Program Overview

Entry-to-Practice PharmD Degree

The Entry-to-Practice Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is a fully accredited four-year program designed to develop confident, compassionate, and practice-ready pharmacy professionals.

Overview

The program offers the depth, breadth, and balance needed to cultivate exceptional pharmacists through time, mentorship, and authentic experiences. Students participate in practicums across all four years, providing ample opportunities to apply what they've learned in the classroom to the real-world practice environment.

Clinical Training Throughout Your Program

• Students begin hands-on learning with full-time practicums starting in the summer after their first year.
• Train across diverse settings throughout British Columbia—from Vancouver's urban healthcare centers to rural and remote communities.
• The optional Regional Practicum Model provides students with the opportunity to complete their mandatory year 3 and 4 practicums within a defined geographical region outside of the Lower Mainland.

Cutting-Edge Teaching Environment

• Train in dedicated Inpatient and Outpatient Pharmacy Practice Skills Centres.
• Learn with human patient simulators that belong exclusively to the Faculty.
• Practice with ventriloscopes for physical assessment, and master real-world skills using an academic electronic health record system.

Award-Winning and Innovative Faculty

• Learn from faculty who have been recognized for excellence in teaching and educational innovation.
• Faculty have received prestigious awards, including the UBC Health 2024 Award for Excellence in Interprofessional Teaching and Learning, the 2025 Desire2Learn Innovation Award, and Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) awards for teaching innovation.

Comprehensive Clinical Connections

• Benefit from the partnership with the Faculty's Pharmacists Clinic, where practicing clinic pharmacists teach in the core program and provide practicum opportunities for direct learning experiences.
• The Faculty has established strong collaborative relationships with a wide range of external partners, providing an unmatched variety of learning experiences in both patient care and non-direct patient care settings.

Unique Learning Opportunities

• Choose from extensive elective offerings taught by experts actively practicing in their fields.
• Explore specialized areas like Pharmaceutical Care in Indigenous Health, Queering Health, and leadership development through the Leadership Experience Applied to Pharmacy (LEAP) course.

Students as Partners

• Join a collaborative community where students have representation on Faculty committees and are regularly invited to Faculty events.
• Engage in meaningful research through WorkLearn opportunities and Directed Studies projects.

Time for Growth and Balance

• The four-year structure provides essential time for reflection, connection, and resilience-building.
• The program's thoughtful pacing supports students through life's unexpected moments, while summer breaks between practicum rotations create space for pursuing diverse opportunities that align with their goals and interests.

The UBC Advantage

• Study at one of Canada's leading universities on a stunning campus in Vancouver, with access to the vibrant Pacific Northwest.
• The UBC name opens doors to exceptional learning opportunities and professional connections that will serve students throughout their career.

Your Future Starts Here

• The program is committed to providing a comprehensive educational experience that develops students' professional identity and builds the relationships that will sustain their career.
• Graduates don't just enter the profession—they lead it.