma products. Canada’s total healthcare spending is 12.1% of the country’s GDP, which makes Canada the top spender in healthcare among all OECD (organisation for Economic countries. 
• Lack of pharmacists: Canada, as a country, has a greater demand for pharmaceutical products and services, but lacks a professional workforce for the same. And so, according to the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), there is a dearth of skilled pharmacists in Canada.
• Availability of scholarships: Pharmacy colleges in Canada are also known for offering scholarships to international students in Canada in the range of 3,000 CAD (INR 1.8 Lakhs) to 20,000 CAD (INR 12.5 Lakhs) per annum.

Top universities to study MPharm in Canada include McGill University (QS 2026 rank 27), and the University of Toronto (QS 2026 rank 29). These universities excel across all global rankings, like QS, THE, and the Guardian ranking for higher education. With an overall high academic reputation, faculty-student ratio, and employment opportunities in pharmacy, these are the top universities in Canada for an MPharm:

Pharmacology courses in Canada are widely available at the graduate level, with options ranging from introductory classes to specialized research-focused programs.

Let us take a detailed look at some of the pharmacy courses in Canada below: 

• M.Sc. in Applied Clinical Pharmacology, University of Toronto: The M.Sc. in Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Toronto is a 2-year, full-time, master’s program. The course focuses on the comprehensive foundational subjects and their real-world application, providing the students with substantial expertise in the field. 
• M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Studies, University of British Columbia: The M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia is a research-intensive, full-time, 2-year-long thesis-based program. It is designed to prepare students for careers in industry, academia, government, and research.
• M.Sc. in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Studies, University of Alberta: The University of Alberta offers an MSc in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences through its Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. This is a 2-year, full-time, research-focused, and thesis-based program, designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical science and pharmacy practice.
• MSc in Pharmacology- Environmental Health Sciences, McGill University: McGill University offers specialized graduate programs in Pharmacology with an Environmental Health Sciences option. These programs focus on the intersection of pharmacology, environmental exposures, and health, preparing students for advanced research and professional roles in academia, industry, and government.
• M.Sc. in Pharmacy, University of Waterloo: The MSc in Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo is a research-intensive, thesis-based master's program. The research fields in this program include pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy practice and health services research, pharmacoepidemiology, and health outcomes research.
• M.Sc. in Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan: The University of Saskatchewan offers a 2-year, full-time course in M.Sc. in Pharmacology. The program focuses on understanding the functions and mechanisms of major human body systems and the effects and actions of drugs on these systems. This program also includes courses such as General Pharmacology, Graduate Pharmacology, and Special Topics.

Admission intake for Master's in Pharmacy (M.Pharm/MSc Pharmacy) in Canada generally occurs in multiple terms. The most common intake is in the Fall, with some universities also offering Winter and Summer intakes. The admission intakes for master’s in Pharmacy in Canada are discussed below:

• Fall Term: For international students applying for the M.Sc. in Pharmacy in Canada, the fall intake is the most common intake offered by most universities. This term generally starts in September. 
• Winter Term: Admissions in Canada also happen during the winter intake, with the course beginning from January. The application deadlines for this session are generally in October. 
• Summer Intake: Summer intakes for programs are mainly limited to certain research-specific subjects in the top universities like McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia. However, this intake is rarely offered by the universities in Canada. Universities like the University of Manitoba offer summer intakes for pharmacy courses, with a deadline on the 1st of August of the previous year. 

To pursue a master’s in Pharmacy in Canada, it is important to keep track of the requisite academic and other significant transcripts, such as degree certificates, legal permits, and other test scores. Let us discuss in detail the specific eligibility criteria and other documents that are important for the admission process. 

Eligibility Criteria 

The requirements for a Master's in Pharmacy in Canada are quite similar and basic. Most of the universities in Canada require the completion of an evaluation exam by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC), so as to register as a pharmacist in Canada. 

