 Frequently Asked Questions
- I am considering future entry into the Master of Pharmacy program – what would be the best undergraduate degree for me to take at Murdoch University?
- I am a pharmacist from overseas looking to register as a pharmacist in Australia - should I apply for the Master of Pharmacy?
- Do the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Entry enable me to practice as a Pharmacist?
- Do I need to enroll in the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Entry if I only need to make up 1 or 2 or the pre-requisites?
- I don’t think I have covered all of the pre-requisites, so how do I apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacy Entry?
- Do Courses/Units taken in order to meet the pre-requisites need to be taken at Murdoch University?
- Where can I find the application form for Postgraduate admission?
- When will the assessment of applicants for entry in 2008 take place?
- What are the contact hours for the Master of Pharmacy?
- Is it possible to take the Master of Pharmacy part time?
- As an International Student will I be able to undertake the practical experience in Australia?
- Will my registration as a Pharmacist be accepted outside Australia?
- What are the fees for the Master of Pharmacy?
- Is there any help available for payment of the fees?
- When does the course start and what are the semester and trimester dates for next year?
- I have been given an offer for this August but I am unable to start – can I defer my offer?
- I have been given an offer for this August – how do I enroll?
- 500 hours information
- Who can I contact for further information?
1. I am considering future entry into the Master of Pharmacy program – what would be the best undergraduate degree for me to take at Murdoch University?
The bachelor of Biomedical Science provides the easiest route into the Master of Pharmacy because the core units cover all of our pre-requisite areas. Other courses at Murdoch University may also enable you to meet pre-requisite areas. Recommended units of study are listed below:
- Human Biology/Physiology - BMS101 Introduction to the Human Body OR BMS107 Principles of Vertebrate Physiology AND BMS264 Biomedical Physiology
- Microbiology - BIO263 Microbiology I or BMS203 Comparative and Human Microbiology.
- Chemistry - PEC144 Chemical Principles
- Biochemistry - BMS261 Human and Comparative Biochemistry, BIO270 Biochemistry I or CHI281 Chiropractic Biochemistry.
- Maths/statistics - MAS183 Statistical Data Analysis and Databases or MAS184 Biostatistics and Information Retrieval
 If you need more information on the above units please visit Murdoch Handbook.
2. I am a pharmacist from overseas looking to register as a pharmacist in Australia - should I apply for the Master of Pharmacy?
Overseas qualified pharmacists that are seeking registration in Australia should contact the Australian Pharmacy Examining Council (APEC) for an assessment of their qualifications as it may not be necessary to undertake further study. In the case that the qualification is not recognised, you can apply to undertake the Master of Pharmacy at Murdoch University, and you should follow the standard application procedure.
3. Do the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma enable me to practice as a Pharmacist?
No – A Bachelor of Pharmacy or Master of Pharmacy is necessary for registration as a Pharmacist in Australia.
The Postgraduate Certificate and the Postgraduate Diploma are provided in order that students can gain a formal qualification whilst meeting the Master of Pharmacy pre-requisites.
4. Do I need to enroll in the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Entry if I only need to make up 1 or 2 or the pre-requisites?
No – you can enroll in units on a non-award basis, but the FEE-HELP scheme is available for students enrolled in a course such as the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma.
5. I don’t think I have covered all of the pre-requisites, so how do I apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacy Entry?
You should apply for a position in the Master of Pharmacy course. If you have not completed the pre-requisites we will inform you and may offer you a place on the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Entry as appropriate.
6. Do Courses/Units taken in order to meet the pre-requisites need to be taken at Murdoch University?
No – as long as they satisfy the pre-requisites. If you are considering taking units specifically to satisfy our pre-requisites you should first check with the School of Pharmacy that their content will be acceptable.
7. Where can I find the application form for Posgraduate admission?
Click here to download an Application form for Postgraduate Pharmacy Entry. Please note that Referee reports are required for all students.
8.When will the assessment of applicants for entry in 2008 take place?
Assessment of applicants will take place in November and May of each year. A personal statement will be required as part of the entry requirements into the Master of Pharmacy program from all students, domestic and international. Also students for whom English is not their first language will need to provide proof of IELTS overall score 7.0
9. What are the contact hours for the Master of Pharmacy?
Typically 12 hours of lectures and 12 hours of laboratories/workshops per week for full-time enrolment.
10. Is it possible to take the Master of Pharmacy part time?
Yes, we do have a part-time option across three instead of two years, in which the first and second years of part-time study are approximately a half-time load but the third year is a full-time load.
International students are not eligible to undertake part-time study due to visa restrictions.
11. As an International Student will I be able to undertake the practical experience in Australia?
Please consult The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website for visa information.
International Students can apply to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs for permission to work as part of the Student Visa after commencing study in Australia. You will then be allowed to do up 20 hours per week during the trimester and unlimited amount during the vacation, which will enable the 500 hours component to be completed.
12. Will my registration as a Pharmacist be accepted outside Australia?
Australia and New Zealand have a reciprocal agreement enabling Pharmacists to work in either country. For most other countries you will need to pass an exam and/or undertake a supervised placement in that country before registration is granted. We advise that you check with the appropriate registration authority in the country that you are interested in.
13. What are the fees for the Master of Pharmacy?
Domestic students can use the calculator at: http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/fees
International students use: http://www.murdoch.edu.au/International-students/Courses-and-fees/
14. Is there any help available for payment of the fees?
Information about Austudy can be found at the Centrelink web site. (Austudy brochure)
Information about Pensioner Education Supplement. How do I qualify for PES?
All Australian Citizens and holders of Permanent Humanitarian Visas are able to access loans to pay their tuition fees under the Higher Education Loan Program (FEE-HELP).
You must be enrolled in the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Pharmacy to be eligible for FEE-HELP.
Students who are not eligible for FEE-HELP and are having problems making payments can arrange to make scheduled payments of fees through the Central Admissions Office at Murdoch University.
Note: You will be paid for the hours that you work during the 500 and 2000 hour placements.
15 When does the course start and what are the semester and trimester dates for next year?
The Master of Pharmacy program intake is only in August each year. The Master of Pharmacy runs on a trimester timetable (3 terms per year), while the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Entry run on the standard University semester timetable.
Trimester 1 2008: 7 January - 7 April 2008
Trimester 2 2008: 28 April - 28 July 2008
Trimester 3 2008: 18 August - 17 November 2008
Trimester 1 2009: 5 January - 10 April 2009
16. I have been given an offer for this August but I am unable to start – can I defer my offer?
It is not possible to defer an offer for a place on a postgraduate program. If you have not yet accepted your offer and would like to be considered for intake at a later date contact the Prospective Student and Admissions Centre. If you have accepted your offer but would like to be considered for intake at a later date please contact Robert Coltrona .
17. I have been given an offer for this August – how do I enroll?
You enroll for units online through MyInfo.
If you have problems using MyInfo go to the IT Service Counter located in the Murdoch Library foyer (08 9360 2000; itservicedesk@murdoch.edu.au).
If you have problems or questions regarding enrolment procedures contact the Division of Health Sciences Student Service Centre (08 9360 2682) or Felicity Bowskill in the School of Pharmacy (08 9360 1243; f.bowskill@murdoch.edu.au)
18. 500 hours training.
For information on the 500 hours training, click here.
19 Who can I contact for further information?
For information on the status of your application:
For advice on eligibility for admission to courses within the School of Pharmacy, or unit selection as part of your undergraduate degree or Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Pharmacy Entry, contact Robert Coltrona .
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