ABOUT
Pharmacists are experts in medicines who work alongside doctors, nurses and dentists as part of the healthcare team. As a pharmacy graduate, you will need to understand the science behind drug discovery, development and delivery along with how patients react to the medicines they take. You will also have to understand individual patient care and public health issues to deliver the best health and pharmaceutical care. Our pharmacy degree combines science and pharmacy from the start. Our aim is to provide you with the skills and knowledge to be a medicines expert to choose from the full range of pharmacy careers.
Pharmacy Degree
With the ever-increasing volume of medicines in the market, pharmacists work along with doctors to improve therapeutic outcome and patient care.
Indeed, with pharmacists as part of the healthcare team involved in patient care, outcomes improve and costs decline. Pharmacy graduates can also work on product development. In Malaysia and abroad, they are in great demand in the pharmaceutical industry for clinical research, formulation research and development, production, quality assurance, regulatory affairs and marketing. The IMU Pharmacy programme offers the option to complete the entire 4-year programme locally at IMU or credit transfer to the University of Otago, New Zealand or University of Tasmania, Australia.
IMU has emerged as champion in the 2024 Employers’ Choice of University awards for their Pharmacy programme by Talentbank.
The IMU School of Pharmacy is ranked 151-200 this year in the QS ranking by subject (Pharmacy & Pharmacology), securing the top spot among Malaysia’s private universities and ranking fourth among all public and private universities in the country.
Unleashing the Potential of IMU Pharmacy Students Through Global Mobility Programme
In a world that is becoming more interconnected by the day, the pharmacy field is experiencing rapid evolution, bringing forth fresh challenges and possibilities. To ensure that IMU pharmacy students are fully prepared to excel in this dynamic environment, embracing the transformative potential of mobility programmes becomes paramount. These programmes, which may involve elective postings or research experiences, offer invaluable opportunities. IMU’s Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours students will have the chance to participate in such mobility programmes, supported by the Global Exposure Funding (GEF).
Key Facts
Why Study Pharmacy at IMU?
An Established Private Healthcare University
IMU is Malaysia’s first and most established private medical and healthcare university with over 30 years of dedicated focus in healthcare education. IMU achieved the SETARA-2018/2019 Tier 6 status (Outstanding) under the Mature University category.
Graduates’ Career Readiness and Employability for the Future Jobs
Innovations in digital health are reshaping how healthcare is accessed and provided worldwide, and is set to revolutionise the healthcare sector in the future. In line with this, the School of Pharmacy is committed to provide up-to-date teaching and learning experiences by incorporating the digital health components in the pharmacy curriculum to prepare our graduates to be work-ready and responsive in a technology-driven healthcare industry.
Opportunity to Gain Global Experience
Students will have the opportunities to gain global experiences through elective or research placements in Asia, Australasia, Europe, UK and US. Participating in international educational programmes will be an added advantage to the students as they broaden their perspectives on global opportunities, international work culture and knowledge including networking opportunities. Each student is given a guaranteed financial support, to meet either part or full travel expenses.
Unique Pharmacy Alumni-Mentor Programme
With more than 3,000 pharmacy graduates in our alumni network, the School introduces a Professional Practice Fellow programme, which focuses on connecting students with established alumni career professionals; providing them with a unique opportunity to improve transferable skills, strengthen networking skills and promote seamless transition from university to workplace. Our students will learn more about possible career paths from experienced professionals when they embark on the programme.
Bringing Industry to University Teaching
As part of the graduate preparedness for workplace, the School is actively engaging industrial experts from community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, industrial pharmacy and academic pharmacy, to share their work experiences, expected competencies, and career prospects as well as teaching. This would provide students with exposure on the latest practical aspects and know-how, and understand how their knowledge can be translated to the workplace.
