Doctor of Pharmacy

Overview

The Doctor of Pharmacy is a postgraduate coursework degree that provides advanced study in the areas of pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, and health systems. The course includes practical training in community and hospital pharmacy.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the Doctor of Pharmacy can pursue careers in community and hospital pharmacy, aged care, primary care clinics, the pharmaceutical industry, government health departments, and rural or remote healthcare. Opportunities also exist in research, academia, and public health.

Career Options

• 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.
• Hospital Pharmacy: Hospital pharmacists work together with doctors, nurses, and specialists to ensure optimum care for every patient.
• Consultant Pharmacy: Consultant pharmacists work in general practice alongside general practitioners to review a patient's medications to optimise their therapy.
• Other careers for pharmacists: Many other career paths are also open to pharmacy graduates, including working for pharmaceutical companies, government organisations, or opting for a career in academia and research.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

• For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study.
• Fees are subject to annual indexation.

International Student Fees

• Annual course fee: $48,600.00 (2025)
• Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Scholarships

• Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership, and community service.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

• Chemistry: Year 12 ATAR Chemistry or a tertiary chemistry unit
• Mathematics OR Statistics: Year 12 ATAR Mathematics or a tertiary mathematics or statistics unit
• Microbiology: A tertiary microbiology unit
• Pharmacology: A tertiary pharmacology unit

English Competency

• English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA.
• 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.

Selection WAM Calculation

• The selection Weighted Average Mark (sWAM) forms part of the eligibility and selection criteria for entry into this course.
• The UWA Admissions team will calculate the sWAM.
• Applicants must meet the specified minimum sWAM to be considered for a place in this course.

Course Structure

Year 1

• Take all units (60 points):
  • MICR5833 Antimicrobial Agents (6)
  • PHCY5601 Introduction to Pharmacy Practice (6)
  • PHCY5602 Integrated Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice 1 (6)
  • PHCY5606 Foundations of Primary Care (6)
  • PHCY5610 Physical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutics (6)
  • PHCY5611 Medicinal Product Formulation (6)
  • PHCY5615 Pharmacy Placement I (12)
  • PHCY5618 Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis (6)
  • PHCY5619 Medicinal Chemistry for Pharmacy (6)
  • PHCY5631 Professionalism in Action Part 1 (0)

Year 2

• Take all units (60 points):
  • PHCY5603 Applied Pharmacotherapy (6)
  • PHCY5609 Fundamentals of Research in Pharmacy (6)
  • PHCY5612 Integrated Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice (6)
  • PHCY5613 Management and Economics in Pharmacy (6)
  • PHCY5614 Pharmacy Research Project (12)
  • PHCY5616 Pharmacy Placement II (12)
  • PHCY5630 Applied Pharmacology for Pharmacists (6)
  • PHCY5632 Professionalism in Action Part 2 (6)

Work Integrated Learning

• There are two experiential learning placements in the course, exposing students to the practice environment and providing 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.

Course Accreditation

• The Doctor of Pharmacy (51500) is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) and is approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia as a qualification leading to registration as a pharmacist in Australia.
• Graduates are eligible to register to practise as a pharmacist in Australia after completion of an internship in a community or hospital pharmacy.

The University of Western Australia

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Overview:

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a leading research-intensive university located in Perth, Western Australia. It is renowned for its high-quality teaching, strong research output, and commitment to graduate employability. UWA is consistently ranked among the top 100 universities globally and is the number one university in Western Australia for graduate employability.

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Services Offered:

UWA offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic support:

Tutoring, workshops, and study skills resources.

Career services:

Career counselling, job search assistance, and internship opportunities.

Student wellbeing:

Mental health support, counselling, and health services.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options.

Sports and fitness:

Access to state-of-the-art facilities and a variety of sports clubs.

Clubs and societies:

A vibrant student community with numerous clubs and societies catering to diverse interests.

Study abroad and exchange:

Opportunities to study at universities around the world.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

UWA provides a dynamic and engaging campus experience for its students. The university boasts a beautiful campus with modern facilities, green spaces, and a strong sense of community. Students can participate in a wide range of activities, including:

Social events:

Concerts, festivals, and other social gatherings.

Sporting events:

Supporting the university's sports teams.

Volunteer opportunities:

Contributing to the local community.

Cultural events:

Art exhibitions, theatre performances, and music concerts.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class education:

UWA offers a high-quality education with a focus on research and innovation.

Excellent employability:

Graduates from UWA are highly sought after by employers.

Vibrant campus life:

A diverse and engaging student community with numerous opportunities for personal and professional development.

Beautiful campus:

A picturesque campus with modern facilities and green spaces.

Strong research focus:

UWA is a leading research university with a strong commitment to innovation.

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Academic Programs:

UWA offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Arts and Humanities:

History, Literature, Philosophy, Languages, and more.

Science and Engineering:

Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, and more.

Business and Economics:

Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Economics, and more.

Health Sciences:

Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and more.

Law:

Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Laws, and other law programs.

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Other:

UWA is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. The university has a strong focus on Indigenous education and research, and offers a range of programs and support services for Indigenous students. UWA also has a strong international presence, with students from over 100 countries studying at the university.