University of Waterloo pharmacy admission requirements: two years of university science, or a CAP spot from Grade 12

Waterloo's PharmD is not open to students coming straight from high school. Waterloo asks for at least two full years of university level science first. Most students start in a science degree, take the required courses, and apply to pharmacy in their second year.

Waterloo names Honours Science as a recommended major for students preparing for pharmacy. Honours Science asks for ENG4U, Advanced Functions and Calculus and Vectors, each at 70% or more, plus two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Data Management and Physics. Waterloo lists its admission average as the low 80s. You can work out your number with our Top 6 average calculator.

Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP) pre-admits Grade 12 and year 1 CEGEP students to the PharmD. There are 40 spots. You need at least a 90.0% high school average, or 85.0% in year 1 CEGEP. You cannot have graduated or already be in university or college.

You send two OUAC applications. One is to a Waterloo science degree: Honours Science, Biomedical Sciences or Life Sciences with Biology. The other is the CAP application. You also write Casper, fill in an Extracurricular Experience Form, send two references (one academic and one from an employer or volunteer agency) and do a virtual interview. Waterloo says strong applicants usually show 50 or more hours of activities.

If you keep your eligibility for two years, you get a guaranteed PharmD interview. CAP students also earn a Bachelor of Science alongside the PharmD with no extra time. CAP costs $750 a year, paid in two parts.

In biology you need Cell Biology (BIOL 130), Genetics (BIOL 239) and Microbiology (BIOL 240). In chemistry you need General Chemistry 1 and 2, Biochemistry (CHEM 237) and Organic Chemistry 1 (CHEM 266). You also need three science labs, Calculus 1 (MATH 127) and Statistics (STAT 202).

You also need one English course from an English department with real reading and writing, and two social science or humanities courses. General writing and ESL courses do not count. All prerequisites must be done by April 30, 2027 for this cycle.

The minimum is a 75.0% cumulative average in your university courses. Waterloo counts every university course you have taken and every attempt, so a failed or repeated course stays in the average. It also wants to see about five courses (2.5 FCE) per term for most of your studies.

Waterloo does not publish an admitted average or an acceptance rate for pharmacy. The class is about 120 students a year. Treat 75% as the floor, not a target, and see the Waterloo admissions overview for the wider picture.

Regular applicants write Casper (test CSP-10211, Canada Casper 2). You can take it only once a year. You need one reference from a regulated health professional. A pharmacist is preferred, but a doctor or nurse is accepted.

Selected applicants do a virtual panel interview on the Kira Talent platform. You can be invited to interview at most three times. Waterloo says your answers must be authentic and represent you. False, misleading or plagiarised content can lead to denial of admission.

The PharmD starts each January and runs just over three years, with school terms and co-op terms in turn. Waterloo lists three paid co-op work terms. It says students usually earn $15,000 to $25,000 per work term.

Waterloo says co-op pay can cover up to 60% of tuition, and possibly up to 95%. Sample jobs include pharmacy assistant and pharmacist student roles.

Waterloo's own pages differ on length. The School of Pharmacy page says just over three years. The Future Students page calls it a four year program. Confirm with Waterloo when you plan your timeline.

Waterloo's Fall 2026 fee schedule for Ontario students lists PharmD tuition of $8,685.00 per term. Full-time incidental fees are $1,048.01 per term. Co-op terms also carry a co-op fee and a work report fee, for up to four terms starting in 2A.

Your first two years in Honours Science cost less. Waterloo lists about $9,000 a year for first-year Science tuition and fees, plus about $1,500 for books.

Pick a first year that covers Cell Biology, General Chemistry 1 and 2, Calculus and a lab. Keep a full load each term, since Waterloo looks for about five courses per term. Every grade counts toward the 75% floor.

Build health care experience early. A pharmacist reference is preferred, so a job or volunteer role in a pharmacy helps. Apply to a few other schools too. See our Biomedical Sciences guide and our Canadian deadlines page.

For the regular PharmD route, check five things before January. Your cumulative average is at or above 75.0%. Your prerequisites will be done by April 30, 2027. You have booked a Casper date on or before January 21, 2027. Your health professional referee knows the January 29 deadline. Your documents will be in by January 20.

For CAP, the list is different. Your Grade 12 average should be at least 90.0%. You need both OUAC applications in by February 1, 2027. Your two referees must submit by March 1. Your Casper must be done by March 2. Plan your interview answers early, but write them yourself, since Waterloo wants authentic answers that represent you.

Pharmacy at Waterloo is a second entry program. Your child applies to a science degree first. CAP is a bonus option for students with 90% or more, not the only way in.

Plan for two budgets: two years of science tuition, then the PharmD at $8,685 per term in 2026-27, offset partly by co-op pay. Look at the Waterloo university guide for campus details.