Programme Structure
Semester Contents
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 |
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| Semester 4 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
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| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
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* Selective Modules:
1. Cosmeceuticals
2. Radiopharmacy
3. Veterinary Pharmacy
4. Traditional Chinese Medicine
5. Introduction to Healthcare Data Analytics
6. Digital Health Applications
Entry Requirement
| Examinations | Requirements |
|---|---|
| A- Levels | BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology and Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics (minimum B in Chemistry)
Malaysians must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level (except Degree level) |
| STPM | BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology and Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics (minimum B in Chemistry)
Malaysians must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level (except Degree level) |
| Australian Matriculation | ATAR 75 including Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics (minimum 75% in Chemistry)
Malaysians must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level (except Degree level) |
| NCEA Level 3 | Average of 75% for Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics (minimum 75% or equivalent in Chemistry)
Malaysians must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level (except Degree level) |
| Canadian Grade 12/13 | Average of 75% for Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics (minimum 75% or equivalent in Chemistry)
Malaysians must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level (except Degree level) |
| Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) | B4 in 5 subjects: ~Biology; and ~Chemistry; and ~Physics; and ~Advanced Mathematics or another subject Malaysians must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level (except Degree level) |
| Australian University Foundation Programmes | Average of 75% for Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics (minimum 75% or equivalent in Chemistry)
Malaysians must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level (except Degree level) |
| Indian Pre-University | Average of 75% for Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics (minimum 75% in Chemistry)
Malaysians must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level (except Degree level) |
| Ministry of Education Matriculation # | Grades BBB or ABC in 3 subjects:
~Biology; and with a B in Chemistry Provided the programme is not less than 1 year and completed in the AND Malaysian must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | Minimum 30 points overall with a minimum score of 5 each in 3 of the following subjects: ~ Biology; and ~ Chemistry; and ~ Physics or Mathematics with a minimum of 2 Higher Level (HL) and 1 science subject at Standard Level (SL) AND |
| American High School Diploma with Advanced Placement (AP) | – |
| Foundation Studies # | IMU Foundation in Science BBB or ABC in 3 subjects:~Biology; and ~Chemistry; and ~Physics or Mathematics with a B in ChemistryAND attained 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics/ Additional Mathematics and another subject at SPM/O-Level. Malaysian must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level Provided the programme is not less than 1 year and completed in the same institution *Foundation in Science or equivalent from other institutions will be subjected to the Dean’s approval on a case by case basis* |
| Degree | BSc in related field: cGPA 3.00 |
| Diploma | Diploma in Pharmacy or Health Sciences or related field. ~ cGPA 3.5 and Provided the programme is not less than 5 semesters or 2½ years and completed in the same institution AND attained 2Bs each in ~Chemistry ; and ~Biology / Physics/ Mathmetaics and ~Credits in 3 other subjects including English at SPM/O Level or equivalent Malaysians must attain minimum C in BM and English at SPM or equivalent level (except Degree level). |
# The duration of this programme must be a minimum of 1 year in the same accredited institution and foundation in other disciplines are accepted.
English Language Requirement
| MUET* | Band score of 3; or (For Malaysian students) |
| IELTS | Overall band score of 6.0 (Not less than 5.5 for individual bands); or |
| Cambridge English : Advanced (CAE)* | Overall score of 169; or |
| Cambridge English : Proficiency (CPE)* | Overall score of 169; or |
| Cambridge Linguaskill* | Overall score of 160; or |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE)* | Overall score of 59; or |
| Credit Transfer | IELTS
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The following categories of students* are exempted from the above requirements:
Students who graduated from other institutions where the curriculum is delivered in English Language for example: Advanced Levels / Australian Matriculation / Australian University Foundation Year / Canadian Matriculation / International Baccalaureate / Foundation in Science / Other Pre-University Programmes from Local Higher Education Institutions
* ONLY applicable for those who are completing the entire degree at IMU, Malaysia
Note
Please note that achieving the minimum Entry and English requirements as stated does not guarantee you admission into any of IMU’s programmes.
Please refer to our Student Admissions Policy for more information.
