
Earn your PhD in the heart of Canada’s innovation and health research ecosystem
PhD students at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy have the opportunity to further their research in collaboration with a vibrant community of world-leading professionals and researchers from a variety of disciplines and background. Our faculty is a diverse and multidisciplinary community exploring some of the world’s most pressing health sciences challenges, and breaking new ground on solutions.
Located in Toronto’s discovery district at the historic University of Toronto St. George campus, our graduate students have the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of faculties and departments at U of T and nearby world-class teaching hospitals and research institutes.
Degree Timeline
Degree Type | PhD Qualifying Examination | Time to Achieve Candidacy | Typical Program Length |
---|---|---|---|
PhD (full-time) after completing an MSc | 24 months | By end of 3rd year | 4 years |
PhD (full-time) after completing an BSc | Direct-entry: 24 months | By end of 4th year | 5 years |
PhD (flex-time) | 32 months | By end of 4th year | 8 years |
[1] Doctoral students are subject to the School’s policy on “Timely Completion of Graduate Program Requirements”. To achieve candidacy, a PhD student is expected to have completed all program requirements exclusive of thesis and seminar courses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the PhD Pharmaceutical Sciences must have:
- Completed (or be in the final year of) a four-year BSc or BA degree or a two-year MSc (or its equivalent) in the Natural/Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, or Health Profession such as Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing or Pharmacy from a recognized university.
- A minimum B+ (77%) average, or its equivalent, in a Masters degree program OR
- A minimum of A- (80%) average, or its equivalent, in senior level courses relevant to the program in a four-year undergraduate program. The applicant is expected to have completed an undergraduate research project.
- Secured a potential supervisor within the department of pharmaceutical sciences at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. Applicants are encouraged to contact prospective supervisors in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The supervisor must hold a Graduate Appointment at the Faculty as well as at the School of Graduate Studies.
- Applicants to the flex-time PhD program must also provide a completed Letter of Support from Employer.
Additionally:
- The Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Admissions Committee considers the applicant's background and accomplishments, academic standing, and financial support from the potential supervisor.
- Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination is not English are required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:
- paper-based TOEFL: 600 and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
- Internet-based TOEFL: 100/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.
- If the undergraduate degree was not obtained from a recognized Canadian or US university, the applicant must write and achieve scores at the 50th percentile ranking or better on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE; General Test).
International Student?
Learn more about admission requirements for international students here
Financial Support
Learn more about awards, scholarships and funding opportunities available to graduate students.
Graduate Research In Progress (GRIP)
Learn more about our annual research symposium showcasing exciting on going research by our graduate students.
Collaborative Specializations
Conduct your research in collaboration with a wide range of departments at the University of Toronto.
News

Scientists discover new lipid nanoparticle that shows muscle-specific mRNA delivery, reduces off-target effects.
New study led by Assistant Professor Bowen Li makes significant contribution to generating tissue-specific ionizable lipids and prompts rethinking of mRNA vaccine design principles.
Read More

Faces of PharmSci: Evan Amalfitano
Evan Amalfitano is working to develop low-cost biological assays to help make testing for certain diseases cheaper and more widely available.
Read More

New research examines anti-HIV drugs’ effects in pregnancy
Reina Bendayan is examining potential interactions between anti-HIV drugs and placenta folate transporters.
Read More