Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Pharmacy Practice (MPharmPrac) at the University of Waikato is a two-year, 240-point graduate-entry professional pharmacy qualification designed for students who already hold a relevant bachelor's degree. The University describes it as New Zealand's first graduate-entry pharmacy programme and says it was developed partly in response to the pharmacy workforce shortage in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Key benefits for international students include:

• Graduate-entry pathway into pharmacy for applicants who already hold an appropriate bachelor's degree.
• Integration of academic pharmacy education with practical pharmacy experience.
• Community, primary-care and hospital placements supervised by clinical academic pharmacists.
• Holistic health assessment incorporating Hauora M?ori models such as Te Whare Tapa Wh?, Te Wheke and the Meihana Model.
• Development of culturally and clinically safe pharmacy practice.
• Preparation for application to the Intern Pharmacist scope of practice in New Zealand after completing the degree.
• Opportunity to progress toward pharmacist registration after completing the required intern training and assessment process.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The 2027 Pharmacy Subject Regulations prescribe the following 240-point structure. All papers are Level 500 and are based in Hamilton.

Year 1 – 120 points

• PHARM570 Introduction to Pharmacy in Aotearoa – 15 points
  • Role of the pharmacist as a health practitioner in Aotearoa.
  • Safe engagement with patients about common therapeutics and supplements in community pharmacy.
• PHARM571 Equity in Pharmacy – 15 points
  • Equitable access to and use of medicines.
  • Hauora M?ori and Pacific Health perspectives.
  • Personal and professional approaches to health equity.
• PHARM572 Legal, Ethical and Professional Responsibilities of Pharmacists in Aotearoa – 15 points
  • Professional expectations.
  • Legal and ethical responsibilities of pharmacists.
  • Professional practice in the New Zealand healthcare environment.
• PHARM573 Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmaceutics – 15 points
  • Principles describing the relationship between medicines and the body.
  • Scientific foundations of medicines and their effects.
• PHARM575 Integrated Pharmacotherapy and Pharmacy Practice 1 – 30 points
  • Person-centred care.
  • Gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and dermatological systems.
  • Pathophysiology, pharmacology and pharmacotherapy.
• PHARM576 Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis – 15 points
  • Chemical structures and biological effects.
  • Drug discovery and development.
  • Pharmaceutical analysis.
• PHARM577 Research Methods in Pharmacy – 15 points
  • Biostatistics.
  • Research ethics.
  • Clinical trial design.
  • Economic evaluation and pharmacy research methods.

Year 2 – 120 points

• PHARM580 Integrated Pharmacotherapy and Pharmacy Practice 2 – 30 points
  • Nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
  • Pathophysiology, pharmacology and pharmacotherapy of major diseases.
• PHARM581 Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Immunology – 15 points
  • Human pathogens.
  • Immune responses.
  • Infection prevention and treatment.
  • Pharmacists' role in managing infectious disease.
• PHARM582 Research Informed Decision Making – 15 points
  • Systematic reviews of health research.
  • Appraisal of evidence.
  • Pharmacoeconomic decision-making.
• PHARM585 Integrated Pharmacotherapy and Pharmacy Practice 3 – 30 points
  • Oncology.
  • Reproductive health.
  • Sensory systems.
  • Consolidation of knowledge and skills required for entry into the Intern Pharmacist scope.
• PHARM586 Pharmacy and Business Management – 15 points
  • Pharmacy operations.
  • Strategic management.
  • Finance, compliance, staff development and customer engagement.
• PHARM587 Applying Research to Pharmacy Practice – 15 points
  • Project-based clinical or process audit.
  • Evaluation of medicine use, care or pharmacy services.
  • Application of research to improve pharmacy practice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The MPharmPrac does not publish separate majors, specialisations or endorsements.

Instead, the entire programme is focused on professional pharmacy practice and covers:

• Pharmacotherapy
• Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutics
• Medicinal chemistry
• Pharmaceutical analysis
• Pharmaceutical microbiology and immunology
• Pharmacy law, ethics and professional responsibilities
• Pharmacy business and management
• Research methods and evidence-informed decision-making
• Public health and health promotion
• Hauora M?ori and Pacific health
• Community pharmacy
• Primary care
• Hospital pharmacy practice
• Clinical practice and medicines management.

Programme Highlights

Important features of the programme include:

• New Zealand's first graduate-entry pharmacy programme.
• Two-year, 240-point master's qualification.
• Full-time study with compulsory attendance.
• Hamilton-based delivery.
• 375 hours of supervised pharmacy practice.
• Community, primary-care and hospital placement experience.
• Rural experiential placement.
• Integration of clinical science with professional pharmacy practice.
• Strong focus on culturally safe and equitable healthcare.
• Integration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, m?tauranga M?ori and other worldviews.
• Preparation for entry into the Intern Pharmacist scope of practice.

Career Outcomes

The University lists potential career outcomes including:

• Intern Pharmacist
• Registered Pharmacist
• Health promoter
• Hospital-based pharmacy care
• Pharmaceutical research.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important current update is that the 2027 intake is already closed.

• 2027 applications closed: 31 August 2026
• Late applications: Not accepted
• Next intake: 2028
• 2028 applications open: 1 February 2027
• One intake per year: March
• Exact 2028 closing date: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

Other important requirements include:

• Limited places and competitive selection.
• Online interview.
• Personal statement.
• Two referees.
• Police vetting requirements where applicable.
• International police vetting where applicable.
• Fitness-to-practise requirements.
• Compulsory attendance.
• 375 hours of clinical/pharmacy practice.
• Immunisation evidence before clinical placement.
• Students may need serology testing if vaccination/immunity evidence is unavailable.
• Students are responsible for costs associated with the rural placement, including travel and accommodation.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying the MPharmPrac in New Zealand normally require a valid student visa, and the visa must name the University of Waikato as the place of study.

For most self-funded international students, the relevant visa is the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Good health and character.
• Genuine intention to study in New Zealand.
• Ability to leave New Zealand at the end of the authorised stay.