About Australian Pharmacy Schools

12 January 2016

Pharmacists are key members in the health care team, because of their specialized knowledge in the use and application of medications and also in their communications with patients. They are in a great position to provide valuable information on the formulation of dosage forms and this relates to drug product efficacy. Pharmacists are also able to provide patients with information on the appropriate storage of medications. Their understanding of the functioning of the body systems and the impact of disease on these systems allows them to provide insight into disease state management. Accessibility often makes pharmacists the first members of the health care team contacted by patients and thus are important primary health care providers.

Australian Pharmacy Schools in Australia
Learn more about Australian Pharmacy Schools

Pharmacy programs in Australia are structured quite similarly to many other professional programs offered at Australian universities. Students can enter a pharmacy program directly from high school. Students from Canada who have already completed an undergraduate degree may also apply for entry into Australian Bachelor of Pharmacy programs. The following Australian universities offer pharmacy programs:

James Cook University Bachelor of Pharmacy

Program: Bachelor of Pharmacy
Location: Townsville, Queensland
Semester intake: February
Duration: 4 years
JCU Pharmacy School’s Bachelor of Pharmacy program aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, practice, skills and attitudes they will require to practice as pharmacists and effective members of the health care team within the community. Professional placements form a key component of the course, with students based in hospital and community pharmacies in rural and urban locations throughout northern Queensland in their third and fourth years of study. This practical experience is vital for developing effective interpersonal and patient-counselling skills as well as cross-cultural awareness. Professional placements allow students to develop their focus within the pharmacy field. The JCU School of Pharmacy and Molecular Sciences ensures that graduates are prepared for careers in hospital or community pharmacies, regulatory and drug management facilities, the pharmaceutical industry, armed forces and public service.

Apply to James Cook University Pharmacy School!

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University of Queensland Bachelor of Pharmacy

Program: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Semester intake: February
Duration: 4 years
The UQ Pharmacy School’s Bachelor of Pharmacy program prepares graduates for the contemporary role of the pharmacist in society, ensuring that patients optimise medication usage. Initial courses on chemical, physical and biological studies lead to professional specialties in later years. Practical and clinical science studies begin in first year, providing students with a strong background in professional practice. The program integrates six streams of study: quality use of medication; dosage form design; social and professional aspects of pharmacy; drug discovery; biological fate of drugs; and data analysis in pharmacy.

Apply to the University of Queensland Pharmacy School!

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University of Sydney Bachelor of Pharmacy

Program: Bachelor of Pharmacy
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
Semester intake: February
Duration: 4 years
The University of Sydney Pharmacy School’s Bachelor of Pharmacy covers the study of the chemical, physical, pharmaceutical, and pharmacological properties of medicinal substances and the application of these in the pharmacy profession. The first year is a foundation year in which students study biology, chemistry and basic pharmaceutical sciences, and are introduced to pharmacy. The remaining three years are devoted to higher levels of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, together with specialized clinical pharmacy studies. During third and fourth years, considerable time is spent in clinical placements in community and hospital pharmacies, where valuable practical experience is gained.

Apply to the University of Sydney Pharmacy School!

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University of Newcastle Bachelor of Pharmacy

The four-year undergraduate program at the University of Newcastle Pharmacy School is an integrated program consisting of lectures, practicals, tutorials and experiential learning through clinical placements and simulated learning environments. The program will build upon the student’s existing knowledge of science while focusing on material that specifically relates to the knowledge, skills and attributes required as a pharmacist.
Program: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Location: Callaghan, Newcastle, New South Wales
Duration: 4 years
Semester intake: February
Application deadline: While there is no set application deadline, applicants are strongly encouraged by to apply as early as possible.

Apply to the University of Newcastle Pharmacy School!

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Griffith University Bachelor of Pharmacy

The Griffith University Pharmacy School has purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities, including a professional practice laboratory with a model dispensary, a dedicated formulation laboratory, aseptic dispensing unit and research laboratories. As a result, Griffith Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates are work-ready with the knowledge and skills valued in both industry and health care. 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.
Program: Bachelor of Pharmacy
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Semester intake: February
Program duration: 4 years
Application deadline: Applications are assessed on a rolling admissions (first come, first served) basis. It is recommended that you apply as early as possible.

Apply to Griffith University Pharmacy School!

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If you complete a pharmacy degree in Australia, can you practice in Canada?

Graduate qualifications in pharmacy from Australian universities are recognized internationally. Graduates from Canada who wish to become a pharmacist upon their return to Canada should visit the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada website for accreditation and certification information: http://www.pebc.ca/. Graduates of an Australian Bachelor of Pharmacy degree must also apply for certification through the provincial regulatory body in the Canadian province they wish to work in.
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Would you like more information about studying at a pharmacy school in Australia? Contact OzTREKK’s Australian Pharmacy Schools Officer Krista McVeigh at krista@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada at 1-866-698-7355.

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