Canada’s pharmacy schools are globally respected for clinical training, research, and industry partnerships—but tuition, clinical fees, and living costs can stretch any budget. Many funding lists you’ll find online exclude non‑citizens, leaving international applicants unclear on real options. This guide fixes that. We map pharmacy scholarships in Canada for international students across PharmD (professional), MSc/PhD (pharmaceutical sciences/clinical research), and pre‑pharmacy pathways, plus provincial, university, external, and home‑country funding you can stack into a fully funded package.
What you’ll get:
- A curated list of pharmacy scholarships in Canada for international students with coverage, eligibility, and deadlines
- University‑specific awards at top faculties (Toronto, UBC, Alberta, Waterloo, Saskatchewan, Montréal, Laval, Dalhousie, Memorial)
- Provincial and national schemes that accept international students (Ontario Trillium, Québec PBEEE, OGS‑International quotas, UdeM Exemption, Finland? no—Canada focused)
- A 12–18 month timeline, documents checklist, and application strategies to win
- Visa/IRCC proof‑of‑funds and health insurance pointers so nothing derails your start
Editorial note: Award rules and amounts change each year. Always confirm on official scholarship pages and your faculty’s site before applying.
At‑a‑glance: High‑value scholarships open to international pharmacy students
These schemes are either explicitly open to international students, commonly awarded to them, or help remove international tuition premiums. Use this table to shortlist, then check the detailed sections.
| Scholarship/Program | Level | Coverage (typical) | Eligibility notes | Deadline window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS) | PhD | CAD 40,000/year (up to 4 years) | International PhD at participating Ontario universities (faculty nomination) | Varies by university (often fall–winter) |
| Québec PBEEE (FRQNT Merit Scholarship for Foreign Students) | PhD/Postdoc/Short research | Stipend + fee exemptions (varies by stream) | International students at Québec universities | Annual call (fall) |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) – International quota | Master’s/PhD | CAD 10,000–15,000/year | Limited international slots at participating ON universities | Uni‑specific windows (fall–winter) |
| UdeM Exemption Scholarship (Université de Montréal) | Bachelor/Master’s/PhD | Differential tuition waiver (partial to substantial) | International students admitted to UdeM | Rolling with admissions |
| University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF) | Master’s/PhD | CAD 14,000–18,000/year | Open to international grads at UManitoba | Dept. deadlines (rolling) |
| University of Calgary Graduate Awards | Master’s/PhD | Multiple awards (tuition + stipend) | Many open to internationals | Departmental cycles |
| UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) | PhD | Full tuition + stipend | International doctoral students | With admissions/department nomination |
| McGill International Doctoral/Entrance Awards | PhD | Tuition offsets + stipends | International PhD students | With admissions |
| University of Ottawa Differential Tuition Exemption (Francophone) | Bachelor/Master’s/PhD | Reduces international tuition | Francophone international students | With admissions |
| P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (women) | Graduate | Up to ~US$12,500 | Non‑US/Canadian women studying in US/Canada | Sept–Dec |
| AAUW International Fellowship (women) | Graduate | Tuition + stipend (varies) | Non‑US citizens; can fund study in the US—note: AAUW Canada‑specific funding varies; verify current cycle | Fall |
| MMEG (Margaret McNamara) | Graduate | ~US$15,000 | Women from select countries studying in US/Canada | Fall/Winter |
| Rotary Global Grants | Graduate | Tuition + living + travel (project‑based) | Must align to health/global goals; Rotary sponsorship | Rolling (plan 8–12 months) |
| Mitacs Accelerate (research stipend) | Master’s/PhD | Paid research internships | International students enrolled in Canada often eligible | Rolling via supervisor |
| Faculty‑specific awards (e.g., U of T Leslie Dan, UBC Pharm Sci, UAlberta Pharmacy, Waterloo Pharmacy, USask Pharmacy) | PharmD/MSc/PhD | Entrance/continuing awards (some full tuition, many partial) | International eligibility varies by award | With admissions/annual cycles |
Awareness (typically not open to international students): Vanier CGS, CIHR/NSERC CGS‑M/PhD, many provincial graduate scholarships limited to citizens/PRs. Always check citizenship requirements.
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| Pharmacy Scholarships in Canada for International Students |
University‑specific pharmacy scholarships (by school)
Below are major Canadian faculties of pharmacy and examples of awards frequently open to international students. Always verify eligibility and amounts on faculty pages.
University of Toronto — Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy (Ontario)
- Programs: PharmD (second‑entry), MSc/PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Funding highlights:
- Entrance and in‑course awards for PharmD; many based on academic merit and leadership (amounts vary)
- School of Graduate Studies awards for MSc/PhD; OGS‑International quotas; internal excellence scholarships
- Ontario Trillium Scholarship (PhD) via departmental nomination
- Tips: PharmD is a professional program—plan for pre‑pharmacy prerequisites and faculty‑specific scholarships. Research degrees often bundle supervisor funding + internal awards.
