MS Pharmacology and Toxicology at UC Davis: Fees 2027 Dates & Requirements

UC Davis Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology is an 18 to 24-month full-time graduate degree offered on campus in Davis, California. This interdisciplinary programme combines advanced coursework with experimental training across pharmacology, toxicology, and drug discovery. International students need a bachelor’s degree with a life sciences foundation, TOEFL 80+ iBT (or IELTS 6.5+), and demonstrate research potential. Total first-year cost: USD 49,023 (INR 46.66 Lakhs) including tuition and living expenses. Fall intake only. The programme trains scientists for pharmaceutical research, regulatory roles, and academia.

UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology is home to over 80 faculty from four schools and offers research excellence in neurotoxicology, cardiovascular pharmacology, cancer therapeutics, and environmental toxicology. Ideal candidates are researchers interested in drug mechanisms, safety assessment, or translational science who bring strong laboratory backgrounds and publication ambitions.

• Research-driven curriculum spanning seven major toxicology and pharmacology disciplines with hands-on laboratory work.
• Access to quarterly career board postings and professional development via UC Davis Internship and Career Center.
• Pathway to leading roles in pharmaceutical, biotech, regulatory, and environmental sectors.

Also Check: UC Davis Admission Requirements

UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology Fees and Living Costs 2027

Total cost of study consists of tuition, campus fees, and mandatory health insurance.

Tuition covers instruction, technology, and laboratory access across all UC Davis schools participating in the Pharmacology and Toxicology graduate programme. Campus fees support facilities, recreation, and transit.

Health insurance is compulsory for all full-time graduate students; UC Davis offers group plans at the listed rate. Books include textbooks, lab manuals, and journal access for two years of coursework.

International students should verify the current year’s published rates at the UC Davis Graduate Admissions website, as fees are adjusted annually.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.21 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.

Cost of Living in Davis for Pharmacology and Toxicology Students

Cost Reality: Davis is a college town with affordable housing and low cost of living compared to California’s urban centres; expect USD 950 to USD 1,200 monthly rent for a shared apartment or studio.

Also Check: Cost of Living in USA for International Students

UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology Admission 2027

UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology accepts Fall intake only. The programme welcomes Indian applicants with life sciences backgrounds.

UC Davis ranked #114 in QS World University Rankings 2026 and #59 in THE 2024. The university is a top-tier research institution with over 40,000 students and 12% international enrolment.

English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements

All international applicants must demonstrate English competency through standardised testing.

• TOEFL iBT: minimum 80 overall (speaking 18+, writing 18+) accepted; 90+ preferred for teaching assistant eligibility.
• IELTS Academic: minimum 6.5 overall (reading 6.0, writing 6.0, speaking 6.0) accepted; 7.0+ strengthens applications.
• Indian applicants typically report 8 to 12 weeks of test preparation; neither test is country-restricted, and multiple attempts are permitted.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional but recommended if GPA falls below 3.1 or if your undergraduate coursework lacked rigorous chemistry and biology depth.

ELP Tip: TOEFL often shows faster results than IELTS in India; both are equally accepted here. Schedule your test 4 months before the application deadline to allow time for score reporting and any retakes.

UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology Application 2027

Submit applications through UC Davis Graduate Studies portal. Plan your timeline to allow for credential evaluation and supporting documents.

UC Davis requires official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation from professors or research advisors, and a CV highlighting research experience.

Application Reality: Candidates with published research or lab experience in pharmacology, toxicology, or medicinal chemistry have a measurable advantage; emphasize these in your statement of purpose.

Read More: Detailed UC Davis Application Guide

UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology Scholarships 2027

UC Davis offers limited merit-based scholarships and graduate teaching/research assistantships to incoming MS students.

Merit scholarships for MS students typically range from USD 2,000 to USD 5,000 per year (INR 1.90 to INR 4.76 Lakhs), covering 5 to 15% of tuition. Research and teaching assistantships (TA/RA) are awarded competitively to approximately 40 to 50% of first-year MS cohorts, providing USD 1,800 to USD 2,400 monthly stipend (INR 1.71 to INR 2.29 Lakhs) plus full tuition remission (effectively reducing first-year cost by USD 27,864). Assistantship positions are assigned by faculty advisors after enrollment.

