Bachelors in Pharmacy

Among many of the undergraduate courses, Bachelors in Pharmacy (B.Pharm. or BPharm.) is a professional degree that is in great demand currently. Completing a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from abroad grants you numerous career opportunities. The duration of this course is 4 years. Students get to study drugs, medicines, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, etc. in this course. 

The number of intakes for B.Pharm. can vary from institute to institute. However, most of the universities abroad offer 2 intakes, one in the spring semester and another in the fall semester. A student aspiring to study B. Pharm abroad can expect an average annual fee that can range between $120,000 to $540,000.

Why Study B.Pharm. Abroad?

With continuous struggles to increase the life expectancy of humans, the demand for efficient Pharmacists is increasing with every passing day. Thus, pursuing this course will not only allow you to make a difference in the world but also provide you with the financial security you need to live a comfortable life.  Here are some other factors that may motivate you to pursue a B.Pharm. from abroad.

• You get an opportunity to acquaint yourself with international pharmaceutical standards and skills.
• You get a sense of job security with certification in pharmacy from world-class universities.
• As a pharmacist, you become an intricate part of the healthcare system.
• You get the liberty to decide whether you want to work for a company or to set up your own pharmacy.
• You can work with patients in real-time by providing the counseling they need and dispensing the medicines prescribed by doctors accurately.

Course Highlights

In addition to learning the science of drugs, B.Pharm. lends the right set of circumstances to the students to build problem-solving skills, make quick and correct decisions, and develop an overall positive attitude toward patients, which helps them to excel in their careers.

The criteria for successfully completing a B.Pharm. may vary from country to country and even from institute to institute, but typically, it requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above. Moreover, a candidate must pass all the required courses with at least a C grade. Following are some highlights of B.Pharm. in a tabular format.

Types of Bachelors in Pharmacy (B.Pharm.)

One can consider to specialize in an area of his / her interest while pursuing a B.Pharm. The number of options to specialize in depends on the institute in consideration and the country in which it is housed. Following is a list of the types of Bachelors in Pharmacy offered by various universities across the globe.

• B.Pharm. with specialization in Pharmacology: Students who choose this option get to learn more about how the body is affected by the administration of drugs.
• B.Pharm. with specialization in Pharmaceutical sciences: Students opting for this variant get acquainted more with the chemistry of drugs, how new drugs are developed, etc. This option is beneficial for those who are inclined more toward research.
• B.Pharm. with specialization in Pharmacoeconomics: With this choice, students learn to apply principles of economics to evaluate pharmaceutical products and services.
• B.Pharm. with specialization in Clinical pharmacy: The program deals mostly with the clinical aspects of pharmacy, which includes drug therapy, patient counseling, etc

Best Universities for Pursuing B.Pharm. Abroad

Details of some of the top universities in the world are mentioned below, along with important points that should be considered while one plans to study B.Pharm. from a foreign country.

To have a smooth journey of recruitment, it is of utmost importance to check the accreditation of the University from where you complete your B.Pharm. course. The accrediting bodies of the above-mentioned universities are as follows:

• ETH Zurich - accredited by the Swiss Federal Government.
• University of Oxford - accredited by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
• National University of Singapore – accredited by the Singapore University Council of Accreditation of Academic Programs (SUCAPA).
• University of Toronto – accredited by the Canadian University Standards Committee (CUSC).
• University of California – accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
• University of Melbourne – accredited by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA)

Course Curriculum of B.Pharm.

Pharmacists interact with patients on a regular basis, and one of their primary responsibilities is to ensure that the right medicines in exact dosages as prescribed by a registered medical practitioner are dispensed to them. Thus, knowing about how the human body works is crucial to them. Hence, subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry are some intricate areas students deal with in this course. Moreover, students of B.Pharm. have to study disciplines like Pharmacology (in order to understand the effects of drugs administered to the patient), Pharmaceutical chemistry (to be familiar with the structure and composition of drugs), Pharmacovigilance (to understand how drug safety is monitored), etc.

