Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2024
You're viewing degree information for Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Prerequisites
One of the following:
SACE Stage 2 Biology
SACE Stage 2 Chemistry
SACE Stage 2 Physics
More info
Assumed Knowledge
None
Admissions
Student Profile
Entry Scores
2024 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 83.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): A,A,B
TAFE/RTO: DIP
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2023 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 83.00
TAFE/RTO: Dip
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Entry requirements
Admission criteria
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma level or above
OR
Work and life experience- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
One of the following:
SACE Stage 2 Biology
SACE Stage 2 Chemistry
SACE Stage 2 PhysicsAssumed Knowledge
None
Commencing in SP5 will require additional time to complete due to course scheduling, degree structure and Honours requirements. Students may be limited to studying at a maximum of 50-75% of required courses in some semesters.
SP5 intake may be available to international students case-by-case depending on credit assessed at entry.
Degree overview
- Study the only pharmacy degree offered in South Australia from a university with more than 50 years’ experience in pharmacy education and research.
- Embark on a pathway to join one of Australia’s most trusted careers as a registered pharmacist and become accredited with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
- Be equipped with the skills and knowledge to build a career helping society to get the best outcome from medicines.
- Become a specialist in the theory, knowledge, and science of medicines and how to communicate them to professionals and the general public.
- Develop skills to step into a community-facing career with strong local opportunities and broad international application.
- Gain credentials from one of the four founding members of Australia’s prestigious National Alliance for Pharmacy Education (NAPE).
- Get professional practice experience from placements in a range of workplace settings including community and hospitals.
- Join a university ranked in the World Top 150 for pharmacy and pharmacology.1
- Learn from a university with well above world-class research in pharmacy, pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences.2
- Benefit from our industry connections within the pharmacy profession, and links with internationally renowned research concentrations.
- Gain two qualifications with one extra year of study when you complete Australia’s only double degree in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science.
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,3 we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
12023 QS Subject Rankings. 22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 3Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
Start your unstoppable career with South Australia’s only professionally accredited pharmacy degree to become a registered pharmacist.
As medicine experts, pharmacists are important members of the healthcare team. Pharmacists provide expert patient care to ensure that medicines are used to enhance health outcomes and minimise harm. Using cutting edge technology in dedicated pharmacy laboratories, you’ll develop skills in pharmaceutical and biological sciences to understand and prepare medicines. As an honour's student, you’ll develop advanced skills in research, focusing on an area of specialisation in pharmacy and related sciences.
You may also be eligible for the only double degree of its kind in Australia - a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science, Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) - which you can do with just one extra year of study.
From 2025, you can package this degree with our new Master of Pharmacy program, designed to future-proof your skills in contemporary pharmacy practice and satisfy the internship and ITP components of your requirements to become a registered pharmacist. To choose the package program and guarantee your place into the Master program*, apply directly to SATAC using the unique code listed.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) (Pathway to Master of Pharmacy) (5 years) (SATAC code: 414525)
*Academic criteria apply.
What you'll need
All students studying a health-related program where interaction with the public is required, such as clinical placements in health settings, must meet certain compulsory requirements.
Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.
All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant national board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the university providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.
Graduates of the UniSA Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) can apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. To become a registered pharmacist, you’ll need to undertake the Pharmacy Intern Training Program (ITP) through UniSA or another accredited Pharmacy ITP.
High-achieving students may apply to internally transfer into the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science, Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) double degree. To be eligible, you’ll need to meet the grade point average (GPA) requirement of 5.0 or more, and successfully complete two full-time years (72 units) of study.
What you'll learn
You’ll learn how to deliver the best patient care, review medications, accurately dispense medicines and provide expert knowledge to consumers and be part of a healthcare team.
As an honour's student, there is a strong focus on research in this degree. You’ll graduate with the skills needed to undertake and manage research projects in a health-related setting.
Key focuses of this degree include:
- chemistry and human physiology
- professional pharmacy practice and patient-centred care
- providing personalised drug information and expert advice for patients
- preparing, studying and monitoring medicines and their use
- inter-professional practice and communication
- clinical placements in community and hospital pharmacy sectors
Over the first two years you’ll study:
- foundations in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical skills
- common diseases and their management
- understanding healthcare systems and the roles of healthcare professionals
- collecting and interpreting health information to provide individualised patient care
- ethical pharmacy practice including responsible and legal control and supply of medicines
During the third and fourth years you’ll study:
- clinical decision-making principles and interprofessional practice
- compounding and formulation of medicines
- advanced pharmacy practice service delivery
- quality use of medicines
- research skills and professional communication
- clinical trials and international regulation of medicines
In the final year, you’ll complete professional placements in community and hospital-based pharmacies, with opportunities for rural and international experiences.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- simulated patient interactions
- practical skills assessments
- quizzes
- examinations
- group projects and presentations
- professional portfolios
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Honours
Graduating with an honour’s degree will set you apart from the crowd, ensuring you have a competitive edge and are ready for a career in industry, research or further postgraduate study.
The honour’s component includes a minimum of one year of advanced studies in professional practice with the option for research skill development. You’ll undertake clinical placements with a range of professional providers, including hospitals and professional settings. You’ll also have the opportunity to work alongside world leading research groups and clinicians, with current student project partners including SAHMRI, the UniSA Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre and the South Australian hospital network.
