A pharmacist works at a desk on a laptop.
  • icon house

    Faculty

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

  • icon award

    Degree

    • PhD in Pharmacy

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 4+ 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: 4 years

Tuition and fees: Tuition fees are charged for terms one and two and terms four and five. A continuing fee is paid for term three, term six and each subsequent term. (Refer to Graduate tuition and fees.)

This program is comprised of both research and coursework, culminating in a doctoral thesis.

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
  • Completion of 12 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

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Research 

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

  • Establish thesis topic with advisor
  • Completion of research proposal (~12 month milestone)
  • Completion of candidacy exam (~ 24 month milestone)
  • Obtain other approvals as required (ie ethics)
  • Conduct research
  • Complete yearly progress reports

Thesis

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

  • Submit thesis for evaluation by the advisory committee
  • Have committee complete approval to proceed to Ph.D. thesis examination
  • Submit thesis to Faculty of Graduate Studies for distribution to examining committee and external examiner
  • Complete oral examination and public defence of thesis
  • Final report submitted to Faculty of Graduate Studies

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the Pharmacy PhD program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

To qualify for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmacy, you must have:

  • A minimum of a Master of Science degree in Pharmacy or related field from a recognized university
  • 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
  • A faculty member who agrees to serve as program advisor. Please refer to our list of advisors accepting graduate students. You should review the researcher’s profile before contacting them to ensure your research interest aligns with theirs. When you decide to contact a faculty member regarding a graduate position, consider sending them the following for review: CV or resume, academic transcripts from any post-secondary institutions, descriptions of any previous research or teaching-related experience. If you have contacted potential advisors and after several inquiries and have not received a response, please consider this an indication that they will not be pursuing further conversation.

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

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 PhD 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 advisors accepting graduate students 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 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