Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)

Summary

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.

Information for new applicants

Applications for Pharmacy:
Open: 1 July 2025
Close: 14 August 2025

Information regarding the guidelines for admission can be found on the Division of Health Sciences website.

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.