Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)

Learn about the practical use of medicines, preventative healthcare strategies and effective communication as you discover the essential role pharmacists play in the healthcare system. The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) is an accelerated degree that will equip you to work with confidence right from graduation.

Create a solid foundation for your degree in your first year, with subjects that introduce you to the key scientific principles and knowledge that underpin pharmacy practice. You will be supported to build your knowledge of core areas including chemistry, biology, physiology, pharmacology and anatomy. Learn from leading pharmacists and academics committed to helping you succeed. As high-school chemistry is no longer a pre-requisite for this course, students who did not study chemistry at secondary school will be required to complete Preparatory Chemistry as part of their degree.

Benefit from practical experience in placements from Year 1. From your second year, each trimester will combine practice-based and research-focused subjects. You’ll learn key research methodology and practice diagnosing and prescribing treatments for common self-limiting conditions. Develop knowledge of the management and treatment of many acute and chronic diseases, the medicines and treatments that are prescribed for them, and prevention strategies targeted at both individuals and communities.

Throughout the program, you will undertake research individually or as part of a larger group, mentored by an experienced pharmacist researcher.

Your final year of study will see you on the frontlines of pharmacy care, as you put all of your knowledge into practice in real-world settings. You’ll develop expert skills through working in low-resource settings (in both community pharmacies and hospitals), where pharmacists are filling the gap in health care by providing extensive services to their community. You will get to make a real difference to the health of regional, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as you gain a diverse range of experience.

With 644 hours of placement, JCU’s Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) degree has the highest number of clinical placement hours for any undergraduate pharmacy degree within Australia.

Upon graduation, you will be equipped to work in metropolitan, rural, remote, Indigenous and tropical contexts. Your extensive experience, in-depth knowledge and collaborative approach to work will prepare you to effectively work in any area of pharmacy practice.

View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects, as well as pre-placement requirements.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours).

JCU Pharmacy (Honours) graduates have extensive medical knowledge and are employed in a wide range of settings. You could find employment as a community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, work in primary care settings within multidisciplinary teams, work as a consultant pharmacist, industrial pharmacist, researcher or educator. You could also work in the Australian Defence Force, in drug development, in aged care facilities, health service management, government and much more.

JCU Pharmacy graduates are eligible to apply for professional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Entry score threshold

These are the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2024. Entry scores are based on the most recent Semester 1 intake and are updated in June each year. Meeting the threshold doesn't guarantee admission.

ATAR/Selection Rank: 76.00

Entry score range

This table shows the range of entry scores for recent secondary students offered a place in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) for Semester 1, 2024. The table includes offers deferred to Semester 1, 2024 which may have been assessed using the entry score threshold of an earlier year.

JCU Townsville

JCU Cairns

JCU Mackay

<sup>Notes:
<5 – indicates less than 5 OP/ATAR-based offers made.
* Refer to Adjustment Factors</sup>

Find out more about who you might study with by viewing this course’s student profile.

Adjustment factors

James Cook University applies bonus ranks under the Regional Preference Scheme and QTAC’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS). Learn more about JCU’s adjustment factors.

A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

JCU Prep provides a pathway into this course. Enrolling in this flexible program will enable you to meet entry requirements including subject pre-requisites and ATARs. Introductory academic subjects are also available to prepare you for tertiary study.

_{*Excludes entry into the Bachelor of Advanced Science, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Marine Science, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Nursing Science – Bachelor of Midwifery, Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), Bachelor of Physiotherapy, and Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours).}

Note the course QTAC code for the location you've chosen. You'll need to enter it as part of your QTAC application.

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

ATAR score is indicative only. Entry scores will be finalised in the major offer round.