Postgraduate

Master of Pharmacy

This course provides advanced study in the areas of pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapy and health systems, and includes practical training.

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

What career paths are there for pharmacists?

Community Pharmacy
The most visible face of pharmacy is the community pharmacy. Community pharmacists are often the first point of contact for members of the community who need health advice or someone to talk to about their health concerns. This role as a primary health care provider carries a lot of responsibility as decisions need to be made about the best plan of action for your patient and whether referral to another health care professional is warranted. This responsibility requires not only sound professional judgement but also excellent communication skills. A pharmacist needs to be a good, empathetic listener and be able to communicate complex scenarios in a way that helps members of the general public understand their health issues and the various treatment options that may be available to them. This puts pharmacists in a position of trust and allows them to develop strong and often very long lasting professional relationships with their patients. For many pharmacists, this is one of the most rewarding aspects of their profession. There are also new roles evolving all the time for the community pharmacist, including immunisation, pain management, wound care and diabetes care. 

Hospital Pharmacy
A small army of pharmacists are an integral part of the health care team in hospitals, working together with doctors, nurses, and specialists to ensure optimum care for every patient. Often pharmacists become involved in clinical trials conducted in the hospital to evaluate the worth of a new therapeutic agent, or in hospital based research to look for new and better ways to manage patients and their medications. Hospital pharmacists may also specialise in a particular area of health care (for example oncology or infectious diseases) and become expert in the pharmaceutical management of what are often very difficult and complex health conditions. They also need to be excellent communicators, not only in their interactions with the patients on the wards, but also in their role as a member of an inter-professional health care team.

Consultant Pharmacy
These pharmacists work in general practice alongside general practitioners to review a patient's medications to optimise their therapy - this may occur in the home or at aged care and special needs facilities. All too often a patient becomes ill because their medications are not being taken correctly and this leads to a significant number of hospital admissions. Pharmacists have a role in preventing these unnecessary and unfortunate occurrences and in improving health outcomes.

Other careers for pharmacists
Many other career paths are also open to pharmacy graduates; some graduates work for pharmaceutical companies in the areas of marketing, regulatory control, clinical trial co-ordination, manufacturing, quality assurance or research in drug design and development; others become involved with government organisations or opt for a career in academia and research. With a sound scientific and clinical education, there are a wide range of options to suit individual interests and career aspirations.
What career paths are there for pharmacists?

Community Pharmacy
The most visible face of pharmacy is the community pharmacy. Community pharmacists are often the first point of contact for members of the community who need health advice or someone to talk to about their health concerns. This role as a primary health care provider carries a lot of responsibility as decisions need to be made about the best plan of action for your patient and whether referral to another health care professional is warranted. This responsibility requires not only sound professional judgement but also excellent communication skills. A pharmacist needs to be a good, empathetic listener and be able to communicate complex scenarios in a way that helps members of the general public understand their health issues and the various treatment options that may be available to them. This puts pharmacists in a position of trust and allows them to develop strong and often very long lasting professional relationships with their patients. For many pharmacists, this is one of the most rewarding aspects of their profession. There are also new roles evolving all the time for the community pharmacist, including immunisation, pain management, wound care and diabetes care. 

Hospital Pharmacy
A small army of pharmacists are an integral part of the health care team in hospitals, working together with doctors, nurses, and specialists to ensure optimum care for every patient. Often pharmacists become involved in clinical trials conducted in the hospital to evaluate the worth of a new therapeutic agent, or in hospital based research to look for new and better ways to manage patients and their medications. Hospital pharmacists may also specialise in a particular area of health care (for example oncology or infectious diseases) and become expert in the pharmaceutical management of what are often very difficult and complex health conditions. They also need to be excellent communicators, not only in their interactions with the patients on the wards, but also in their role as a member of an inter-professional health care team.

Consultant Pharmacy
These pharmacists work in general practice alongside general practitioners to review a patient's medications to optimise their therapy - this may occur in the home or at aged care and special needs facilities. All too often a patient becomes ill because their medications are not being taken correctly and this leads to a significant number of hospital admissions. Pharmacists have a role in preventing these unnecessary and unfortunate occurrences and in improving health outcomes.

Other careers for pharmacists
Many other career paths are also open to pharmacy graduates; some graduates work for pharmaceutical companies in the areas of marketing, regulatory control, clinical trial co-ordination, manufacturing, quality assurance or research in drug design and development; others become involved with government organisations or opt for a career in academia and research. With a sound scientific and clinical education, there are a wide range of options to suit individual interests and career aspirations.
Pharmacy Study and Careers Panel

Pharmacy students and grads discuss their exciting careers in all aspects of pharmacy practice

Pharmacy career panel

Find out how Pharmacy can open up a wide range of career paths for you

Pharmacy course overview

Hear from our 2020 national Intern Pharmacist of the year Wint Ye Phu

HEAR FROM A GRADUATING STUDENT

Master of Pharmacy graduate Hayley May Sach

Further Study

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Fees

Postgraduate – Full Fee Paying (FFP) & Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

The Annual Fee is an estimate only based on a standard annual study load of 48 points. (Courses may teach up to 72 points in a year)

 

FFP
For Full Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee. Visit the Fee Calculator select 'Postgraduate Coursework Fee-Paying' and chose your course to see the annual and total course fees.