Why Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
State-of-the-art learning facilities, internationally recognised teaching staff and strong industry links with the pharmacy profession and healthcare providers make UniSA a great choice for aspiring pharmacy students.
UniSA’s Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) is the only pathway to becoming a pharmacist in South Australia. We’re also one of the four founding members of Australia’s prestigious National Alliance for Pharmacy Education (NAPE).
Graduating with a higher-level qualification honours degree will set you apart from the crowd, ensuring you have a competitive edge and are ready for broad career opportunities. This includes stepping into clinical practice in primary care and hospital pharmacy, government regulation, or further postgraduate study and research.
Our state-of-the-art, purpose-built pharmacy laboratory is the best place to hone your skills in drug development and pharmaceutical sciences. Our Pharmacy Practice Integrated Learning Suite (PPILS) is where you’ll learn to dispense medicines, counsel patients and develop the clinical service delivery skills needed for contemporary pharmacy practice. The suite simulates patient interactions for the provision of over-the-counter medicines assisted by new touchscreen technology which is the first of its kind in Australia. This means you’ll get virtual access to the entire product range that would be held in a pharmacy.
The honours component of this degree satisfies the academic requirements for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. To become a registered pharmacist, you’ll need to undertake the Pharmacy Intern Training Program (ITP) through UniSA or another accredited Pharmacy ITP.
Dr Jacinta Johnson, recipient of the 2018 Early Career Pharmacist award
Dr Jacinta Johnson is a UniSA Lecturer and pharmacy graduate who was the recipient of the 2018 Early Career Pharmacist award.
Video courtesy of the PSA Excellence Awards 2018, sponsored by Symbion.
Your career
Growth in Australia’s pharmacy profession continues to rise, with most pharmacists working in community and hospital pharmacy settings, with increasing roles in aged care, primary care, healthcare policy and the pharmaceutical industry. Career prospects continue to look strong, with an expected 3,100 new job openings over the next five years.1
To be successful as a pharmacist you’ll have a natural interest in people’s health and wellbeing, sciences, and interacting with people. The ability to work without supervision and with a high degree of accuracy under pressure is essential, as is a willingness to develop high-level problem-solving skills. You'll be the kind of person who is motivated to take on an intellectual challenge, and have a strong interest in research. You’ll need to be meticulous, accurate and results-driven.
Pharmacists are the medicine experts in a multidisciplinary healthcare team. With new therapeutic developments and expanding clinical roles, pharmacists have more career options than ever before, in settings across:
- hospitals
- local pharmacies
- GP practices
- community services
- aged care settings
- pharmaceutical industry
- defence services
- regulatory bodies
- compounding or critical care services
- infectious disease services
- academia and research
Graduates of the UniSA Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) can apply for provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. To become a registered pharmacist, you’ll need to undertake the Pharmacy Intern Training Program (ITP) through UniSA or another accredited Pharmacy ITP.
1Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021
Professional accreditation and recognition
The program is accredited with the Australian Pharmacy Council.
Successful completion of the program satisfies the academic requirements for provisional registration as a pharmacist with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Eligibility for general registration is determined by the Pharmacy Board of Australia and includes a suitably recognised and appropriate period of supervised training.
Industry facts
Applying to study with us:
- Go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply.
- You will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application.
Alternative Pathways
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
- UniSA College Diploma in Health (Biomedical Science)
- UniSA College Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies (Health)
- SAIBT Diploma of Health Science
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
Deferment
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
You'll have access to:
- purpose-built pharmacy laboratories
- pharmacy collaborative teaching room and student common area
- pharmacy Practice Integrated Learning Suite (PPILS)
- chemistry laboratory
- biology laboratory
You’ll also be able to access a range of on-campus spaces including modern lecture theatres, collaborative teaching rooms, and relaxed student lounges.
Your program director
After completing my pharmacy training in Birmingham and London, UK, I moved to Adelaide as a lecturer in clinical pharmacy. My major teaching passion is the integration of the key elements of physical and clinical pharmacy, namely pharmaceutics, pharmacology and therapeutic decision making into the development of fundamental pharmacy practice.
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How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
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Where can I get further information?
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.
What others are saying
I have learnt so much and have developed a greater passion for research, particularly in clinical pharmacy. I also completed a placement at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where I gained so much from observing the ward pharmacists' day-to-day duties and interactions with patients.
Shaw Nee Khoo
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
I decided to study pharmacy at UniSA because of my love of science and health. The quality of staff is exceptional and I had the opportunity to complete an eight week placement at Noarlunga Hospital in my final semester, which was invaluable.
Amanda Gardecki
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
I chose to study at the University of South Australia because I believe it has good reputation for its education quality, conducive study environment, high quality academic staff and research opportunities.
Wern Chern Chai
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Having a highly interactive program meant we practised counselling skills in a simulated community pharmacy environment, which contained all the medications necessary to reflect real-life practice.
Fares Al-Sarawi
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
The UniSA Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) course is a well-structured learning experience, and appropriately challenging. I was well-supported by the teaching staff who apply themselves studiously to the pharmacy and academic fields – you are learning from the best. Today I work as a locum pharmacist across regional and rural Australia.
Sean Richardson
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Hear from Lauren about her rural pharmacy placement in Whyalla
