Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine / Master of Pharmacy

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Medicine / Master of Pharmacy at the University of New South Wales is a comprehensive five-year program designed for students who want to become highly skilled, practice-ready pharmacists with a strong foundation in medicine and patient care. It suits students interested in science, healthcare, and making a direct impact on community wellbeing, combining pharmaceutical science with clinical practice and professional training.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1
In the first year, students build a strong scientific foundation essential for pharmacy practice. You’ll study core subjects such as Chemistry for Health Sciences, Human Biology, and Pharmaceutical Medicine Foundations, gaining an understanding of how the human body works and how medicines interact within it. This year sets the groundwork for more advanced pharmaceutical and clinical learning.

Year 2
The second year deepens your knowledge of drug science and disease processes. Units like Pathophysiology, Pharmacology 1, and Pharmaceutics introduce how diseases affect the body and how medicines are designed, formulated, and used. You’ll also begin developing problem-solving skills relevant to patient care and medication management.

Year 3
In year three, the focus shifts toward applied pharmacy practice and therapeutics. You’ll engage with subjects such as Pharmacology 2, Clinical Therapeutics, and Pharmacy Practice, learning how to select and manage medicines for different health conditions. Communication and patient-centred care skills are also emphasized through practical learning experiences.

Year 4
The fourth year advances your clinical expertise and professional readiness. Through units like Integrated Therapeutics, Clinical Pharmacy Practice, and Professional Practice, you’ll work through real-world scenarios, applying your knowledge to complex patient cases. Experiential placements begin to play a key role, giving you hands-on exposure in healthcare settings.

Year 5
The final year is highly practice-focused, preparing you for professional registration. You’ll complete extensive clinical placements alongside advanced coursework such as Advanced Pharmacy Practice and Medication Management. This year consolidates your learning, ensuring you graduate ready to work as a competent and confident pharmacist.

Focus areas (in a string):
pharmacology, clinical therapeutics, pharmaceutical science, patient care, medication management, pharmacy practice, healthcare communication

Learning outcomes (in a string):
apply pharmacological knowledge to patient care, evaluate and manage medication therapies, demonstrate clinical decision-making, communicate effectively with patients and healthcare teams, practice ethically and professionally in pharmacy settings

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), ensuring eligibility to progress toward registration as a pharmacist in Australia

Reputation (employability rankings):
UNSW is globally recognized, with strong performance in QS World University Rankings and a reputation for producing highly employable graduates in health and medicine fields

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) at the University of New South Wales, learning goes well beyond lectures. From early in the program, you’ll gain practical skills through laboratory sessions, clinical simulations, and professional placements that reflect real pharmacy practice. Studying within UNSW Medicine & Health also places you in the heart of the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct, where education, research, and healthcare services come together—giving you exposure to modern clinical environments and industry collaboration.

These hands-on opportunities help turn your classroom knowledge into real professional skills:

Professional placements: Gain real-world experience through supervised placements in community pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare settings, where you’ll work alongside experienced pharmacists and healthcare teams.
Simulation pharmacy training: Practise dispensing medicines, counselling patients, and making clinical decisions in on-campus simulation pharmacies and compounding laboratories designed to mirror real pharmacy environments.
Case-based group learning: Work on clinical case studies and collaborative projects where you analyse patient scenarios and recommend appropriate medication and treatment strategies.
Laboratory-based learning: Develop hands-on skills in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and drug formulation using modern scientific equipment in specialised teaching laboratories.
Interprofessional healthcare learning: Study alongside students from other health disciplines within UNSW Medicine & Health, helping you build teamwork and communication skills essential in healthcare.
Research and innovation environment: Learn in facilities connected to the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct, where major hospitals, research institutes, and healthcare organisations collaborate on medical innovation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) at the University of New South Wales step into a healthcare profession that is both respected and in demand. With strong clinical training and pharmaceutical knowledge, many graduates go on to careers as community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists, pharmaceutical industry specialists, or clinical research associates, helping patients manage medications and improve health outcomes. As the healthcare sector continues to grow and pharmacists take on expanded clinical roles, your skills will be valuable across hospitals, community pharmacies, research organisations, and health policy settings:

Career and employability support: Students benefit from guidance through UNSW Careers and Employability, which offers career coaching, resume and interview workshops, networking events, and access to employer recruitment platforms.
Employment outlook and salary: Pharmacists are in strong demand across Australia, with a projected need for around 1,800 new pharmacists each year, and typical salaries averaging around AUD 105,000 depending on experience and workplace.
Industry and healthcare partnerships: Through UNSW Medicine & Health, students connect with hospitals, community pharmacies, and research organisations within the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct, providing valuable exposure to healthcare systems and industry collaboration.
Accreditation value: Pharmacy programs aligned with Australian standards are accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council, meeting the academic requirements needed to progress toward pharmacist registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia after internship and supervised practice.
Graduate outcomes: Pharmacy graduates work across many sectors including community and hospital pharmacy, pharmaceutical companies, clinical trials, drug development, regulatory affairs, and research institutions.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), graduates can continue their studies through specialised postgraduate programs in clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, public health, or healthcare management at the University of New South Wales or other leading universities. Students interested in research may also progress to Master’s or PhD degrees, focusing on drug development, pharmacology, or pharmaceutical innovation.