Application and Registration Fees
| Fee | Malaysian Student (RM) | International Student (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | 150 | 500 |
| Registration Fee | 850 | 2,000 |
| Refundable Caution Deposit | 2,000 | 2,000 |
Fee Structure
malaysian student
| Total Duration (years) | At IMU University | At Partner University (PU) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Total Semesters | Tuition Fee (RM) | Estimated Tuition Fees at Partner University | |||||
| Per Semester | Per Year | Years | Semesters | Tuition Fee Per Year * | ||||
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) | 4 | 4 | 8 | 26,000 | 52,000 | – | – | – |
| – Credit Transfer to University of Otago Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) |
4 | 2 | 4 | 26,000 | 52,000 | 2 | 4 | NZ$46,616 |
| – Credit Transfer to University of Tasmania ** Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) |
4 | 2 | 4 | 26,000 | 52,000 | 2 | 4 | A$35,950 |
| – Credit Transfer to The University of Sydney Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) / Master of Pharmacy Practice |
6 | 2 | 4 | 26,000 | 52,000 | 4 (3 years Undergraduate + 1 year Postgraduate) |
8 | AUD56,000(Undergraduate) AUD56,000(Postgraduate) |
| – Credit Transfer to The University of Sydney Bachelor of Pharmacy and Management (Honours) / Master of Pharmacy Practice |
7 | 2 | 4 | 26,000 | 52,000 | 5 (4 years Undergraduate + 1 year Postgraduate) |
10 | AUD56,000(Undergraduate) AUD56,000(Postgraduate) |
International Student
| Total Duration (years) | At IMU University | At Partner University (PU) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Total Semesters | Tuition Fee (RM) | Estimated Tuition Fees at Partner University | |||||
| Per Semester | Per Year | Years | Semesters | Tuition Fee Per Year * | ||||
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) | 4 | 4 | 8 | 27,000 | 54,000 | – | – | – |
| – Credit Transfer to University of Otago Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) |
4 | 2 | 4 | 27,000 | 54,000 | 2 | 4 | NZ$46,616 |
| – Credit Transfer to University of Tasmania ** Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) |
4 | 2 | 4 | 27,000 | 54,000 | 2 | 4 | A$35,950 |
| – Credit Transfer to The University of Sydney Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) / Master of Pharmacy Practice |
6 | 2 | 4 | 27,000 | 54,000 | 4 (3 years Undergraduate + 1 year Postgraduate) |
8 | AUD56,000(Undergraduate) AUD56,000(Postgraduate) |
| – Credit Transfer to The University of Sydney Bachelor of Pharmacy and Management (Honours) / Master of Pharmacy Practice |
7 | 2 | 4 | 27,000 | 54,000 | 5 (4 years Undergraduate + 1 year Postgraduate) |
10 | AUD56,000(Undergraduate) AUD56,000(Postgraduate) |
| Country | Estimated Living Costs (Per Year) |
Exchange Rate (As of Dec 2023) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Living Cost (Per Year) | Australia | AUD 21,000 – AUD 30,000 ≈ RM 65,900 – RM 94,200 | AUD 1 ≈ RM3.14 |
| Canada | CAD 28,000 ≈ RM 98,000 | CAD 1 ≈ RM3.50 | |
| China | RMB 85,000 ≈ RM 56,100 | RMB 1 ≈ RM0.66 | |
| Ireland | EUR 12,000 ≈ RM 62,000 | EUR 1 ≈ RM5.17 | |
| New Zealand | NZD 22,000 – NZD 26,000 ≈ RM 64,500 – RM 76,200 | NZD 1 ≈ RM2.93 | |
| United Kingdom | GBP 10,000 – 22,700 ≈ RM60,000 – RM 136,200 | GBP 1 ≈ RM6.00 | |
| United States of America | USD 16,000 ≈ RM 75,800 | USD 1 ≈ RM4.74 | |
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | RM36,000 | RM36,000 |
Partner Universities
As an assurance of a total commitment towards quality education in pharmacy, the IMU maintains its relationship with many partner universities in Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom.
Students enrolled in the pharmacy programme at IMU have the opportunity to credit transfer, allowing them to complete their degree at either the University of Otago in New Zealand or the University of Tasmania in Australia. Eligible graduates from this programme can enrol into King’s MSc in MedTech Innovation & Entrepreneurship at King’s College London, United Kingdom.
