BPharm - Bachelor of Pharmacy

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule
Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

There’s so much more to pharmacy than donning a white coat and counting pills. Pharmacists are experts in the safe and effective use of medicines. They fulfil a multitude of roles across the healthcare sector. Our Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) prepares you to work as part of healthcare teams in supporting the health of people and communities.

You’ll develop the patient assessment, clinical and professional skills necessary for effective interactions with other health professionals, patients and the public.

Programme highlights:

An integrated, experience-based programme developed with leading pharmacists and other health providers
An emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving, and using research evidence to inform clinical decision making
Ten weeks of real-world practice, learning in placements across the programme in pharmacy, clinical and other health settings
Many simulations, labs and workshops in our model-pharmacy teaching suite and world-class pharmaceutical sciences laboratories

There are two application categories for entry into the BPharm:

First year entry: Applicants may apply from either the BHSc or BSc at the University of Auckland
Alternative admission

Please note:

Entry criteria may change every year.
There is no direct entry from secondary school. School leavers are encouraged to apply under the First Year entry category.
Shortlisted applicants will attend a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
Special entry schemes are available for domestic students.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the pathway to becoming a registered pharmacist includes the successful completion of a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and a one-year paid internship in an approved pharmacy setting outside the University after graduation. Pharmacy as a profession continues to evolve, and pharmacists now utilise their patient-centred skills to provide immunisations, health checks and monitoring of long-term conditions. Pharmacists deliver enhanced medicine services in collaboration with other members of healthcare teams. Pharmacists also work in a range of health-based industries related to the manufacturing, prescription and provision of medicines, as well as industries such as medical publishing and pharmaceutical marketing.

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

PGCertClinPharm - Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy

PGDipClinPharm - Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy

MClinPharm - Master of Clinical Pharmacy

MHSc - Master of Health Sciences

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

We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

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Overseas qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained outside New Zealand, view our international entry requirements .

New Zealand qualifications

The Bachelor of Pharmacy is a Limited Entry programme and the selection criteria below is subject to the University Council Approval. The finalised selection criteria is expected to be available in May.

To apply for BPharm as a first year student you must complete the first year of the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc), or the Bachelor of Science (BSc) at the University of Auckland, or the Health Sciences First Year at the University of Otago . This must be completed on a full-time basis and must include the following courses:

Option A: Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) or Bachelor of Science (BSc), University of Auckland

CHEM 110: Chemistry of the Living World
BIOSCI 107: Biology for Biomedical Science - Cellular Processes
MEDSCI 142: Biology for Biomedical Science - Organ Systems
POPLHLTH 111: Population Health

The remaining 60 points must comprise of:

Three 15 point elective courses from your degree schedule
WTRMHS 100: Foundations for Effective Health Practice in Aotearoa (BHSc applicants) or WTRSCI 100: Contemporary Science in Aotearoa, New Zealand (BSc applicants)

Option B: University of Otago's Health Science First Year (HSFY)

CHEM 191: The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
CELS191: Cells and Molecular Biology
PHSI191: Biological Physics
BIOC192: Foundations of Biochemistry
HUBS192: Human Body Systems II
HUBS191: Human Body Systems I
POPH192: Population Health
Optional Paper

Interview Eligibility

You will need to achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 across the 7 first year courses listed above to be eligible for consideration for an admission interview (MMI - Multi Mini Interviews ). All University of Auckland applicants must also pass WTRMHS 100 or WTRSCI 100.

Interview Ranking

If eligible you will be ranked for interview invitation. This ranking will be based on your grades in the core courses (in bold above). If your final grades are not available at the time of interview ranking, an interim grade (highest possible) will be temporarily assigned. Official final results will be used for final selection.

Final Selection Ranking

Applicants will be offered admission to the programme according to the rank order until the available places in the category are filled. Interviewed applicants' final ranking is based on a weighting of the following components:

GPA for four courses (BIOSCI 107, CHEM 110, MEDSCI 142, POPLHLTH 111): 50%
Multi Mini Interview: 50% (a minimum threshold will apply, this will be determined year to year)

Please note that selection criteria may change from year to year. For further information refer to our FAQs or contact the Faculty directly on fmhs@auckalnd.ac.nz

Alternative Admissions

To apply for the BPharm under the Alternative Admissions entry category, applicants must have completed a minimum of two years of full time study in a relevant degree from a recognised university. Your last year of full time study must be no more than five years prior to the year of application. A minimum of 105 points over Semesters One and Two per academic calendar year is required to be considered as full time for BPharm admission. A typical academic calendar year is 120 points.

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree overseas but are unable to register with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand can also be considered under this category.

Interview eligibility

Applicants will need to achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 across your last two years of full time study to be eligible for consideration for an admission interview (MMI – Multi Mini Interviews ). Shortlisted international applicants will be interviewed over Zoom.

