University of Queensland Pharmacy School

Program Overview - Bachelor of Pharmacy

University and Faculty:	The University of Queensland Faculty of Health Sciences
Program:	Bachelor of Pharmacy
University Location:	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
City Population:	2.1 million
Student Population:	45,500
Campus Location:	St. Lucia, Queensland
Program Duration:	Four years
Semester Intake:	February each year
Next Intake:	February 2014
Est. Annual Tuition:	$33,050 AUD (2013)

The study of pharmacy is mainly concerned with the action of drugs on biological systems and their applications for human drug therapy. The University of Queensland Bachelor of Pharmacy program prepares graduates for the contemporary role of the pharmacist in society, ensuring that patients optimise medication usage. Initial courses on chemical, physical and biological studies lead to professional specialties in later years. Practical and clinical science studies begin in first year, providing students with a strong background in professional practice.

The program integrates six streams of study: quality use of medication; dosage form design; social and professional aspects of pharmacy; drug discovery; biological fate of drugs; and data analysis in pharmacy.

Unique Features of the Program

Experiential placements are viewed as valuable, integral and essential for the attainment of a Pharmacy degree. During the four years of the undergraduate degree, these experiential placements may be in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry or other related health care sites as required by the teaching and learning requirements of the Pharmacy program curriculum.

Why Canadians Like the Program

Canadians like this program because the class sizes are smaller and staff members are involved in student productivity. As well, many of the Faculty professors double as working professionals in the field. This ensures that students receive this most up-to-date and practical information.

Professional Certification/Accreditation Information

Graduate qualifications in Pharmacy from Australian universities are recognized internationally. Graduates from Canada, who wish to become a pharmacist upon their return to Canada, should visit the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada website for accreditation and certification information: http://www.pebc.ca/

Before Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates can practise pharmacy they must be registered with the Pharmacists Board of Queensland as a pharmacist. To be eligible for registration they must complete 48 weeks of pre-registration training. Training may be obtained within a community, hospital, defence forces or industrial setting and must always be under the supervision of a registered pharmacist in the approved premises. During this pre-registration period, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Queensland Branch) administers a structured education program. Qualifications for admission to professional pharmacy are prescribed in the Pharmacists Registration Act 2001 and the Pharmacists Registration Regulation 2001.

Scholarships

Every student who applies (and accepts) via OzTREKK and commences his/her studies at an OzTREKK Australian university will receive a $500 scholarship from OzTREKK. Click here for more information about the OzTREKK Scholarship!

Admissions Criteria/Entry Requirements for Canadians

Applicants are required to have completed their high school diploma. Applicants should have completed Grade 12 English, Chemistry and Math to meet program prerequisites.

If you have commenced or completed a university degree or any post-secondary studies, your most recent studies will be assessed in terms of your grades. If you have not completed the necessary prerequisite subjects in your post-secondary studies, your high school transcripts will then be assessed for prerequisite subjects.

Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Meeting minimum entry requirements does not guarantee entry to the University's undergraduate programs.

Application for Credit

If you receive an offer to study in the UQ pharmacy program, you will be eligible to apply for credit and accelerate into Year Two of your studies. Please note this is only after you have received an offer.

Number of Places Available for International Students: 50

Number of Places Reserved for Canadian Students: 10

Application Deadline for the February 2014 intake: TBA. Applications are on a rolling admissions basis.

OzTREKK Admissions Officer: Rachel Brady