University of Wisconsin-Madison
World-class leader in pharmacy education, research, and service in the pharmaceutical, social, and clinical sciences.
Doctor of Pharmacy

Each year, students are admitted into the University of Wisconsin‒Madison Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program from countries outside the United States. We are proud to say that our degree program attracts some of the brightest minds from around the globe, and that so many Badger Pharmacists are working to improve health care in every corner of the world. It’s easy to feel right at home — and earn an outstanding degree — in our program no matter where you come from.

We know that international students and applicants have unique concerns about earning a PharmD at UW‒Madison. As an international student, it is important for you to understand that it has become increasingly challenging for international students to obtain employment or a residency within the United States in recent years. In order for international students to obtain employment within the U.S. after graduating from the Doctor of Pharmacy program, they must find an employer who is willing to sponsor them through a work visa. The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy does not guarantee residency or employment after graduation.

Application Requirements for International Students

International students must submit additional materials with their application. Depending on your academic history and native language, you may have to submit certain documents, while others may not be required. Read through the requirements below to see which requirements apply to you.

All international students must submit at the time of application:

  • PharmD Financial Verification Form
  • If you have completed postsecondary coursework outside of the United States or Canada, all of that work must be evaluated by the World Education Services evaluation service on a course by course basis. The University of Wisconsin and PharmCAS will only recognize the following service:

World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 745
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113-0745
212-966-6311

  • The TOEFL, if your native language is not English and you have not completed at least 60 semester credits (within the past 24 months) as a full-time college student in the United States. The TOEFL is still recommended for permanent U.S. residents and international students whose native language is not English, regardless of academic coursework. To submit your TOEFL score:
    • TOEFL scores should be sent to PharmCAS.  The TOEFL institutional code for PharmCAS is 8246.
    • TOEFL scores are valid within two years of the testing date so you must request that scores be sent to PharmCAS before two years have passed from your test date.
    • To be considered for admission, international students or permanent residents whose native language is not English must earn scores of at least 100 on the internet-based TOEFL (IBT).

If admitted into PharmD program, all international students must submit the following:

  • A copy of a bank statement showing the necessary funds for one academic year of tuition.
  • A letter of support, if your expenses will be sponsored by someone other than you.
  • A photocopy of your current I-20, VISA and Passport (if applicable).
Prerequisite Courses Required in the U.S.

While many of our program prerequisites can be completed outside of the United States, two course requirements must be completed at an accredited college/university within the United States or Canada:

  • Communication “A” (English Composition)
  • Ethnic Studies (United States Diversity Studies)

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