International students are eligible for both scholarships and assistantships on the same basis as US citizens. Assistantship holders work 10 to 20 hours weekly in teaching labs, course support, or faculty research projects.

Scholarship Reality: Most international MS students who secure assistantships cover 70 to 100% of academic costs; those without assistantships rely on personal funds or external scholarships. UC Davis has limited external scholarship databases for international students; check CIMO, Chevening, or India-specific science foundations.

Also Check: UC Davis Scholarships for International Students

UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology Salary and Placements 2027

Median starting salary for MS graduates: USD 48,000 (INR 45.72 Lakhs) gross annually. Salary range spans USD 38,000 to USD 65,000 depending on sector, location, and prior research experience.

Typical entry roles include associate drug safety scientist (pharmaceutical), regulatory affairs specialist (biotech), senior toxicologist (environmental/industrial), and research scientist (contract research organisations or government labs). Advanced positions in FDA, EPA, or national research laboratories command salaries in the USD 55,000 to USD 75,000 range after 2 to 3 years of experience.

Source: UC Davis Graduate Career Services survey and Bureau of Labor Statistics (Pharmacologist and Toxicologist occupational data).

Gross figures shown above; take-home varies by state income tax (California: 9.3 to 13.3%), federal withholding, and health insurance. Use a tax calculator to estimate net income before finalising your budget.

Career Reality: PhD graduates from the same programme earn USD 65,000 to USD 85,000 at entry; MS holders often transition to PhD within 3 to 5 years if they excel in post-grad roles.

Read More: Post-Study Work Visa and OPT in the USA

USA Visa for Pharmacology and Toxicology Students

International students on an MS programme are sponsored on an F-1 Student Visa. Upon graduation, eligible graduates (including most MS recipients) transition to Optional Practical Training (OPT) for up to 12 months of paid work in the USA. STEM-designated MS degrees in Pharmacology and Toxicology often qualify for a 24-month STEM extension, extending total post-study work eligibility to 36 months.

• F-1 Visa Sponsorship: UC Davis issues an I-20 form after you confirm enrolment and demonstrate financial capacity (minimum USD 70,000 for two years covers tuition, fees, and living costs). Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks after documentation submission.
• OPT Duration: Initial OPT covers 12 months; STEM extension (if applicable) adds 24 months, allowing 36 months of work-authorised status after graduation, a major pathway to H-1B sponsorship.
• Spouse and Dependents: If married, your spouse can join you on an F-2 visa and work if you pursue OPT; dependent children are also eligible for F-2 status with no work rights until age 21.
• H-1B Pathway: After OPT, employers can sponsor H-1B visas (specialty worker visa, capped annually at 85,000 slots). Pharmacology and toxicology roles qualify as specialty occupations, making H-1B sponsorship viable for most graduates employed by US companies.

Visa Reality: The USA does not offer a direct permanent residency (green card) pathway tied to the MS degree; green cards require employer sponsorship (EB-3 skilled worker category, typical wait 10 to 15 years from filing) or marriage to a US citizen. Most international MS graduates work 3 to 5 years on OPT and H-1B before sponsoring green card applications.

Also Check: USA Student Visa (F-1) for International Students

UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology Ranking 2026

UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology ranks #206 in US News & World Report’s Best Global Universities in Pharmacology (2026). This is a subject-specific ranking reflecting research impact and graduate program reputation in pharmacology and toxicology disciplines.

UC Davis’s life sciences reputation is strengthened by its School of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Pharmacology’s interdisciplinary strengths across neurotoxicology, xenobiotic metabolism, and drug discovery. The #206 global ranking in pharmacology reflects strong research output but positions the programme in the lower-middle tier globally; it is not a top-10 specialty, but maintains solid recognition in North America.

Ranking Context: A #206 global pharmacology rank means you train at a credible research institution with active faculty and labs; it does not guarantee top-tier placement but positions graduates competitively in the USA job market and moderately internationally.