Pharmacy

If you're unable to start this course in Australia, due to COVID-19 restrictions, you can start this course on-campus at Monash University Malaysia in semester one 2021, then continue in Australia once restrictions are eased.

Find out more.The world needs pharmacists.

As the experts on medicines and the way they interact with the body, pharmacists play a vital role in improving the health of their communities.

As the global population grows and ages, and as medicines become more complex, the need for pharmacists intensifies.In 2020 we were named #2 in the world for pharmacy and pharmacology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Only Oxford ranks higher.

In part, this is because we believe the world doesn’t just deserve more pharmacists;

it deserves better pharmacists.

We’ve launched the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) / Master of Pharmacy to ensure our graduates go out into the world equipped with a higher level of learning.

The course develops through the six themes, the first three being Structure and Function of the Body, Drug Structure, Disposition and Action, and Professional Practice, which come together in the final three themes, Comprehensive Care, Inquiry and Innovation and Professional Experience respectively. This course will develop the relevant practical and analytical skills you require for pharmacy practice, as well as your generic skills such as oral and written communication, critical thinking, inquiry, learning for life, numeracy and information literacy and leadership.

A. Structure and Function of the Body (How the Body Works)

These studies will provide you with the foundational understanding and knowledge of the human body, including how cells, molecules and organs ensure proper functioning of the body. This will include studies of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry relevant to pharmacists. You will be able to predict the outcome of cell and organ dysfunction, as well as effectively communicate aspects of how the body works.

B. Drug Structure, Disposition, and Action (How Medicines Work)

You will learn the important aspects for a molecule to become a medicine, and how medicines produce their effects. This will include studies of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics relevant to pharmacists. These studies will equip you with fundamental and applied knowledge required to understand and assess pre-formulation, formulation, manufacturing and packaging of pharmaceutical products. This includes the understanding and application of how medicines get absorbed, distributed and eliminated from the body and mechanisms and time-course of drug response in the body.

C. Professional Practice (What Pharmacists Do)

These studies will equip you with the sociocultural context in which the pharmacist and the client operate, social and health practice issues, ethical, legal context of pharmacy, relevant professional and social values, attitudes and behaviours necessary for practice. You will develop the communication and practical skills to apply the knowledge and skills you have gained to promote and contribute to the quality use of medicines and to the health of the community.

D. Comprehensive care

Through these studies you will acquire knowledge about diseases and disorders and their management. You will develop an understanding and application of the relationship between pathophysiology and the rational design and clinical use of drugs in the management of various health conditions. You will gain and apply the knowledge and critical thinking skills in the enabling sciences, pharmaceutics and pharmacy practice to optimise pharmacotherapy in clinical practice.

E. Inquiry and Innovation

These studies will build upon problem solving and innovative thinking skills developed in previous units. You will apply these skills to plan and conduct a project, think critically, and explore innovative solutions in a laboratory, clinical, social or business environment.

F. Professional Experience

Embedded practice experiences during Stage 1 will prepare you to achieve the necessary competencies to enter the preregistration period. This will include 12 weeks in a variety of clinical settings to develop and give context for your skill development.

Once you enter Stage 2, you will undertake the Pharmacy Board of Australia required pre-registration year including the National Alliance for Pharmacy Education Intern Training Program (ITP) accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council. You will develop your skills in the workplace, focusing on the competencies required to practice as a registered pharmacist. You will also complete the Monash University Pharmacy Intern Foundation Program (IFP) that recognises additional professional knowledge and skills gained whilst working in a Monash credentialed training site.

In order to enrol in the Intern Training Program and Intern Foundation Program, you must have arranged to undertake your internship under the supervision of a preceptor approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

Qualifications

Equivalent Australian Year 12

Recent secondary education

ATAR requirements

ATAR - Parkville

90.05

Note Lowest Selection Rank to which an offer was made

84

Note Monash guarantee for 2021 entry

80.9

Note Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made

ATAR - Parkville scholars program

98

Note Lowest Selection Rank to which an offer was made

92.8

Note Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made ATAR Calculator Monash is committed to admissions transparency. View the ATAR and student profiles for this course.

Subject prerequisites

All applicants must satisfy the following prerequisites or their equivalents.

Australian VCE subjects

English

Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in English other than EAL

Maths

Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 25 in Mathematical Methods (Any) or Specialist Mathematics

Sciences/Other

Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 25 in Chemistry

IB subjects

English

At least 5 in English SL or 4 in English HL or 6 in English B SL or 5 in English B HL

Maths

At least 4 in Mathematics SL or 3 in Mathematics HL or 3 in Further Mathematics HL

Sciences/Other

At least 4 in Chemistry SL or 3 in Chemistry HL

VET Study

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites. Studies must have been completed no more than 10 years prior to admission.

VET: Due to strong competition for places, Certificate IV or Diploma graduates are unlikely to be offered a place. VCE VET studies will be considered.

Entire academic record: This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Applicants will not be admitted to this course solely on the basis of a VET qualification.

Higher education

University: As a minimum, the faculty requires you to have completed the equivalent of a full year of study in an undergraduate degree (e.g. science or biomedical science) with a distinction average (70% minimum) across all subjects. You should keep in mind that competition for places is often strong, and you might need a higher average grade. Prerequisite studies in Chemistry, English and Mathematics can be met at either the VCE or tertiary level.

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites. Studies must have been completed no more than 10 years prior to admission.

Entire academic record: This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Work and life experience

Multiple pathways to this course

Applicants who have successfully completed Year 12 are eligible to apply for this course.

Applicants with no formal secondary or tertiary qualifications are not eligible to apply for this course. This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

There are many ways to gain entry to a course at Monash. If you don't meet our entry requirements, there are pathways to help. More about alternative pathways...

Additionally, we recognise that some applicants may have experienced difficulties that have disadvantaged them when applying for university. We offer a range of special admissions schemes that may help you gain entry to your chosen course, including pathways for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. .More about special admissions schemes...

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites. Studies must have been completed no more than 10 years prior to admission.

Alternative qualifications and prerequisites

For other domestic and international qualification entry requirements and scores for this course use the study credit and admissions eligibility search.

English requirements

Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework Level 8 and Level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

100. 200. 300. 400. 500. 600. 700. 800. 900. 1000. 1100. 1200. 1300.