Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: January
- Cairns: January
- Mackay: January
Fees
$8,948.00+
$32,292.00^
+estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load
^estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Duration
3 years full-time
5 years part-time
Only Levels 1 & 2 can be completed part-time
Entry Requirements
ATAR 76
English (Units 3/4,C), General Mathematics (Units 3/4,C)
Recommended Knowledge
Chemistry (Units 3/4,C)
QTAC Codes
- 316161
- 326161
- 336161
Course detail
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).
Handbook year | Information valid for students commencing in 2024 |
Course code | 108409 |
Course type | Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8) |
Professional Accreditation Status | This program is accredited with conditions by the Australian Pharmacy Council. Students enrolled in this degree will be registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for the duration of their program of study or until they are no longer enrolled. Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
Owner | Academy |
College | Medicine and Dentistry |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | English (Units 3/4,C), General Mathematics (Units 3/4,C) Recommended Knowledge: Chemistry (Units 3/4,C) |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3a – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. Students also need to take note that in accordance with the National Registration Board’s requirement, they must hold a valid IELTS (academic module) minimum overall score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7 in each of the four components within 2 years prior to applying for registration upon graduation |
Additional selection requirements | Students will be eligible to be offered a position in the Research Honours major by the Academic Head if they have achieved an average GPA of 5.5 across level 1 and level 2 (48 credit points). Students that are not offered a position in the Research Honours major, or that are offered a position in the Research Honours major but decline this offer, will continue in the Professional Honours major for levels 3 and 4. Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria. |
Special admission requirements | A quota on entry into the research major may be applied depending on the availability of supervisors. |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure. |
Post admission requirements | This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, the requirement to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card, federal police check and/or other requirements that Students must comply with. Students must complete all Professional Experience Placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of all requirements in order to stay admitted in the course. You will find your course requirements here: https://www.jcu.edu.au/professional-experience-placement/preparation-checklists |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 99 credit points as per course structure |
| Post-admission requirements | Computer, textbooks and internet access is required. |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion, graduates of the course will be able to:
|
Inherent 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 visit: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) |
Reasonable adjustments | All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure. |
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
Year 1
Trimester 1
PC1001:03 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
PC1110:03 Foundations of Pharmacy Practice 1
CH1020:03 Preparatory Chemistry (if not already satisfied via previous study)
PC1320:03 Introductory Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacotherapy
Trimester 2
PC1002:03 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2
PC1210:03 Foundations of Pharmacy Practice 2
CH1001:03 Chemistry: A Central Science
Trimester 3
PC1103:03 Pharmaceutical Chemistry
PC1310:03 Foundations of Pharmacy Practice 3
PC1530:03 Introduction to Evidence in Pharmacy Practice
Year 2
Trimester 1
PC2100:06 Applied Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice 1
PC2540:03 Evidence in Pharmacy Practice Part 1 of 2
Trimester 2
PC2200:09 Applied Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice 2
PC2550:03 Evidence in Pharmacy Practice Part 2 of 2
Trimester 3
PC3300:09 Applied Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice 3
Year 3
Trimester 1
PC3400:09 Applied Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice 4
Trimester 2
PC4400:09 Applied Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice 5
Trimester 3
PC4600:06 Applied Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice 6
OPTIONS
Select a Major from Table A
TABLE A (Majors)
Type of major | Single |
Credit points in major | 15 credit points |
MAJOR | AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Townsville JCU Cairns JCU Mackay | Only available full time | |
JCU Townsville JCU Cairns JCU Mackay | Only available full-time Students must achieve an average minimum GPA of 5.5 across levels one and two (48 credit points) to be offered a position in the Research Honours major |
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Cairns | This course is offered in mixed attendance mode with compulsory weekly face-to-face attendance at the JCU Cairns campus. Compulsory residential attendance is required at the JCU Townsville campus in trimesters 1 and 2 of year 1 |
JCU Mackay | This course is offered in mixed attendance mode with compulsory weekly face-to-face attendance at the JCU Mackay campus. Compulsory residential attendance is required at the JCU Townsville campus in trimesters 1 and 2 of year 1 |
JCU Townsville | This course is offered in mixed attendance mode with compulsory weekly face-to-face attendance at the JCU Townsville campus. Compulsory residential attendance is required at the JCU Townsville campus in trimesters 1 and 2 of year 1 |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 3 years full-time accelerated or 5 years part-time (levels one and two may be completed part-time however levels three and four must be completed full-time) |
Maximum time to complete | 8 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 2 years |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Students who have not met Chemistry Assumed Knowledge Course Pre-requisites must enrol in CH1020 in Trimester 1 of their first year of study |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure |
Special assessment requirements | At the discretion of the College Dean, students may be required to undertake a prescribed English language test to ensure that they have an acceptable level of English language proficiency, including at least at the level required to be admitted to the course, to safely participate in professional experience placements. Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy |
Professional accreditation requirements | Nil |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure |
Maximum allowed | 27 credit points |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 5 years prior to the commencement of this course |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 11 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed the course of study prescribed for the degree |
Other restrictions | Credit will not be granted against CH1020 where Chemistry Assumed knowledge Course Pre-requisite has not been met. Credit will not normally be granted for subjects prescribed for levels 2 or 3 or 4 of the course |
Award Details
Award title | BACHELOR OF PHARMACY (HONOURS) |
Approved abbreviation | BPharm(Hons) |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | No majors will appear on the testamur |
Exit with lesser award | Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. Students who have completed 48 credit points of their professional course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Health Sciences. Students who have completed 72 credit points of their professional course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Life Sciences. |
Course articulation | Not applicable |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD8,948.00
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD32,292.00
A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
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.
Real stories
-
Student
Chris Simpson
Bachelor of Pharmacy
Other universities don’t have the experiences and exposure we have and it shows when we graduate. I like the hands-on aspect – it’s different from being in the classroom. Experiencing it in real life builds on what you learn at uni. When you step into the real clinical world you get that full exposure to everything.
-
Alumni
Kiralee Gross
Bachelor of Pharmacy
A lot of people think that pharmacists just stick a label on the box, but that's not the case at all. There’s just so many different opportunities available to pharmacists that not many people are aware of. It’s a really interesting degree that can take you many places.
-
Lecturer
Associate Professor John Smithson
Head of Pharmacy
JCU Pharmacy is one of the best places to learn the skills and knowledge to become a Pharmacist. We have one of the highest amounts of clinical placement time, allowing you to apply your learning and making JCU graduates highly sought after. After 20 years, you can find JCU Pharmacy alumni just about everywhere!
-
Employer
Nick Loukas
Pharmacist, Brand Manager and Alive Pharmacy Founder
I’ve worked with JCU Pharmacy students since the course began. We love having JCU Pharmacy students for placements and on staff. We employ JCU Pharmacy graduates as our first choice and have many working now in our stores.
-
Employer
David Aprile
Pharmacist Owner, Mackay Discount Drug Store
I have regularly mentored and employed JCU pharmacy students, interns and pharmacists. I have always found them to be knowledgeable with a good clinical understanding of medicines and drugs and with an attitude well suited to roles in community pharmacy.