Australia
new zealand
united kingdom
Industrial Partners
The curriculum structure is constantly updated to meet the ever-changing industries’ needs and includes research-led teaching to deliver evidence-based knowledge and practice in the industry. Students will have the opportunity to undergo industrial training in the related sectors in their final semester. They will also be able to collaborate with industry or/and researcher in related project in their final year. The organisations involved in these internships are:
Views from Our Community
Ziqian Ooi
Alumna, Pharmacy
The pharmaceutics modules together with the industrial attachment was an eye-opening experience for us to have a better understanding of how a pharmaceutical company operates. We were exposed to the departments, such as research and development, production, quality control, etc. The pharmaceutics modules in the IMU BPharm (Hons) had raised my interest and curiosity to know more in-depth about the pharmaceutical industry. The diversity in the role of a pharmacist can play in the pharmaceutical industry has shaped my career pathway in becoming an industrial pharmacist.
Marilyn Tee Cheng Ling
Alumna, Pharmacy
My final semester in IMU has helped me visualise a clearer picture of the working environment due to the attachments and hands-on experience. Through my community pharmacy placement, I was able to learn valuable soft skills that cannot be taught through the books which helped me tremendously in my personal development. On top of the strong academic foundation given by the remarkable lecturers of IMU, these external challenges I faced has also helped me to further enhance my knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Sarannya A/P Balakrishnan
Alumna, Pharmacy
The industry engagement activities and industry visit conducted in the different semesters of my study so far have been nothing short of eye-opening and very informative. I always look forward to attending any talks by the guest speakers from the industry and experience sharing sessions, as I feel inspired and motivated to follow in their footsteps. I could correlate our theoretical knowledge with the processes being carried out in the pharmaceutical industry. I am lucky to be able to gain such insights about the happenings in various fields such as production, quality control, and marketing in the workforce even when I am still studying. The initiatives taken by our lecturers enabled my learning process to be more meaningful as now I have a clearer vision of where I want to be after I graduate.
Dr Mai Chun Wai
Alumnus, Pharmacy
IMU provides a good research culture that promotes inter-disciplinary research collaboration with local and internationally renowned scientists. I am grateful to IMU for all the opportunities and support IMU has invested in me. I believe this is so for all other academicians as well.
Vilashini Saravanan
Alumna, Pharmacy
I truly enjoy learning under the tutelage of brilliant, enthusiastic lecturers here as they never fail to inspire me to be as knowledgeable as them one day. Embarking on the BPharm programme at IMU has changed me for the better, and I'm confident that by the time I graduate, I would be well-equipped with knowledge and skills of a pharmacist, beyond the textbooks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the structure of the programme?
The BPharm (Hons) programme uses an innovative curriculum developed entirely by the IMU School, completed in four years (8 semesters), and is undertaken in Malaysia. Credit transfer options are also available for this. The curriculum is largely based on Body Systems, and integrates the study of these systems in health and disease with the study of drug treatment. An entire semester in the fourth year is devoted to research and another semester to supervised practise.
What is the medium of instruction?
The medium of instruction is English. Students whose pre-university education is not in English are strongly recommended to improve their proficiency by attending English classes before entering IMU.
When do I apply?
You can apply using forecast or actual results.
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A Word from the Programme Director
A/Prof Dr Dinesh Kumar Chellappan
Associate Professor & Programme Director
BPharm, MPharm (Manipal), PhD (Manipal)
“The IMU BPharm (Hons) programme was established in 2004 with an aim to produce world-class Pharmacy graduates who are competent, and are able to adapt to the ever changing practice environments. Pharmacy is a noble profession where patient safety and patient care are utmost goals of the practice. Pharmacy graduates are generally employed in various sectors namely, hospitals, community outlets, pharmaceutical industries, higher education sectors, drug regulatory bodies and armed forces. The BPharm programme at IMU offers students the opportunity to empower themselves through innovative methods and an outcome based curriculum, that enable them to be competent and practice-ready.”