Pharmacy courses

Studying a pharmacy course helps you understand how medicines work in the body and how they treat or prevent illnesses. As a pharmacist, you can make a big difference in people's lives by providing advice on medications and ensuring they are used safely. If you enjoy science, problem-solving, and working with others, a pharmacy course could be a great choice for you.

The course you choose depends on your career goals. If you want to become a pharmacist, you’ll need to complete a Bachelor of Pharmacy. If you have an undergraduate degree, you may like to expand your expertise with a postgraduate pharmacy course.  

If you're not yet sure or want to explore the field more, starting with a a single subject, such as Fundamentals of Pharmacology, could be a good idea.  

Open Universities Australia offers many course options, and you can compare courses to find the right fit. Other courses that may be of interest include: chemistry courses, public health courses, nursing courses, and management courses.

In a pharmacy course, you’ll learn about how medicines work in the body, how they treat different conditions, and how to safely manage medications. You'll study subjects like human anatomy, chemistry, drug interactions, and healthcare systems. You’ll also learn how to work with patients and healthcare professionals to provide the best care possible.

Entry requirements vary based on the course and level of study you choose. Undergraduate courses usually need you to have completed Year 12 or equivalent. But with Open Universities Australia there is more than one way to get into a degree. We may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Postgraduate courses often require a bachelor degree in a related field, like health sciences or biology. Some courses also accept work experience in healthcare instead of formal qualifications.

Get in touch to find out more about entry requirements.

After studying a pharmacy course, you can work in various settings, including:  

• Community pharmacies  

• Hospitals  

• Research and development departments

• Pharmaceutical companies  

• Public health organisations  

• Academia

You can also choose to specialise in an area like clinical pharmacy, drug safety, or even work in policy and healthcare management. 

Read more about a day in the life of a pharmacist for inspiration.

Becoming a pharmacist typically takes about four years of study in an undergraduate pharmacy degree, followed by a period of practical training, often known as a “pre-registration” year. Some students may take longer if they pursue further study or specialise in certain areas.

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.