Introduction
Becoming a medication specialist starts here
If you’re interested in a career as a medication specialist, then the UC Bachelor of Pharmacy course will equip you with the skills, knowledge, experience, and qualifications required to become an official Australian registered pharmacist.
This four-year, full-time course teaches the science behind the practical preparation of drugs and medicines to treat injuries, illnesses, and deficiencies - and explores how to apply evidence-based knowledge, research, and scientific theory to the clinical reasoning, treatment, and evaluation of patients.
Accredited by the Australia Pharmacy Council (APC) this course offers graduates the opportunity to move into a variety of career options or continue with additional academic study.
If you’re looking for a well-paid, fulfilling career helping others - then register for the UC Bachelor of Pharmacy course now.
Study a Bachelor of Pharmacy at UC and you will:
- be educated in the theoretical, technical, written, practical and clinical components of pharmacy
- explore the science behind the preparation of drugs and medicines
- learn how to prepare a wide range of drugs and medicines
- understand how the human body reacts to certain medications acquire and apply clinical reasoning, treatment and evaluation skills to life sciences
- combine theory with hands-on experience in practical laboratory classes and clinical placements.
- gain the necessary knowledge, exposure, attitudes and clinical decision-making skills required to practice as a pharmacist achieve a globally recognised accreditation.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
WIL is an essential component of the UC Bachelor of Pharmacy course and allows students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while building industry relationships under the expert support and guidance of university mentors. As part of this course, each student will have the opportunity to participate in multiple 2-week placements that take place over the winter semesters at metropolitan, rural or regional community and hospital pharmacies. Some students choose to do these placements overseas.
Students will also get to participate in several half days or full day work placements throughout each of the teaching semesters.
Career opportunities
A registered UC Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate is an important component of any healthcare team as they can assess a variety of medical ailments and possess the knowledge to recommend a range of drugs and medicines to help resolve or manage multiple medical issues.
Also, as the global aging population continues to grow, the demand for qualified pharmacy graduates capable of offering additional services such asthma care, blood pressure monitoring, and more is expected to increase.
In addition, each UC Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate leaves UC with a comprehensive list of industry and stakeholder contacts and should have no problem moving into positions in the following areas:
- as a practicing pharmacist, working in a community or a hospital pharmacy
- as a regulator within the government and broader pharmaceutical industry.
Course-specific information
Accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) you will be required to undertake onsite clinical placements as part of this University of Canberra Bachelor of Pharmacy course.
To comply with government health and security regulations, all participants of this course will need to be fully vaccinated and pass a police check
To become a registered pharmacist, UC graduates are also required to complete one year of supervised internship practice and pass the Australian Pharmacy Board examinations.
Professional Accreditation
The University of Canberra Bachelor of Pharmacy course has been accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).
Admission Requirements
Requirements
Admission to this course is based on an entrance rank. A rank can be achieved by the following means:
- Year 12 ATAR
- other Australian Qualification
- work experience
- overseas qualification
We also offer a number of entry initiatives that give you the opportunity to gain entry to the University via alternate pathway programs and admissions schemes.
More information is available on our Alternative Entry page: http://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/applications/apply-now/alternative-entry
Additional Admission Requirements
All students in the Bachelor of Pharmacy course are required to complete clinical practice placement in blocks of time, often outside of teaching time. These clinical practice placements are essential to the program. Prior to commencing clinical practice, all students need to present a complete immunisation schedule as a requirement of the ACT and NSW health departments. All students are required to undergo an Australian Federal Police Record check prior to undertaking clinical placement in the ACT, and a NSW Police check before undertaking placement in NSW.
All pharmacy students will be registered as students with the Pharmacy Board of Australia after admission to the Bachelor of Pharmacy course
Information on admission closing dates can be found here.
English Language Requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Fees
Information for Fee Paying Students
| Year | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | CSP | $36,800 |
The fees detailed above are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Students enrolled in a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) are required to make a contribution towards the cost of their education, which is set by the Commonwealth Government. Information on Commonwealth Supported Places, HECS-HELP and how fees are calculated can be found here.
Typical Study Pattern
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UC - Canberra, Bruce
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Standard Full Time, Semester 1 Commencing, Professional Stream
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Print this Study Pattern
- Year 1
- Year 2
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Year 3
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Semester 1
- Clinical Therapeutics 1
- Pharmacy Practice 1
- Systems Pharmacology 1
- Open Elective Unit
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Semester 2
- Clinical Therapeutics 2
- Pharmacy Practice 2
- Systems Pharmacology 2
- Open Elective Unit
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Semester 1
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Year 4
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Semester 1
- Clinical Therapeutics 3
- Pharmacy Practice 3
- Systems Pharmacology 3
- Open Elective Unit
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Semester 2
- Clinical Therapeutics 4
- Pharmacy Practice 4
- Quality Use of Medicines
- Open Elective Unit
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Semester 1
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- Standard Full Time, Semester 1 Commencing, Honours Stream
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Standard Full Time, Semester 1 Commencing, Professional Stream
Course Information
Course Requirements
In addition to course requirements, in order to successfully complete your course you may need to meet the inherent requirements. Please refer to the inherent requirements statement applicable to your course.
Course Duration
Standard eight semesters full-time. Maximum twenty semesters. This course is available for full-time enrolment only.
Unit Delivery Modes
Each unit within your course may be offered through the following delivery modes:
UC - Canberra, Bruce
| Flexible: | The unit combines online study with optional on-campus, face to face activities. |
| Intensive: | The unit is delivered on-campus and face to face in concentrated time blocks. |
| On Campus: | The unit is delivered on-campus and face to face, supplemented with online content. Most classes are run on weekdays and during business hours. |
| Online: | The unit is studied completely online. On-campus, face to face interaction is not required. |
Check how each of your units are delivered in the Course Requirements section.
Admission Periods
| Year | Location | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UC - Canberra, Bruce | Semester 1 |
Semester 1 |
| 2022 | UC - Canberra, Bruce | Semester 1 |
Semester 1 |
| 2023 | UC - Canberra, Bruce | Semester 1 |
Semester 1 |
Assumed Knowledge
ACT: Mathematical Methods major and either Biology or Human Movement major(s); and Chemistry or Physics major(s).
NSW: Mathematics and either Biology or Human Movement, and Physics or Chemistry.
Additional Placement Requirements
This course requires students to meet compulsory placement requirements prior to undertaking professional placement (Work-Integrated Learning) in a clinical or professional setting. For information on what these requirements are and how to meet these requirements, please visit www.canberra.edu.au/placement
Awards
| Award(s) | Official Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Pharmacy | B Pharm |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) | B Pharm (Hons) |
Alternate Exit Awards
- Diploma of Health Studies
- Associate Degree of Health Studies
Related Courses (Double Degrees, Nested Courses and Alternative Exits)
In order for the Diploma of Health Studies to be awarded the student must have: a) completed 24 credit points with at least 12 credit points at Level 1 b) completed a minimum of 12 credit points at UC and c) obtained a minimum of 12 credit points in any of the health disciplines. In order for the Associate Degree in Health Studies to be awarded the student must have: a) completed 48 credit points with at least 12 credit points at Level 1 and 12 credit points at Level 2 b) completed a minimum of 24 credit points at UC and c) obtained a minimum of 24 credit points in any of the health disciplines.