Pharmacy - P3001
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 2023 we were named #2 in the world for pharmacy and pharmacology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. This means that you’ll learn from experienced pharmacists and researchers and have access to some of the country's best-equipped facilities at our Parkville campus. We make sure our pharmacy students get plenty of practice accessing, assessing, and communicating medicines information to patients and to other health providers.
It takes a minimum of five years to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. Monash offers a unique Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) / Master of Pharmacy program (P6001) that will suit your needs should this be your goal. Alternatively, select 'Show more' to learn about the differences between the two course variations.
Should I enrol in the BPharm(Hons) or BPharm(Hons)/MPharm?
Domestic students: If you are a domestic student who wishes to initially commit to four years of study instead of five, you may want to enrol in the BPharm(Hons) in the first instance. You can choose to switch your enrolment to the BPharm(Hons) /MPharm within the first three years of the program. Note that the fifth year of study, which includes a paid internship, is required to register to practice as a pharmacist in Australia.
International students: If you are an international student who anticipates practicing pharmacy outside of Australia, you may find that the master’s component of our program is surplus to your home country’s registration requirements. In that case, you may wish to enrol in the BPharm(Hons). You can choose to switch your enrolment to the BPharm(Hons)/MPharm within the first three years of the program
Focus on the skills you need to make a difference
Our course ensures you have a thorough grasp of the underlying scientific disciplines – chemistry, biology, pharmacology and so on. But it also focuses on the key soft skills that make the difference between a good pharmacist and a great one. You’ll step up your skills through work placements in community pharmacies, hospitals, and other environments, practicing these skills while learning from some of Australia’s best pharmacists about primary health care, medicines information, and patient-focused pharmacy services.
Enhance your studies with an international experience
Pharmacy is a global profession and we want you to experience that in your degree. As part of our program, you can apply for exchange opportunities to our Malaysia campus. You can also apply to complete projects and elective placements in the US and the UK. We work closely with preferred partners to ensure that our international activities are interesting and ethical.
At a glance
Subject prerequisites
| English | Maths | Sciences / Other |
|---|---|---|
Course Details
Location |
|
|---|---|
Duration |
|
Start date |
First Semester (February) |
Qualification |
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) (Scholars Program) |
Flexible course options
The BPharm(Hons) is also offered at Monash University Malaysia and these students may have the opportunity to transfer to our pharmacy course in Australia after the completion of their first or second year. There is also the opportunity to complete a one-semester exchange during the degree.
Requirements to undertake your Student Experiential Placements (StEPs)
One of the key components of the course is to complete Student Experiential Placements (StEPs). Note that police and working with children checks are required prior to undertaking your placements.
Graduate Entry Pharmacy explained
Do you have a degree in biomedical science, health science, pharmaceutical science, or science? Investigate fast tracking your career with graduate entry into the third year of our pharmacy degree!
Why you should become a pharmacist
Pharmacy is not just about dispensing medicines in a corner pharmacy. Find out why you should become a pharmacist.
"I’m currently working as a Clinical Pharmacist on the Cockatoo ward which has a number of different specialties including gastroenterology, neurology and endocrinology. I work closely with doctors and nurses to provide great care to all our kids and especially love working with my patients who’ve received liver transplants to make sure they have the best outcomes." …
Why become a pharmacist?
There are so many career opportunities in pharmacy that can provide you a rewarding career and flexible lifestyle. Find out more!
"Visiting patients at home to assess their medication management, I work with them to implement strategies to improve their health and independence. My team includes pharmacists, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists and it has taken my career in an exciting direction that I never expected." Brigid McInerney, Outreach Pharmacist, Royal M…
Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy
Pharmacy is not just about dispensing medicines in a corner pharmacy. Find out why you should become a pharmacist
"When you're a pharmacist in the military, no two days are the same. Our team is responsible for the medical logistics of getting a field hospital out onto deployment and back again. We need to make sure that the team has all the medical equipment it needs, straight away" - Captain Wendy Lang, Pharmaceutical Officer, 2nd Health Support Battalion, Gallipoli Barracks, A…
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.
Extra Requirements
Police and Working with Children checks are required for Student Experiential placements (StEPs) and/or the Professional Experience Placement (PEP) program in clinical and community settings in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours). All students will be required to obtain and pay for a police check and Working with Children check prior to undertaking the clinical and community placements in their course.
Before commencing their professional experience placements students are required to show records that they have been immunised in line with the Department of Human Services' list of immunisation for health workers.
For further information or for clarification contact the placement program coordinator at pep@monash.edu
Inherent requirements
To complete your degree, you will need to demonstrate that you have the abilities, knowledge, and skills to achieve specific core learning outcomes, these are called inherent requirements.
Find out more about inherent requirements for this course.
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 develops through the four themes, the first three being enabling science, pharmaceutics and pharmacy practice which come together in the fourth, integrated therapeutics.
A. Enabling science
B. Pharmaceutics
C. Pharmacy practice
D. Integrated Therapeutics
E. Elective study
Partner with another course
Double degree courses allow you to study towards two different degrees at the same time, and graduate with two separate qualifications. And because a required subject in one course can count as an elective in the other, our double degrees take up to two years less than if you studied for the two degrees separately.
Making the application
Future students
Semester one (February)
Applications for on campus studies should be made online through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
Semester two (July)
This course is not available for Semester two (July) entry.
Enrolment considerations:
Successful applicants will be required to complete a police check, Working With Children Check (WWCC), and to provide a signed form from a General Practitioner that they have been immunised and have proof of serological status before commencing their professional experience placements.
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$45,100
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.