5 reasons to study pharmacy at the University of Sydney

Why should you study pharmacy with Australia’s first pharmacy school? The university asked their current students and alumni why they chose to study pharmacy at the University of Sydney. Here are their top 5 reasons to study pharmacy at Sydney Uni.

1. Diverse range of career opportunities

“I love the different opportunities that the degree offers its graduates—the ability to move from one specialty to another, industry positions and extensive research and teaching opportunities.” – Reham Raid Mansour Soro, MPharm first-year student

Most people assume that there is only one career outcome when you study pharmacy: to become a pharmacist. But studying a pharmacy degree can lead to more than simply becoming a pharmacist. Pharmacists are an important part of the healthcare system. Their skills and knowledge can be applied across a range of careers, allowing for employment opportunities in

• community pharmacy
• hospital pharmacy
• academic or research institutions
• pharmaceutical industry in a wide range of roles from marketing, business development or finance to compliance and drug development.

Take Abbie Lawrie, Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate from 2009 who is now working for GlaxoSmithKline:
“Working in finance for GSK has allowed me to combine my pharmacy background with my interest in finance and business. I chose to work in the “business side” of healthcare because of the opportunities it has provided me to work internationally, experience different roles and positively impact people’s lives on a large scale.”

2. Placement opportunities

“As a student at the University of Sydney I have had the privilege of working in city, metropolitan and rural community pharmacies as well as clinical placement in a pharmaceutical company. I would say that clinical placement was the most valuable part of my degree, thanks to the great support and guidance I received from my preceptor. It’s so satisfying to go to work in the afternoon and apply the skills and knowledge I had only just learned that morning during class.” – Ardi Mirzaei, BPharm 2013
To prepare you for the workforce, the Faculty of Pharmacy offers students a range of clinical and rural work placements. Clinical placements are important to put theory into practice in community, hospital, rural or industrial settings. All pharmacy students undertake clinical placements during their degree, and are encouraged to consider a rural placement as part of their clinical training.
This helps you stand out from your peers when you are starting to look for career opportunities after your studies.

3. Unique curriculum with a focus on practical experience underpinned by world-class research

“The Bachelor of Pharmacy is so much more than being a specialist in medications and drugs. You gather skills to educate people on medication, you collaborate with doctors to ensure patients get the best care, you tell patients key things to look out for and do what you can to help each and every patient in the community.”- Matthew Huang, BPharm fourth year student
You will learn from world-leading academics that teach a unique course curriculum focused on all practical and theoretical areas of pharmacy to prepare you for the workforce. The Faculty of Pharmacy is ranked 16th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for pharmacy and pharmacology and has a proven record in teaching and learning excellence.
“My positive experience undertaking research during my undergraduate honours year encouraged me to pursue further studies in pharmaceutical research. I have always been fascinated with the human body but what really inspired me was trying to find a way to improve quality of life.” Samuel Ho, BPharm 2011 / PhD 2016
Research at the Faculty of Pharmacy is focused on improving health outcomes in cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, health services and patient safety, mental health and respiratory disease.

4. Professional network and support

“The Faculty of Pharmacy has a great sense of community. You are taught by academics with backgrounds from all different fields of pharmacy. The staff were supportive and always available to help. The structure of the course meant that there were lots of opportunities to learn about different career pathways available after graduation through clinical placements and careers events.”- Cassandra Cameron, MPharm 2013
Faculty staff are dedicated to supporting the learning opportunities of all pharmacy students. As a pharmacy student, not only will you be part of a cohesive and supportive cohort, you will also receive support from world-leading academics in deciding on career pathways, clinical placements research opportunities and general guidance throughout your degree.
The Sydney University Pharmacy Association (SUPA) is one of the larger student societies on campus, organising regular academic, professional and social activities. SUPA members also gain membership to the National Australian Pharmacy Students Association (NAPSA).

5. Make a difference in the healthcare system

“I chose pharmacy because I want to equip myself with the knowledge and skills required to make a meaningful contribution to the Australian healthcare system. The course combines my interest in chemistry and mathematics with my passion to address social and health-related challenges.” – Melissa Barakat, BPharm 2015
A career in pharmacy means making a difference to the Australian healthcare system. Whether you are working directly with patients and their families in community pharmacy or in a hospital setting or research in an academic or professional institution, your career will have a meaningful impact on Australian healthcare.

How can you pursue a career in pharmacy?

The Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney is consistently ranked among the world’s best for teaching and education. With more than 100 years of experience in delivering world-class professional pharmacy education, Sydney graduates are sought after both nationally and internationally.
The University of Sydney Faculty of Pharmacy offers the Bachelor of Pharmacy, which covers the study of the chemical, physical, pharmaceutical, and pharmacological properties of medicinal substances and the application of these in the pharmacy profession. The clinical experience program in the Bachelor of Pharmacy reflects the contemporary health care environment. Students undertake weekly visits to community pharmacies during their third year. Students also have a one week block placement in third year and at least a further two weeks in fourth year. By the end of their fourth year, all students have had at least three one week placement blocks in clinical experience, as well as the series of community pharmacy visits. The one week block placements are carried out at hospital and community pharmacies, and include opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, professional organisations and in rural health settings.