Career opportunities
You will have many opportunities as a pharmacist. You can work in, and/or own, a community pharmacy and enjoy close relationships with the local community by making medicine-related decisions, monitoring patient therapy, and consulting with physicians and other healthcare providers. Alternatively, you could work in a clinic and provide advice to patients and healthcare professionals about medicines.
As a hospital pharmacist, you are able to specialise in many areas, for example: diabetes, paediatrics, intensive care, respiratory medicine, infectious diseases, cardiology, mental health, cancer management, and more. Hospital pharmacists are a core team member and contribute to hospital ward rounds with the medical team, advise medical and nursing staff, and provide information to patients about their medicines.
Pharmacists also fulfil important roles in places such as the Ministry of Health, Medsafe (medicines registration agency), universities, drug companies, pharmacy regulatory bodies, Pharmac and the armed forces.
Finally, pharmacists can continue their education and complete graduate studies in a variety of disciplines including clinical pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, and social and administrative pharmacy and embrace additional careers in academia or industry.
Pharmacy with real impact
Discover how Pharmacy at Otago prepares you to improve health outcomes, work closely with healthcare teams, and make a real difference in people’s lives—locally and beyond.
Read transcript
Awanui Waaka:
Kia ora. My name is Te Awanui Waaka and I am in my third year of studying Pharmacy at the University of Otago. My experience studying at Otago has been amazing and it has opened many possible opportunities that I did not think of.
Pharmacists are the medicine experts within the health sector and are often involved in supporting the health of the people in the community. That is where my primary interest lies. It involves versatility—being able to both teach and help a patient, as well as make a difference in their day-to-day lives. You also get to work closely with other practitioners such as doctors, nurses, dentists and many others.
Hauora is a Māori philosophy that encompasses the four aspects, which are the physical, mental, spiritual and social dimensions of health. Otago University is unique, in that within Pharmacy you are taught how to apply these concepts within a real-life setting so that he can prove the service of a patient.
As a Māori, I am studying Pharmacy because I want to improve health outcomes for Māori and achieve health equity because New Zealand.
Professor Carlo Marra:
Hi, I’m Carlo Marra. I’m the Dean of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Otago. Why study Pharmacy? Well, Pharmacy is at the ideal time for people to begin their careers in this profession. It’s in an exciting time where pharmacists can do more than they’ve ever been able to do, and on a daily basis they’re increasing their scope. They can administer vaccines, many can prescribe, and they can do a vast array of healthcare interventions and healthcare consultations with health professionals and patients to improve patient’s health.
At the University of Otago, the School of Pharmacy, we have a very innovative program. We have a brand new curriculum that really focuses on patient care and on teaching pharmacists how to deal with patients and how to improve health outcomes.
So we start with foundational sciences in the first semester in that sort of, at the University of Otago what sets us apart from other programs, we have a very state-of-the-art professional practice laboratory, which is among the best that I’ve ever seen across the world. And we also have a patient care clinic where pharmacists interact with patients with high medication needs who come in, and we solve medication-related problems. Students are an integral part for both of those environments, and they get integrated into those environments to learn and to participate in patient care.
Once you receive your Pharmacy degree, you have a vast array of career opportunities available to you. You can practice in community pharmacies and do many of the exciting things that I’ve already mentioned. You can practice in hospitals, interacting with healthcare teams, interacting with patients, and really being the medication-related expert within the hospital setting.
You can work for government, you can work for the pharmaceutical industry and health policy and funding and medicine reimbursement. And you can also go on to your graduate training to improve your clinical knowledge or improve your knowledge such in a way that you can do research.
So in summary, I would just want to impart that doing Pharmacy is a very exciting career. There are some myths that exist about Pharmacy—that it’s very chemistry focused. I would like to dispel those myths and tell you that it’s very patient care focused, and it’s the application of science and patient care to improve outcomes.
What is pharmacy?
Pharmacists often work in community pharmacies, in hospital pharmacies and in medical clinics.
For these reasons, pharmacists are the health professionals you see most often. They're truly at the heart of healthy communities.
Pharmacists can continue on to become pharmaceutical scientists to develop new medicines – or with government and research organisations.
Some patients have chronic or ongoing health issues, and rely on regular contact with community pharmacists to help manage their conditions. Other patients have an acute (short-term) condition that can be treated by medication.
As a pharmacist, you can make an authentic difference to the lives of your patients, their whānau, and their communities.
What will I study?
After selection from Health Sciences First Year (HSFY), or from one of the other categories, you will commence your pharmacy degree in the second year of university study. Here you will build on the foundational sciences that underpin pharmacy such as drug design, delivery and pharmacology. You will learn about the practice and role of pharmacists in improving the health outcomes of patients and focus on person-centred care in clinical settings and patients in the community.
The integrated papers are supported by a comprehensive skills programme that teaches you how to apply what you learn to the practice of pharmacy. You'll get hands-on time in our Virtual Professional Practice Laboratory, where you'll use the latest procedures and technologies. You'll also get real-life experience at our pharmacy clinic – the only university pharmacy clinic in New Zealand and Australia – and 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 internship programme which is overseen by the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand. This is undertaken as paid employment at an approved site in a hospital or community pharmacy.
