Duration
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2026 Semester One – 2 March
2027 Semester One – 1 March
Available locations
Grafton
Points
60
Programme type
Postgraduate

Programme overview

Graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate will be able to:

  • Ensure the safe, effective and economic use of medicines for both individual patients and patient groups.
  • Design, implement and optimise pharmaceutical care plans for individual patients in a broad range of therapeutic areas.
  • Manage the pharmaceutical care of patients with complex clinical needs.
  • Develop specialised knowledge of medicines use in areas of clinical interest, including advanced medicines management.

This programme has been designed to allow students living anywhere in New Zealand to enrol, as most of the material will be presented online (supplemented by two or three face-to-face weekend workshops per semester).

The Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy aims to expand the experience of pharmacists in the development and implementation of patient-centred pharmaceutical care and medicines management plans. The programme covers a wide range of therapeutic areas and can cater to patients with complex clinical needs.

Prescribing Specialisation

Pharmacists wishing to train as pharmacist prescribers can undertake training as a specialisation of the Postgraduate Certificate. Please note that this Prescribing specialisation is only available for those who have already completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy.

The Prescribing specialisation equips pharmacists with the knowledge skills and attributes to prescribe medicines competently within a collaborative healthcare team environment.

The Prescribing specialisation will enable you to:

  • Demonstrate comprehensive pharmacotherapeutic knowledge of medicines within their proposed areas of prescribing practice.
  • Access and evaluate relevant clinical information concerning individual patients in order to prescribe safely and effectively.
  • Demonstrate skills in patient assessment, diagnosis and clinical decision-making to facilitate good prescribing decisions.
  • Demonstrate competence in prescribing practice under supervision.

Programme structure

The Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy is a 60-point programme that can be completed on a part-time basis only.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

Clinical Pharmacy

Year 1 60 points

  • Code:
    PHARMACY 764
    Name:
    Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    PHARMACY 765
    Name:
    Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts

Sample programme structure

Prescribing

Year 1 60 points

  • Code:
    PHARMACY 766
    Name:
    Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 3
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    PHARMACY 770
    Name:
    Prescribing Practicum
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts

Subjects available in this programme

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

2026 entry requirements

Programme requirements

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in pharmacy at a recognised university (or similar institution). You must also be currently registered as a pharmacist with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.

The Prescribing specialisation is only available if have already completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (or equivalent). You must also hold an appropriate position involving patient care and have access to a Designated Medical Prescriber approved by the programme director. 

If you are interested in training as a pharmacist prescriber, please complete our  Expression of interest for Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy in Prescribing form.

Further programme requirements

English language requirements

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English you will need to provide evidence of your English proficiency.

You will require an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0. See alternative English language requirements.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

How much does a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy cost per year?

2026 fees

Domestic students
NZ$5,772.60*
International students
NZ$27,607*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $9.44 per point, estimated at $566.40 for full-time study (60 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2026
8 December 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

The specialisation in Prescribing is designed to provide registered pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to register as a Pharmacist Prescriber with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand. We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Pharmacist Prescriber

Further study options

See all study options

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Key Information for Students

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