Waterloo's second-entry PharmD is based in downtown Kitchener. Applicants need qualifying university study, prerequisites, a 75.0% minimum cumulative undergraduate average and Casper. The program includes paid co-op terms.
- Program
- PharmD
- Credential
- PharmD
- Location
- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Casper
- Required · CSP-10211
- Next deadline
- January 6, 2027 (Application deadline (11:59 PM EST))
- Interview
- Panel interview
- Seats
- Approximately 120 students admitted annually
- Length
- Just over three years
Casper Requirement for University of Waterloo Pharmacy
University of Waterloo Pharmacy requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Canada Casper 2 · CSP-10211
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- 9-digit Waterloo Applicant Number
- Score distribution deadline
- January 21, 2027
Upcoming Casper test dates
- October 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
- October 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
- October 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
- October 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM EDT
- October 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
- October 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
- November 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM EST
- November 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST
- December 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM EST
- January 7, 2027 at 8:00 PM EST
- January 21, 2027 at 8:00 PM EST
Test dates can change: confirm availability in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Take Casper once in the cycle in which you apply. You may register with a nine-digit placeholder, but must replace it with your correct Waterloo Applicant Number and pay for score distribution by the published deadline.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
University of Waterloo Pharmacy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- OUAC Undergraduate application; supporting documents through Waterloo Applicant Portal
- Applications open
- September 23, 2026
- Application fee
- OUAC base fee: $159 CAD for the first three choices; $51 CAD per additional choice. Applicable document-evaluation fees may also apply.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Application deadline (11:59 PM EST) | January 6, 2027upcoming |
| Supporting documents deadline (11:59 PM EST) | January 20, 2027upcoming |
| Casper Applicant Number and distribution deadline | January 21, 2027upcoming |
| Referee submission deadline | January 29, 2027upcoming |
| Interview confirmation deadline (2:00 PM EDT) | April 12, 2027upcoming |
| Prerequisite completion deadline | April 30, 2027upcoming |
| Updated transcript deadline, if applicable | May 26, 2027upcoming |
| Admission confirmation deadline (2:00 PM EDT) | June 16, 2027upcoming |
University of Waterloo Pharmacy Admissions Statistics
Period: Typical annual PharmD intake
- Seats / class size: Approximately 120 students admitted annually
Eligibility Requirements for University of Waterloo Pharmacy
- Degree / credits
At least 8.0 full-course equivalents of university-level study completed or planned by the end of the winter term of the application year, including all prerequisites; a full academic course load during most undergraduate terms demonstrates readiness.
- Residency
Applicants are considered regardless of place of residence.
- Citizenship
Applicants from all countries are considered.
Admission pathways
- Standard PharmD admission: Apply with the required university-level study and prerequisite courses.
- Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP): A separate pathway for current Grade 12 or first-year CEGEP applicants; qualifying CAP students complete undergraduate study before entering PharmD.
- Indigenous Admissions Pathway: An Indigenous admissions pathway is available.
Applicants with post-secondary study outside Canada must provide detailed outlines or syllabi for courses used as prerequisites. College study alone does not qualify an applicant for direct entry.
Other requirements
- English language requirement: Provide evidence if applicable.
- International prerequisite documentation: Applicants using post-secondary courses completed outside Canada must provide detailed outlines or syllabi.
- Indigenous pathway verification: Required for consideration through that pathway.
Selection Factors University of Waterloo Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Cell Biology | One acceptable course |
| Genetics | One acceptable course |
| Microbiology | One acceptable course |
| General Chemistry 1 | One acceptable course |
| General Chemistry 2 | One acceptable course |
| Biochemistry | One acceptable course |
| Organic Chemistry 1 | One acceptable course |
| Science labs | Three labs: general chemistry; biology; biology or chemistry |
| Calculus 1 | One acceptable course |
| Statistics | One acceptable course |
| English | One qualifying university course Writing assignments must comprise at least 30% of the grade. |
| Social Sciences and/or Humanities | Two courses |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Cumulative average across undergraduate university-level courses, including every course attempt; master's and PhD coursework is generally excluded.
- Minimum
- 75.0%
Admissions tests
- MCAT (not required)
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
Pharmacy work or volunteering can help applicants explore the profession. Competitive applicants often report 200 or more hours of pharmacy-related experience; this is not a stated minimum.
