Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Management and Innovation (G.Dip PHMI) | Biomedical and Molecular Sciences | School of Medicine

The Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Management and Innovation is designed to enhance the competitiveness and employability of graduates pursuing careers in the pharmaceutical and related health industries.

This program combines coursework and practical experience, equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to excel in early careers and beyond. It is tailored for recent graduates in health and science sectors (MD, PhD, PharmD) from Canada and internationally.

Since 2018, the PHMI program has successfully enabled nearly 100 graduates to secure full-time emplyment in industry.

Program Highlights

A six-month paid internship
Course content developed by industry experts
Engagement with health sector professionals
Team-based discussions and case studies
Mentorship and networking opportunities

Application Deadline: June 1st

Apply Here

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

What are the minimum degree requirements for PHMI?

G.Dip PHMI is only open to MD, PharmD, or PhD graduates in biomedical, pharmaceutical, public health sciences, or other STEM fields from a recognized University.

Current students: you may apply for PHMI if your graduation or thesis defense date is before September 30.

International graduates: you may apply to PHMI if your degree is equivalent to a MD, PharmD, or PhD. You may be required to provide proof of equivalency, or you can contact us for assistance. International applicants would only be eligible to apply if the internship position can be secured without the requirement for a work permit in the country where the internship position would be taking place.

MSc graduates: if your highest degree is an MSc, you are only eligible if you are a sponsored student (see “Can I secure my own internship before applying?” in this section)

Otherwise, you may consider applying for the Graduate Diploma in Healthcare Industry Professions (G.Dip HIP), which is set to launch in Winter 2026.

What are the citizenship requirements for PHMI?

Non-sponsored students: Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residence are required for admission into PHMI.

Non-residents: you may apply if you are a sponsored student (see “Can I secure my own internship before applying?” in this section)

What are the grade requirements for admission?

Minimum A- standing in the highest obtained degree.

Note: Special consideration can be made for applicants with a degree average below A-. Please contact us to determine your eligibility.

What documents do I need to include with my application?

Curriculum Vitae detailing relevant academic, extracurricular, or work experience
Minimum of two references familiar with the candidate’s academic and/or professional performance
Personal Statement outlining alignment of program objectives with career aspirations (details are provided in the Application Portal)
English Language Proficiency Test: applicants whose native languages do not include English will be required to obtain satisfactory standing in an English Language Proficiency Test as part of the application process, and before final acceptance is granted as per School of Graduate Studies regulations.

Can I secure my own internship before applying?

Yes. Prospective students may secure their own internship ahead of their application. Doing so categorizes them as Sponsored Students who do not need to be matched and greatly increases odds of admission.

Note: MSc candidates, international students, and non-Canadian residents must be sponsored to be eligible for admission.

I am currently working for a healthcare company. Can I do my internship with them?

Yes; if your company agrees to hire you for the six-month duration of the internship, you may remain with them as a Sponsored Student. Please mention this in the appropriate section of the application. Applicants will need to provide proof that the internship has been secured prior to being accepted into the program.

How are applicants selected for the PHMI Diploma program?

Following the deadline, the Admissions Committee will review all completed applications. A selection of candidates will be interviewed by the Admissions Committee over video call. Candidates will be notified of their acceptance into the program within two weeks following the interview.

Do the references for my application have to be academic/appointed faculty?

No; in fact, you are encouraged to submit professional references (from industry or other employers) if possible.

Is there an application fee?

Yes, there is a $120 application fee.

Tuition and Fees

Is there an application fee?

Yes, there is a $120 application fee.

How much does PHMI tuition cost?

Currently, tuition is set at $13,500 CAD.

Is the PHMI program eligible for OSAP funding?

YES. As of 2020, PHMI is eligible for OSAP.

Can tuition be paid over multiple instalments?

Yes; Queen’s University offers a Payment Plan to offset costs throughout program duration.

Program Structure

How is the program organized?

The program will be 10 months in duration. Students will complete two online courses over one academic term, followed by a six month, full-time paid internship position with an external partner.

The course portion of the program runs from September to mid-December. During this time, students take two online courses over 14 weeks. You will be assessed via team-based Case Study Assignments and group presentations throughout the semester. Successful completion of the online courses is a requirement for progression into the internship.

There will also be several virtual Live Sessions scheduled, where faculty and other guest experts will present on emerging topics in healthcare industry.