Interview ranking

Eligible applicants are ranked for interview invitations based on the GPA from their last two years of full time study. If your final grades are not available at the time of interview ranking, an interim grade (highest possible grade) will be temporarily assigned. Official final results will be used for the final selection.

Final Selection Ranking

Applicants will be ranked for selection based on a weighting of the following components:

GPA for last two years of study: 50% (a minimum GPA of 4.0 overall is required)
Multi Mini Interview: 50% (a minimum threshold will apply, this will be determined year to year)

Please note that selection criteria may change from year to year. For further information, refer to our FAQs or contact the Faculty directly on fmhs@auckland.ac.nz.

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

See if you meet the criteria for the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS).
Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.

Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

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. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

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

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.

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Please note: Late/incomplete applications are not accepted. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	01 July 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026

1 - 1

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

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

1 In order to be admitted to this programme, an applicant must have:

a(i)(a) completed the requirements for courses listed in Part I of the Bachelor of Pharmacy Schedule, or an equivalent programme of study deemed appropriate by the Programme Director, with a GPA of 5.0 or higher

and

(b) completed an approved WTR course

(ii) successfully completed, no more than five years prior to the date of application, a minimum of two years of full-time study deemed appropriate by the Programme Director with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher or equivalent

(iii) met the requirements of a special entry scheme

(iv) successfully completed an overseas pharmacy qualification but be ineligible to currently enter the intern pharmacist or pharmacist scopes of practice in New Zealand

and

b demonstrated in accordance with approved selection criteria the qualities determined by the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences as appropriate for a person seeking a qualification as a pharmacist. This requirement will normally include an interview.

Note: The applicant will also be required to consent to a Police check and a Children’s Act check.

2 Applicants selected for admission under Regulations 1a(ii), 1a(iii) or 1a(iv) may be required to successfully complete some or all of the courses listed in Part I in the Bachelor of Pharmacy Schedule before proceeding to Part II.

Note: This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

3 a A student enrolled for this degree must follow a programme of eight full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 480 points, unless credit is granted under the Admissions Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

b Enrolment for the degree will normally be continuous. In exceptional circumstances the Associate Dean Academic, on the recommendation of the Programme Director, may grant a period of suspension from enrolment not normally exceeding two consecutive semesters.

c Interrupted study may be resumed only with the approval of, and on conditions set by, the Programme Director.

4 Of the 480 points required for this degree, a student must pass Parts I–IV and any required courses as listed in the Bachelor of Pharmacy Schedule.

5 A student must complete the Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

6 a A student will not normally be permitted to enrol for Part II until Part I is completed, or to enrol for Part III until Part II has been completed, or to enrol for Part IV until Part III has been completed.

b A student who fails a course twice will not be permitted to continue with the degree.

7 A student who is required to meet the Academic English Language Requirement, as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic English Language Requirement, of the University Calendar, may be required by the Programme Director to substitute a course with an approved academic English language course.

8 A student enrolled for this degree must demonstrate competence in the English language, by passing PHARMACY 199, as prescribed by the School of Pharmacy, before being permitted to enrol for PHARMACY 213.

9 A student enrolled for this degree must carry out satisfactorily such practical or clinical work as the Head of School of Pharmacy may require.

10 a In order to complete the requirements for this degree, a student must meet the applicable fitness to practise requirements for this programme, as outlined in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences’ Fitness to Practise Policy.

b Where a student is being investigated with regard to a fitness to practise matter under the policy, and there is a concern that the student’s attitudes or behaviour are inappropriate, offensive, disruptive, or may pose a risk of harm to the welfare of any party, that student’s attendance at lectures, classes and any clinical, industry or practice attachments may be suspended by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences pending the outcome of the investigation.

c If a student is found, after due and fair inquiry, and taking into account any written response from the student, to be not fit to practise, the student’s enrolment in the programme may be suspended or terminated in accordance with the policy.

d Where a student’s enrolment in the programme has been terminated under Regulation 10c, any application to re-enrol may be declined.

e A student whose enrolment is suspended or terminated under Regulation 10c or their application to re-enrol declined under Regulation 10d may apply to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education for the appeal of that decision in accordance with the policy.

11 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

12 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2026.

Complete 480 points comprising:

15 points from Required course, and
105 points for Part I from the Bachelor of Pharmacy Schedule, and
120 points for Part II from the Bachelor of Pharmacy Schedule, and
120 points for all Part III from the Bachelor of Pharmacy Schedule, and
120 points for all Part IV from the Bachelor of Pharmacy Schedule, and
1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Required course

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

WTRMHS 100 - Waipapa Taumata Rau: Foundations for Effective Health Practice in Aotearoa (15 points)

WTRSCI 100 - Waipapa Taumata Rau: Contemporary Science in Aotearoa, New Zealand (15 points)

Part I from the Bachelor of Pharmacy Schedule

Complete 105 points comprising:

60 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
45 points from UOFAK - University of Auckland including child orgs at levels 100 to 400 Other Courses