Pharmacy Courses in Australia: International Students, Postgraduate and Eligibility Criteria

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Are you an international student with a passion for healthcare and a dream of becoming a pharmacist in Australia? Or perhaps you’re a qualified pharmacist looking to expand your knowledge with postgraduate studies? This blog is your one-stop guide to navigating the Pharmacy courses in Australia. We’ll explore all the information regarding the programs, including top institutes offering them, tuition fees, scholarships, entry requirements and application process. Read on to know more!

Course LevelsHigh school diploma with a strong science background
For postgraduate studies, a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy is required
Duration4-5 years (Bachelors)
1-2 (Masters)
Tuition FeesAUD 38,000 – 56,000 per year (Bachelors)
AUD 32,000 – 52,000 per year (Masters)
Entry RequirementsHigh school diploma with strong science background
For postgraduate studies, a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy is required
Average SalaryAUD 90,000 per year

Also Read: Cost of Studying in Australia

Why Study Pharmacy in Australia?

There are world-class universities with well-regarded pharmacy courses in Australia. They are accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), ensuring you meet professional standards for practising in Australia and potentially abroad. An Australian pharmacy degree is respected internationally, giving you more flexibility in your future career path.

Australia is a leader in pharmaceutical research and development. Studying here places you at the forefront of innovation and opens doors to research opportunities.

Pharmacists are in high demand in Australia, with a growing job market and projected increase in opportunities.

Universities Offering Pharmacy Courses in Australia

Overall, 17 top-ranking universities offer Pharmacy courses in Australia. They are as follows

  1. University of Melbourne
  2. Monash University
  3. The University of Sydney
  4. The University of Queensland
  5. University of New South Wales (UNSW)
  6. University of Adelaide
  7. University of Western Australia
  8. University of Technology Sydney
  9. Queensland University of Technology
  10. University of Newcastle

List of Pharmacy Courses in Australia for International Students

Generally, there are 2 main pathways for international students interested in pharmacy courses in Australia, Master of Pharmacy and BPharm. MPharm is a postgraduate qualification designed for international students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as pharmacy, chemistry, or biology. BPharm is a 4-year undergraduate degree that qualifies graduates for pharmacy registration. 

CourseUniversityTuition Fee (per year)Duration
B.S PharmacologyUniversity of MelbourneAUD 54,3683 years
B.PharmMonash UniversityAUD 52,2004 years
M.PharmThe University of SydneyAUD 54,0002 years
M.S Clinical PharmacyThe University of QueenslandAUD 49,3601 year
M.A PharmacyUniversity of New South Wales (UNSW)AUD 22,3502 years
B.Eng Chemical and PharmaceuticalsUniversity of AdelaideAUD 52,0004 years
M.PharmUniversity of Western AustraliaAUD 43,5002 years
M.Pharm InternationalUniversity of Technology SydneyAUD 24,5003 years
B.PharmQueensland University of TechnologyAUD 37,6004 years
B.PharmUniversity of NewcastleAUD 26,4004 years

Pharmacy Courses in Australia: Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for pharmacy programs in Australia can vary with the university and the type of program you choose. Generally, you can expect to pay between AUD 31,000 – 54,000 per year for a Master of Pharmacy program.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for Pharmacy courses in Australia, you will need to fulfil the following requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or a relevant science field from a recognised university 
  • A minimum GPA (around 5.0 on a 7.0 scale or an overall aggregate of 70-75%)
  • Strong English language proficiency scores (usually a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, with no band score below 6.0, or equivalent TOEFL/PTE scores).
  • Work experience in pharmacy or a related field (for some universities).

Application Process

The application process for pharmacy programs in Australia generally involves the following steps for international students:

  1. Researching universities and programs that align with your interests.
  2. Checking admission requirements and deadlines.
  3. Completing the online application form.
  4. Submitting required documents, including academic transcripts, English language test scores, CV, and reference letters.
  5. Applying for a student visa (if applicable).

Documents Required

Here are some of the documents you might need for your application:

  • Official academic transcripts
  • English language test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE)
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Reference letters
  • Statement of Purpose (essay outlining your academic background and career goals)
  • Passport copy
  • Proof of financial support for your studies

Also Read: Open Universities in Australia 2024: Intake, Admission, Application Deadline

Pharmacy Courses in Australia: Career Scope

Graduates from Pharmacy courses in Australia can expect competitive salaries and attractive career opportunities in the field. As per the Australian Government’s Job Outlook tool, pharmacists have a “very good” employment outlook with projected growth of 15.1% from 2020 to 2025. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia reports a national shortage of pharmacists, particularly in rural and remote areas, indicating excellent job prospects for graduates.

Job ProfileAverage Annual Salary
Community Pharmacist$90,000 – $120,000
Hospital Pharmacist$85,000 – $110,000
Clinical Pharmacist$100,000 – $130,000
Pharmacy Manager$110,000 – $140,000
Industry Pharmacist$80,000 – $115,000
Regulatory Affairs Specialist$95,000 – $125,000
Academic/Research Pharmacist$85,000 – $110,000

FAQs

Q1. Is a Bachelor’s degree required for Pharmacy studies in Australia?

Ans: For international students, the most common pathway is a postgraduate Master of Pharmacy (International) program, assuming that you hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like pharmacy, chemistry, or biology.  However, some universities may offer a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program directly to international students – be sure to check with each university for their specific offerings.

Q2. What are the typical English language proficiency requirements?

Ans: The most common test is the IELTS, with a minimum score of 7.0 overall and no band score below 6.0, or equivalent TOEFL/PTE scores.

Q3. Are there scholarships available for international pharmacy students?

Ans: Yes, there are scholarships offered by the Australian Government, individual universities, and potentially external organizations. 

Q4. What documents do I need to submit for my application?

Ans: Generally, students require academic transcripts, English language test scores, a CV or resume, reference letters, a statement of purpose outlining their goals, a passport copy, and proof of financial support for their studies.

We hope that this blog gave you a complete overview of the Pharmacy courses in Australia. For more courses to study abroad, make sure to subscribe to Leverage Edu today. Thank you for reading!

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