Female pharmacy student in Curtin pharmacy
BH-PHARM

Pharmacy

Bachelor honours degree

Develop pharmacy practice skills to prepare and dispense medicines, and provide advice.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Minimum ATAR 80
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
  • Duration

    Duration

    4 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    800
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    096304A
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2024

Summer Period

On campus

2025

Semester 1

On campus

Summer Period

On campus

2026

Semester 1

On campus

Summer Period

On campus

2027

Semester 1

On campus

Course outline

Overview

Overview

The goal of pharmacy care is to maximise positive healthcare outcomes and improve patients’ quality of life with minimum risk.

In your first year of study, you will learn the foundations of pharmaceutical science, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacy practice. You’ll also learn interprofessional healthcare, studying alongside students from other health science disciplines.

You’ll then study pharmaceutics, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, antimicrobial chemotherapy, pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. You’ll also continue developing your pharmacy practice skills.

During your studies, you’ll complete a minimum of eight weeks (300+ hours) of clinical placements. There are opportunities to complete placements interstate and overseas in hospital, community or industry settings.

After graduating, you must complete 1,824 hours (about one year full-time) of supervised practice to be eligible for general registration as a pharmacist.

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying.

What jobs can the Pharmacy course lead to?

Careers

  • Pharmacist
  • Pharmacologist

Industries

  • Clinical pharmacy
  • Community care
  • Hospitals
  • Retail pharmacy
  • Government
  • Research

What you'll learn

  • apply extensive knowledge and cognitive skills with initiative and judgement in professional pharmacy practice, and contribute to evidence-based practice through scholarship and research
  • apply critical thinking, creativity and reflection to plan and execute project work and/or provide solutions to complex pharmaceutical problems with intellectual independence
  • access, review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise information to resolve clinical, professional and scientific problems in pharmacy
  • communicate effectively as a pharmacist with a variety of audiences to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas for professional and research purposes
  • utilise pharmacy software and technology for pharmacy practice, scholarship and research purposes
  • demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning as a pharmacist
  • provide pharmaceutical services, and undertake pharmacy practice research, with sensitivity to political, social, cultural, geographical, technological and global influences
  • engage in high-quality, ethical and culturally-competent pharmaceutical service delivery and research as appropriate to individuals, as well as broader sociocultural contexts
  • work collaboratively and ethically within complex and dynamic practice and research parameters; demonstrating sophisticated skills for numeracy, literacy, technical writing and interpersonal communication

Why study Pharmacy at Curtin?

Five-star rating

#2 in Australia for teaching quality; #1 in WA for employment outcomes, skills development and overall experience (Good Universities Guide, 2025).

Work experience

You’ll complete clinical placements at community pharmacies and hospitals (with national and international placement opportunities).

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council.

Professional recognition and accreditation

This course is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council.

Graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration as a pharmacist with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

Caspar Townsend

I was initially drawn to pharmacy because of my passion for human biology and chemistry at high school. Through multiple placements, I’ve got to experience what it means to be a real-world pharmacist - and have even secured a part-time job in a community pharmacy alongside my studies. Beyond the course, being a part of Western Australian Pharmacy Students Association (WAPSA) and attending pharmacy social events has been loads of fun!

Caspar Townsend

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 80

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 80

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Chemistry ATAR and Mathematics: Applications ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Human Biology ATAR or Biology ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Not accepted. May be used to demonstrate English competence.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’

‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Not accepted. May be used to demonstrate English competence.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    Not accepted. VET study cannot meet the equivalent ATAR requirement.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Not accepted. May be used to demonstrate English competence.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  1. Completed 150 credit points
  2. A CWA of 70% or higher
  3. An academic status of Good Standing
  4. Met the ATAR Chemistry prerequisite (or equivalent)
  5. Met the ATAR Mathematics Applications prerequisite (or equivalent)

Prerequisite Information:

The ATAR Chemistry prerequisite can be met with one of the following Curtin Units:
CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry
CHEM1001 Biological Chemistry
CHEM1007 Fundamental Chemistry for Biosciences

The ATAR Mathematics Applications prerequisite can be met with one of the following Curtin units:
MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics
MATH1014 Foundations of Calculus
MATH1015 Linear Algebra 

Higher education course switcher criteria

Switching into this course from another higher education course provider is only available in Semester one. 

  1. A minimum ATAR/ Selection Rank of 80
    Note: Selection Ranks are assessed based on your tertiary studies
  2. Met the ATAR Chemistry prerequisite or unit/s assessed as comparable to ATAR Chemistry
  3. Met the ATAR Mathematics Applications prerequisite or unit/s assessed as comparable to ATAR Mathematics Applications

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

7

Reading

7

Listening

7

Overall band score

7

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

Please note: you must complete each year of this course before commencing the next.

Ranking and Selection Process

Entry to this course is competitive, with limited places available. For applicants who apply direct to Curtin, offers will be made in the following distinct rounds. Please submit your application and documentation as soon as possible.

  • Round 1: 28 June 2024
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 23 June 2024 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 2: 30 August 2024
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 25 August 2024 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 3: 31 October 2024
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 26 October 2024 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 4: 3 December 2024
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 29 November 2024 will be ranked and assessed for offer.

School leaver applicants to refer to TISC – important dates
A limited number of at-school offers may be available to School leaver applicants with outstanding results.

Please note:

  • Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.
  • Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.
  • Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.
  • Applicants with outstanding results will only be considered for an offer upon submission of the results.
  • Eligible applicants will remain in the ranking pool until the conclusion of all offer rounds.
  •  In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and scholarships

Fee information is not available for this course at this time. Find estimated course fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2024

Summer Period
  • On campus

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus
Summer Period
  • On campus

2026

Semester 1
  • On campus
Summer Period
  • On campus

2027

Semester 1
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now
  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: BH-PHARM
  • CRICOS code: 096304A
  • Last updated on: 30 December 2024

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