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Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine / Master of Pharmacy

Medicine & Health
Help us shape the future of health
Meet the demands of contemporary healthcare delivery. With the UNSW Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy, you’ll graduate as a skilled and confident practitioner ready to expand into more advanced clinical services. You’ll gain education across pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy practice and management.
Commencing Terms
Term 1
Duration
5 Year(s)
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Campus
Kensington
Codes
UAC code 428400
Program code 3895
CRICOS code 109398A
Entry Requirements
ATAR/2023 lowest selection rank
92
View all admission criteria
Fees
2024 Indicative first year full fee
$9,000*
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
$47,000*

Overview

Be at the forefront of the evolving pharmacy sector with a comprehensive education in the pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy practice and management. This unique degree provides a breadth of skills and knowledge that goes beyond traditional pharmacy to develop skilled and confident practitioners that will be highly sought after in the healthcare sector. It will prepare you for a wide range of careers in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, healthcare governance, research, the pharmaceutical industry, general practice or aged care.

The role of a pharmacist continues to expand beyond traditional dispensing roles into the provision of more advanced clinical services, including:

  • reviews of how medicines are used by individual patients
  • evaluations of how medicines are used in health systems
  • vaccine administration
  • becoming a part of general practice and aged care services

This future-focused degree reflects the complexity and evolution of the profession. You'll develop your skills in a range of current areas of practice (e.g., home medicine reviews) and future areas of practice.

The bachelor's degree will focus on foundational and pharmaceutical sciences including pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics, pharmaceutics and medicinal chemistry. The master's degree explores advanced pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacy practice and management. You can also take elective courses from our Master of Public Health and Master of Health Leadership and Management programs to complement your pharmacy studies and further expand the breadth of your education. 

If you're passionate about improving health outcomes, this degree will set you on the path to a fulfilling career.

Key features

  • This five-year program provides unmatched experiential learning opportunities, where you can explore the range of career paths on offer within the pharmacy profession. Your hands-on training starts in year one, giving you time to learn, explore and develop as a healthcare professional.

    This structure allows for more extensive and a greater breadth of practical training to ensure you become a competent, well-rounded practitioner. You'll have the opportunity to undertake experiential learning activities in a range of urban, rural, community, hospital and industry settings. When you graduate, you’ll be highly skilled, adaptable and able to apply the knowledge you've gained with confidence.

    • You'll complete professional placements throughout your degree, which give you the opportunity to apply what you learn into practice.
    • In your fifth year, you'll complete a placement in a rural/remote area to gain first-hand experience practicing in these locations. 
    • Your placements will equip you with the practical experience you need to become an independent practitioner. This hands-on training also ensures that you're well prepared for your intern year.
  • Best practice healthcare requires a high level of collaboration among professionals from different disciplines. This degree has an embedded professional practice stream, where you’ll learn with students from our dietetics and food innovation, physiotherapy and exercise physiology programs.

    The stream provides an opportunity to start building connections with your future health colleagues and mirrors real-world practice, where professionals work in integrated healthcare teams. You’ll gain an understanding of how different teams work together to improve individual health outcomes, such as how and when to refer a patient to another health professional. Our professional practice stream includes seven courses, which will teach you critical interprofessional skills in:

    • professionalism and communication
    • teamwork and collaboration
    • evidence-based and value-based healthcare
    • ethics and law
    • leadership and business management skills
    • innovation and entrepreneurship
    • advocacy
    • investigation and creative problem-solving

    If you're interested in owning a community pharmacy or managing a health service, we offer courses that develop your management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills. In year five, you'll complete a health management course as part of the professional practice stream. In addition to this, you can also take a course in pharmacy management to learn the economics of running a community pharmacy.

  • We have connections with some of Australia’s best hospitals, private practices, health organisations and the pharmaceutical industry. In the first year of the program, you’ll attend a networking event, which will introduce you to the profession and welcome you to our healthcare community. You'll have contact with industry professionals throughout your degree, giving you the opportunity to grow your professional network while you study and gain a head start in your career.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

  • As one of the world's top medical schools*, we're creating the health leaders of tomorrow. Our diverse community of students, educators, clinicians and researchers are working together to tackle the world's most pressing health challenges. 

    While this is a new program, we've been teaching the pharmaceutical science and medicinal chemistry elements of pharmacy for many years. This degree builds on our existing expertise in these disciplines.

    Our internationally recognised research centres and institutes are translating ground-breaking research into cures, treatment strategies and therapies. This degree offers research opportunities to develop your investigative skills and provide a pathway if you want to pursue a career in research. You’ll gain a strong understanding of research methods and the application of research to practice. The principles of evidence-based practice and value-based care will inform your clinical decisions. 

    *Ranked 54th globally according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

  • This degree allows you to tailor your study to your career goals. In your final year, you can choose from the following pathways: research, pharmacy and health management, public health or a study abroad program. 

    Our smaller class sizes also allow for a more personalised learning experience. With a cohort of approximately 80-100 students, you'll have close engagement with your teachers and peers.

  • We're building a community of empathetic healthcare practitioners that are equipped to work with diverse populations. Our professional practice stream provides training in mental health, cultural safety and advocacy to ensure you can provide all people with the care they need. 

    We work closely with industry to ensure this degree aligns with industry needs, both in contemporary and future practice. As you move through the program, you'll learn how to apply the science of pharmacy to clinical problems, with clinical placements and simulation experiences reinforcing your learning.

  • UNSW Medicine & Health offers a diverse range of facilities across our Kensington campus, rural and metropolitan teaching hospitals and our world-class research centres and institutes. You’ll be learning in our new simulation pharmacies and compounding laboratories.

