FAQ - Clinical Pharmacy

Frequently Asked Questions

 Also available to download as a PDF here

  • How many intakes are there each year?
    There is one intake each year, commencing in Semester 1 (February). There is no intake in Semester 2.
     
  • Can I undertake the program if I reside interstate?
    At present, the program is not offered via external mode or “distance education”. However, the program is structured in a way that allows interstate students to undertake it. A standard part-time student would be required to travel and attend four one-week teaching blocks per year (note: we are currently in the process of changing the structure and delivery of the program, including reducing the amount of class attendance required in Brisbane). 

    Exams are held in June and November and can be undertaken online from any location. We currently have a number of students studying from rural Queensland, or interstate, eg. New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania.
     
  • Are the block teaching weeks compulsory?  Can any component of the programs be undertaken entirely from interstate?
    Attendance at each of the teaching blocks for the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy is compulsory. If you are enrolled in the Master of Clinical Pharmacy, it is possible to undertake PHRM8010 General Pharmacy Clerkship and PHRM7070 Masters Research Project, entirely from interstate (not overseas). 

    If you are enrolled in the Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy, it is possible to undertake the #12 units of Clinical Pharmacy Specialty electives and PHRM8021 Doctorate Research Project, entirely from interstate (not overseas).
     
  • If I am travelling from interstate, where can I stay?
    Students from interstate often stay near the Mater Hospital in South Brisbane or South Bank, near the river in the heart of the city, since there is plenty of accommodation in the area. Please see the following website for accommodation options at South Bank:  http://www.needitnow.com.au/Southbank_Brisbane_Accommodation.html.

    Alternatively, you may wish to wait and see where most of the sessions are being held in each block and then book accommodation nearby. Block days and orientation sessions will be held at RBWH, Herston and School of Pharmacy, PACE building, Woolloongabba. Public transport options include buses, trains and ferries. For timetable information, consult the TransLink Journey Planner. 
     
  • If I am not a registered pharmacist in Australia, am I still eligible to apply for the postgraduate programs in Clinical Pharmacy?
    You may be registered as a pharmacist overseas, to be eligible to apply for the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy, or the Master of Clinical Pharmacy. However, you must be registered in Australia to be eligible to undertake the Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy, since you need to be a practising pharmacist whilst undertaking the #12 units of Clinical Pharmacy Specialty electives in the program. 
     
  • If I am not a registered pharmacist in Australia, will completion of a postgraduate program in Clinical Pharmacy allow me to become registered in Australia?
    Completion of the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or the Master of Clinical Pharmacy does not allow you to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. To become registered in Australia, you would normally need to complete a Bachelor of Pharmacy (or equivalent) in Australia followed by a pre-registration practical training period. Alternatively, APEC (the Australian Pharmacy Examining Committee) may assist overseas-trained pharmacists to obtain registration to practice as a pharmacist in Australia. Please refer to the following website for further information: http://www.apec.asn.au/
     

  • How do I apply?

    Closing Dates for Admissions
    Applications for entry to the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters and Doctorate programs must be received by:

    • 30 November - Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens
    • 30 November - International students

    Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident and New Zealand Citizen Students
    Applications for the Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy programs are now online. To apply, please follow the links below:

    International Students
    Further information on applying as an international student is available at the UQ International site 

  • What do I need to include with my application for admission?
    You need to include:

    • a certified copy of your academic transcript of results and testamur
    • Please Note: If you are a UQ graduate, you do not need to provide a copy of your academic transcript, since we can access these records.
    • a curriculum vitae and any supporting documentation you may wish to provide.  
    • proof of registration as a pharmacist in Australia or overseas

    • If you are applying for a Commonwealth Supported Place, please visit the program fees page to find out what you need to submit with the above Postgraduate Coursework application.

Please note that you must complete “Section 6 Referees and Employment History” of the Postgraduate Coursework Application form (for domestic students). That is, referee details are required. Depending on an applicant’s work experience, the Program Coordinator may sometimes need to contact the referees.

Please Note: You will still need to post a certified copy of your academic transcript & testamur, curriculum vitae and any other supporting documentation to: 

  • Postgraduate Coursework Student Officer
    School of Pharmacy (PACE)
    The University of Queensland
    St Lucia, QLD 4072
  • Can I apply for credit?
    The Head of School is able to grant credit for prior studies. For example, you may have completed postgraduate level pharmacy subjects elsewhere, which you believe may be equivalent to UQ’s clinical pharmacy courses. If you wish to apply for credit, please fill in details on the online application form, and attach detailed subject outlines of your prior studies to your application, as well as a certified copy of your official academic transcript of results so that an assessment can be made.
     
  • How many hours per week do I need to spend studying in-between the teaching blocks?
    You will be expected to spend a number of hours studying and writing assignments in-between each teaching block. The number of hours will depend on your academic ability and how well you manage the set assessments.  
    A full-time student might expect to spend an average of 40 hours per week, whereas a standard part-time student might expect to spend an average of 20 hours per week.

  • Can I take time off from my studies?
    If you are unable to study for a semester and wish to interrupt your studies, you can do so by simply not enrolling in a subsequent semester. If you are already enrolled and no longer wish to study in a certain semester, you must cancel your enrolment via mySI-net before the census date, to avoid financial liability. Please see http://www.uq.edu.au/myadvisor/interrupting-studies for further information. International students please note that interruptions to your study are only permitted in compelling or compassionate circumstances and prior approval must be sought in all cases. Please refer to the website above for further details.
     
  • Is there a time limit in which to complete my studies?
    If you do not complete the program within the time limits specified in the General Award Rules, you may lose credit and will be required to do additional work to complete the program. Please refer to the General Award Rules at the University Rules page. Refer to “Section 1.8 Cancellation of Credit” for details.
     
  • Can I exit with a lower award?
    You may request approval from the Executive Dean to exit with a lower award. For example, if you initially enrol in a Master of Clinical Pharmacy and find that you can no longer continue studies after completion of the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma component, you may apply to exit with the award for which you have satisfied the requirements.  
     
  • What are the career opportunities and professional development opportunities for graduates?
    Opportunities for graduates of the Clinical Pharmacy programs include:

     The programs produce graduates who have developed knowledge, skills and understanding in the following areas:
     
    • Accreditation to conduct home medication reviews and aged care reviews
    • NPS facilitators
    • HMR facilitators
    • Academia
    • Advancement as a hospital pharmacist
    • Introduction of new practices in your community pharmacy
    • Pharmacist-led outpatient clinics 
    • Pharmaceutical care and the quality use of medicines
    • Assessing a patient’s medication regimen in relation to their disease, diagnostic and laboratory results
    • Clinical pharmacy research methodology
    • Pharmacy management issues and
    • Social aspects of pharmacy

 

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