Study Pharmacy at JCU

Change people's lives. Make a difference.

Pursue a career that will set you up for the future

Be in demand, with the #1 pharmacy degree in Queensland for graduate full-time employment.^

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QUICK FACTS

LOCATIONS

Townsville, Cairns, Mackay

START DATE

February 2023

DURATION

4 years full-time, 6 years part-time

QTAC CODE

Townsville (316151), Cairns (326151), Mackay (336151)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ATAR 79.3

English (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry (3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (3/4,C)*

In Year 12? See below for more information.

*Don’t meet the entry requirements? No problem. JCU has a number of pathways to help you get to where you want to be. See below for more information.

Make a difference to people’s health and be in demand

Pharmacy graduates are Australia’s most in demand, with pharmacy undergraduate degrees being ranked as the number one study area for graduate full-time employment.* An industry that is projected to grow+, a career in pharmacy provides job security, flexibility, a range of career options and the chance to make a difference to people’s health each day.

A pharmacy degree will provide more career opportunities than you might expect including: retail, hospital, defence force, community, clinics, research, drug development, consultancy, aged care facilities, home visits, health service management, government and much more. Pharmacists can also benefit from flexible working arrangements, making it a great career choice for those looking to balance work and life.

Develop the knowledge and skills to launch your career with a degree from the number one Queensland University for full-time graduate employment for pharmacists.^

Where can a career in pharmacy take you?

Why study Pharmacy with JCU

#1

PHARMACY DEGREE IN QUEEENSLAND

#1 PHARMACY DEGREE IN QUEEENSLAND

For graduate full-time employment, skills development and learner engagement^. 

A 5 star degree

A 5 star degree

For teaching quality, skills development, learner engagement and overall quality of educational experience^.

BE IN DEMAND

BE IN DEMAND

JCU Pharmacy graduates are highly sought after by employers, with the JCU being ranked as having the #1 pharmacy degree in Queensland for graduate full-time employment.^

HANDS-ON

experience

HANDS-on EXPERIENCE

Develop strong clinical skills, with over 600 hours of clinical placement, one of the highest in an Australian pharmacy degree.

Balance

work, life and study

Balance work, life and study

Balance your work, life and study with the help of flexible study options.

Download a course guide

Our comprehensive course guide offers more details on careers in pharmacy, career opportunities, what you'll study at JCU, course entry requirements, pathways options and more.

Making a difference each day

“Every day I would come home from work in the community pharmacy and feel as though that I've made a difference in someone's life.”
Selina Taylor, JCU Pharmacy Graduate

Ready today for tomorrow

#1 pharmacy degree in Queensland for graduate full-time employment, skills development and learner engagement.^

Changing people's lives

“My job still excites me. I get to make a difference every day. My Bachelor of Pharmacy is not just a degree to me, it’s the opportunity to apply my skills, to create change and really improve patient care.”
Stevie Perks, JCU Pharmacy Graduate

FAQs

Ranked as the top pharmacy degree in Queensland for graduate full-time employment, skills development and learner engagement^ - prepare for career success with a JCU Pharmacy degree.

While studying your Bachelor of Pharmacy (honours) degree at JCU, you’ll:

  • Learn about the practical use of medicines, preventative healthcare strategies, and effective communication.
  • Study a comprehensive range of core subjects including chemistry, human anatomy, physiology, biology, pharmacology, therapeutics, and research.
  • Gain plenty of hands on experience, with over 600 hours of clinical practice hours, one of the highest in an Australian pharmacy degree. When you graduate you’ll be well equipped with the skills, knowledge and experienced to work in a range of settings from the outback to the city.
  • Develop a wide scope of practice through hands-on clinical practice in community and hospital pharmacies, in a range of diverse settings including metropolitan, regional, rural remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

"I studied pharmacy at JCU for four years and I had an awesome experience. The support was amazing and by the time I got to my internship I felt really ready to take on my career."

Tegan Stark JCU Pharmacy graduate

Pharmacists are in demand

Pharmacy is the number one undergraduate study area in Australia for graduate full-time employment.* A vital role in the healthcare industry, pharmacists are often the first point of contact.

A pharmacy degree will provide more career opportunities than you might expect including retail community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, defence force, research, drug development, consultant pharmacist, aged care facilities, home visits, health service management, government and much more.

Pharmacists can also benefit from flexible working arrangements, making it a great career choice for those looking to balance work and life.

EMPLOYER

"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.”

Nick Loukas Pharmacist, Brand Manager and Alive Pharmacy Founder

Entry requirements for JCU’s Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)

ATAR/rank 79.3
English (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry (3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (3/4,C).

Not sure if you meet the entry requirements? There are other alternate pathways to JCU Pharmacy. Get in contact with the team via email enquiries@jcu.edu.au or free call 1800 246 446.

Not everyone takes the same pathway to university.

If you don’t meet the course entry requirements, JCU has a number of pathways to help you get to where you want to be.

Pathway options

Certificate of Higher Education

If you meet the ATAR/rank for pharmacy but are missing Maths and/or Chemistry, then the Certificate of Higher Education is the pathway for you. You’ll complete the studies online in short intensive blocks over the summer period, preparing you to start your pharmacy degree in February.

Diploma of Higher Education

The six-month to one-year full-time course in Cairns and Townsville is designed to help you if you want to study pharmacy but need to improve or gain an ATAR/rank, or if you are missing the pre-requisite subjects. Maybe it’s been a while since you studied, or you didn’t finish Year 12. No matter your circumstances, the JCU team are here to help you succeed.

Do you have a question about your pathway to JCU Pharmacy

Get in contact with the team via email enquiries@jcu.edu.au or free call 1800 246 446.

Living on campus is a great way to meet new people and experience all that uni life has to offer.

JCU has a variety of accommodation options at JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas, JCU Cairns, Nguma-bada campus, Smithfield and Mackay. Discover more information about accommodation options here.

The Guaranteed Admission Plan is open to all applicants completing Year 12 in Australia.

If you receive an ATAR of 90 and above, you are guaranteed entry into most JCU courses with all subject prerequesites waived. Applicants awareded an ATAR of 73 and above will be guaranteed entry to most JCU courses, but need to meet the course subject prerequisites.

The team are here to help answer your questions

Contact us via email enquiries@jcu.edu.au or free call 1800 246 446.

Top reasons to become a pharmacist    |   Read the article

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The scope of a community pharmacist’s role continues to grow, offering plenty of diversity and opportunity. But what does the job actually entail and how do you know if it’s right for you? JCU graduate and Cairns-based community pharmacist, Claire Wade, shares what a typical day looks like for her and why it is such a rewarding career.

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Take the next step

Need assistance?

Our advisors are ready to answer your questions. You can schedule a call-back at a time that best suits you, or chat to us via email.

Stay informed

Get more information about studying Pharmacy at JCU, applying, scholarships and upcoming events.

Download a course guide

Our comprehensive course guide offers more details on careers in pharmacy, career opportunities, what you'll study at JCU, course entry requirements, pathways options and more.

JCU’s Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) degree is supported by

^ Good Universities Guide 2021, UG study area
* Graduate Outcomes Survey Data, 2021
+ Australian Government, Job Outlook

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