Duration
Full-time: 4 years
Next start date
2025 Semester One – 3 March
2026 Semester One – 2 March
Available locations
Grafton
Points
480
Programme type
Postgraduate

Programme overview

Students can only apply to the BPharm(Hons) if they are already in
the BPharm programme of the University of Auckland. More information
regarding the BPharm is available here.

The BPharm(Hons) reflects the needs of contemporary and future pharmacy practice. The programme includes learning about drug development and delivery, patients’ use of medicines, and the optimisation of pharmacists' patient care through interaction with other health professionals.

The BPharm(Hons) helps students develop the necessary research knowledge, skills and insights to pursue future masters or doctoral-level study.

In your BPharm(Hons), you will integrate scientific knowledge and clinical skills in order to provide safe, competent and culturally appropriate clinical pharmacy services as a future health professional.

Through undertaking a BPharm(Hons) you will develop your commitment to patient-centred, evidence-based and collaborative, interprofessional, clinical practice to improve the health of communities.

Programme structure

The BPharm(Hons) is a 480-point, full-time programme. Students are admitted following Part III of the BPharm at the University of Auckland and complete a further 120 points of full-time study.

Courses previously passed for the BPharm will be reassigned to the BPharm(Hons).

Parts I, II and III

Students enter into Part II, having already completed Part I core courses in biological sciences, medical science and population health (60 points), plus courses prescribed for one other undergraduate degree at the University (45 points), and one course (15 points) from the General Education Schedule.

Year Two (Part II) requires three courses focused on pharmaceutical science, pharmacy and patient-centred practice (120 points).

There is also an English language competency requirement that must be met during Year Two (Part II).

Year Three (Part III) comprises two core courses on drug treatments and developing specialist understandings to enable clinical decision-making for various diseases (120 points), and to optimise patient care and health outcomes.

BPharm(Hons) component / Part IV

The BPharm(Hons) / Year Four (Part IV) requires completion of a research project (30 points) and two core courses (45 points each). The research project topic is in an area relevant to pharmacy practice or pharmaceutical sciences, and is carried out individually under the guidance of an academic supervisor. The research course includes research ethics, research proposal development, research methods, literature review, data collection, data analysis fundamentals, written research report and oral viva. In the two core courses, students refine their clinical decision-making in the context of complex patient populations.

Throughout Parts II, III and IV, a series of practice placements enables students to gain experience in appropriate clinical and health settings under the guidance of experienced pharmacists.

After graduation

After graduation, a one-year pre-registration training programme (internship) is administered by the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.

Registration as a pharmacist occurs after successful completion of the pre-registration training (internship) year.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

Year 2 120 points

  • Code:
    PHARMACY 211
    Name:
    Applied Science for Pharmacy
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    PHARMACY 212
    Name:
    Pharmaceutical Science and Practice
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    PHARMACY 213
    Name:
    Pharmacy 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    60 pts

Year 3 120 points

  • Code:
    PHARMACY 311
    Name:
    Pharmacy 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    60 pts
  • Code:
    PHARMACY 312
    Name:
    Pharmacy 3
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    60 pts

Year 4 120 points

  • Code:
    PHARMACY 701
    Name:
    Medicine Optimisation 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    45 pts
  • Code:
    PHARMACY 702
    Name:
    Medicine Optimisation 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    45 pts
  • Code:
    PHARMACY 789
    Name:
    Research Project
    Type:
    Compulsory research project
    Points:
    30 pts

Subjects available in this programme

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2024 entry requirements

Programme requirements

Students must have completed Part III (Year Three) of the Degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy from this University, with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher to be eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) final year. Students are required to submit an expression of interest as part of their online application process and will need to successfully complete a selection interview prior to entry into the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) programme.

Further programme requirements

Taught 480 points

Entry into the BPharm(Hons) is very competitive; only 10 students per year will be accepted into the programme.

Students who have previously been awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy will not be admitted.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$9,326.40*
International students
NZ$50,564*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $4,262.40 for full-time study (480 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025
1 July 2024

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

In New Zealand, the pathway to becoming a pharmacist includes successful completion of a Bachelor of Pharmacy or Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) degree, and a one-year paid internship in an accepted pharmacy setting outside the university. Pharmacy as a profession continues to evolve, and pharmacists now use their patient-centred skills to provide immunisations, health checks and monitoring. Pharmacists deliver enhanced medicines’ services in collaboration with other members of healthcare teams. Pharmacists also work in a range of health-based industries related to the manufacture, prescription and provision of medicines, as well as related industries, such as medical publishing or pharmaceutical marketing.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Community pharmacist
  • Hospital pharmacist
  • Health sector manager
  • Pharmaceutical researcher
  • Pharmaceutical writer
  • Medicines quality control pharmacist
  • Medicines regulator
  • Prescribing adviser

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

Your online help and support centre. Search our frequently asked questions.

Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

Our student support team is here to help. Use our online contact form.

Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

Auckland
923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513