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).

Why UniSA?

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 #46, 2022 THE Young University Rankings, Ranked #29, 2021 QS Top 50 Universities Aged Under 50. 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.

SA Health logo

Your career

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

Your Career

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

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In Australia, pharmacy graduates had the highest rate of full-time employment (93.2%) of any study area in 2021.

QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021

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To November 2026, healthcare and social assistance is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia – an increase of 301,000 jobs.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

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Healthcare and social assistance has been the primary provider of new jobs in the Australian labour market since the 1990s.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

Ask UniSA

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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)

Amanda Gardecki

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)

Wern Chern Chai

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)

Rebecca Tattingham.png

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

Fares Al-Sarawi

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:

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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.

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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.

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A five star university

Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2022 QS Stars Ratings