Pharmacy

Looking for a rewarding career in pharmacy? You can study at a world-class Australian pharmacy school—then practice in Canada. OzTREKK can help. Find out how.

Studying Pharmacy at an Australian Pharmacy School

Structured similarly to many professional programs offered by Australian universities, Australian Bachelor of Pharmacy programs allow students direct entry from high school or after partially or fully completing an undergraduate degree.

A Bachelor of Pharmacy is an undergraduate degree designed to prepare you for a career in pharmacy. Although Australian universities offer Master of Pharmacy programs, OzTREKK recommends you undertake a Bachelor of Pharmacy if you wish to return to Canada to gain pharmacy certification.

Currently, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) does not recognize the Australian Master of Pharmacy program format as being adequate for certification as a pharmacist. The PEBC prefers Canadians to complete an Australian Bachelor of Pharmacy program, as this course will qualify graduates to continue the remainder of the licensure journey.

Here’s what you’ll find on this page:

Australian Pharmacy School Admissions Requirements

Important: Minimum GPAs for eligibility shown. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee entry. If you have questions about your GPA or about the prerequisites listed here, please reach out to pharmacy@oztrekk.com. Let’s talk about your options!

University Min. GPA (Approx.) Prerequisites Note About Credit
Charles Sturt University Not listed. We advise min 65% Grade 12 English and chemistry Students may apply for credit, but it may not shorten program duration.
Griffith University

HS: 67.5%

Uni: Not listed

Mathematics, English, and either chemistry, physics, or biology Students may apply for credit, but it may not shorten program duration.
James Cook University

HS: 84%

Uni: 2.2 / 4.0

Grade 12 mathematics, English & chemistry Have not seen students submit apps for credit.
Monash University

HS: 80% – 88%

Uni: 2.7 / 4.0

UG: Grade 12 chemistry, English, mathematics
GE: Uni-level chemistry, English, mathematics, physiology
Credit not assessed separately. Students with a completed undergrad degree and the appropriate prereqs may apply for grad-entry option.
University of Queensland

HS: 73.33%+

Uni: 2.3 / 4.0

Grade 12 mathematics, English, chemistry Students can apply for credit, which may shorten duration of program. Please note the application for credit takes several months to be assessed.
University of Sydney

HS: 79%

Uni: 2.7 / 4.0

Grade 12 mathematics Have not seen students submit apps for credit.

How to Apply to an Australian Pharmacy School

The process of applying to study pharmacy in Australia can feel both simple and confusing at the same time. That’s why we’re here. Our goal is to have the best prepared students ready for a first-class educational experience in Australia and New Zealand—and we take that to heart.

When you’re considering pharmacy school in Australia, you may have questions about

  • your eligibility;
  • the application;
  • how (and where) to submit your documents; and
  • what we do with your application.

We’ve got you covered. Head on over to our how to apply to pharmacy school in Australia page where you’ll find info about what to expect!

Practicing Pharmacy in Canada

Practicing in Canada

1. Visit Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada  for information on licensure in Canada
2. Enrol in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada
3. Apply to the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada for Document Evaluation and the Evaluating Examination

Australian Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees are recognized internationally. Please visit the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada website for detailed accreditation and certification information.

Graduate qualifications in pharmacy from Australian universities are recognized internationally. Currently, in order to gain licensing through the PEBC, there is a minimum education requirement of 4 years from an accredited pharmacy program. Consequently, a master’s program format alone will not meet this requirement (as they are fewer than 4 years in length). Students are encouraged to undertake a 4-year undergraduate program (which is an equivalent format to Canada’s PharmD).

Former OzTREKK students have graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy in Australia and have successfully become accredited in Canada; however, every student is assessed on an individual basis. You are encouraged to visit the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada website (https://www.pebc.ca/) for accreditation and certification information. Upon return to Canada, graduates must also apply for certification through the provincial regulatory body in the Canadian province in which they wish to work.

Please visit our Practicing Pharmacy in Canada page for more information.

1/6

“…students are nice”

the facility is nice. students are nice. It is a very intense program. some times the instructors could be a bit more explanatory

Monash University Menachem G
Bachelor of Pharmacy / Master of Pharmacy
Monash University, 2023

“They are very accommodating to students”

Yes, they are very accommodating to students and the city is not too country meaning there is still shops and things to do. only thing I would mention is first year you hardly touch any pharmacology.  Join st johns volunteering as they provide you with free first aid training.

UON, Australia Jaskaran B
Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours
The University of Newcastle, 2019

“I am enjoying my program”

It is a great place to study and I have met many new friends. I am enjoying my program so far. I am studying some interesting topics and I know they will only get more interesting as it gets more in depth. A lot of the material covered in first year is review from Canadian university level courses so I would suggest brushing up on the basics such as biology and chemistry.

UON, Australia Alexandra G
Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours
The University of Newcastle, 2019

“I like how it gets right into the pharmacy stuff, so you can experience what it will be like when you are done.”

I like how it gets right into the pharmacy stuff, so you can experience what it will be like when you are done. I dislike how we still have to do some courses which are very similar to the ones I did back home during my Bachelor of Sciences.

Kajal G.
Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours
The University of Queensland, 2018

“The Bachelor of Pharmacy program is really unique as it offers teaching to smaller classes and the teaching quality is amazing!”

I really love how James Cook University create event especially for international students, mainly the weekly Cafe International where everyone can have a chat and play board games while having free coffee! The Bachelor of Pharmacy program is really unique as it offers teaching to smaller classes and the teaching quality is amazing!

JCU Australia John Max M.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
James Cook University, 2018

“You get to know all the staff on a first-name basis and are able to get lots of one-on-one help if needed”

The JCU pharmacy program is great and I really think it properly prepares you for the registration exams (both written and the oral OSCE).  It’s a fairly small program so you get to know all the staff on a first-name basis and are able to get lots of one-on-one help if needed. JCU always emphasized the importance of being both prepa... Read More

JCU Australia Jeremy W
Bachelor of Pharmacy
James Cook University, 2014