Interviews with companies will also take place at this time. Students will be matched with companies no later than December. Internships begin in January and are six months long.

Term 1 (4 months) complete:

Online – PHMI 871 (3.0 units) – Healthcare Innovation and Development
Online – PHMI 872 (3.0 units) – Healthcare Management and Commercialization

Term 2 (6 months) complete:

Internship – PHMI 873 (6.0 units) – Internship in Healthcare Management & Innovation

What are the learning outcomes for the program?

Acquire and apply knowledge of historical approaches to, and contributions of, medical innovation to identify potential future directions of medical innovation and processes for commercialization.
Develop a broad understanding of the regulatory and compliance landscape in Canada and beyond to support approval of new therapeutics.
Gain exposure to leading roles in private or institutional healthcare organizations to build an understanding of the many scientific, medical, and commercial functions of these organizations, their responsibilities, and how they interface to develop and commercialize healthcare innovations.
Identify and utilize required professional skills to successfully interact with key stakeholders, colleagues, and customers in the healthcare ecosystem.

Who will be my instructors?

Babak Abbaszadeh, Vice President, Global Medical General Medicine, Amgen
Rima Al-awar, Senior Advisor, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)
Patricia Folkins, Principal and Patent Agent, Smart & Biggar, LP
Mark McGovern, Medical Science Liaison, Merck Canada
Elaine Vandenberg, Vandenberg Quality Consulting
Rocelyn DelCarmen, Senior Regulatory Affairs Director, Oncology, AstraZeneca
Lorenzo Biondi, Consultant, Past Vice President Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Roche
Paul Brennan, Chief Business Officer, Eupraxia
Vita Peri, Strategic Planning Director, Business Analytics, Ipsen
Tina Maio-Twofoot, Head of International Medical Affairs, In-Market Brands, Novartis
Shikha Virdi, Director, Government Relations, Policy & Healthcare Ecosystem, Roche
Lindsey Sales, Customer Engagement Director, Roche
Lori Yin, Access Lead, Roche
Ian Kallmeyer, Pharma/Biotech Consultant

Internships

Am I guaranteed an internship in industry if I am accepted into the PHMI program?

Yes! Every student we accept will interview with companies from the private healthcare sector interested in hiring them for the six-month internship.

How is my internship chosen?

You will be invited to interview with companies interested in hiring you as an intern. The intern-company matching process takes into account the preferences of the companies as well as the students.

Do you help us prepare for our company interviews?

We provide several support services and workshops ahead of company meetings to help you refine your CV and interview skills.

We also provide each student with a mentor, who can be consulted ahead of interviews to help you prepare further.

Which companies are offering internships?

The list of companies taking interns for the PHMI program changes every year, as does the number of interns each company takes. Many are well-known global firms with Canadian headquarters, while some are smaller biotech/startup firms. We also offer internships in the consulting space and with government-affiliated organizations.

Where will the internship take place?

The most likely locations for the internship are Toronto, Ontario and Montréal, Québec. Other locations across Canada are possible.

We cannot guarantee a specific location, so you must be prepared to relocate based on your internship match outcome.

What type of internship is offered?

Each company ultimately decides where to place the intern based on their needs. Possible roles include Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Market Access, Reimbursement, Pharmacovigilance, Marketing, Commercial, and healthcare consulting.

Career Paths

Can I remain with my current employer/University while taking the online course portion of the program?

Yes. You may remain at your current position until the internship begins.

How much does the internship pay?

Each company agrees to pay interns a minimum of $25,000 CAD for the six-month internship.

How am I evaluated during the internship?

Students submit reflection reports at the three- and six-month internship milestones. Supervisors complete a one-page evaluation of their interns and return them to the University at those same time points. Students are assessed as meeting or exceeding expectations within the provided rubric or needing improvement in certain areas. A pass/fail will be awarded based on these evaluations.

Otherwise, the host company will determine the nature of your work and deliverables based on their needs.

Can I remain with the company following the six-month internship?

Yes; however, that decision is up to the company, not the University. Sometimes a longer-term internship is offered from the start, while other times the initial six-month term is extended.

Will the company I am interning with offer me a job at the end of my term?

We cannot guarantee this, however, it is a very common outcome of our program, as our partner organizations see our interns as an investment in their future talent needs