PhD Program How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in the UK College of Pharmacy Ph.D. Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Throughout our process, applicants will be evaluated for academic record, research experience, and a demonstrated interest in science careers.

Deadlines

• U.S. applications and International applications
  Submit a completed application to the Graduate School by December 15, 2026, to be considered for our 2027 interview dates.

The Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. program does not admit students for entry in the spring or summer semesters. We also do not offer an entry-level master's degree program. Please note while there is an option to select summer admission, this is reserved for our students currently enrolled in the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. program who have been admitted to the dual degree program and instructed to apply for summer admission.

Requirements

A completed application includes:

1. A copy of your CV
2. Statement of Purpose
   Please provide a concise (1-3 pages), well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how the PhD program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. In addition, please describe how your unique background, life experiences, and/or challenges that you have overcome motivated your decision to pursue a PhD in our program.  The use of AI tools is acceptable for brainstorming or proofreading the personal statement, but the writing should represent your own work. This document will help our admissions committee decide if your academic preparation, career goals, and research interests are a suitable match for our program. Successful applicants usually have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or better, previous research experience, and research interests that match with those of one or more of our faculty mentors.  Please clearly indicate which research area of the graduate program best suites your interests:
   • Medicinal, Bioorganic & Computational Chemistry
   • Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Engineering
   • Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics
   • Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics (requires a clinical degree: PharmD, MD, DVM, etc.)
   • Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy
3. Undergraduate & Graduate Transcripts
   Provide your cumulative GPAs for each institution you attended.
4. Recommendation
   Please supply contact information for three faculty or supervisors. Our online system will then contact each person and their recommendations can be submitted online. Your contacts will also be asked for a letter commenting specifically on:
   • Academic ability;
   • Research experience;
   • Personal attributes;
   • Likelihood of success.
5. TOEFL iBT, IELTS (Academic), or Duolingo Scores
   Minimum English proficiency exam scores required for admission are: 90 (TOEFL), 7.0 (IELTS Academic), or 120 (Duolingo). Scores must be reported in the application by the submission deadline (December 15, 2025). Exceptions are made to this requirement for applicants who have earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree in the US.
6. Application Fee
   The UK Graduate School requires an application fee. Please see details on the UK Graduate School application process website: https://gradschool.uky.edu/application-process We are unable to waive the fee.