University of Canberra
Master of Pharmacy
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Develop the scientific, clinical and decision-making skills required for pharmacy practice through pharmaceutical science, patient care, research and hands-on learning in real healthcare settings.
Course overview
The University of Canberra’s Master of Pharmacy prepares graduates to develop the scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning and professional skills required for contemporary pharmacy practice. You’ll examine how medicines interact with the human body while learning to assess patient needs and make safe, evidence-informed decisions about medication use.
Explore pharmaceutical science, chemistry, pharmacology, patient care and the clinical and regulatory aspects of pharmacy. Through laboratory classes, case-based learning and research, you’ll strengthen your understanding of medicines while developing skills in clinical decision-making and evidence-based healthcare.
Practical learning is embedded throughout the course through clinical placements alongside your academic study. You’ll gain experience in pharmacy environments including community and hospital settings, applying your knowledge to patient care while developing an understanding of professional responsibilities and healthcare practice.
The 48-credit-point course is studied on campus at Bruce, Canberra and completed in two years full-time. It is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council and provides an accredited academic pathway towards pharmacist registration in Australia. After graduating, additional registration requirements, including supervised practice and an accredited intern training program, apply before general registration as a pharmacist.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
$1,235 (CSP)
What you will study
To earn the Master of Pharmacy course, students must complete 48 credit points, equivalent to 16 units. Each unit is worth three credit points.
Required
Students must pass 48 credit points as follows:
- Research Planning
- Clinical Therapeutics 1
- Clinical Therapeutics 2
- Clinical Therapeutics 3
- Clinical Therapeutics 4
- Pharmacy Practice 1
- Pharmacy Practice 2
- Pharmacy Practice 3
- Pharmacy Practice 4
- Systems Pharmacology 1
- Systems Pharmacology 2
- Systems Pharmacology 3
- Dispensary Practice
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Pharmacy Practice 5
- Research in Quality Use of Medicines
Entry requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- A completed bachelor's degree in any discipline with a credit or higher average; AND
- A minimum of one unit (subject) of degree level (or higher) study in five of the following six disciplines - chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology.
Before undertaking any clinical placement, students are required to:
- Undertake a National Police Check
- Obtain a Working with Vulnerable People registration
- Provide immunisation history
- Hold both First Aid and CPR qualifications.
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible, you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course, please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previous studies or professional work experience that is relevant to your intended field of study at UC, you can gain credit towards your degree. This reduces the number of units you must take to complete your course, meaning you could finish your studies sooner and save money too.
For more information, please get in touch with the university or visit its website.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Developed independent cognitive, technical, and communication skills that underpin the safe and accountable practice of pharmacy and enable sound judgement in complex problem solving.
- Coherent and comprehensive theoretical and technical knowledge of the discipline of pharmacy, suitable for entering the Pharmacy profession as an intern pharmacist and as the basis for independent life-long learning.
- Applied creativity and initiative to plan, execute and communicate an independent body of research that can drive future areas of pharmacy practice.
- Integrated evidence-based research with a critical analysis of recent developments in health care, and an in-depth study of medicines management and patient care, across diverse contexts.
Career outcomes
With UC's Master of Pharmacy, you'll gain the expertise to advance into roles such as:
- Community Pharmacist
- Hospital Pharmacist
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical industry roles such as Research Scientist
- Regulatory, policy and government pharmacy roles such as Regulatory Affairs Officer or Pharmacovigilance Associate
- Medication Safety Pharmacist
- Pharmacy research or academic pathways
- Further study or specialisation such as research.
Fees and CSP
Commonwealth Supported Places
Average indicative full-course student contribution in 2027: From $19,760 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The indicative CSP amount is based on 16 standard 3 credit point units at the 2027 Band 2 student contribution rate of $1,235 per unit.
- Indicative CSP fee per unit: $1,235
- Indicative CSP fee per annum: $9,880
- Indicative CSP full-course fee: $19,760
The Australian Government subsidises part of the tuition fees for students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). Students pay the remaining amount, known as the student contribution amount.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated for each unit you enrol in.
- Based on the study area and EFTSL of the unit.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Eligible Commonwealth supported students may be able to use HECS-HELP to defer payment of their student contribution amount.
Full-fee paying place
Average indicative full-course fee in 2027: $72,000 (Domestic full-fee paying place)
The average full-course fee shown is calculated based on the 48 credit point (16 unit) course structure completed over two years.
- Indicative fee per unit: $4,500
- Indicative fee per annum: $36,000
- Indicative full-course fee: $72,000
Student fees may vary depending on:
- The number and type of units studied.
- Credit received for previous study.
- Annual changes to tuition fees.
You may also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee.
Student fees are subject to change. Contact the University of Canberra directly to confirm current fees.
