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Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science

Degree Level Undergraduate

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
City East

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
IBPA

Prerequisites
One of the following:
SACE Stage 2 Physics
SACE Stage 2 Biology
SACE Stage 2 Chemistry
More info

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 40,900 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025

English Language Requirements
  • IELTS total [6.5]
  • IELTS reading [6.5]
  • IELTS writing [6.5]
  • IELTS speaking [6.5]
  • IELTS listening [6.5]
Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
060209G

  • 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 Certificate IV 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 Physics
    SACE Stage 2 Biology
    SACE Stage 2 Chemistry

    Assumed Knowledge

    None

    English language entry requirements

    In addition to meeting academic entry requirements, international students who speak English as a second or additional language must also meet the University's English language entry requirements. The minimum language requirements for this program are:
    English language test
    • IELTS total [6.5]
    • IELTS reading [6.5]
    • IELTS writing [6.5]
    • IELTS speaking [6.5]
    • IELTS listening [6.5]
    Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)

    Admission Requirements by Country

    Bangladesh HSC4
    Canada High School (OSSD)65
    Eynesbury FSP330
    German Abitur3.5
    Kenya KCSE (average)B+
    Malaysia STPM (best 3)6
    Malaysia UEC30
    Norway GPA3
    Pakistan HSSC85
    Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)7
    Sweden GPA13
    UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board7
    Vietnam7.5
    Australia72
    IB (best 6)26
    USA SAT (1600)1110
    India (best 4) State Board75
    India (best 4) Central Board65
    HKDSE15
    Nepal NEB2.61
    View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Quick links

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Aim

The program prepares graduates with the scientific disciplines that underpin the discovery, development, formulation, approval, evaluation and marketing of medicines.

Content & Structure

The program covers the scientific disciplines that underpin the discovery, development, formulation, approval, evaluation and marketing of medicines. Students will gain specialist knowledge in one or more of the career paths that have been identified within the pharmaceutical industry. These paths are research and development (eg drug discovery, formulation, clinical trials), manufacturing (including quality control) and professional/business (including sales marketing, legal and regulatory, drug information). The program requires completion of 108 units of study.

From 4 August 2025, the University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students. Study at Adelaide University.

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What courses you'll study

Course name Area and cat no. Units Reference  
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Chemistry 100 CHEM 1006 4.5
Human Physiology 100 BIOL 1049 4.5
Health and Society HLTH 1025 4.5
Health Professional Essentials PHAR 1008 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Chemistry 101 CHEM 1007 4.5
Human Physiology 101 BIOL 1050 4.5
Pharmaceutical Industry PHAR 1005 4.5
Quantitative Methods in Health MATH 1065 4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Dosage Form Design 1 PHAR 2014 4.5
Pharmacology A PHAR 2023 9
Specialist Course 1 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Dosage Form Design 2 PHAR 2016 4.5
Drug Discovery PHAR 2010 4.5
Pharmacology B PHAR 2021 4.5
OR
Pharmacology C PHAR 2022 4.5
Specialist Course 2 4.5 Rule(s): 1
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Dosage Form Design 3 PHAR 3024 4.5
Drug Development 1 PHAR 2009 4.5
Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics PHAR 2006 4.5
Specialist Course 3 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Dosage Form Design 4 PHAR 3025 4.5
Drug Development 2 PHAR 3013 4.5
Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Industry Experience PHAR 3014 4.5 Note(s): 1,2
Specialist Course 4 4.5 Rule(s): 1
CHEMISTRY SPECIALIST COURSES Rule(s): 1
Second Year, First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Structure Determination and Analysis CHEM 2026 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Second Year, Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Advanced Structure Determination and Analysis CHEM 2027 4.5
Third Year, First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Synthetic Chemistry CHEM 2028 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Third Year, Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Advanced Synthetic Chemistry CHEM 2029 4.5 Rule(s): 1
BIOSCIENCES SPECIALIST COURSES
Second Year, First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Biochemistry BIOL 2014 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Second Year, Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Immunology BIOL 2037 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Third Year, First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Microbiology BIOL 2051 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Third Year, Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Genetics BIOL 2016 4.5 Rule(s): 1
CHEMISTRY/BIOSCIENCES SPECIALIST COURSES
Second Year, First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Biochemistry BIOL 2014 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Second Year, Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Immunology BIOL 2037 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Third Year, First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Synthetic Chemistry CHEM 2028 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Third Year, Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Advanced Synthetic Chemistry CHEM 2029 4.5 Rule(s): 1
MARKETING SPECIALIST COURSES
Second Year, First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange MARK 1010 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Second Year, Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Accounting for Business ACCT 1008 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Third Year, First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Marketing Analytics MARK 2010 4.5 Rule(s): 1
Third Year, Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Retailing MARK 2032 4.5 Rule(s): 1
  • Rules & notes minus-thick plus-thick

    Rules

    1. Students choose one of the four groups of electives at the end of the first year of the degree. Any variations to the elective groups must receive Program Director approval.

    Notes

    1. Students may be required to undertake industry placement in the course PHAR 3014 Pharmaceutical Industry Experience at any time throughout the year.

    2. Some placement providers may require students to have a current National Police Certificate (NPC) through SAPOL (or their home state police service) and a current Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) Child-Related Clearance or Working with Children Check (WWCC) from 1 July 2019, prior to commencement of the placement. For this reason the National Police Certificate and the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion Child-Related Clearance or WWCC must be cleared in advance of the placement.

Program Director

Dr Tim Barnes arrow-small-right
Primary director

Contact us

Australian students

Phone: +61 8 8302 2376
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

International students

Phone: +61 8 9627 4854
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

For further information please visit unisa.edu.au/study
Information correct at the time of publication. CRICOS provider number 00121B.
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