Pharmaceutical Science Advanced - P3002
Monash has designed this advanced version of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science for high-achieving students who expect to pursue honours studies and a career in pharmaceutical science. It covers the multi-disciplinary chemical and biological science base used in researching and developing reliable, accessible and effective medicinal products, giving students an entire overview of the drug discovery pipeline from a coursework and research perspective.
A pharmaceutical scientist is trained to select new targets for drug therapy that arise from research. As a pharmaceutical scientist you will have the scientific and technical knowledge to translate new targets into reliable, accessible and effective treatments for patients.
The honours program
Your studies will culminate in the honours research program, designed to extend your discipline knowledge and provide you with a high level of expertise in critical writing, thinking and independent analysis and research. You'll gain practical and theoretical training in planning, undertaking and documenting scientific research projects.
Specialise in Pharmaceutical Science
During the first two years you will develop your understanding of the foundations of pharmaceutical science and of the relationships between the different disciplines and their distinct roles in drug discovery and development. In your third year, you will have the opportunity to choose elective units that excite and inspire and represent the state-of-the-art in pharmaceutical science education.
Be job ready
You will develop specialist knowledge and techniques and your understanding of the application of pharmaceutical methods and professional practices required in the workplace. In your final year you will gain practical skills through a major research project or industry placement and be ready for a career in pharmaceutical research, the biomedical industry and many other fields that require advanced chemical-formulation skills.
Use industry standard instrumentation
You will study with one of the largest and most productive groups of pharmaceutical researchers in Australia, the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and you will graduate having worked in industry-standard facilities, such as our Shimadzu high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) lab.
At a glance
Subject prerequisites
| English | Maths | Sciences / Other |
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Course Details
Location |
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Duration |
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Start date |
First Semester (February) |
Qualification |
Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Advanced (Honours), Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Advanced (Honours) (Scholars Program) |
Scholars program
We are excited to announce a new pharmaceutical science course offering for very high-achieving students - the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Advanced Honours) Scholars Program. This program follows the structure of the four-year Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Advanced Honours) course, and includes exclusive invitations to the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences seminar series, and a Dean's function. Domestic students are also eligible for a $6,000 per year scholarship.
The indicative ATAR for the course is 98.
Please note that the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Scholars Program has a different VTAC code than the standard Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Advanced with Honours. We encourage you to apply for both courses to ensure you don’t miss your chance of receiving an offer.
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Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements (Domestic students)
There are many ways to be considered for entry to a Monash University degree depending on your educational background and history. The below options reflect the academic requirements for the different applicant categories (or the highest level of education previously completed) to be considered for this Monash course. All applicants must satisfy equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites or equivalent tertiary units including the English language requirements.
Qualifications
Equivalent Australian Year 12
Completing Year 12 in the Current Year or within the Last 2 Years
Applicants with Recent Secondary Education
Started or Completed a TAFE Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Applicants with VET Study
Started or Completed a Bachelor Degree
Applicants with Higher Education Study
Finished Year 12 More than 3 Years Ago with No Further Study
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Alternative qualifications and prerequisites
For other domestic and international qualification entry requirements and scores for this course based on your prior studies, 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.
With a specialist course at Monash you begin study in your area of interest from day one. If you have a specific career goal or more specific field of study firmly in your sights, this may be the option for you. These courses are designed to ensure you have the right combination of skills needed for your professional field.
The course includes all the requirements of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science, developing through four themes. The first two, enabling science studies and pharmaceutical science studies, culminate in an applied projects and the honours research project.
Part A. Enabling science studies
Part B. Pharmaceutical science studies
Part C. Applied project and Part D. Honours research program
Making the application
Future students
Semester one (February)
Applications for on campus studies should be made online through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
Current Monash students
You may apply to transfer from another Monash course. Transfers are a competitive process. You may apply mid-year for available courses however consideration will be given as to whether you will be able to follow your course progression.
Please note that if you apply for a course transfer, you should still enrol in your current course as if you were continuing so as not to jeopardise your enrolment in the Faculty if your transfer application is unsuccessful. More about Course Transfer...
Self assess for credit eligibility
Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page
Fees
Fees are subject to change annually.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
The average annual student contribution amount for 2025 is:
A$9314
Note: see information on how fees are calculated.
Fee assistance
As a Commonwealth supported student, you may be able to either:
- pay all of your student contribution upfront, or
- defer payment through the HECS HELP loan scheme.
Full fee
Fees are per 48 credit points which represents a standard full-time course load for a year. The fees for 2025 are:
A$41,500
Scholarships
We offer over 360 types of scholarships, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments while others continue for the length of your course. Learn more about Monash Scholarships.
Other fees
The Student Services and Amenities Fee applies to some students each calendar year.