Overview (2027)
Key Information
Duration
Minimum 1 Year, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Location
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
The Diploma of Pharmacy Studies is your stepping stone into the Bachelor of Pharmacy. This is the perfect choice if you have not met the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Pharmacy, or would like a more supported entry into University studies. Upon completion of this course, you will meet the maths and chemistry pre-requisites, as well as gaining additional skills to help you succeed at University.
This course will prepare you for future study in the Bachelor of Pharmacy or you can choose to enter the workforce with highly employable skills in roles such as pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician.
You’ll complete a mix of units needed to enter the Bachelor of Pharmacy, units to develop your study skills and disciplinary subjects taught by the School of Medicine. You’ll also meet the University’s General Entry Requirements when you complete this course, which may allow entry into other university courses.
Key contacts
| Current student enrolment questions and advice | UConnect |
| Course Coordinator | Dr Sarah Dempster |
- 1 Identify opportunities to promote wellness at community and population levels, and undertake socially inclusive health promotion, and preventive health activities.
- 2 Communicate and collaborate to optimise health outcomes for individuals and the broader community.
- 3 Review and evaluate relevant health information, and identify potential solutions to make treatment recommendations.
- 4 Apply experience-based evidence and critical reflection to develop practices that enhance learning.
- 5 Identify and use Pharmacy-specific knowledge in relevant study areas to underpin professional practice and further study.
Become a Student Ambassador
Improve your communication, teamwork and leadership skills, meet new people, inspire and help others, and developing lasting friendships and networks as a student ambassador. Our ambassadors proudly represent the University throughout Tasmania in schools, at University and community events, and support a range of recruitment and engagement activities.
Though the Student Ambassador Program you will have many opportunities for training and professional development, experience in real-world community engagement and outreach, networking, and public speaking, plus end up with a key point of distinction on your CV.
Sustainability Placement Experience
Gain experience in real-world sustainability through the Sustainability Placement Experience. In this unique program, you’ll apply your skills and university learning to dynamic, industry and community led projects that tackle real sustainability challenges. Open to students from any discipline with available electives, this placement offers the chance to connect your studies with meaningful, practical outcomes that make a difference.
Work Integrated Learning
Tasmania is a place filled with creativity, industry, nature, and adventure. Because we’re the only university in the state, you get close access to the industry leaders, artists, and deep thinkers who are shaping our island. That means learning alongside the very best so you can hone your job skills for a successful career.
Whatever you’re passionate about, we’ll give you a hands-on education and an unforgettable adventure with our work integrated learning opportunities. https://www.utas.edu.au/study/work-integrated-learning
Career outcomes
Diploma of Pharmacy graduates would have a range of skills which would enable them to be employed and/or enhance their employability within the primary care sector as pharmacy assistants or pharmacy technicians. The content would complement existing education offered within the pharmacy sector by TAFE and professional bodies.
Course structure
The Diploma of Pharmacy Studies requires completion of 100 credit points including 75 credit points of Core units and 25 credit points of Discipline Electives.
This unit examines the role of complementary medicines in contemporary healthcare through interdisciplinary perspectives from Pharmacy, Sociology, Law, and traditional health practices. You will develop foundational knowledge of widely used complementary medicine approaches, including herbal medicine, naturopathy, traditional medical systems,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
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| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Semester 2 | |||||
- Key:
On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
View all details for CSA120 Complementary Medicines in Contemporary Society
Counselling and Advice on Medicines focusses on patient-centred care with patient counselling concepts and application of communication skills in clinical scenarios. This patient-centred care is extended to the study of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Principles of drug therapy such as adverse…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
- Key:
On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
View all details for CSA123 Counselling and Advice on Medicines
In this unit you will be introduced to foundational concepts of pharmacist roles and responsibilities within the context of ethical and safe professional practice within the Australian health care system. You will begin using core online pharmacy resources to introduce…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
- Key:
On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
This unit provides underpinning skills, theories, techniques, and strategies to prepare you for university-level study and to understand yourself as a learner. You will be introduced to concepts of self-management and relevant practical skills that can be applied effectively in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
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| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
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| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
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| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
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| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
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XAB084 Introductory Scientific Principles is designed to give you foundational knowledge in both theoretical and practical science. The unit will introduce you to the importance of engaging with scientific thinking and reasoning, methodology, precision and accuracy in measurement, and written…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
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| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
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| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
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| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
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View all details for XAB084 Introductory Scientific Principles
This unit covers introductory chemistry for students with no previous knowledge of chemistry. This unit explores the basic chemical concepts with a particular focus on bonding and structure as well as applying theories of chemical reactions and equilibria to perform…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Semester 2 | |||||
| Summer | |||||
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On-campus
Off-Campus
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Domestic students
Curious about the chemistry behind everyday processes but not aiming to become a chemist? This unit is designed for students who want to understand how chemistry works in the real world, without needing a prior background in science. Whether your…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
- Key:
On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
Mathematics, equipped with the powerful tools logic and reasoning, is the key ingredient that enriches all areas of education. A sound knowledge in mathematics not only opens up numerous career options, but also helps to understand the world in which…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
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| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
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| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
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| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
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| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Semester 2 | |||||
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On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
This unit is designed to help you build the mathematical skills and confidence needed for university study. Mathematics plays an important role in many fields of study and helps you develop logical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are useful…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
| Summer | |||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Summer | |||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Summer | |||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
| Summer | |||||
- Key:
On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
View all details for KMA100 Introduction to University Mathematics
This introductory mathematics unit provides you with a foundational understanding of key algebraic and graphical concepts. You will learn to communicate mathematically using appropriate notation and language, enabling you to interpret linear and non-linear relationships presented in equations, tables, and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Semester 2 | |||||
- Key:
On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
This unit introduces you to effective professional communication techniques and practices applicable to the workplace and study. You will learn about the foundations of communication, the various communication styles, professional etiquette, and different types of communication behaviours. A central focus…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
- Key:
On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
Entry requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.
Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)
This course does not use ATAR as part of the admission process. To be an eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or an equivalent qualification.
Domestic applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for an offer, you must have:
- Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least one unit of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points), at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level units completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any units, your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
- Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).
Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study
To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a Certificate III or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline.
Applications on the basis of work or life experience
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.
Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability. We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
Passes in units in other incomplete courses in this University or another approved tertiary institution (or other approved professional examining body) may be credited towards the Diploma, with a course plan developed to detail the units required to qualify for the Diploma.
Maximum credit for units completed in a course at UTAS or another approved tertiary institution will not exceed 50 credit points. The maximum of 50 credit points will apply to courses completed at Diploma level (AQF level 5) or higher.
Following successful completion, students from the Diploma of Pharmacy Studies (X1M) are eligible to apply to the Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours. Entry is not guaranteed; applicants will be ranked according to study in the X1M. Students who are successfully admitted into the Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours will be awarded 12.5 credit points.
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $8,217.79
How is this calculated?
This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average full-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.
These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.
HECS-HELP loans
You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.
Domestic scholarships
Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including: those who have achieved high academic results, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with sporting ability, students undertaking overseas study, and students with a disability.
For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please refer to scholarships.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
Course year 2027
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