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 ANDBMS264 Biomedical Physiology
Microbiology - BIO263 *Microbiology I or BMS203*Comparative and Human Microbiology.
Biochemistry - BMS261*Human and Comparative Biochemistry, BIO270*Biochemistry I.
Maths/statistics - MAS183 Statistical Data Analysis and Databases or MAS184 Biostatistics and Information Retrieval
Biochemistry and Microbiology (Combined) - PHA101 Fundamentals of Cell Functions I and PHA102 Fundamentals of Cell Functions II
* These units may require a pre-requisite unit such as BIO152 Cell Biology. Please contact the unit coordinators for further advise.
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 Examining Committee of the Australian Pharmacy Council 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. Does the Postgraduate Certificate enable me to practice as a Pharmacist?
No – A Bachelor of Pharmacy or Master of Pharmacy is necessary for you to apply 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 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.
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 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 20011 take place?
Assessment of applicants will take place in May and November 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 7.5 with a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components of the test.
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. This varies during periods where placements occur.
10. Is it possible to take the Master of Pharmacy part time?
Yes, we do have a part-time option across three 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 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 many other countries you will need to pass an exam and/or undertake a supervised placement in that country before registration is granted. We strongly advise that you check with the appropriate registration authority in the country in which you are interested in practicing.
13. What are the fees for the Master of Pharmacy?
The School of Pharmacy is happy to advise that the Master of Pharmacy is now offering Commonwealth Supported places to eligible students.
Please see www.goingtouni.gov.au for more details on HECS-HELP courses.
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 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.
15. When does the course start and what are the semester and trimester dates for next year?
For students wishing to commence the Master of Pharmacy after 2009 the course will now be commencing in January 2011, with January 2011 being the next intake.
16. I have been given an offer for the Master of Pharmacy but I am unable to start – can I defer my offer?
If you have not yet accepted your offer and would like to be considered for intake at a later date or if you have accepted your offer but would like to be considered for intake at a later date please contact Lyn Rigby at the Prospective Student and Admissions Centre.
17. I have been given an offer for the Master of Pharmacy – how do I enroll?
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.
The Pharmacy Act requires 2500 hours of practical training to be completed under the personal supervision of a pharmaceutical chemist in a community or hospital pharmacy in Western Australia prior to registration. 500 of these hours can be completed before graduation.
The aim of the experience is to give you an introduction and orientation to the practice of pharmacy. If you are not able to complete 500 hours prior to graduation, it will be necessary to complete it as part of the full 2500 hours after graduation.
For information on the 500 hours training see PCWA.
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 in Pharmacy Entry, contact Nenad Petrovic.
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