Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
To register and practise as a pharmacist in New Zealand, a four-year University programme leading to a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree followed by 52 weeks of trainee internship at approved pharmaceutical establishments has to be undertaken. The Otago BPharm, the oldest university pharmacy degree in New Zealand, opens opportunities to practise as a pharmacist in various professional settings. It is a broad-based university programme in the physical, biological, social and health sciences.
What is pharmacy?
> "The School of Pharmacy gave me the knowledge, the skills, and the confidence to begin my career as a pharmacist. You feel that you graduate as a health professional with a vast knowledge base to build upon." > > — Kiri Aikman > Pharmacy Graduate
As the experts on medicines, pharmacists are essential members of the healthcare team. They have the skills and knowledge to help patients understand and use their medicines in the most appropriate way.
They are responsible for optimising medication use and may also be involved in the development and manufacture of medicines.
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences, and ensures the safe and effective use of medication.
Pharmacy is a varied profession, from manufacturing medicines through to optimising patient health-related outcomes and providing ongoing monitoring of their effectiveness.
The School of Pharmacy website has much more information about the pharmacy profession.
What will I study?
After selection from Health Sciences First Year, or from one of the other categories, you commence the second year of your four-year degree.
Here you will build on the fundamental sciences studied during HSFY.
You will also learn about the practice of pharmacy along with the legal and social aspects of healthcare which are continued throughout the course. You will then study a series of integrated module-based papers, where the focus is person-centred care in clinical settings and patients in the community.
The integrated studies teach you how to apply what you learn at university to the practice of pharmacy. During these studies, you will have opportunities to learn in different types of pharmacy environments alongside practising pharmacists.
Once you complete your fourth year and graduate, there is a one year pre-registration programme. You must register with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand to be eligible for the pre-registration training programme. This is undertaken as paid employment at an approved site in a hospital or community pharmacy. It is your responsibility to arrange the employment at this site.
Visit the School of Pharmacy website for more detailed information about studying pharmacy at Otago.
Background required
There are no subject requirements for entry into the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) programme, which makes up the first year of the Pharmacy degree, but we do strongly recommend you take chemistry, physics, and biology to Year 13.
HSFY must be your first year of university study and can only be studied at Otago.
If you are considering tertiary study before enrolling, you are strongly advised to contact Health Sciences Admissions first.
Registration of pharmacists
Admission to the practice of pharmacy in New Zealand is governed by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
It requires practical training carried out under conditions prescribed by the Pharmacy Council. This practical work must be carried out after the candidate has passed the Fourth Year Examination for the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy or Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours. Further details may be obtained from the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand, PO Box 25137, Wellington 6040
Entry requirements
Entry to the Health Sciences professional programmes
First year – general entry requirements
If you have done no prior tertiary study, your first year at Otago will be the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY). The HSFY programme is subject to the same general entry requirements as general bachelors' degrees at Otago.
Second year – limited entry
Admission to the second year of the Health Sciences professional programmes is competitive, and will depend on your academic record. For most applicants, this will be based on your grades in Health Sciences First Year papers, but there are also application categories for people with other relevant academic or professional experience.
For detailed information about the application categories and their requirements, please refer to:
General entry requirements
A university entrance qualification is essential for admission to the University of Otago for all types of programmes. You must also be at least 16 years of age by the first day of classes in your period of study and meet English language requirements.
Domestic students
You need to have met the New Zealand University Entrance standard, based on your achievement in secondary school or other prior study. Learn about the different categories for achieving University Entrance and what information you may need to provide with your application.
International students
Check recognised entry qualifications by country, and find out what documents you need to provide for a successful application.
English language requirements
First year
All students must be proficient in the use of English. If your first language is not English, there are several ways you may provide evidence of English proficiency, including through prior secondary or tertiary study, internationally recognised English language tests, and foundation language programmes.
The level of English proficiency required for undergraduate study is equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0, with no individual band below 5.5.
For details about what is accepted as evidence of English proficiency, please refer to:
Second year
All students enrolled in Health Sciences First Year who are planning to apply for Health Sciences professional programmes are required to take the HSFY English diagnostic.
For detailed information, please refer to:
About the provider
The University of Otago, New Zealand’s first university, was founded in 1869 and offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with a strong emphasis on research and academic excellence. Ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and 2nd in New Zealand, it is also 214th worldwide according to QS rankings. Recognised as the top university in New Zealand for student academic performance by the Tertiary Education Commission, 96% of its graduates either enter the workforce or pursue further study shortly after graduation.
Located in Dunedin, a vibrant student city where students make up 20% of the population, the University benefits from a unique atmosphere. Dunedin, on the south-eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, featuring Victorian and Edwardian architecture, picturesque hills, and wildlife reserves.
The University’s campus is ranked the 5th most beautiful in the world by THE Student Voice, enhancing the educational experience. The Otago region offers diverse scenery and is close to popular destinations such as Queenstown. New Zealand is rated the 1st most beautiful country by Rough Guides 2024, is renowned for its natural beauty, Māori heritage, and multicultural society, providing a friendly, inclusive environment for students and residents.