A career in pharmacy is one of the prestigious and rewarding careers anyone can think of taking. Not only do you have a lot to take home as compensation, but your relevance and importance in the society at large will also be exceptional with doors of opportunities wide open. Now, to achieve this, it is advisable you take up a degree course in any of the best pharmacy schools in the World.
Although taking up any best college pharmacy programs in the world today can be very challenging in terms of tuition fees, technicality, and tedious activities, I tell you the most challenging part of it is knowing the best schools for pharmacy undergraduate to go for.
In a nutshell, pharmacy programs go a long way in equipping you with all the knowledge you could even need to make a profession in Pharmacy and its related field. Interestingly, there are also best pharmacy schools online that you can even study if you are considering distance and convenience.
Now, because your interest is our priority, we the Kiiky made extensive research on pharmacy schools and have been able to compile in this article a list of 13 Best Pharmacy Schools in the World just to aid you to make the right choice.
Note, the list is compiled based on the school’s acceptance rate, graduation rate, employability rate, number of programs offered and students-teacher ratio.
Table of contents
Best Schools for Pharmacy
Here is the list of the Best Pharmacy Schools in the World
- Harvard University,
- University College London
- University of North Carolina
- University of Oxford,
- University of Helsinki
- University of Sydney
- Monash University
- University of Milan
- University of Toronto
- Ohio State University
- University of Manchester
- University of California, San Francisco
- King’s College London
- University of Copenhagen
Before we explore these schools properly, I think a briefing on some facts about pharmacy will go a long way in helping you.
Check this out….!
What exactly is Pharmacy?
According to Wikipedia, Pharmacy is the science and technology of preparing, distributing and testing medicines and providing additional clinical services.
Thus, it is a health profession that links health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and aims to ensure drug use is safe, effective at affordable prices.
Basically, Professional practice has become more clinical because most drugs are currently manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry.
And by definition, the pharmacy is categorized as a community or institution providing direct care to patients. In fact, the institutional pharmacy community is a clinical pharmacy.
Practically speaking, Pharmacy encompasses drug collection and distribution, modern health care services, and clinical services. And also, drug safety, efficacy reviews, and drug information provision.
Now, talking about who a pharmacist is, he is an expert in drug therapy and the most important health professionals who direct the use of the drug for the benefit of patients.
Check out these Pharmacy schools in United Kingdom.
What does a pharmacist do?
Although Pharmacy is a tasking and challenging field of study it is very interesting, its role in the world cannot be overemphasized. Most importantly, a pharmacist’s core aim is to improve and save the lives of people through the use of medications.
Moreover, a Pharmacist is legally and professionally qualified to prepare and dispense medical drugs, although the perform other functions.
As a pharmacist, apart from preparing and dispensing quality medical drugs, you are to make correct prescription of drugs to handle a particular medical issue. And also follow due process in delivering them according to the law.
Secondly, you can advise patients about medicines, including how to take them, what reactions may occur and answering patients’ questions.
Then, you are also to provide patients with information on the effect of smoking cessation, blood pressure measurement, and cholesterol management.
Furthermore, a pharmacist supervises the production and preparation of medicines and assessments of the quality of medicines before they are supplied to patients from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
How long does it take to get a Pharmacy degree?
Completing Pharm.D. program time differs according to programs. But mainly, most programs take four years to complete.
Hence, if you completed a bachelor’s degree in a related field, you will spend four years for a professional study at a pharmacy school. However, if you enroll for a pharmacy program after high school, it will take six years to get a Pharmacy degree.
For Bachelors Degree Program
Pharmacy students can complete the pre-pharmacy curriculum in the bachelor’s degree program to meet the requirements for admission to the Faculty of Pharmacy.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, some pharmacy doctoral programs require a four-year degree to enroll and others need two or three years of study to complete previous courses.
However, Undergraduate students must pass the acceptance test of the Faculty of Pharmacy to enter the Faculty of Pharmacy.
Note, the test assesses the student’s knowledge of biology and chemistry and measures his verbal ability, reading comprehension and quantitative skills. The exam also includes a written article.
Doctor of Pharmacy Programs
A licensed pharmacy doctor may be required by the state board from applicants. The postgraduate program takes four years to complete.
However, Doctoral programs in pharmacy also include training courses focused on disease management, such as hematology, pain management, oncology, central nervous system, and infectious diseases.
Furthermore, it includes internships or professional practice experience to provide students with practical experience in a variety of locations, including pharmacies and community hospitals.
What is the Pharmacy Salary Like?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for pharmacists in 2011 was $113,390 and the mean annual earnings were $112,160.
In 2017, pharmacists earned a median wage of $124,000. Half of all pharmacists earned more than this, and half earned less. High earners made nearly $160,000, while pharmacists at the bottom of the salary scale brought home less than $90,000.
The average salary for pharmacists has increased, just as the cost of pharmacy education also continues to rise.
According to the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education’s piece on Pharmacy Student Debt and Return on Investment of a Pharmacy Education, numbers show that the average tuition cost for pharmacy school has risen 54 percent in the last decade with the combined average yearly tuition rates to obtain training at a public or private school are roughly $25,000.
What is the Cost of Studying Pharmacy?
On average, the complete cost of a pharmacy school program can range from $65,000 to $200,000.
Despite the costs, a pharmacy degree is generally viewed as having one of the most promising ROIs within the healthcare field.
Pharmacy school tuition through a public university costs around $3,000-$20,500 per year for in-state residents or about $14,800-$82,000 for the four-year program. Because public schools are funded by local tax dollars, students from out of the area pay $9,950-$32,800 per year.
Students at private pharmacy schools pay $18,700-$40,000 annually or $74,800-$160,000 over four years.
University of Sydney
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Graduation Rate: 85%
Employability Rate: 88%
Location: Sydney, Australia
The University of Sydney is one of the best schools for pharmacy undergraduate. This School of Pharmacy provides bachelor’s and master’s degrees and graduate certificates in pharmacy practice and evidence-based complementary medicines. It offers research degrees focused on:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
- Health Services and Patient Safety
- Mental Health
- Respiratory and Infectious Diseases
The university also serves as a National Alliance for Pharmacy Education intern provider, allowing students to embark on supplemental training that enhances their skills as pharmacists.
Degree:
BPharm
Do you want to study in California, check out this list of schools of pharmacy in California
University of Milan
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Graduation Rate: 78%
Employability Rate: 67%
Location: Milan, Italy
Next in the Best Pharmacy Schools in the World is the University of Milan. This university provides undergraduate and master’s degree programs in Milan.
However, these programs extend to more than five years and it enables students to gain the skills and qualifications required to enroll in medical school.
Moreso, apart from the opportunities offered by this school, it is well known for its high curriculum and furthermore encourages students to develop scientific skills.
Degree:
Single-cycle Bachelor’s and Master’s
Ohio State University
Acceptance Rate: 54
Graduation Rate: 84
Employability Rate: 94
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Founded in 1870, Ohio State is the highest-ranked public university in Ohio and one of the best schools for pharmacy students in the world.
Basically, the school offers world-class graduate and undergraduate and PharmD programs in the medical field. Note, Ohio PharmD Program is ranked as one of the best pharmacy colleges in the United States and is one of the most modern international medical institutions.
Hence, Ohio State University is one of the best and a public research university in Columbus, Ohio. Furthermore, the school provides tutelage in its faculties which students benefit from.
Degree Offered:
PharmD
University of Helsinki
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Graduation Rate: 88%
Employability Rate: 97%
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Founded in 1640, The University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest institution of academic education in Finland and among the best pharmacy schools in the world for both national and international students.
Basically, the university has various schools of studies including schools of pharmacy. Note, their school of pharmacy offers quality pharmacy courses that help to equip students in the medical field. This feature qualifies it as one of the best college pharmacy programs
Just like Milan, the Helsinki Pharmacy program is a 5-year combination of undergraduate and master’s studies.
Like Milan, you will also need to be bilingual; Most of the courses are in Finnish, though some courses are taught in English.
Degree: Single-cycle Bachelor’s and Master’s
Interestingly, you can get any of these 20 Masters scholarships for Pharmacy Students.
University of California, San Francisco
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Graduation Rate: 79%
Employability Rate: 76%
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Established in 1872, the University of California, School of Pharmacy is one of the best schools of pharmacy in the world. Also, the school offers the best college pharmacy programs to both national and international students.
In fact, for 39 consecutive years, it has been the number 1 pharmacy school by NIH funding. Note, it is the oldest pharmacy school in California and the western United States.
Hence, students are also strongly encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities. These activities include participating in community service initiatives, attending professional pharmacy organizations and participating in health and science activities on campus.
Degree:
- PharmD
- Ph.D. Programs
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Clinical Pharmacy
Copenhagen University
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Graduation Rate: 89%
Employability Rate: 90%
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
The UCPH School of Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of the best schools of pharmacy in the world. Basically, this school is a part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen.
Hence, located at the university’s North Campus, the school is organized into two departments. However, the school offers various Pharmacy programs including BPharm which is a 3-years program.
Note, the school provides other opportunities for students to help them customize their learning experience. Interestingly, most courses are taught in Danish, though most of the teaching materials are in English. In order to obtain a registered medical status, students must enroll in an additional two-year master’s degree program.
Degree:
- MSc program
- BSc and MSc program in Danish
- Continuing and professional education – part-time master program
- BPharm
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Science
Manchester University
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Graduation Rate: 46%
Employability Rate: 87%
Location: Manchester, UK
Established in 2004, Manchester University after been formed by the merging of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and the Victoria University of Manchester has proven to be one of the best schools that offer pharmacy programs.
Basically, Manchester University offers MPharm programs that cover theoretical and practical grounding in pharmacy for students pursuing a career in the field. Moreso, the offer Doctor of Pharmacy Program.
Note, with Manchester university pharmacy degree you can get a hands-on experience of the community.
Despite direct competition from other pharmacy colleges in the UK, such as Nottingham, Cardiff, and Queens, Manchester makes the list due to its global reputation for academic excellence and integrity.
Furthermore, it offers state-of-the-art educational facilities, including aseptic laboratories and SimMan patient labs, while taking care to take students to pharmacies and hospitals that are practical throughout their studies.
Degree:
- MPharm
- PharmD
- Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics
University of Toronto
Acceptance Rate: 43%
Graduation Rate: 93%
Employability Rate: 94%
Location: Toronto, Canada
Next in our list of the best pharmacy schools in the world is the University of Toronto known as Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.
Basically, the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy is a pharmacy school is located on the northwestern corner of College Street and University Avenue.
However, the school offers a Doctor of Pharmacy program which opens the door to diverse and rewarding health-focused careers and is ranked as the top faculty of pharmacy in Canada and one of the top five in the world.
More so, the school offers a vibrant community of world-leading professionals and researchers and endless opportunities for growth.
In addition to lectures, lab work, and clinical facilities, students are also encouraged to develop basic skills such as communication and problem-solving.
Degree: PharmD
University College London
Acceptance Rate:
Graduation Rate:
Employability Rate:
Location: 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
Basically, the school offers a Master of Pharmacy which is a 4-year undergraduate degree. Note, they offer seven different taught postgraduate degrees (6 MSc degrees and one MRes).
Thus, the MPharm degree is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and is awarded by the University College London.
Practically, the students who have completed their pharmacy programs will be asked to take a year of pre-registration training, to sit the examination of the GPhC and register as a pharmacist in Britain.
Given its central location in central London, it’s also a great destination for students, as Covent Park, Regent’s Park and Kings Cross are just a stone’s throw away.
It is important to note that, British registration is recognized in other member states of the EU. Please take some time to read the GPhC’s Code of conduct for pharmacy students. The UCL School of Pharmacy is the pharmacy school of University College London.
Degree: Combined BPharm/MPharm
Do you want to take up a master’s degree program in Canada? Check out these top universities in Ms Pharmacy in Canada.
University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill Area)
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 90%
Employability Rate: 73%
Location: Chapel Hill / Asheville, North Carolina, USA
Founded in 1789, University of North Carolina, the School of Pharmacy has been among the best schools of pharmacy for undergraduate students. The school is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with 17 campuses.
Basically, the school offers pharmacy programs that both national and international are eligible to enroll in.
However, among the claimants, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the only one to have held classes and graduated students as a public university in the eighteenth century.
Note, as one of the schools with the best college pharmacy programs in the United States, it’s no surprise that UNU’s pharmacy program cost is high.
Degree: PharmD
Monash University
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Graduation Rate: 79%
Employability Rate: 66%
Location: 381 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
Monash University was founded in 1881 as Victorian College of Pharmacy. It is known as one of the best pharmacy schools in the World that offers various courses in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science.
Basically, the school offers postgraduate degrees by coursework or research, from graduate diploma through to Ph.D. level.
Degree: Combine BPharm / MPharm
University of Oxford
Acceptance Rate: 18%
Graduation Rate: 64%
Employability Rate: 91%
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s second-oldest university in continuous operation after the University of Bologna collegiate research university in Oxford, England.
Basically, the Oxford College of Pharmacy provides a scholarly environment to the students with strong industrial links. Note, this best college for pharmacy always aimed at developing students into good citizens who are not only good human beings but also capable of contributing to the improvement of the pharmacy profession in particular and society in general.
Degree:
- B.Pharm
- D.Pharm
- M.Pharm Industrial Pharmacy,
- M.Pharm Pharmacognosy
Harvard University
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Graduation Rate: 98%
Employability Rate: 50%
Harvard is the oldest higher education institution in the United State founded in 1636.
Harvard University is known as one of the best colleges for pharmacy. The university is located in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts. However, the school is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally.
Note, The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Harvard University is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
School Website
Best Pharmacy Schools FAQs
The median yearly pay for pharmacists in the United States was $116,670 in 2012. The top 10 percent of earners in this field made more than $145,910 and the lowest 10 percent made less than $89,280 that year.
Pharmacists in all states must obtain a license to practice. Licensure typically involves completing an accredited Pharm.D. program and passing two licensing examinations: the North American Pharmacist Licensing Exam (NAPLEX) and the Multi-State Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE).
The Doctor of Pharmacy program is for people who want to work as pharmacists. The Ph.D. program is intended for people interested in careers in research.
The College of Pharmacy offers a dual Pharm.D./Ph.D. degree program for students with a strong interest in research who also want to practice as pharmacists.
The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program requires at least two years of specific undergraduate college study followed by four academic years (or three calendar years) of professional pharmacy study. Most students enter a pharmacy degree program after completion of three or more years of college.