University of British Columbia — Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (BC)
- Programs: PharmD, MSc/PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Funding highlights:
- Graduate: UBC 4YF (PhD) tuition + stipend; Graduate Support Initiative; Mitacs; departmental awards
- Undergraduate/entry: International Scholars/IMES and faculty‑level awards for top students (for pre‑pharmacy or transfer entrants)
- Tip: In BC, budget for MSP health insurance and initial iMED (bridging). Many UBC grad awards are open to international students.
University of Alberta — Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (Alberta)
- Programs: PharmD (entry‑to‑practice), MSc/PhD
- Funding highlights:
- Entrance and continuing awards; Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarships (institution‑managed); department research assistantships
- Strong MSc/PhD funding culture; many international grad students receive stipends
- Tip: International grad applicants often compete for UAlberta Graduate Entrance Scholarships and UAlberta Doctoral Recruitment Scholarships.
University of Waterloo — School of Pharmacy (Ontario)
- Programs: PharmD (co‑op), MSc/PhD (via School of Pharmacy/Faculty of Science)
- Funding highlights:
- Merit‑based awards for PharmD (including co‑op‑related scholarships), donor‑funded prizes
- OGS (international quotas), Faculty of Science graduate awards, Ontario Trillium (PhD)
- Tip: Waterloo’s co‑op placements can offset living costs—ask how scholarships interact with co‑op income.
University of Saskatchewan — College of Pharmacy and Nutrition (Saskatchewan)
- Programs: PharmD, MSc/PhD
- Funding highlights:
- Entrance/continuing awards in PharmD (merit/need); College‑specific scholarships
- U of S offers graduate scholarships open to internationals; RA/TA funding common
- Tip: Saskatchewan health insurance (Saskatchewan Health Card) often covers eligible students—confirm rules.
Université de Montréal / Université Laval / Université de Sherbrooke (Québec)
- Programs: PharmD (first‑entry francophone), MSc/PhD
- Funding highlights:
- UdeM Exemption Scholarship reduces differential tuition for intl students
- Québec PBEEE (FRQNT merit) for foreign PhD/postdoc researchers
- Faculty/department scholarships (sciences pharmaceutiques), often open to internationals
- Tip: French proficiency required for PharmD; many grad programs have English options in research groups.
Dalhousie University — College of Pharmacy (Nova Scotia)
- Programs: BSc (Pharm) transitioning to PharmD/entry‑to‑practice, MSc/PhD
- Funding highlights:
- Faculty and entrance scholarships; graduate awards via Faculty of Graduate Studies
- Some provincial medical service plans (MSI) may cover students—confirm residency rules
- Tip: Check Dal’s international entrance scholarships and departmental awards.
Memorial University — School of Pharmacy (Newfoundland & Labrador)
- Programs: Undergrad pharmacy (transitioning structure), MSc/PhD
- Funding highlights:
- Competitive tuition + international entrance scholarships; graduate funding via SGS and grants
- Tip: Newfoundland has relatively lower living costs, improving total cost of attendance.
Pro move: Start with the faculty’s “Awards & Scholarships” page and the university’s graduate awards database; then ask the graduate coordinator or PharmD admissions which awards international students have won recently.
External & thematic awards relevant to pharmacy (open to internationals)
- P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (women)
- Graduate study in Canada; up to ~US$12,500; stackable
- MMEG (Margaret McNamara Education Grants) (women, select LMICs)
- ~US$15,000; prioritizes social impact (e.g., public health, medicines access)
- Rotary Global Grants
- Fund graduate programs/projects aligned to “Disease Prevention and Treatment” and maternal/child health; plan 8–12 months ahead with a Rotary club sponsor
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (select countries)
- Loan‑scholarships for postgraduate study; competitive and service‑oriented
- AFPC (Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada)
- Graduate awards for pharmaceutical sciences research (often open to international students enrolled in Canada; verify each award)
- CSHP (Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists)
- Travel grants, research awards for hospital pharmacy students/residents (eligibility varies; many include international enrollees)
- Mitacs Accelerate & Mitacs Elevate (research funding)
- Paid research internships and fellowships; many international students enrolled at Canadian universities are eligible (funding flows via supervisor/university, but it’s money you can live on)
Note: Tri‑Council (CIHR/NSERC/SSHRC), Vanier CGS, and many provincial awards are restricted to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Always check citizenship requirements first.
