Everything you need to know about pharmacy degrees

28 October 2024

Are you interested in studying pharmacy, but not sure which pharmacy degree is best or what you can do with your degree?

We’ve got you.

Appealing to anyone interested in health care, pharmacy often goes hand in hand with other health branches like medicine, public health, psychology, and business. But did you know that many people looking at pharmacy programs may also qualify to study medicine or dentistry?

Australian pharmacy schools offer state-of-the-art teaching facilities such as interactive dispensing and counseling spaces, plus cutting-edge teaching laboratories. The universities also showcase exceptional teaching from leaders (and researchers!) in the field, placement opportunities, and business skills training to provide you with a well-rounded professional degree and a competitive career edge.

pharmacy equipment
Learn more about pharmacy degrees

Australian Pharmacy School FAQs

Will I be able to practice in Canada?
Graduate qualifications in pharmacy from Australian universities are recognized internationally. We’ve seen students graduate with a Bachelor of Pharmacy from an Australian university and successfully become accredited in Canada. Upon their return to Canada, graduates must apply for certification through the provincial regulatory body where they wish to work.

To gain licensing through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC), there is a minimum education requirement of 4 years from an accredited pharmacy program. A master’s program format alone will not meet this requirement (as they are fewer than 4 years in length). The 4-year undergraduate program is an equivalent format to Canada’s PharmD.

But I already have a degree. Can I apply for credit?
For pharmacy, all universities accept applications for credit except Monash University, which offers graduate-entry instead of single credits. Some programs will ask that you submit your application for credit at the same time as your general application, while others will require candidates to first have an offer. Check with your admissions officer which protocol you should follow based on the programs to which you’re applying.

To apply for credit, the universities require detailed course outlines for all the courses for which you wish to receive credit. These outlines should include information about the course, the lectures, the professor’s contact information, and the weekly topics covered. Most universities also have a form that must be completed.

What is considered a competitive average?
As competitive averages vary by university, students who have over a 65% average in university studies are generally eligible to apply to Australian pharmacy programs; however, some universities’ required minimum average is 70%.

For those coming from high school, the minimum average is approximately 80%. Contact us to find out if your grades are considered competitive and to discuss your options.

Do I need the PCAT to apply?
No. The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is generally only a requirement in North America. OzTREKK’s pharmacy schools assess applications based on GPA and prerequisites.

Can I stay in Australia to practice?
Canadians who graduate from an Australian Bachelor of Pharmacy / Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours program are eligible to continue the steps to practice in Australia; however, it is imperative to understand the visa process that is associated with continuing to live and work in Australia. Please visit our pharmacy licensing page for more information.

Where Can You Study Pharmacy?

Get ready for incredible virtual laboratories and clinical experiences to sharpen your professional skills! (Psst. Some pharmacy programs offer paid internships.) Click on a university below to learn more about the program and admissions requirements.

How to Apply to Pharmacy School

Fill out the OzTREKK application. Don’t worry about making a mistake; this application only comes to us. Think of it as your starting point, nothing more than you telling us which programs you’re interested in so we can ensure you don’t miss a deadline.

Once you’ve pressed “Submit,” we’ll contact you to outline your next steps, and will list which documents you’ll need to send to our office. f you’d like to make changes to your application or to your program selection, don’t stress. We can adjust anything as we go!

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Do you have any questions about studying pharmacy? Contact OzTREKK’s Pharmacy Admissions Team at pharmacy@oztrekk.com for more info!

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