Admission to the programme
There are 120 places available for New Zealand students and some additional places for international students.
Admission to pharmacy is competitive, you can apply:
- At the end of Health Sciences First Year (HSFY). Entry is based on your grades achieved during this year. You will have a better chance of admission if you apply under the Single Programme Preference (where you only apply for pharmacy).
- In the Graduate category, once you have completed two or more years of University study.
- In the Alternative category.
We strongly encourage students who are of Māori or Indigenous Pacific descent to apply to Pharmacy. Please request this to be taken into account as part of your application.
Immunity status
Students who are admitted to pharmacy are required to be vaccinated during their first year of the programme, if necessary.
Refer to the Immunity status section of the Guidelines for Admission page
International applications
Persons who do not hold New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency should contact the University's International Office.
Postgraduate study
The School of Pharmacy has a comprehensive postgraduate programme, including pharmacy professional programmes up to master's level.
The School also offers research qualifications such as a master's and PhD.
How to apply
Application information for admission into the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) programme is available on the Division of Health Sciences website:
Pharmacy: Guidelines for Admission
Pharmacy qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacy (PGCertPharm)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing (PGCertPharmPres)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (PGDipClinPharm)
- Master of Clinical Pharmacy (MClinPharm)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study
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 strongly recommend you take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics 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 AskOtago first.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | Health Sciences First Year Course | 126 |
| Note: Students enrolled in the Health Sciences First Year course will be required to achieve a satisfactory mark in a standard diagnostic English test or another approved measure of achievement. | ||
| 2nd year | PHCY 210 Introduction to Pharmacy | 12 |
| PHCY 211 Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science | 48 | |
| PHCY 220 Integrated Modules A | 60 | |
| Note: Candidates for the second and subsequent years of the BPharm programme will normally have passed all papers for the previous year of study. | ||
| 3rd year | PHCY 310 Integrated Modules B | 60 |
| PHCY 320 Integrated Modules C | 60 | |
| 4th year | PHCY 410 Elective Studies A | 15 |
| PHCY 420 Pharmacy Practice Leadership and Management | 15 | |
| PHCY 430 Elective Studies B | 15 | |
| PHCY 431 Structured Practical Experiential Programme | 20 | |
| PHCY 432 Applied Pharmacotherapy and Patient Care | 55 |
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | Health Sciences First Year Course | 126 |
| Note: Students enrolled in the Health Sciences First Year course will be required to achieve a satisfactory mark in a standard diagnostic English test or another approved measure of achievement. | ||
| 2nd year | PHCY 210 Introduction to Pharmacy | 12 |
| PHCY 211 Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science | 48 | |
| PHCY 220 Integrated Modules A | 60 | |
| Note: Candidates for the second and subsequent years of the BPharm programme will normally have passed all papers for the previous year of study. | ||
| 3rd year | PHCY 310 Integrated Modules B | 60 |
| PHCY 320 Integrated Modules C | 60 | |
| 4th year | PHCY 410 Elective Studies A | 15 |
| PHCY 420 Pharmacy Practice Leadership and Management | 15 | |
| PHCY 431 Structured Practical Experiential Programme | 20 | |
| PHCY 480 Honours Research Project | 36 | |
| PHCY 485 Applied Pharmacotherapy and Patient Care for Honours | 58 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PHCY papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHCY210 | 2025 | Introduction to Pharmacy | 12 points | Semester 1 |
| PHCY211 | 2025 | Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science | 48 points | Semester 1 |
| PHCY220 | 2025 | Integrated Modules A | 60 points | Semester 2 |
| PHCY310 | 2025 | Integrated Modules B | 60 points | Semester 1 |
| PHCY320 | 2025 | Integrated Modules C | 60 points | Semester 2 |
| PHCY410 | 2025 | Elective Studies A | 15 points | Full Year |
| PHCY420 | 2025 | Pharmacy Practice Leadership and Management | 15 points | Full Year |
| PHCY430 | 2025 | Elective Studies B | 15 points | Full Year |
| PHCY431 | 2025 | Structured Practical Experiential Programme | 20 points | Full Year |
| PHCY432 | 2025 | Applied Pharmacotherapy and Patient Care | 55 points | Full Year |
| PHCY480 | 2025 | Honours Research Project | 36 points | 1st Non standard period (11 November 2024 - 8 November 2025) |
| PHCY485 | 2025 | Applied Pharmacotherapy and Patient Care for Honours | 58 points | Full Year |
| PHCY510 | 2025 | Evidence-Based Practice | 30 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHCY511 | 2025 | Patient-Centred Care | 30 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHCY520 | 2025 | Applied patient-centred care | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHCY521 | 2025 | Elective topics in patient-centred care | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHCY590 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (1 February 2025 - 31 July 2025), 2nd Non standard period (1 March 2025 - 31 August 2025), 3rd |
| PHCY621 | 2025 | Pharmacy Prescribing: Access and Equity | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHCY622 | 2025 | Pharmacist Prescribing | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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