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Discipline info for Australian students
Interested in Pharmacy?
Join a university ranked in the World Top 150 for pharmacy and pharmacology.1
Pharmacy is one of the most trusted professions in Australia and has enjoyed a strong presence in the community for over 150 years. Through promoting health awareness and providing expert advice on medicines, pharmacists contribute to the betterment of the community. Our Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) is South Australia’s only pharmacy degree, providing the pathway to become a registered pharmacist.
The pharmaceutical industry is rapidly growing, due to an ageing population and technological advances which make it easier and more cost effective for new medications to be created and tested. Our Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is also the only one of its kind in South Australia, so you can be at the forefront of the discovery, formulation, approval, evaluation and marketing of medicines.
You can expand your career opportunities when you study the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science/Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), a double degree that is the only one of its kind in Australia.
Our Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice gives intern pharmacists the opportunity to complete the Pharmacy Intern Training Program. In addition, our Master of Clinical Pharmacy is designed for registered Pharmacists wanting to take their unstoppable career further into research and practice.
12022 QS Subject Rankings
Key features
- Study the only professionally accredited pathway to become a registered pharmacist in South Australia.
- Join one of Australia's Top 10 universities for pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.1
- UniSA is one of the four founding universities of Australia's prestigious National Alliance for Pharmacy Education (NAPE).
- Study a curriculum informed by well above world-class research in pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences.2
- Gain practical experience in our on-campus, state-of-the-art pharmacy laboratory and pharmacy practice suite.
- Gain two qualifications with just one extra year of study when you complete Australia’s only double degree in pharmacy and pharmaceutical science.
1Ranked equal #9, Shanghai’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022. 22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people.1 As one of the World’s Top Young Universities2, 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.
As one of the World’s Top Young Universities2, we never rest on our laurels to find you the industry-relevant experience your future profession demands. Our enterprising spirit has made UniSA a renowned centre of innovation in the sectors driving Australia's future forward, including health.
Our pharmacy and pharmaceutical teaching staff are internationally-recognised and have a very practical approach to learning, which means you’ll get the opportunity to work on real-world projects and gain practical experience as part of your studies.
Our state-of-the-art, purpose-built pharmacy laboratory is the best place to hone your skills using the latest technologies in drug development and pharmaceutical sciences. Also, 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.
UniSA is Australia’s youngest university to receive five-stars in research3, and this excellence shines through in our teaching. We're inspired by challenges and opportunities, and partner with local icons and international organisations to deliver impact and change.
1UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. 2Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings. 32019 QS Stars Ratings.
UniSA offers the following Pharmacy degrees
Choose your level of study
Short programs
Are you looking to upgrade your existing skills to enhance your career prospects? Or perhaps you just have an interest in a particular subject area and want to further your experience, skills and knowledge. We offer a suite of short programs that will allow you to build your knowledge and skill set.
Designed in collaboration between external partners and expert academics, program content is industry-relevant and up-to-date. Short programs include:
World-class partners for a world-class university
We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.
Meet the Unstoppables
Meet some of UniSA's unstoppable graduates and explore how you can unlock your unstoppable career in Pharmacy with our world-class degrees.
Growth in Australia’s pharmacy profession is continually on the rise, with most pharmacists working in retail trade, health care and social assistance, or manufacturing. Career prospects continue to look very strong, with an expected 3100 job openings over the next five years.1
As a registered pharmacist, you can work in health 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
For pharmaceutical science professionals, employment opportunities are diverse. You’ll be qualified to take on professional roles in many areas, including:
- evaluation of medicines by government regulatory agencies
- identification and measurement of drugs by analytical laboratories
- clinical trials that test the efficiency of medicines in patients
- interrogation of medicine usage to improve health outcomes and minimise health costs
- marketing and sales of medicines for human and veterinary use
- research and development of new drugs and medicines
- manufacturing and quality control to ensure high quality medicines are produced
- intellectual property and patent law
1Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021
Global networks
As a globally connected university, our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We also have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.
Our students have completed placements and internships with organisations like:
- Community pharmacy banner groups including Amcal, ChemCentral, Chemist King, Chemist Warehouse, National Pharmacies, Priceline, Star Discount and TerryWhite Chemmart
- Public hospital pharmacy departments including Flinders Medical Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lyell McEwin
- Hospital, Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Independent community pharmacies
- HPS Pharmacies
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
- Therapeutic Goods Administration
- Drug and Therapeutics Information Service (DATIS)
- Mayne Pharma
- CMAX Clinical Research
- Australian Medicines Handbook
- Icon Group
Industry facts
See where a science career in health could take you
By choosing a career in the health and food industry, you can pursue exciting roles like developing innovative foods, promoting and managing diets and lifestyles, and conducting research for enhanced wellbeing. Explore your career options in health, nutrition and pharmacy.
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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 the other processes, either direct to the Academic Unit or through the Apply Online portal. 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. -
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
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)
I enjoyed chemistry and biology in school and always knew I wanted to study pharmacy. This double degree provides a broader range of knowledge about medications; from their discovery and development through to what information patients need to know prior to taking medications. A highlight of my studies was being awarded the SA/NT Pharmacy Student of the Year.
Rebecca Tattingham
Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science, 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
Why study at UniSA?
As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:
Accessible, helpful and flexible
We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.
Graduate success
UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
A five star university
Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2022 QS Stars Ratings