    The UNSW Health Translation Hub (UNSW HTH), which will soon form part of the wider Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct, reflects our commitment to transforming healthcare. The UNSW HTH will integrate health education, training and research with healthcare services to drive improvements in patient care and health outcomes. Through the UNSW HTH, you’ll have opportunities to work in interprofessional clinics and pursue research interests.

Program Code
3895
CRICOS Code
109398A
Campus
Kensington
UAC Code
428400
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
240
Lowest Selection Rank
92

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Entry requirements

2023 Lowest Selection Rank
92
2023 A levels
16
2023 IB Diploma
35
2023 Lowest ATAR
83.65

Assumed knowledge

Chemistry, Mathematics Advanced

Student expectations

As an accredited program, there are certain professional requirements that students are expected to meet. The following document outlines some of the professional expectations to help prospective students make informed choices about future study and professional requirements. UNSW welcomes and encourages applications from students with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds. A range of support measures are available through our Equitable Learning Services so that students are able to undertake their course requirements. 

Adjustment Factors


We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies. 

HSC Plus 
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points. 

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) 
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.

Admission pathways


Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW. 

Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW. 

Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.

English language requirements

 

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

International entry

We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.

Please contact us for direct entry requirements.

Admission pathways


If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence. 

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Program structure

The Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy is completed over five years of full-time study. The program is made up of 40 courses in total, including seven professional practice courses. Students are encouraged to undertake full-time study and complete the program over five years. 

Full program structure

  • In year one, you’ll start to learn the foundations for practice with a focus on chemistry, biochemistry and human systems. Your professional practice courses will teach you how to navigate the Australian healthcare system and work with other health professionals to deliver high-quality care. 

    • Academic Preparation for Health Studies
    • Molecules, Cells and Genes 
    • Chemistry for Health Sciences
    • Concepts in Pharmacy
    • Interprofessional Practice and Collaborative Care
    • Human Systems 1
    • Introductory Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Fundamentals of Biochemistry
    • Human Systems 2
  • In your second year, you’ll expand your knowledge in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics. Your professional practice courses will explore the social determinants of health and principles of evidence-based practice. 

    • Introductory Medicinal Chemistry
    • Nutrition for Health Professionals 1
    • Introductory Pharmacology for Pharmacy
    • Macromolecular Therapeutics
    • Driving Behaviour Change 1
    • Microbiology for the Pharmaceutical Sciences 
    • Appraising and Applying Evidence for Allied Health Practice 
    • Pharmacy Practice
  • In your third year, you’ll develop proficiency in the areas of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics and commence a series of courses related to specific body systems. Your professional practice courses will explore mental health and advocacy.

    • Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacogenomics 
    • Driving Behaviour Change 2
    • Pharmaceutics for Pharmacy
    • Principles, Therapeutics and Practice: Respiratory and Infectious Diseases
    • Principles, Therapeutics and Practice: Rheumatology, Dermatology, Eye and Ear
    • Leading Change in the Health Professions
    • Principles, Therapeutics and Practice: Cardiovascular and Renal 
    • Principles, Therapeutics and Practice: Gastrointestinal and Liver
  • In your fourth year, you’ll develop your compounding skills and undertake supervised simulated or actual clinical experiences. Your professional practice courses will teach you how to identify and solve real-world problems in clinical health practice. 

    • Dispensing I
    • Principles, Therapeutics and Practice: Endocrinology and Reproduction
    • Dispensing II
    • Principles, Therapeutics and Practice: Cancer
    • Principles, Therapeutics and Practice: Mental Health and Neurology
    • Identifying and Solving Clinical Problems
    • Applied Pharmacotherapeutics 
    • Pharmacy Placement 1 
  • In your fifth year, you'll have the option to choose from the following pathways: research, pharmacy and health management, public health or a study abroad program. Your final course in the professional practice stream will focus on your career development, including how to secure roles in healthcare.

    • Advanced Research Training
    • Advanced Clinical Practice 1
    • Pharmacy Placement 2 
    • Advanced Clinical Practice 2
    • Pharmacy Management or Health Research Project A 
    • Preparing for a Career in Health and Beyond
    • Choice of two electives or Specialty Placement or Health Research Project B

Future careers

Pharmacists are an essential part of the healthcare system - they provide services such as medicine education, medication reviews, patient counselling and disease prevention. This degree will prepare you for a career as a pharmacist in clinical practice, community pharmacy, within the pharmaceutical industry or other healthcare roles, such as health policy and regulation. 

Pharmacists work across a range of settings, including:

  • community pharmacy
  • hospital pharmacy
  • government and non-government organisation roles
  • pharmaceutical industry positions in drug development, regulatory affairs, clinical trials, medicines information and marketing
  • consulting
  • research positions at academic and research institutions
  • general practice
  • aged care

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council and is approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia as a qualification leading to registration as a pharmacist in Australia.

Upon completion of an Australian Pharmacy Council accredited and Pharmacy Board of Australia approved program, graduates are required to complete the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s registration requirements to be eligible to apply for pharmacist registration in Australia.

Currently to be eligible to apply for general registration as a pharmacist, you must have successfully completed an approved intern training program, undertaken 1824 hours of supervised practice and have passed the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s written and oral examinations.

How to apply

Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.

On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.

Ready to start your application?

For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.

*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$9,000*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$47,000*

Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 2

*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.

The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.

2024 Indicative First Year Fee
$55,000*
2024 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$305,000*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.

Scholarships


At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.


  • Top 20
    Worldwide

    QS World University Rankings, 2024.

  • Most
    Employable Graduates

    AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

  • Leading
    Innovation

    #1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

The faculty encourages you to be involved in student life and have a healthy study/life balance.
Rashmi Jayathilake

Rashmi Jayathilake

Medicine Student

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