The eligibility criteria for a Master’s in Pharmacy in Canada are discussed below:

• Bachelor's Degree: For international students applying to MPharm in Canada, either of the following conditions is required to be fulfilled: a BSc degree in Pharmacy or a related field from a recognised university, a BPharm degree in a recognised university, or experience in the pharma industry.
• English proficiency test scores: As international students, you need to have an English proficiency in terms of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or other tests. The minimum IELTS requirement to study pharmacy-related courses in Canada for Indian students is a score of 6.5 or above.
• Additional requirements like an interview: Additional requirements, such as an interview, are required by some universities for students applying for MSc Pharmacy in Canada. The interview is essential as nursing is quite significant in any nation; students are interviewed for background, history, criminal checks, and other related things. A few universities may also ask for GRE scores/ resumes/ work experience, and other additional requirements.

Documents Required

Some of the documents essential for a master’s in pharmacy in Canada are as follows: 

• Academic transcripts
• Proof of English language proficiency test scores
• Essays as required
• LOR or Letter of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Resume or CV
• Copy of your passport
• Proof of finances 

The cost of studying a master’s in pharmacy in Canada ranges from CAD 45,000 to CAD 65,000 (INR 28 Lakhs to INR 40 Lakhs). It is important for you to have an estimate of the financial resources that you will require to fuel your study abroad dream in Canada. The cost varies depending on the university type, location, and the grants provided by the university.

For more information on tuition fees and the cost of living while studying a master’s in pharmacy in Canada, let’s check below:

Tuition Fees

The average tuition fees for an MS in Pharmacy in Canada range from CAD 30,000 (INR 18 Lakhs) to CAD 50,000 (INR 31 Lakhs) per year. This depends on your type of course and the university. The average tuition fees for studying an MPharm in Canada as an international student are as follows:

• The average tuition fees for M.Sc. in Canada range from CAD 30,000 (INR 18 Lakhs) to CAD 50,000 (INR 31 Lakhs) per year, depending on the university. 
• Some of the top institutions, like the University of Alberta, charge tuition fees as low as CAD 13,500 (INR 8.5 Lakhs) for the entire program. 
• The most expensive universities for an MPharm in Canada include the University of Toronto and McGill University.

Cost of Living 

Apart from the tuition fees, you’ll also need to account for living expenses in Canada to be able to balance your finances abroad. The living costs in Canada are CAD 15,000 (INR 9.4 lakhs) per year on average for an international student. 

Let us take a look at the general living costs of a student in Canada: 

Many universities that offer graduate programs in Pharmacy in Canada offer financial support in the form of stipends. They come from various sources like department funds, bursaries, and scholarships. You can get up to CAD 20,000 (INR 12.5 Lakhs) as your base stipend, including living allowances and tuition fees. 

Some of the top scholarships for master’s in pharmacy in Canada, their eligibility and award amounts are as follows:

Courses after B Pharmacy in Canada can present you with humongous career opportunities upon graduating in the field of pharmacy. Some regions in Canada, like British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, etc, particularly have a shortage of pharmacists. This greatly increases your chances of getting a job after pursuing a pharmacy degree in Canada.

For a better understanding of how careers post MS in pharmacy in Canada look, we have tabulated the salaries for various pharmacy job profiles below:

A Master's in Pharmacy degree is much more valuable than a PG diploma in pharmacy in Canada. Though the diploma has a lower cost of attendance associated with it, a master’s degree has its own advantages in terms of the value of the degree, along with a 3-year work permit as compared to a 1-year work permit in the case of a PG diploma. 

Let us take a look at a comparative analysis between the two degrees:

Canada is one of the top countries for pursuing an MPharm. With a solid infrastructure and funding for the medical industry, pursuing an MPharm in Canada opens doors for multiple opportunities. How about we help you explore the best options? Connect with Yocket’s expert advisors, who are going to help you pick out the best universities, help you write your best applications, and get scholarships. With 13,000 new openings projected by 2028, this is your best opportunity to get an MPharm in Canada!