CSP
For Commonwealth Supported Places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit. For an accurate fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator select 'Postgraduate Coursework Commonwealth-Supported' and chose ‘I want to price my units’.

Course Credit Points
120
Average Annual Fee (CSP only) - 2023
$9,133.65
Typical Fee Range (CSP only) - 2023
$4,124.00 - $15,142.00

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

RELEVANT SCHOLARSHIPs

Rural placement scholarships

This program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health as part of the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement.

Learn more about available scholarships below:

RELEVANT SCHOLARSHIPs

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.
RELEVANT SCHOLARSHIPS

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme

This program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health as part of the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement.

Learn more about the scholarship:

RELEVANT SCHOLARSHIPS
International Fees

Postgraduate – onshore students

Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points.

Course Credit Points
120
Total Course Fee - 2022
$104,500.00
Total Course Fee - 2023
$108,750.00

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate degree, find out the admission details below.

Domestic School Leaver

Assured Pathway entry to Pharmacy for domestic applicants

School leavers may be eligible to apply for a Assured Pathway to Pharmacy. Entry is on a competitive basis, with places being offered to the highest-ranking applicants. To be considered for a place, applicants must meet minimum eligibility requirements and must not have commenced any tertiary studies, including university degree studies or vocational training at diploma level or above.

Successful applicants who gain a place in a Assured Pathway will commence UWA undergraduate studies and, on completion, progress to their postgraduate degree. The Assured Pathway place in the Master of Pharmacy is conditional on successful completion of a UWA bachelor’s degree which includes prerequisite units and with a minimum Faculty Grade Point Average (FGPA) of 5.0.

Assured Pathway students may complete a UWA Bachelor of Arts, Biomedical Science, Commerce or Science. Students who wish to undertake a Assured Pathway via the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) (BPhil) must include this as an additional preference in their application (further information is below).

An Assured Pathway is specific to a place in a particular postgraduate course. Applicants should therefore ensure their application preferences reflect their true career aspirations. An Assured Pathway to Pharmacy cannot be transferred to a different postgraduate course. Assured Pathway students may apply for graduate entry into a different postgraduate course should their career aspirations change.

Domestic School Leaver

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a selection Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65%;
and
(c) demonstrated adequate knowledge of each of the following: chemistry (at year 12 or tertiary level), mathematics (year 12 or tertiary level mathematics or statistics), microbiology (at tertiary level) and pharmacology (at tertiary level);
and
(d) a current Australian National Police Certificate, or equivalent certification, indicating no criminal convictions. The currency of a National Police Certificate is 12 months.
International student

Assured Pathway entry to Pharmacy for international students

School leavers may be eligible to apply for an Assured Pathway to Pharmacy. Entry is on a competitive basis, with places being offered to the highest-ranking applicants. To be considered for a place, applicants must meet minimum eligibility requirements and must not have commenced any tertiary studies, including university degree studies or vocational training at diploma level or above.

Successful applicants who gain a place in an Assured Pathway will commence UWA undergraduate studies and, on completion, progress to the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) without the need to undergo further interviews. The Assured Pathway place in the MPharm is conditional on:

  • successful completion of a UWA bachelor’s degree with specified prerequisites and a minimum Faculty Grade Point Average (FGPA) of 5.0; and
  • retention of international student status

International Assured Pathway students will first complete a UWA Bachelor of Arts, Biomedical Science, Commerce or Science. Students who wish to undertake an Assured Pathway via the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) (BPhil) require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent) to be considered.

An Assured Pathway is specific to an international place in a particular postgraduate course. Applicants should therefore ensure their application preferences reflect their true career aspirations. An Assured Pathway to the MPharm cannot be transferred to a different postgraduate course. Assured Pathway students may apply for graduate entry into a different postgraduate course should their career aspirations change.

International student

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on—
(a) the admission requirements under Rule 4;
and
(b) an interview in which eligible applicants will be assessed based on the personal qualities considered desirable in pharmacists, with invitation to attend the interview based on Rule 4, in alignment with the interview quota for the year;
and
(c) the intake quota for that year;
and
(d) equal weighting of the WAM and interview.
OR
(e) direct pathway
OR
(f) Indigenous or rural pathway
PREREQUISITE SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS

Further admissions information

To be eligible to enrol in the Master of Pharmacy Program, you will need to have successfully completed units in either Year 12 or your undergraduate degree that fulfill our prerequisite requirements.