General Eligibility Criteria for B.Pharm. Abroad

• A candidate aspiring to pursue a B.Pharm. abroad must first qualify for High school (Grade 12) with a minimum of 50% marks. (May vary with institute).
• Should have Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects in High School. (May vary with institute).
• Good IELTS or equivalent scores

Admission Requirements for Pursuing B.Pharm. Abroad

• Visa: Check if you are eligible for a visa on arrival or else obtain your visa as soon as possible since you are an international student in the country you are planning to study in. It’s always a good idea to apply for a visa beforehand so that it doesn’t get rejected at the last moment.

• Academic transcripts: Get your academic transcript ready. It mentions all your academic achievements, institutes that you have been in, your current academic condition and grades, etc.

• Letter of recommendation: Choose the people from whom you are planning to get your letter of recommendation wisely, as their capability to justify your academic performance will have an impact on your selection. Two or three letters of recommendation will be required in order to get you into an institute with international repute.

• SOP or Personal Statement: It is an important document as it gives you an opportunity to describe yourself in your own words. Be clear and concise while mentioning your aims and reasons for pursuing B.Pharm.  Describe how you are a perfect candidate for an opportunity.

• Original documents: You can be asked to produce your original documents to verify your work experience (if any) and other credibilities.

• Proficiency in English: Test scores of IELTS / TOEFL / PTE or equivalent will be required in order to prove your proficiency in English.

• Exams: Some universities may have their own entrance exam for B.Pharm. course. For instance, students desirous of studying B.Pharm. in American universities will have to attempt standardized tests such as the SAT.

Admission Process for B.Pharm. Abroad.

• The first step for admission is to shortlist the names of suitable Universities.

• Now check the eligibility criteria of each University individually by visiting their original website. Arrange all the required documents as per the requirements of the University.

• Once you have gathered the required documents, apply online (most of the universities abroad offer online application)

• Pay the online application fees.

• Undergo an interview (if any is arranged for you from the University’s end). This is your opportunity to acquaint yourself with the admission committee of the University. Don’t forget to be calm and confident throughout your interview, as this will increase the chances of your selection.

• Wait for the decision of the admission committee; if you get selected, you’ll be intimated shortly.

Cost of Pursuing B.Pharm. Abroad

Pre-arrival cost: These expenses occur before reaching the country where your university is located. The charges may vary with respect to the distance between your home country & your university. For instance, the Pre-arrival costs for an Indian student to study B.Pharm. in the U.K. will be as follows.

Tuition fee for B.Pharm abroad:

The tuition fee can significantly differ from institute to institute. Thus, coming up with an average tuition fee is immaterial here. Below mentioned are the fee structures of some of the top universities for B. Pharm abroad.

• ETH Zurich offers 4 years undergraduate B.Pharm. program for an annual fee of $60,000.00

• University of Oxford offers 4 years undergraduate B.Pharm. program for an annual fee of $12,400.00

• National University of Singapore offers 4 years undergraduate B.Pharm. program for an annual fee of $25,000.00

Cost of living overseas:

This is, again, a variable cost completely dependent on the location of the university. However, an Indian student studying in the U.K. can expect an average cost of $190-$400 for accommodation. Food can easily contribute up to $240 in the expense budget. Transportation & other miscellaneous expenses will account roughly for $150.

Jobs Scopes for B.Pharm. Graduates Overseas

While many candidates opt for higher education after completion of their B.Pharm. program, a significant number of graduates opt to work for pharmaceutical companies or even independently via their own firm or pharmacy. This helps them to get a broader perspective of their profession. Moreover, many institutes recruit B.Pharm. graduates for the role of lecturers with handsome salaries. The candidates can even assume the job profile of Drug inspector, Quality assurance inspector, Medical representative, etc. Following is a table provided mentioning various job roles available in multiple countries for B.Pharm. graduates.