Two pharmacy students look at a bottle in a lab.
  • icon house

    Faculty

    • College of Pharmacy
    • Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
    • Faculty of Graduate Studies

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Master of Science (MSc)

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 2+ years

Program details

Graduate programs at the College of Pharmacy give you access to world-class researchers in a state-of-the-art facility. With few mandatory electives, you’ll have the flexibility to create a program that meets your needs and suits your interests.

Expected duration: 2+ years

Tuition and fees: Program fees are assessed in the first two terms of study, followed by a continuing fee in the third and any subsequent terms. (refer to Graduate tuition and fees)

This program is comprised of both research and coursework, culminating in a master’s thesis. These will take place concurrently and do not need to be finished in a set order.

Research

Research components begin early and continue throughout your program. You will complete the following steps:

  • Establish thesis topic with advisor
  • Completion of research proposal (~12 month milestone)
  • Obtain other approvals as required (i.e. ethics)
  • Conduct research
  • Complete yearly progress reports

Thesis

All MSc students will complete an oral examination to defend their thesis. You will complete the following steps:

  • Submit thesis for evaluation by the advisory committee
  • Prior to your oral thesis defence, you will need to complete PHRM MSc thesis examination form
  • Following this, you will proceed to organizing your oral examination (within two weeks of approval)
  • Once your defence is complete, your master’s thesis final report will be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Coursework

Your coursework may take place at the beginning of your program; however it will depend on the availability of courses offered. Students require approval from their advisor when selecting courses.

  • Complete advisor-student guidelines
  • Complete 12 course credit hours
  • Complete mandatory academic integrity and research integrity tutorials
  • Attend the pharmacy seminar course during each year you are registered as a full-time student
  • Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to continue in the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Sample course offerings

  • PHRM 7080: Biopharmaceutics and Relevant Pharmacokinetics
  • PHRM 7102: Pharmacoepidemiology 
  • PHRM 7120: Medical and Scientific Writing
  • PHRM 7130: Novel Drug Delivery Systems
  • PHRM 7180: Pharmaceutical Implications of Biotechnology
  • PHRM 7202: Advanced Topics in Pharmacoepidemiology 

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

In some circumstances, students enrolled in the Master of Science in Pharmacy Program at UM can transfer into the PhD program. 

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the Master of Science (MSc) in Pharmacy program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

To qualify for admission to the Master of Science (MSc) in Pharmacy, you must have a minimum of:

  • a four-year undergraduate degree in a related discipline such as biochemistry, biology, cell biology, chemistry, computer sciences, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy or statistics
  • with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (4.5 scale), based on the last 60 credit hours (or two full years or equivalent) of university study.

The applicant must negotiate with faculty research for a traineeship position. Please refer to Advisors accepting graduate students if you are inquiring which faculty members are currently accepting students.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

How to apply

Applications for the Pharmacy MSc program are accepted for Fall, Winter and Summer entry. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

  • $100 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Unofficial copies of transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation (must be requested from within the application)
  • Current CV
  • A statement of an agreement with a proposed advisor who has agreed to serve as your advisor
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if required

To find an advisor, explore the College of Pharmacy faculty and staff page and contact a faculty member whose research interests align with your own. Please note that your advisor must hold a PhD or equivalent and be a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (typically includes academic staff holding a rank of assistant professor or above).

Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions and College of Pharmacy Supplemental Regulations (PDF) before beginning your application.

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Canadian and US applicants

Term  Applications open Annual application deadlines
Fall (September) Early April (year prior to deadline) May 1
Winter (January) Early July (year prior to deadline September 1
Summer (May) Early February (year prior to deadline January 1

International applicants

Term  Applications open Annual application deadlines
Fall (September) Early April (year prior to deadline) February 1
Winter (January) Early July (year prior to deadline June 1
Summer (May) Early February (year prior to deadline October 1

Start or continue your application

Learn more

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
143 Apotex Centre
750 McDermot Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB  [R3E 0T5]

pharmacy.gradstudies@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9306
Fax: 204-789-3744