PREREQUISITE SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS
University graduate

Graduate entry to Pharmacy

Bachelor degree holders or students who are in progress of their first bachelor’s degree may be eligible to apply for graduate entry into the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm). Students who are in progress of their first bachelor’s degree may apply during their final year, with any course offer being conditional on completion of all bachelor’s degree requirements by 31 December of the year prior to commencement in the MPharm.

Graduate entry into the MPharm is a competitive process based on GPA and an interview process. Places are limited and are awarded to the highest-ranking applicants.

The MPharm is fully accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council. After completion of an internship in a community or hospital pharmacy, graduates are eligible to register to practise as a pharmacist in Australia: refer to MPharm course details for further information.

University graduate
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place. 

Graduate applicants require at least two successful years of full-time or equivalent degree studies undertaken in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America. Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 7.0. For more information visit ELC requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

Prerequisite checklist

Before you submit your application, complete our checklist to ensure you have fulfilled the prerequisite requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

Course details

This program provides a direct pathway to a professional postgraduate qualification in Pharmacy for registration as a pharmacist in this country. The Australian government predicts strong employment growth for pharmacists over the coming years, partly due to the expanding role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery.

About the course

This master's degree course provides advanced study in the areas of pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapy and health systems, and includes practical training in community and hospital pharmacy.


Master of Pharmacy

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • This course begins in January. This course works on non-standard teaching periods and requires attendance on-campus.
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 46 hours per week (over 13 weeks) which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 51500
CRICOS code
  • 051547J
Master of Pharmacy
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • This course begins in January. This course works on non-standard teaching periods and requires attendance on-campus.
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 46 hours per week (over 13 weeks) which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 51500
CRICOS code
  • 051547J
Full time/part time duration
  • 2 years (6 trimesters)
Degrees course is available in
  • Master of Pharmacy
Master of Pharmacy

Important dates

Intake Periods
  • Semester 1, 2024
Application Open
  • Wednesday 1 March 2023
Application Close
  • Thursday 31 August 2023

Refer to Admissions Requirements for information on eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Hear from UWA Master of Pharmacy students and academics

Master of Pharmacy

Who should study a Master of Pharmacy?

This degree is for people who:

  • Have an empathetic personality
  • Are good communicators  
  • Can see themselves working closely with other health care professionals
  • Like the thought of a career that comes with a lot of challenges and carries a lot of responsibility but can be tailored in many different, exciting ways
Join the 'Pharmily'

Hear from current students on their Pharmacy journey

UWA Pharmacy students talk about their journey
Student Experience

Janesha Rangi

Student Experience
Janesha Rangi
Master of Pharmacy

Graduate outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand the foundations of pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences
  • Demonstrate knowledge in primary care and clinical therapeutic areas, and patient assessment and consultation
  • Provide socially accountable person-centred care to address the needs of individuals and the wider community
  • Apply principles of pharmacy business management to develop a pharmacy business plan
  • Retrieve, critically evaluate and apply evidence in professional practice
Master of Pharmacy

Course accreditation

The Master of Pharmacy is fully accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council. Graduates are eligible to register to practise as a pharmacist in Australia after completion of an internship in a community or hospital pharmacy.

Graduate Pathways

If you’re interested in this area of study, gain an advantage by choosing to complete a Graduate Pathway which sees you combine your first degree with your second.
Master of Pharmacy

Work integrated learning

There are two experiential learning placements in the course exposing students to the practice environment and provide a platform for students to develop their professional, communication and clinical skills.

The first placement will be at a community pharmacy and the second rotation will offer students an opportunity to experience a range of hospital pharmacy environments.
Master of Pharmacy

Hear from our 2020 National Pharmacy student of the year  Kurtis Gray

School leaver pathway

If you already know what you’d like to study, our Assured Pathways combine your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, providing you with a clearer direction to your career of choice.

Our unique 3+2 course structure means you’ll graduate with a Master of Pharmacy, along with our Bachelor degrees including the Bachelor of Biomedical Science. This means after 5 years you’ll finish with a higher level qualification. Plus, you can demonstrate to employers you have a unique and in-demand skillset by selecting up to two majors and a variety of elective units in your Bachelor degree.

Reasons to study Pharmacy

  • Every student participates in a work based training (e.g. placements in community and hospital pharmacies), providing an insight into the various career pathways and an opportunity to grow your professional connections with pharmacists and healthcare practitioners.
  • Eligible students can participate in alternative placements in rural Australia and International locations.
  • Small yearly intake means students benefit from a lot of one-to-one interaction with academic and professional staff, particularly in the area of Pharmacy Practice, which greatly enhances students' professional interpersonal skills.
  • Through close association with other health professions at UWA, pharmacy students engage in genuine inter-professional learning during the course
  • Taught by world renowned academics who are leaders in their field.