PharmD vs MSc/PhD: Different funding realities
PharmD (entry‑to‑practice professional degree)
- Funding: Mostly faculty/university entrance and in‑course awards; donor‑funded scholarships; fewer full‑ride packages; co‑op earnings (Waterloo) offset costs
- Strategy: Stack multiple smaller awards + entrance scholarships + part‑time campus roles; consider lower‑cost provinces
MSc/PhD (pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacoepidemiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacometrics, health outcomes)
- Funding: Supervisor grants (RA), TA positions, internal scholarships (OGS‑Int, UMGF, U of Calgary, UBC 4YF), provincial/external awards (OTS, PBEEE)
- Strategy: Contact potential supervisors with a 1–2 page concept note; secure a funding commitment + eligibility for major awards
Eligibility & selection: what committees look for
- Academic strength
- High GPA, rigor in chemistry/biology/biostats/epidemiology; for research degrees, publications or conference abstracts help
- Clinical/research experience
- Hospital/community placements; QI projects; lab experience (HPLC, LC‑MS, formulation, bioinformatics)
- Leadership & service
- CAPSI, CPSA/CSHP participation, outreach (vaccination clinics), mentorship; metrics matter (“led 25 volunteers; 1,200 flu shots delivered”)
- Clear goals & fit
- PharmD: patient‑care impact (e.g., antimicrobial stewardship, diabetes management, rural health)
- MSc/PhD: research plan aligned to faculty labs (pharmacokinetics, real‑world evidence, health tech assessment)
- Communication & professionalism
- Polished personal statement; referee letters with concrete outcomes; interview readiness
Documents checklist (pharmacy‑specific)
- Unofficial/official transcripts + grading scale; credential evaluation if required
- English/French proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL/TEF (as needed)
- CV (2–3 pages): clinical placements, research, certifications (BLS/ACLS), awards
- Personal statement (PharmD goals or MSc/PhD research statement)
- Two–three references: clinical preceptor, PI, faculty
- Pharmacy‑adjacent credentials: immunization certificates, police check requirements for placements (later step)
- Financials: scholarship confirmations; bank/sponsor letters for I‑20/IRCC proof of funds (Canada study permit)
- Passport & study permit docs; health insurance (UHIP/MSP/RAMQ or school plan)
CTA:
- Download a pharmacy CV + statement template (Google Docs)
12–18 month timeline (PharmD/MSc/PhD)
18–15 months
- Shortlist 6–8 faculties + 4–6 external awards (OTS, PBEEE, OGS‑Int, UdeM Exemption, P.E.O., MMEG, Rotary)
- Prepare for language tests; contact potential MSc/PhD supervisors with a concept note and CV
- Gather transcripts; line up referees
15–12 months
- Submit admissions (many PharmD deadlines fall early); target scholarship‑priority rounds
- Apply for OTS (via department), OGS‑International, PBEEE (via Quebec universities), and institutional entrance awards
- Draft external scholarship essays (Rotary/P.E.O./MMEG)
12–9 months
- Interview prep (STAR stories: impact on adherence, QI projects, lab deliverables)
- Confirm supervisor funding for MSc/PhD; pursue Mitacs with your PI
9–6 months
- Compare offers; request reconsideration if you hold a larger award elsewhere
- Secure official award letters for IRCC proof‑of‑funds; plan health insurance (UHIP/MSP/RAMQ)
6–0 months
- Apply for study permit (check current IRCC financial capacity requirement); book housing and immunizations
- Complete clinical onboarding: vaccines, TB test, CPR, police check (timelines vary by province)
CTA:
- Grab the 12‑month pharmacy scholarship planner (Google Sheet)
Build a fully funded package (stacking examples)
Example A (PhD, Ontario)
- Ontario Trillium Scholarship (CAD 40k/yr) + supervisor RA + tuition remission → fully funded 4 years
Example B (PhD, Québec)
- PBEEE PhD stipend + differential tuition exemption + faculty top‑up → fully funded
Example C (MSc, Manitoba/Alberta)
- UMGF or AGES (institutional), supervisor RA + TA → tuition + living covered
Example D (PharmD, Toronto/UBC)
- Faculty entrance award + 2–3 donor scholarships + part‑time campus role/co‑op (Waterloo) → large portion of tuition offset
Example E (Research MSc, any province)
- OGS‑International + Mitacs Accelerate stipend via partner project + departmental award → near full coverage
Always confirm stacking rules in writing. Some universities reduce institutional awards when external funds arrive; others allow full stacking.
Budget, visa, and health insurance (quick guide)
- Tuition (indicative ranges; verify per faculty)
- PharmD (international): CAD 45,000–75,000/year depending on school
- MSc/PhD: International tuition varies; many labs cover tuition for funded grads; tuition waivers/exemptions possible
- Living costs
- CAD 18,000–30,000/year depending on city (Toronto/Vancouver high; Saskatoon/Edmonton less)
- IRCC proof of funds
- IRCC updates the cost‑of‑living requirement annually—check current figure (tuition + updated living cost + travel). As of 2024, the living amount increased significantly; verify the 2025 amount on IRCC.
