Programme Features
Our integrative approach and problem-based learning enable pharmacy graduates to apply their scientific and clinical knowledge efficiently when they enter the healthcare profession.
The Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) programme aims to nurture competent graduates with solid knowledge of pharmacy as well as abilities to apply the core knowledge and skills for effective, humane and ethical delivery of pharmaceutical care. They will contribute both to the profession of pharmacy and to the overall health of the patient body by adopting the highest standard of professional practice.
What is Pharmacy?
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the basic health sciences with the clinical application of drug treatment. It is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of drugs. Traditionally pharmacy mainly represented the compounding and dispensing of therapeutic agents. However, modern pharmacy now emphasises on the provision of optimal pharmaceutical care to patients. This means the responsible provision of drug therapy to achieve definite outcomes that improve a patient’s life expectancy and/or his/her quality of life.
These outcomes are:
- The treatment of diseases;
- The elimination or reduction of symptoms;
- Arresting or slowing the disease process; and
- Disease prevention/ health promotion.
As healthcare develops towards the individualised rational use of therapeutic agents, the role and responsibilities of pharmacists are of increasing importance.
Role of Pharmacists
Pharmacists are essentially the experts on drugs. They work as a part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide quality pharmaceutical care to patients, i.e. providing clinical pharmacy service, recommending appropriate drug choices and monitoring outcomes of drug therapies. Pharmacists are able to practise in a wide variety of areas, including community pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, pharmaceutical industries and regulatory agencies. Pharmacists can specialise in various areas of practice including but not limited to: haematology/oncology, infectious diseases, drug information, critical care, paediatrics, etc.
“Pharmacists can contribute to the safe and effective use of medications through clinical practice, research and teaching. We continue to learn and share what we know with students, colleagues and the community, every step along the way.”
Dr Esther Chan
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy
“From offering professional advices for common illnesses at community pharmacy, to researching on new treatments for life-threatening diseases, pharmacist impacts people’s lives in different aspects every day. This is a profession with huge diversity that I am honoured to be a part of”.
Wynne Hui
BPharm 2015
Pharmacist, Regulatory Affairs, DKSH Hong Kong Limited
Programme Structure
The whole programme comprises 258 credit-units of courses over a period of four years which shall include the following:
- Pharmacy core courses: 192 credits
- Pharmacy elective: 12 credits
- Common core courses: 36 credits
- Language courses: 18 credits
- General Chemistry
- Integrated Course in Basic Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry
- Research Methods in Pharmacy Practice
- Introduction to Pharmacy
- Drug Discovery
- Core University English
- Common Core Courses
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Dosage Form Design
- Pharmacy in Body System Series:
- Cardiovascular & Renal
- Gastrointestinal System, Drug Kinetics and Toxicities
- Respiratory System
- Pharmacy Practice: Introduction
- Academic Communication for Pharmacy Students
- Practical Chinese for Pharmacy Students
- Common Core Courses
- Advanced Drug Delivery
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Pharmacy Practice: Community Pharmacy
- Pharmacy in Body System Series:
- Endocrinology
- Central Nervous System, Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
- Research Methodology and Research Project #
- Pharmacy Practice: Pharmacy Law and Ethics
- Industrial Drug Development
- Biopharmaceutical Technology and Future Medicines
- Pharmacotherapy of Special Populations
- Enrichment Modules
- Electives
- Molecular Medicine*
- Molecular Pharmacology*
- Epidemiology and Precision Medicine*
- Big Data in Healthcare*
- Cosmetic Science*
- Chinese Medicine for Pharmacy Students*
- Cardiopulmonary and Renal Systems**
# All year 4 students have to complete a research project
* Elective Courses
** Elective Course for articulate to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) upon graduation
Admissions Information
For JUPAS Candidates
From 2022 onwards, the result of the Mathematics Extended Part (Modules 1 and 2) will be recognised as equivalent to that of a full elective.
Selection for admissions is primarily based on academic performance in HKDSE (or equivalent), but other factors will also be considered, e.g. performance in interviews and principal’s nomination. In addition to satisfying the University entrance requirements, candidates for admissions shall satisfy all of the following requirements in HKDSE:
b) Attain at least level 3 in two electives, one of which must be:
(i) Chemistry or
(ii) Combined Science with Chemistry as one of the components
Scoring Formula
The best 6 subjects of HKDSE will be taken into consideration for admissions.
