Duration
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2027 Semester One – 1 March
2028 Semester One – 28 February
Available locations
Grafton
Points
120
Programme type
Postgraduate

Programme overview

Graduates of the postgraduate diploma 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 face-to-face weekend workshops for some courses).

The Clinical Pharmacy specialisation 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.

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

Prescribing will teach you:

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

If you have already completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy and would like to now specialise in Prescribing, please refer to the programme page for Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy.

Programme structure

The Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy is a 120-point programme that can be completed on a part-time basis only. 

Up to four years part-time

Most students will start with the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy (PGCertClinPharm) and enrol in 60 points per year (30 points or one course per semester)

Courses completed as part of the PGCertClinPharm can be credited toward the PGDipClinPharm:

  • Completion of Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy (60 points)
  • Advanced taught course topics that cover applied and advanced pharmacotherapy and innovative pharmacy services (60 points)

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

Year 2 60 points

  • Code:
    PHARMACY 766
    Name:
    Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 3
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    PHARMACY 767
    Name:
    Advanced Pharmacotherapy
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts

Sample programme structure

Prescribing

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

Year 2 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

2027 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 New Zealand Pharmacy Council.

In order to be admitted to the specialisation in Prescribing you must hold an appropriate position involving patient care, and have access to a designated medical prescriber, as approved by the programme director. Applicants should also complete the 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 Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy cost per year?

2026 fees

Domestic students
NZ$11,545.20*
International students
NZ$55,214*

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 $1,132.80 for full-time study (120 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 2027
8 December 2026

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?

Pharmacists who complete this programme will have greater experience in the preparation and implementation of pharmaceutical care and medicines management plans for a wide range of therapeutic areas, and for patients with more complex clinical needs. They will have a degree of specialisation to facilitate the progress to advanced clinical roles. 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.

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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