The Bachelor of Pharmacy at Wits is a four-year professional degree training students in the preparation, dispensing, and rational use of medicines. All applicants must write the National Benchmark Tests. Pharmacists serve as essential members of South Africa's healthcare team, ensuring the safe, effective, and cost-efficient use of medication across hospitals, community pharmacies, and primary healthcare facilities. The curriculum covers pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacy law, equipping graduates for registration with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). South Africa's large pharmaceutical market — dominated by companies including Aspen, Sanofi, and local generics manufacturers — offers diverse career pathways.
English Home Language or English First Additional Language: Level 5
Mathematics: Level 5
Life Sciences or Physical Sciences: Level 5
APS: 38 (composite index)
Community Pharmacist – Dispenses medicines, provides medication counselling, and manages chronic disease programmes for patients in South African retail and community pharmacies, registered with SAPC.
Hospital Pharmacist – Manages medicine supply chains, clinical pharmacy services, and pharmacovigilance in South African public and private hospitals, contributing to antimicrobial stewardship programmes.
Industrial Pharmacist – Works in drug development, quality assurance, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs for South African pharmaceutical companies including Aspen Pharmacare and Cipla Medpro.
Clinical Pharmacologist – Conducts clinical drug trials and pharmacokinetics research at South African research institutions, contributing to the development of new treatments for HIV, TB, and cancer.
Regulatory Affairs Pharmacist – Manages drug registration submissions and compliance with SAHPRA requirements for South African and international pharmaceutical manufacturers.
