Study Pharmacy in Canada

Among the preferred study destinations for international students, Canada sits right at the top. The country’s widely respected education system, globally-recognised degrees, and promising job market make it an ideal choice. Canada is especially popular among students interested in pharmacy studies. Pharmacy, which is anyway an evergreen sector, is especially in high demand in the country. Here is your complete guide to studying pharmacy in Canada.

Why study pharmacy in Canada?

Here are the top reasons to pursue a degree in pharmacy in Canada:

• A Pharma degree from Canadian University will not only equip you with technical know-how but will also sharpen your management skills

• Pharmacy courses in Canada aim to develop therapeutic knowledge and clinical skills. Also, provide significant knowledge in physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and pharmaceutical care

• For a licensed pharmacist in Canada or globally, you need to have theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience, which is provided through an internship program included in the Canadian curriculum

• The rise in the ageing population has spurred the demand for drugs, thereby the pharmaceutical and biotech companies continuously demand postgraduates from the pharmacy

Eligibility requirements

Entry requirements for pharmacy degrees vary as per institutions, but typically you will need to:

• Have 70% in 10+2 class in specified subjects i.e., chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics

• Hold a four-year bachelor’s in science in a relevant field along with minimum GPA requirements specified by the university

• Have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 – 7.0

Cost of studying

As compared to other countries, the cost of studying in Canada is comparatively affordable. It will approximately cost you between CAD 15,000 to CAD 2,00,000 irrespective of the education level or university you select.
To help you out, there are several Canadian scholarships programs availabe:

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship program

• The Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master's program

Course duration

Depending on the level of study, completing a pharmacy course in Canada can take one to four years. Here is an overview:

Career prospects

As one of the most innovative industries in Canada, the pharmaceutical sector has promising job opportunities for students. You can see yourself working:

• In a hospital pharmacy

• At a community pharmacy

• As researchers

• As teachers

• In the pharmaceutical industry

• In a regulatory or government setting

• As care consultants

After completing a pharmacy course in Canada, the average salary could go up to CAD 1,17,173.

Which school to choose?

There are multiple things that you should consider while selecting the institution for further studies. Concerning the pharmacy course, the benchmarks are:

• The university's ranking

• Curriculum and infrastructure

• Recruitment possibilities

• Good faculty

• Cost of studying and if the university offers any scholarships

• International accreditations

Post-study work rights

You can stay back and work in Canada for up to 3 years after you graduate from a Canadian post-secondary institution. The minimum requirement for getting the permit is to complete at least 8 months of full-time study from a recognised Canadian college/university.

The Canadian education system is categorised as one of the best in the world and it ranks second amongst the G-8 nations in terms of spending a higher percentage of the GDP in education and Canada has well-established and state-of-the-art research laboratories along with updated technology that is a sole requirement in the pharmaceutical field. Not only would studying in Canada benefit your profession, but it will also benefit you as an individual by helping you improve your interpersonal and interpersonal skills. If you require assistance, please contact IDP's study abroad consultants and we will be pleased to guide you.