Course Overview

About This Course

Adelaide University's Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science is the only degree of its kind in South Australia, sitting at the intersection of chemistry, biology and biotechnology. It emphasises the development and commercialisation of pharmaceutical products, from discovery through to marketing.
First year covers basic science concepts while exploring the domestic and international influences on the pharmaceutical industry. You build essential skills in chemistry and biology, develop an understanding of the social, cultural and environmental determinants of health, and investigate the importance of pharmaceuticals to the health of Aboriginal Australians and disadvantaged populations.
Second and third year develop specialised knowledge, with the option to tailor your studies through specialist courses in chemistry, biosciences, clinical trials and marketing. Learning is hands-on in state-of-the-art pharmacy and chemistry laboratories, taught by researchers and academics, and you graduate with skills in bringing safe and effective medicines to market.
You complete 80 hours in an industry project or placement across a workplace setting aligned with your interests, and the skills built through the degree are transferable on a global scale across private and public sectors.
The program totals 144 units — 114 units of core courses, 6 units of work integrated learning and 24 units of electives — over three years at the Adelaide City Campus.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Commonwealth Supported

Duration

3 years full-time

Intakes

February, July

Study Mode

Full time or part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students
Prerequisite: SACE Stage 2 Biology, Chemistry or Physics (or equivalent)
Assumed knowledge: None
SATAC code: ABP128
Entry scores:
• 2026 cut-offs — Year 12 (ATAR-based): 72
• 2027 guaranteed entry — Guaranteed entry score (ATAR-based): 80
• 2027 guaranteed entry — Guaranteed entry score (Grades-based): A, A, B
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program.
• Work and life experience — Completion of an Adelaide University approved enabling, pathway or bridging program; OR A competitive result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT); OR Qualify for special entry
ATAR profile (2026 Semester 1 intake, ATAR-based offers):
• Highest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 98.8, selection rank 99.95
• Median rank to receive an offer — ATAR 82.8, selection rank 85.45
• Lowest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 66.9, selection rank 72.15

International students
Prerequisite: SACE Stage 2 Biology, Chemistry or Physics (or equivalent)
Assumed knowledge: None
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum entry requirements:
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program.
Indicative academic entry requirements by country:
• Australia — ATAR: 75
• Canada — Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD): 70%
• China — Gaokao: 65%
• Denmark — Studentereksamen (stx: Upper Secondary School Diploma): 4 (Fair)
• France — French Baccalaureate: 11.5
• Global — International Baccalaureate: 26
• Hong Kong — Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): 17
• India — CBSE and CISCE: 70
• India — State Board Examinations: 80
• Indonesia — SMA III: 78%
• Kenya — Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): B+
• Malaysia — Matrikulasi: 2.78
• Malaysia — Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM): 2.78
• Malaysia — United Entrance Certificate (UEC): 25
• Norway — Upper Secondary School Certificate (Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole) / Vitnemal For Videregaende Opplaering: 3.6
• Phillippines — High School Diploma (Grade 12) (Academic Track) K12: 87%
• Singapore — Singapore GCE Advanced Levels: 8
• South Korea — College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 320
• Sri Lanka — GCE A Levels: 9
• Sweden — Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate: 14.0
• Taiwan — GSAT %: 65%
• Taiwan GSAT — Score out of 60: 36
• Thailand — Matayom 6: 3.40
• UK / Global — GCE Advanced Levels: 8
• USA / Global — Advanced Placement (AP): 8
• USA / Global — America College Test (ACT): 22
• USA / Global — Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): 1130
• Vietnam — Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông (Vietnamese Year 12): 8
English language requirements (achieved within the two years before admission):
• IELTS Overall 6.5
• IELTS Reading 6
• IELTS Listening 6
• IELTS Speaking 6
• IELTS Writing 6

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Your employment opportunities will be diverse, including:
• Product developer/formulation scientist
• Medicinal chemist
• Quality assurance
• Biomedical researcher
• Pharmaceutical sales
• Medicine regulation
• Clinical trials research associate

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

APC

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units34 units

BIOL1018

Human Physiology 100

CHEM1005

Chemistry 100

PUBH1002

Health, Society and Systems

PHAR1004

Health Professional Essentials

BIOL1019

Human Physiology 101

CHEM1006

Chemistry 101

PHAR1003

Pharmaceutical Industry

STAT1000

Data Skills for Scientists

PHAR2008

Dosage Form Design 1

PHAR2014

Pharmacology A

PHAR2009

Dosage Form Design 2

PHAR2020

Drug Discovery

PHAR2012

Pharmacology B

PHAR3018

Dosage Form Design 3

PHAR2007

Drug Development 1

PHAR2006

Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics

PHAR3019

Dosage Form Design 4

PHAR3010

Drug Development 2

PHAR3011

Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Industry Experience

PHAR2013

Pharmacology C

CHEM2012

Structure Determination and Analysis

CHEM2013

Advanced Structure Determination and Analysis

CHEM2014

Synthetic Chemistry

CHEM2015

Advanced Synthetic Chemistry

PHAR1001

Introduction to Clinical Trials

PHAR2001

Non-Clinical Studies for Clinical Trials

PHAR3002

Clinical Trials Management

PUBH3019

Clinical Trials: Design and Analysis

BUSI1002

Management, Organisations and Leadership

BUSI1300

Principles of Logistics and Supply Chain Management

MARK1000

Marketing Principles

MARK1001

Consumer Behaviour

MARK2000

Marketing Analytics

MARK3002

Distribution and Route to Market

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total estimated cost of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science at Adelaide University?

Adelaide University publishes an indicative annual tuition fee of AU$52,500 for international students commencing in 2027, which is AU$157,500 across the three-year program. With the AU$354 non-tuition fee, the estimated total course cost is AU$157,854.

Does the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science include a work component?

Yes, the course includes a work component of 76 hours over 2 weeks, providing students with practical, hands-on experience as part of their pharmacy studies.

Where is the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science delivered?

The course is delivered at Adelaide University's Adelaide City Campus, located in Adelaide, South Australia 5005.

Is the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

The course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights if it meets all required criteria: it must be registered, be a Skills Level 1 qualification (which a Bachelor Degree is), have a duration of 92 weeks or greater (this course is 156 weeks), and its narrow Field of Education must align with the Skills Level 1 priority list. The course falls under Pharmacy (Field 0605), which should be checked against the current priority list.

What is the CRICOS code for the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science at Adelaide University?

The CRICOS course code for the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science at Adelaide University is 115742F, and the institution's CRICOS provider code is 04249J.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $60,000 to $80,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $80,000 to $100,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $100,000 to $130,000 per year

Career Paths

Pharmaceutical ScientistDrug Formulation ScientistRegulatory Affairs Associate / OfficerClinical Research Associate (CRA)Quality Assurance / Quality Control Officer

Key Skills

Drug formulation and dosage form design (tablets, injections, creams, solutions)Pharmacology — understanding drug mechanisms of action and therapeutic effectsPharmacokinetics — analysing how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolised, and excretedOrganic and medicinal chemistry — understanding how chemical structure influences drug activityLaboratory techniques including analytical instrumentation, HPLC, and spectroscopy

Full Course Overview

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