Career·Australia & New Zealand· 7 min read

Studying Pharmacy in Australia and New Zealand: Degrees and Pathways

Bachelor and Master of Pharmacy structures, accreditation and entry requirements for international students in Australia and New Zealand.

Last updated 24 June 2026

Key facts

Undergraduate route: Bachelor of Pharmacy (often Honours)
Graduate route: Master of Pharmacy
Australian accreditor: Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
Before registration: Supervised intern year + exams

Pharmacy degrees: Bachelor and Master routes

Pharmacy in Australia and New Zealand is studied through an accredited pharmacy degree, most commonly a Bachelor of Pharmacy (often offered with Honours) entered after secondary school, or a Master of Pharmacy entered after a relevant bachelor's degree. Both routes are designed to lead toward registration as a pharmacist once you complete supervised practice and any required examinations.

Program length, structure and entry category differ by university and by route. Some universities offer integrated or combined sequences. Confirm the exact degree, duration and applicant category on each school's official course page.

Bachelor of Pharmacy (often Honours) — after secondary school
Master of Pharmacy — after a relevant bachelor's degree
Both routes lead toward pharmacist registration

Accreditation is what counts

What makes a pharmacy degree useful for registration is accreditation. In Australia, the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) accredits pharmacy degree programs, and graduating from an accredited program is the standard route toward provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia via AHPRA. In New Zealand, accreditation and registration sit under the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.

Before enrolling, check that the specific program is accredited (not just that the university is well known) and that it leads to the registration pathway you intend to follow. Accreditation status is published on the relevant council's website.

Australia: programs accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
New Zealand: under the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
Verify the specific program's accreditation before enrolling

Entry requirements for international students

Entry into a Bachelor of Pharmacy usually requires solid secondary-school results, often with science subjects such as chemistry and biology, while a Master of Pharmacy requires a relevant prior degree and may specify particular prerequisite coursework. International students will also need to meet the university's English-language requirements.

Requirements vary between universities and between the Bachelor and Master routes, so read each program's official entry page. Because pharmacy involves later professional registration, also check the registration English-language standard separately — it can differ from the university's admission standard.

Bachelor: strong school results, often chemistry/biology
Master: a relevant prior degree plus any prerequisite coursework
English-language requirements for both admission and later registration

From degree to practising pharmacist

Completing an accredited pharmacy degree is the academic step; becoming a practising pharmacist also involves a period of supervised practice (an intern/provisional year) and required examinations before you can apply for general registration. In Australia this is managed through AHPRA and the Pharmacy Board of Australia; in New Zealand through the Pharmacy Council.

This means your study choice and your registration plan are linked. If you intend to practise in a specific country, confirm that your chosen degree and post-graduation steps align with that country's current registration requirements, on the official regulator's site — and see the registration guide in this set for the broader picture.

Accredited degree → supervised intern/provisional year
Required examinations before general registration
Australia via AHPRA/Pharmacy Board; New Zealand via Pharmacy Council

Frequently asked questions

Bachelor or Master of Pharmacy — which should I choose?

It depends on your background. School-leavers typically enter a Bachelor of Pharmacy, while applicants who already hold a relevant degree may enter a Master of Pharmacy. Both lead toward registration when accredited. Check entry requirements and program length on each university's official page.

How do I know a pharmacy degree is accredited?

In Australia, check the Australian Pharmacy Council's published list of accredited programs; in New Zealand, check the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand. Confirm the specific program (not just the university) is accredited before enrolling.

Can international students study pharmacy in Australia or New Zealand?

Yes. International students can enrol in accredited pharmacy degrees, subject to academic and English-language requirements that vary by university. Verify the requirements for your applicant category on the official program page.

Does finishing the degree make me a registered pharmacist?

Not by itself. Registration generally also requires a supervised intern/provisional year and required examinations before you can apply for general registration. Check the current steps with AHPRA/the Pharmacy Board of Australia or the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Australian Pharmacy Council — Accredited Pharmacy Degree Programs; Pharmacy Board of Australia (via AHPRA); Pharmacy Council of New Zealand; Study with New Zealand (official).

Last verified: 24 June 2026.