Consideration of Other Factors
- Interview performance
- Additional subjects
- Student learning profile
- Additional subjects (in category A and C)
Consideration of HKDSE Combined Results & Penalty for HKDSE Repeaters
- Latest results in 2 or more sittings of HKDSE
- Penalty will be imposed on subjects which were retaken
Interview
Before release of HKDSE results
- 20 June 2023 and
- 21 June 2023
After release of HKDSE results
- 28 July 2023
For Non-JUPAS Candidates
Expected Lower Boundary for Admissions ^
3A (excluding Chinese and English language subjects)
Subject Requirements
Chemistry at A Level
English Language Requirement
(a) Grade C in English Language at GCSE/GCEO;
(b) Grade C in English First Language at IGCSE;
(c) Grade B in English as a Second Language at IGCSE;
(For GCSE/IGCSE which uses the new 9-1 grading system, Grade 5 will be taken as equivalent to Grade B and Grade 4 will be taken as equivalent to Grade C, for the purpose of satisfying (a), (b) or (c) above)
(d) Grade C or better in English Language or English Literature at GCE AS/AL;
(e) Level C1 or an overall score of 180 in Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English;
(f) Grade C or an overall score of 180 in Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English;
or
Fulfill ONE of the requirements here
Second Language Requirement
Grade E in a language other than English;
(For GCSE/IGCSE which uses the new 9-1 grading system, Grade 3 will be taken as equivalent to Grade E, for the purpose of satisfying the above)
or
Fulfill ONE of the requirements here
Additional Requirements
A good working knowledge of Cantonese
Interview
- 21 Dec 2022
- 12 April 2023
- Early Jun – Late Aug 2023
Advanced Standing
Applicants with GCE A-Level, Cambridge Pre-U or IB Diploma qualifications and at least seven years of secondary education at the time of being admitted to the University will be granted 18 credits of Advanced Standing. These are made up of 6 credits for Core University English course and 12 credits of the Common Core courses provided that students take one Common Core course in each Area of Inquiry.
Advanced Standing will be granted automatically and separate application is not required. You will be contacted by the Faculty Office should Advanced Standing be granted.
Kindly contact medfac@hku.hk for any enquiries.
^ Each programme sets the Expected Lower Boundary for Admissions at what is deemed to be a competitive level. Please note that achieving a score higher than the lower boundary does not guarantee admission to the programme.
Expected Lower Boundary for Admissions ^
36
Subject Requirements
Chemistry in Higher Level
English Language Requirement
(a) Grade 4 in HL/SL English Language A: Language and Literature;
(b) Grade 4 in HL/SL English Language A: Literature;
(c) Grade 4 in SL English – Text and Performance;
(d) Grade 4 in SL English – Literature and Performance (A1 syllabus);
(e) Grade 4 in HL English Language (B Syllabus);
(f) Grade 5 in SL English Language (B Syllabus);
(g) Grade 4 in HL/SL English Language (A1 or A2 Syllabus);
Note:
“Higher Level” is referred to as “HL”, and “Standard Level” as “SL”
or
Fulfill ONE of the requirements here
Second Language Requirement
Grade 4 in a language other than English;
or
Fulfill ONE of the requirements here
Additional Requirements
A good working knowledge of Cantonese
Interview
- 21 Dec 2022
- 12 April 2023
- Early Jun – Late Aug 2023
Advanced Standing
Applicants with GCE A-Level, Cambridge Pre-U or IB Diploma qualifications and at least seven years of secondary education at the time of being admitted to the University will be granted 18 credits of Advanced Standing. These are made up of 6 credits for Core University English course and 12 credits of the Common Core courses provided that students take one Common Core course in each Area of Inquiry.
Advanced Standing will be granted automatically and separate application is not required. You will be contacted by the Faculty Office should Advanced Standing be granted.
Kindly contact medfac@hku.hk for any enquiries.
^ Each programme sets the Expected Lower Boundary for Admissions at what is deemed to be a competitive level. Please note that achieving a score higher than the lower boundary does not guarantee admission to the programme.
Articulation
Articulation to HKU MBBS and completion of two professional degrees in eight years
Starting from 2019/2020, HKU BPharm Programme offers an articulation arrangement with HKU MBBS Programme. Students with outstanding performance by Semester 1 of Year 3 can choose to attach to the MBBS curriculum for one semester. Upon completion of the BPharm Programme and having satisfied the admission criteria of MBBS curriculum, students can then be admitted directly to Year 2 and exempted from the Year 3 enrichment year requirement. Students can, as a result, obtain dual professional degrees in BPharm and MBBS from HKU in eight years.
Professional Recognition & Career Prospects
Professional Recognition
The programme has been granted accreditation by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong. Students who have completed a full-time pharmacy degree and one additional year of internship are qualified as registered pharmacists in Hong Kong.
Future Studies
Graduates will be well prepared for continuous postgraduate training through a taught Master of Advanced Pharmacy programme or to pursue academic pharmacy by research postgraduate study.
“Using our specialised drug knowledge to help patients optimise their medical treatment is what makes our job as pharmacists so meaningful.”
Ms Jody Chu
Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy
