Top Private Universities in Malaysia for Recognised Pharmacy Degree Programme

First Rate Pharmacy Degree Programme at Top Rank UCSI University

Established in 1986, UCSI University has offered the Pharmacy programme since 2000 as a 2+2 with Curtin University,

Australia. In 2005, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UCSI University offered its own Pharmacy degree programme.

To accommodate its rapid growth and expansion, the School has since moved twice before its current five fully-equipped laboratories that are dedicated to learning, teaching and research.

The Pharmacy degree at UCSI University is accredited by MQA and is recognised by the Malaysian Pharmacy Board. Graduates have been able to find work overseas as well.

Together with its cutting-edge facilities, the 4-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons.) degree offers quality learning experience under the tutelage of dedicated teaching staff using innovative teaching methods, and who, being actively involved in research, provide students with opportunities to participate in various research projects.

At the Faculty, student are provided early exposure to various pharmacy-linked experiences such as industrial training, public health campaigns, community clerkship, hospital pharmacy clerkship and also to Problem-based Learning(PBL).

Besides the formal lecture mode, student also receive invaluable practical guidance from our external partners, experienced industrial speakers, appointed pharmacists and doctors incorporated under the various Faculty departments.

To go into the Pharmacy degree after SPM or O-Levels, students need to go for either a Pre-U course like A-Levels or AUSMAT, or the Foundation in Science at UCSI University.

For UCSI University, students can either go for the Foundation in Science or their internationally recognised A-Levels. Upon completion, these students are given preference into UCSI’s medical or pharmacy programmes where the seats are limited..

Professional Recognition of the Pharmacy Degree at UCSI University

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) programme is recognised by Malaysian Pharmacy Board (MPB).

Programme Details

The duration of the programme is 4 years.

Lectures and coursework are completed in 14 weeks, with 2 weeks study break before the final exams weeks. There are two semesters in an academic year with a long break from April to July

In each year there are two long-semesters consisting of 14 weeks of instruction with 2 weeks of examinations, and one short-semester consisting of 7 weeks of instruction with 1 week of examinations. The long-semesters start in January and May, while the short-semester starts in September.

In the months of November & December students undergo industrial training under the Co-Operative Placement Scheme to learn and to familiarize themselves with real life working environment. In addition, students also undertake a research and development project in their final year. The number of contact hours per subject per week depends on the credit and teaching methodology of each subject. Each credit is approximately equivalent to 1 hour of class, or 2 hours of labs per week.

Programme Overview of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) at UCSI University

The School of Pharmacy at UCSI University strives to maintain updated curriculum to meet the rapidly changing demands of the Pharmacy industry in Malaysia. The early part of this curriculum focuses students on the fundamental knowledge in pharmacy as the foundation for later years.

The curriculum is unique in that it starts off with integrated courses where four main disciplines are being taught in each body system. Students appreciate this mode of learning as it enhances their understanding. This will serve as a strong foundation later as they practice as pharmacists.

The courses in the programme are arranged into four main disciplines within the School of Pharmacy as listed.

• Physiology & Pharmacology
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology
• Clinical Pharmacy

The duration of the programme is 4 years as required by the Board of Pharmacy Malaysia. In each year there are two long-semesters consisting of 14 weeks of instruction with 2 weeks of examinations, and one short-semester consisting of 7 weeks of instruction with 1 week of examinations. The long-semesters start in January and May, while the short-semester starts in September.

In the months of November & December students undergo industrial training under the Co-Operative Placement Scheme to learn and to familiarize themselves with real life working environment.

In addition, students also undertake a research and development project in their final year. The number of contact hours per subject per week depends on the credit and teaching methodology of each subject. Each credit is approximately equivalent to 1 hour of class, or 2 hours of labs per week.

UCSI University School of Pharmacy assesses its students based on the main objective of training competent pharmacists. The ethics, communication, knowledge, analytical and critical thinking skills are incorporated into its assessments. The assessment methods include various assignments, practical & visitation reports, oral presentations, research project viva, patient counseling, tutorials, problem based sessions and finally the examinations.

Premier Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) Course at Taylor’s University in Malaysia

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) programme at top ranked Taylor’s University is recognised by the Malaysian Pharmacy Board.

Taylor’s University is one of the best universities in Malaysia for you to study the pharmacy programme. Students after SPM or O-Levels  may enter Taylor’s Foundation in Science for 1 year before continuing on to the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) degree programme at Taylor’s University.

The 4-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) degree programme at Taylor’s University equips students with scientific, clinical and professional knowledge as well as strong communication skills, giving them the ability to positively impact the healthcare system.

The curriculum is designed to encourage students to become independent learners who are capable of undertaking and understanding challenges in the use of medicine and in healthcare. Ultimately, our pharmacy degree students will gain the ability to integrate fundamental scientific principles into healthcare practice.

The pharmacy programme at Taylor’s University is geared towards the patient as the major focus for the application of knowledge of the pharmaceutical sciences. There are four main areas within the pharmacy programme at Taylor’s: Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Delivery and Pharmacy Practice.

360° Learning Experience

• Early exposure to real world experience through field visits, study trips, and campaigns, as well as internship and research opportunities, prepares students for their future careers.

Highly-qualified Faculty

• Classroom teaching is influenced and informed by faculty members who are experienced in the field of pharmacy (public or private sectors) and continuously undertake research in their respective fields.
• Students obtain a broad understanding and perspective of the subject matter, due to the good mix of local and international lecturers.
• Over 70% of the lecturers are Ph.D. holders and many undertake research in their respective areas of interest, contributing to the enhancement of knowledge delivered in the classroom.

In-depth Knowledge

• The curriculum provides an in-depth insight in pharmaceutical sciences, physiology and pharmacy practice. Emphasis is placed on clinical skills, specifically with response to symptoms and differential diagnosis built on the application of scientific principles.

Comprehensive Placement

• Exposure to the three major healthcare areas in pharmacy, via 5-week placement in Community Pharmacy, 15-week of Hospital Pharmacy and 3-week placement in Industrial Pharmacy.

Professional Recognition for the Pharmacy Degree at Taylor’s University

Taylor’s University Graduates are eligible for registration with the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia. The requirements are:

• Completion of pre-registration training and 1-year compulsory service.
  The 1-year pre-registration training and another year of service must be at premises approved by the Ministry of Health. These include institutions, hospitals and clinics under the Ministry of Health, other government institutions such as Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, University Malaya Medical Centre and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre as well as selected private sector establishments that include community pharmacies, pharmaceutical industries and private hospitals.
• Pass the Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination which assesses knowledge and application of Malaysian law regulating the sale and supply of poisons and also the ethics of the pharmacy profession. This examination must be passed by all candidates wishing to apply for registration either before graduation, prior to starting the pre-registration training or before completion of the pre-registration training.