Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for graduate studies?

Check that you meet our admission and language requirements.

If you meet the requirements, please follow the steps outlined on our Application Process webpage.

What are the academic requirements to be eligible for graduate studies admission?

Canada and USA — Grading systems differ widely among universities. Applicants must meet the academic achievement equivalent to one of the following grading standards:

  • 6.5 on a 9.0-point scale
  • 3 on most 4-point systems
  • 72 per cent
  • B (second class)
  • Egypt — Honors degree with a standing of at least Very Good (80 per cent)
  • Iran — 3.75/5, 3 out of 4, 15/20 or 75 per cent
  • Ireland — Second Class Upper
  • Lebanon — GPA of 3 out of a possible 4.0 or 15 out of 20 or at least Very Good (75 per cent)
  • Libya — 75 per cent or better
  • United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth Countries whose university systems follow that of Great Britain — an Upper Second Class Honours degree
  • India, Pakistan and Bangladesh — A First Class or First Division Bachelor's degree.
  • Japan — 2.3 out of 3.0 or 3.0 out of 4.0
  • Nigeria — Second Class Upper
  • Philippines — 1.8 out of 2.00 or 86 per cent
  • People's Republic of China — 80 per cent or 4 out of 5
  • Taiwan "A" average — usually 80 per cent or better
How much is the application fee?

A $135 CAD application fee is required. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

The application fee is waived if your mailing address and citizenship are located in the world's 50 least developed countries, as declared by the United Nations. If you are eligible for an application fee waiver, you do not need to apply for it. The application system will recognize your eligibility for a waived fee based on the information you provide. You will not be asked for a fee when you complete the online application. List of countries waived from the application fee.

How do I find a supervisor?

Once the online application is completed, the application is reviewed by academic staff. If a supervisor is identified, you will be contacted.

What degree programs are offered?

We offer the Master of Science degree program and the PhD degree program (both thesis-based). We do not offer the MPharm at this time.

How long does it take to complete the Master of Science degree program and/or the PhD degree program?

Candidates must complete all the requirements within four years of the term in which they first registered as candidates in the Master of Science degree program. Candidates must complete all of the requirements within six years of the term in which they first register as provisional candidates for a doctoral degree. In the case of master's students who are reclassified as provisional candidates for a doctoral degree, all degree requirements must be completed within six years of the time they first registered as master's candidates.

How many students are recruited each year?

Generally, about 10 - 15 students are recruited each year.

*Note: Admission to graduate studies is competitive. We receive a large number of applications each year (500+). However, only a limited number of places are available in our graduate program. Applicants are considered to have the highest academic records and best credentials. A record that meets basic entrance requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

Are there English language requirements?

Yes, please see our language requirements on our Admission and Language Requirements webpage.

Can I get a conditional admission and then take my English language proficiency test?

Yes, in certain cases in which a scholarship includes registration in an English language course to meet English language requirements.

Is there funding available for graduate students (Canadian and/or International)?

The faculty does provide minimal financial support to students who have no other funding when admitted. Further, there are campus-wide recruitment scholarships available for applicants who have superior academic standings in their undergraduate degree. Our faculty would evaluate and identify such a candidate for nomination of one of these scholarships.

What does it cost to attend the University of Alberta for one year?
For an estimated cost of living, please visit the FGSR site here.
What about teaching and research assistantships; how can I apply for one?

Once a graduate student is registered in either the Master of Science degree or PhD degree program in our faculty, there are two scholarship competitions each year (January to June and July to December) for which all eligible graduate students may apply. Teaching and research assistantships can be applied for through a separate application process when email announcements are circulated to graduate students registered in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Teaching assistantships are not normally awarded for new incoming students.

What areas of research are offered?

Our faculty's research areas: cardiovascular, drug delivery, educational research, geriatrics, health services, infectious diseases (HIV), medicinal chemistry, pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and toxicology, pharmacy practice and women's health.

What kind of research is performed in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences?

The pharmaceutical sciences division traditionally has encompassed a wide range of disciplines each focused towards aspects of discovery and development of new or already existing drug entities. These include medicinal chemistry (discovery of new drug candidates), pharmacology and toxicology (biological evaluation of drug entities), pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism (study of the fate of drug entities in the body), pharmaceutics (improvement of drug delivery in the body). For each of these areas, both traditional small molecule and biotechnology-derived drug entities are included. The division incorporates techniques from a wide array of scientific disciplines, and is multidisciplinary in its scope.

In addition to the core pharmaceutical sciences focus of research Faculty in the Pharmacy Practice Division cover seven research areas:

Clinical

Patient oriented research conducted with human subjects; it includes mechanisms of human disease, therapeutic interventions, clinical trials, development of new technologies (National institute of health).

Education

A field of inquiry aimed at advancing knowledge of education and learning processes and development of the tools and methods necessary to support this endeavor. (American Educational Research Association).

Health Services

Improving the way health care services are organized, regulated, managed, financed, paid for, used and delivered, in the interest of improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians (CIHR).

Knowledge Translation

Using knowledge obtained from research to inform the decision making of healthcare professionals and improve outcomes (CIHR).

Pharmacoepidemiology

Provides an estimate of the probability of beneficial effects of a drug in a population and the probability of adverse effects (John Hopkins University).

Pharmacy Practice

Focuses on the assessment and evaluation of pharmacy practice. It includes studies that evaluate pharmacists' roles in a variety of capacities (CPhA).

Social Administrative

The "people" aspect of pharmacy and medication use. Focusing on the scientific and humanistic bases for understanding and influencing interactions involving patients, medicines, caregivers, and health care systems (University of Wisconsin).

For more Information, who can I contact?
Please contact phgrad@ualberta.ca