- Health insurance
- Ontario: UHIP for internationals
- BC: MSP after waiting period (use iMED/bridging)
- Québec: RAMQ eligibility depends on your country’s agreement; otherwise school plan
- Other provinces: Provincial plan eligibility varies; schools provide group plans if you’re not eligible
Monetization‑friendly CTAs:
- Compare student health insurance by province
- Check the latest IRCC proof‑of‑funds requirement
- Find housing near campus with flexible student leases
Application tips that win (pharmacy edition)
Quantify outcomes
- “Reduced medication reconciliation errors by 31% during hospital rotation”
- “Validated HPLC method (LOD 0.06 μg/mL) for stability assay”
- “Led vaccine clinic (1,450 doses; 97% satisfaction)”
Show patient‑centred impact (PharmD)
- Adherence interventions, MTM, antimicrobial stewardship, deprescribing projects in geriatrics
Demonstrate research fit (MSc/PhD)
- Cite 2–3 recent lab papers; propose a small, testable idea with methods (PK/PD modelling, RWE with SAS/R, AI for ADR detection, formulation science)
Prepare referees
- Give a one‑page “brag sheet” with metrics; ask them to mention your clinical judgment, communication, and safety mindset
Clarify licensure trajectory (PharmD)
- Acknowledge bridging steps after graduation (PEBC exams, structured practical training; licensure rules vary by province)
Common mistakes (and easy fixes)
- Applying to citizenship‑restricted awards (Tri‑Council, many provincial schemes) without checking eligibility → Always verify first
- Ignoring faculty‑specific awards pages → Many donor scholarships aren’t widely advertised; ask admissions/grad coordinators directly
- Missing early scholarship windows → OTS/PBEEE/OGS‑Int often close before general admissions decisions
- Generic essays → Add metrics, patient outcomes, lab deliverables
- Not confirming stacking rules → Get co‑funding/stacking policy in writing
- Underestimating clinical onboarding timelines → Police checks, vaccines, titers can take weeks
FAQs: Pharmacy Scholarships in Canada for International Students (Schema‑friendly)
Q1: Are there fully funded pharmacy scholarships in Canada for international students?
A1: Yes—especially at the graduate level. International PhD students can secure full funding via Ontario Trillium (Ontario), PBEEE (Québec), UBC 4YF, supervisor RA/TA packages, and university doctoral awards. PharmD funding is more piecemeal—stack faculty entrance awards, donor scholarships, and co‑op income (e.g., Waterloo) to reduce costs substantially.Q2: Which pharmacy schools in Canada are most generous to international students?
A2: Strong funding ecosystems exist at Toronto (Leslie Dan), UBC, Alberta, Waterloo, Saskatchewan, Montréal, Laval, and Dalhousie. For PhD, Ontario Trillium (Ontario universities) and PBEEE (Québec universities) are standouts.Q3: Can international students win the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)?
A3: Yes—many Ontario universities have a limited international OGS quota (CAD 10–15k). Competition varies by department; apply early and confirm your faculty’s quota.Q4: What about Tri‑Council awards (CIHR/NSERC/SSHRC) and Vanier?
A4: Most Tri‑Council awards and Vanier require Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. International students should focus on university awards, OTS, PBEEE, OGS‑Int, Mitacs, and donor/faculty scholarships.Q5: Do Québec universities offer tuition waivers for international pharmacy students?
A5: Yes. Programs like UdeM’s Exemption Scholarship reduce differential tuition. PBEEE also provides stipends and, in some cases, tuition advantages for foreign researchers. Verify details with your program.Q6: How can PharmD students (professional degree) reduce costs?
A6: Combine faculty entrance awards + in‑course donor scholarships + campus jobs/co‑op (where offered). Consider provinces with lower living costs and ask about international tuition exemptions (e.g., francophone pathways in Québec, francophone exemption at uOttawa for French‑proficient students).Q7: What documents do I need to apply for scholarships?
A7: Transcripts, language scores, a pharmacy‑focused CV, a personal statement with quantified clinical/research outcomes, two–three references (preceptor/PI/faculty), and—once awarded—official letters for IRCC proof‑of‑funds. For MSc/PhD, add a research statement and supervisor interest email.Your roadmap to a funded Canadian pharmacy degree
Pharmacy scholarships in Canada for international students exist—you just need a strategy. For PharmD, stack faculty entrance/in‑course awards, donor scholarships, and co‑op or part‑time work. For MSc/PhD, target university‑level funding (UBC 4YF, UMGF, UCalgary), provincial/national schemes open to internationals (Ontario Trillium, PBEEE, OGS‑Int), and supervisor RA/TA packages; add Mitacs where possible. Apply early, quantify your clinical/research impact, align your goals with each faculty’s strengths, and confirm stacking rules in writing. With this approach, you can turn a world‑class Canadian pharmacy education into an affordable, even fully funded, reality.