Medicine & Health

Pharmacy

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Students from our health professional programs learning in UNSW Medicine & Health’s facilities

Pharmacy explores the development of drugs and their medicinal effects on the human body. Pharmacists are medicine experts who have specialised knowledge about the chemical, biological and physical properties of medicines. UNSW's Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy will prepare you for current and emerging areas of professional practice.

What is pharmacy and what do pharmacists do?

Pharmacy explores the development of drugs and their medicinal effects on the human body. Pharmacists are medicines experts who have specialised knowledge about the chemical, biological and physical properties of medicines.

At UNSW, our pharmacy programs reflect the complexity and evolution of the pharmacy profession, so students can go beyond dispensing medicines into the provision of more advanced health services, including:

  • Reviews of how medicines are used by individual patients
  • Evaluations of how medicines are used in healthcare systems
  • Vaccine administration
  • Becoming a part of general practice and aged care services

Why study pharmacy at UNSW?

UNSW's Medicine & Health faculty is ranked #54 globally for life sciences and medicine (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025) and is creating the leaders of tomorrow. We have connections with some of Australia’s best hospitals, private practices and health organisations. You’ll be learning in world-class facilities across our Kensington campus, rural and metropolitan teaching hospitals, and research centres and institutes. Hands-on training starts in year one, giving you time to grow as a healthcare professional. You’ll complete a broad range of clinical placements to ensure you become a well-rounded, competent practitioner.

What can you do with a pharmacy degree?

With a pharmacy degree, you can pursue a wide range of careers across many different settings. The UNSW pharmacy program will prepare you for a wide range of careers – from traditional compounding and supply roles to the provision of clinical services. These roles may even extend beyond pharmacy and into other aspects of healthcare or the pharmaceutical industry, including:

  • Community pharmacy
  • Hospital pharmacy
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Consulting, research and academia
  • Government and non government agencies

Community pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients and carers in the healthcare system. Roles in community pharmacy may involve dispensing prescriptions, facilitating medication counselling and health promotion/education.

Hospital pharmacists promote the safe and effective use of medicines within hospital settings. Roles in hospital pharmacy may involve reviewing medication charts, calculating dosages, managing side effects/medicine interactions, and providing medicines advice to patients, carers and other healthcare professionals.

In the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacists can pursue roles in drug development, regulatory affairs, clinical trials, medicines information and marketing. 

Pharmacists can also work in consulting, research, academia, medical writing, professional organisations (e.g., Australian College of Pharmacy), government agencies (e.g., NSW Poisons Information Centre), non-government organisations, general practice, aged care and the military.

How to study pharmacy in Australia?

You can study pharmacy in Australia by completing an accredited Bachelor of Pharmacy or Master of Pharmacy degree. Postgraduate research degrees in pharmacy allow you to expand your expertise, depending on your interests and career goals. Explore our undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy programs below.

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How to become a pharmacist in Australia

  • UNSW's Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy degree is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)* and is approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA)^. 

    As you approach the end of your degree, you’ll apply for provisional registration with the PBA, which will allow you to complete an internship under the guidance of a registered pharmacist.

    *The APC is the national accreditation authority for pharmacy education and training.

    ^The PBA is responsible for pharmacist registration and setting the standards for the profession. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) works in partnership with 15 National Boards, including the PBA, to ensure the public has access to a safe health workforce.

  • You’ll complete an accredited intern training program and 1824 hours of supervised practice, which is integrated into the UNSW Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine/Master of Pharmacy. The intern training program is approved by the Australian Pharmacy Council and the supervised practice arrangements need to be approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

  • The assessment for general registration includes a written exam and an oral (practice) exam.

    After successfully completing your accredited intern training program, supervised practice hours, and written and oral examinations, you’ll be eligible to apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. This means you’ll be qualified to practice as a pharmacist in Australia.

Frequently asked questions about studying pharmacy

  • Students who wish to study pharmacy at UNSW are expected to have prior knowledge of chemistry and advanced mathematics.

  • At UNSW, the delivery mode for our undergraduate pharmacy program is delivered face to face but includes blended learning.

  • It takes five years of full-time study to complete your pharmacy degree at UNSW. Our pharmacy program is hands-on with a strong practical foundation in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical practice training, with seven professional practice courses.

  • You can study pharmacy at UNSW, explore our programs here.

    Start your journey toward a meaningful career in healthcare by studying pharmacy at UNSW. Gain hands-on experience, learn from leading experts and graduate with the qualifications you need to thrive as a pharmacist in Australia. Explore our programs today and take the first step toward making a real impact on people’s lives.