Are you planning to study for a master’s degree abroad? And wondering which country to choose? If yes, then you don’t have to worry anymore because you are at the right place at the right time. Over the past few years, the demand for pharmacists has increased, leading to many job opportunities in the healthcare sector . Postgraduate education in pharmacy can definitely help you in your career advancement. A wide range of career prospects are available to New Zealand students wishing to pursue a Master of Pharmacy degree, with leading New Zealand universities offering popular postgraduate degrees in pharmacy. Read the entire blog to find out more about Master of Pharmacy in New Zealand.
Why study a Master of Pharmacy in New Zealand?
Here are some of the important reasons why New Zealand is a popular study abroad destination for international students:
- New Zealand is one of the most preferred study destinations for international students.
- Studying in New Zealand is considered an excellent choice as its education system is similar to the UK and it is known for its academic excellence throughout the world.
- Taking into account the cost of education, New Zealand is also more affordable than the US , which is one of the popular study destinations.
- In addition, New Zealand is one of the ten most peaceful and safe countries in the world.
Top Master of Pharmacy Universities in New Zealand
The table below shows the universities and the rankings they have achieved. These rankings are awarded by prestigious World University rating agencies.
| University | World University Rankings 202 3 | QS World University Rankings 2023 |
| University of Auckland | #139 | #87 |
| University of Otago | No. 301 – No. 350 | #217 |
University of Auckland
Credits: University of Auckland.
The University of Auckland , founded in 1883 in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, is known as the country’s largest university. It is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world.
| University | University of Auckland |
| Type | State University |
| Campus | Urban |
| Number of campuses | 7 |
| Programs | 400+ |
| Entry fee PG | 100 New Zealand dollars |
| Application fee, UG | 85 New Zealand dollars |
| English Score Requirements | IELTS: 6.0 TOEFL: 80PTE: 50 |
| Acceptance rate | 45% |
Popular University of Auckland Masters of Pharmacy courses are mentioned below and detailed in the tables.
Master of Clinical Pharmacy
| Course name | MClinPharm |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Qualification requirements | UG degree in Pharmacy from a recognized university with a GPE of 5.0 or above in the final year of the UG program. Must have a current Pharmacist registration. |
| IELTS Requirements | Overall score 6.5, without components below 6.0. |
| Tuition fee per year | NZD 46,525 (INR 23,03,084) |
University of Otago
Credits: University of Otago.
The University of Otago , founded in 1869 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, is also one of the best and prestigious universities in New Zealand.
| University | University of Otago |
| Motto | Dare to be wise |
| Type | State Research University |
| Campus | Urban |
| Number of campuses | 5 |
| Programs | 200+ |
| Student population | More than 21,000 |
| English Score Requirements | IELTS UG: 6.0 IELTS PG: 6.5 TOEFL UG: 80TOEFL PG: 95 PTE UG: 58PTE PG: 64 |
Popular University of Otago Masters of Pharmacy courses are mentioned below and detailed in the tables.
Master of Pharmacy
| Course name | MPpharm |
| Duration | 23 years old |
| Qualification requirements | Bachelor of Pharmacy or Bachelor of Pharmacy Honors degree or equivalent qualification or experience. |
| IELTS Requirements | Overall score 6.5, without components below 6.0. |
| Tuition fee per year | NZD 39,822 (INR 19,71,272) |
Master of Science (MSc) in Pharmacology
| Course name | Master of Pharmacology |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Qualification requirements | Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in pharmacology 75-79%. |
| IELTS Requirements | Overall score 6.5, without components below 6.0. |
| Tuition fee per year | NZD 39,822 (INR 19,71,272) |
Main selection criteria
Although we have mentioned the entry requirements in the tables above, to summarize, the student must meet the basic requirements listed below.
- Students must have completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from a recognized board and university.
- Students must meet English language proficiency requirements, with an overall IELTS score of 6.5–7.5 being preferred.
Application process to study Master of Pharmacy in New Zealand
To gain admission to New Zealand universities, students need to follow the following basic application process. They may vary slightly depending on the rules of a particular university.
- Choose your dream university . The entire application process starts with shortlisting your dream universities and preferred courses. When choosing a course, students should consider two main preferences: their future goals and their qualifications. Once you have selected your program, create an account with the university and begin filling out your personal information and academic history.
- Scan and send documents . The second step is to scan all your documents individually and upload them to the application form. If you are applying to multiple universities and courses, you will have to repeat this process for each course and university. Once you have submitted all relevant documents such as academic transcripts, financial documents and English language proficiency test scores, you can submit your application.
- Track your application . Once you have completed and submitted the application form, you can easily track the status of your application to estimate deadlines and fulfill any other pending requirements on your part.
- Accept the offer of a place . Once all formalities have been completed, the university will assess your application and offer you a place in the department and course of your choice. You can accept or reject the application. If you decide to accept the offer, you will need to pay the commission and secure your position!
- Apply for a visa and fly abroad . Once you have been accepted into your dream university place, the student visa application process begins. Students must secure accommodation, air tickets, health and medical insurance, and travel insurance before beginning student visa registration. New Zealand student visa processing time is approximately 3-4 weeks. Once you receive your visa, you are flying abroad to your dream destination!
Document checklist
Below are the most important documents that candidates must provide to apply:
- Copy of your passport
- Official transcript
- Official certificate of completion of the program
- All sheets
- Relevant Course Outlines
- IELTS or TOEFL or equivalent
Cost of studying and living in New Zealand
The cost of living in a country like New Zealand can be high for students, as some of the larger cities have competitive rental prices. However, the average cost of living in New Zealand is US$20,000–25,000 (INR 10,000–12,000,000) per year. Use Edu’s cost of living calculator to find out the cost of living in different cities around the world.
| Average cost | US$20,000-25,000 (INR 10,000,000-12,00,000) per annum. |
| Average commission | NZD 62,910 (INR 3,232,000) per annum |
| Utility costs | NZD 200–250 (INR 10,188.33–12,735.42) per month |
| Food | NZD 60–100 (3056.76–5094.61) |
Career Opportunities
A student who completes a Master of Pharmacy degree may find the following career opportunities along the way.
- Community pharmacist
- Hospital pharmacist
- Political Advisor
- Owner pharmacist
- Academic pharmacist
- Researcher
- Pharmacist at a primary healthcare organization
- Pharmacist for Regulatory Affairs
- Specialist pharmacist, e.g. mental health
- Pharmacist prescribing prescriptions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application fee to the University of Auckland?
The University of Auckland application fee is NZ$100 (INR 4,946).
What are the admission rates for New Zealand universities?
Popular admissions to New Zealand universities are from February to June for semester 1 and from July to November for semester 2.
Am I eligible to study for a Master of Pharmacy at the University of Otago if I have an IELTS score of 5.0?
Unfortunately, you will not be eligible to study on a program at the University of Otago as the minimum required IELTS score to study at the University of Otago is 6.5 with no additional skills below 6.0. Join Leverage Edu’s Leverage Live program to score high in English tests like IELTS TOEFL PTE and fulfill your dream of studying abroad.
