Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
This degree is only available to 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)
Mode
Online
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View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements
Entry requirements
Pre-Registration (Intern) Pathway
Applicants are required to:- have successfully completed a bachelor of pharmacy degree or graduate entry level master of pharmacy from a university that has provisional or full Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) accreditation in Australia and New Zealand, AND
- have obtained, or applied for, provisional registration through AHPRA (enrolment into the program will be finalised when provisional registration is achieved).
Registered Pharmacists Pathway
Applicants are required to be a Registered Pharmacist with AHPRA.
Please note that this program is only available part-time, over a minimum of 12 months.
Degree overview
- Complete the pharmacy Intern Training Program (ITP) required as part of the pathway to become a registered pharmacist in Australia.
- Learn advanced skills in leadership, management, research and inquiry, and hone your skills and knowledge in delivering competent, culturally responsive and person-centred pharmacy care.
- Learn from a curriculum based on well above world-class research in pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences.1
- Be mentored and supported by practicing pharmacists and academics from a university with more than 50 years’ experience in pharmacy education.
- Benefit from our strong industry links and affiliation with internationally renowned research groups.
- Gain credentials from one of four founding members of the prestigious National Alliance for Pharmacy Education (NAPE).
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
Snapshot
Advance your unstoppable career in pharmacy with this unique graduate certificate which offers two pathways, depending on your registration status.
This graduate certificate is suitable for:
- Pre-registration graduates who wish to complete UniSA’s pharmacy Intern Training Program (ITP) and do not qualify for our Master of Pharmacy
- Registered pharmacists interested in advancing their clinical practice and research skills.
What you'll learn
You may cover topics such as:
- primary healthcare
- leadership and management
- evidence-based pharmacy practice
- safety and quality use of medicines
- interprofessional communication and collaboration
- digital health
- harm minimisation
- pharmacy law and ethics
- access to the pharmacy Intern Training Program (ITP) for pre-registration graduates.
This program is delivered through a mix of face-to-face seminars and online learning to provide flexibility and a comprehensive learning environment.
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. 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:
- case studies
- reports
- reflections
- literature reviews
- presentations
- learning log/journals
- contribution
- assessment plan
- examination.
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.
Why Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
UniSA is an accredited provider of an Intern Training Program (ITP) required as part of the Pharmacy Board of Australia requirements to become a registered pharmacist.
You’ll learn from award-winning teaching staff, academics and health professionals via our online forums and virtual classrooms and workshops, and build valuable industry networks and relationships while you study.
UniSA is one of the four founding members of the National Alliance for Pharmacy Education (NAPE), which actively supports the ongoing advancement of the pharmacy profession as a key contributor to healthcare teams.
The Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice is offered online with on-campus workshops, so you can fit your study alongside your Board-required internship requirements, as well as work and life commitments.
Real-world connections
Learn from award-winning teaching staff, academics and health professionals via online forums, virtual classrooms and workshops, and build valuable industry networks and relationships while you study.
Our Pharmacy programs are closely associated with key industry bodies including the National Alliance for Pharmacy Education (NAPE), the Pharmacy Board of Australia, and other key stakeholders in the profession including the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists in Australia.
We also host regular University-wide alumni events, employee master classes and employment expos in Australia and overseas.
Online study
Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. This means that you can:
- study online, including accessing videos and course resources
- participate in an interactive online learning environment
- submit your assignments and get feedback online
- use discussion forums for team work and communication
With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment, you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle.
Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any applicable requirements will be detailed on individual course pages.
Your career
With new drug developments, enhanced therapeutic developments and expanding scope of practice, registered pharmacists have more career options than ever before.
Registered pharmacists can work in a variety of settings, including:
- community pharmacies
- hospital pharmacies
- GP clinics
- aged care homes
- pharmaceutical industry
- defence services
- regulatory bodies
- government agencies
- research organisations.
Industry facts
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.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
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. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those 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 program director
My main clinical and research interests are in the fields of pharmacy practice, neurological and geriatric pharmacotherapy. I look forward assisting you with your studies.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or 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. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
What others are saying
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
UniSA’s Pharmacy Intern Training Program (ITP) provides intern pharmacists with specialised training and skills in pharmacy practice.