Supplementary application
Submit the Declaration of Academic Experience, PharmD Prerequisites Courses Form, PharmD Extracurricular Experience Form, unofficial post-secondary transcripts, and contact details for one regulated health-professional referee. A pharmacist is preferred; other eligible health professionals may serve as referees.
How applicants are ranked
Stage 1 considers eligible, complete applications using academic and non-academic components, including cumulative grades, required forms, experience, reference and Casper. Selected applicants proceed to a live interview. Waterloo does not publish a numerical weighting or a competitive GPA cutoff here.
Interview Format at University of Waterloo
Format: Panel interview
Live, synchronous virtual panel on Kira Talent with practicing pharmacists and current pharmacy students.
- Who is invited
- Selected Stage 1 candidates; applicants may receive no more than three interview opportunities across applications.
- When
- Invitations April 7, 2027; interviews April 30 to May 2, 2027.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at University of Waterloo Pharmacy
- Program length
- Just over three years
- Structure
Classroom learning, three paid co-op work terms and experiential learning, beginning each January.
- Campuses
- Health Sciences Campus (Kitchener)
Students complete approximately two years of classroom learning, one year of paid co-op placements and six months of experiential learning.
Campus and facilities
The School of Pharmacy is at Waterloo's Health Sciences Campus in downtown Kitchener, approximately five kilometres from the main Waterloo campus. The campus includes a medical clinic.
What Applicants Are Saying
First-year students report the academic load as manageable yet intensive, with challenges arising from balancing lectures, labs, and group work rather than sheer difficulty. Matriculated students describe a program culture that emphasizes practical skills through hands-on labs and collaborative projects. Students report appreciating the campus setup, which fosters focus on academics and group activities without long travel times. Forums like Student Doctor Network indicate successful candidates often share relevant pharmacy-related skills.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your University of Waterloo Pharmacy Application
- Plan for at least 8.0 full-course equivalents of university-level study and complete every prerequisite.
- Calculate your cumulative undergraduate average using every course attempt.
- Submit the OUAC application, then complete the forms, transcript uploads and referee details in the Waterloo Applicant Portal.
- Register for Canada Casper 2 and add your correct Waterloo Applicant Number for distribution.
- Describe meaningful pharmacy, work, volunteer and other experiences authentically.
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Waterloo Pharmacy
Does University of Waterloo Pharmacy require Casper?
Yes. PharmD applicants take Canada Casper 2 (CSP-10211) and provide their nine-digit Waterloo Applicant Number for score distribution. Duet is not listed among the PharmD requirements.
What is the minimum GPA for University of Waterloo Pharmacy?
The minimum cumulative undergraduate university average is 75.0%; every university-level course attempt counts.
Can high school students apply to University of Waterloo Pharmacy?
Current Grade 12 or first-year CEGEP students can apply to the separate CAP pathway; direct PharmD entry requires university-level study and prerequisites.
What are the Casper test dates for Waterloo Pharmacy?
Use Waterloo's approved PharmD Casper sittings and register for Canada Casper 2; complete the test and score distribution within the published timelines.
Is MCAT required for University of Waterloo Pharmacy?
The published PharmD admissions requirements list Casper, academic prerequisites and an interview, not MCAT or Duet.
How competitive is University of Waterloo Pharmacy admissions?
Waterloo reviews academic and non-academic components and invites selected applicants to interview; it publishes a 75.0% minimum average, not an offer-average cutoff.
What is the workload like in Waterloo Pharmacy?
Students combine classroom study, co-op work terms and experiential learning. Students report that managing lectures, labs and group work takes organization.
Are international students eligible for Waterloo Pharmacy?
Yes. Applicants are considered regardless of citizenship or residence and must meet the same requirements; international prerequisite coursework requires detailed outlines or syllabi.
Sources
- uwaterloo.ca: pharmd application process
- uwaterloo.ca: conditional admission pharmacy cap
- uwaterloo.ca: doctor pharmacy pharmd
- uwaterloo.ca: pharmacy
- bemoacademicconsulting.com: pharmacy school acceptance rates canada
- uwaterloo.ca: discover pharmacy possibilities waterloo science
- uwaterloo.ca: pharmacy
- blackstonetutors.com: university of waterloo pharmacy interview questions
- blog.kiratalent.com: waterloo school of pharmacy increases interview completion rate
Last updated: September 26, 2026