La Trobe's Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) is your path to a successful career as a pharmacist. Accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), this degree builds your understanding of how medicines can help in treating diseases, how medicines can impact people's lives, and the importance of patient-centred and individualised care. You'll develop the practical, technical and human skills needed to provide medicines to the public.

Based at our Bendigo Campus, you'll have access to La Trobe's on-campus training pharmacy as well as community and hospital networks.

In your first two years, you'll study the fundamentals in science – biochemistry, chemistry, physiology and pharmacology – along with pharmacy subjects. Across your next two years, you'll focus on subjects such as pharmacy practice and therapeutics (treatment of diseases). You'll delve into public health – examining issues in rural and remote Australia and across Indigenous communities. You'll also learn about the dynamic digital health space.

Choose a pharmacy course designed in consultation with our industry advisory committee, practising pharmacists and researchers. That way, you can be confident your skills are in demand. After graduation, you'll be eligible to complete a one-year internship and take the Australian Pharmacy Board exams to qualify as a professional pharmacist.

Industry experience is a big part of this degree. Use it to set yourself apart when you participate in a range of community and hospital placements throughout your degree, and hone the practical pharmacy skills you'll use in your career

As a qualified pharmacist, you'll graduate ready to start your career in a highly trusted profession. You'll learn:

Biochemistry, haematology and pharmacology: Understand how various biochemical and physiological systems of the body work and how diseases and medicines affect these systems.

Therapeutics: Understand how medicines can be used to treat diseases. Gain insight into Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) and the Australian healthcare system. Learn counselling and communication techniques that equip you to deliver patient-centred care.

Digital health: Learn about the evolving use of digital technologies in healthcare. Delve into the technological, clinical, social, legal and ethical impacts of the digitisation of healthcare.

Pharmaceutical practice: Develop expertise in the practical applications of pharmaceutical care, including drugs used in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, infections, endocrinology, psychiatry, oncology and palliative care.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8 – Bachelor Degree Honours.

Career outcomes

After graduation, you'll be eligible to apply to complete a one-year supervised internship and take the Australian Pharmacy Board exams to qualify as a professional pharmacist. You can then work in a range of settings, including hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmacy professional organisations, government agencies, pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies or research facilities.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) is conditionally accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). Graduates may be eligible to apply for registration upon completion of an internship. Graduates of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) may be eligible to apply for registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Professional registration may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.

Accreditation, registration and/or membership details for this course may be found on the La Trobe University website.