To practise as a pharmacist in South Africa you need a Bachelor of Pharmacy from an institution accredited by the South African Pharmacy Council, a year of internship, a year of community service, and registration with the council. Entry requires a bachelor pass with Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences.
Every stage is required before independent practice, and the council controls who may register, what each registration category may do, and the standards pharmacies themselves must meet.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Applications are generally assessed on the following.
- A bachelor pass with Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences at the levels required
- The institution points score for the BPharm, which is high because places are limited
- A four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy from an accredited institution
- A year of internship at an approved facility under a supervising pharmacist
- A year of community service in the public sector
- Registration with the South African Pharmacy Council
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The BPharm is a four-year degree offered at a limited number of South African institutions, which makes it competitive. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted.
Registration must be maintained through continuing professional development and annual fees. Separate registration categories exist, including pharmacist assistants, with shorter training routes and narrower scopes.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences are required at the levels each institution specifies, reflecting the chemistry, pharmacology and calculation content of the degree.
Pharmaceutical calculations run throughout the degree and into practice, where dosing errors carry serious consequences. The mathematics requirement is substantive rather than administrative.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications normally require the following.
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your National Senior Certificate or latest statement of results
- Proof of the application fee, where one is charged
- Your final matric results, used to confirm any conditional offer
- A medical or health screening report and a police clearance certificate, required before clinical placement
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Internship posts are applied for towards the end of the degree, and community service placements are allocated through a central process, so you may not be able to choose your province.
If the BPharm is not achievable, pharmacist assistant categories are legitimate careers with their own registration and shorter training, and some practitioners articulate upward later. Confirm accreditation and registration requirements with the South African Pharmacy Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a pharmacist?
A four-year degree, a year of internship and a year of community service, followed by registration.
Can I study pharmacy with Mathematical Literacy?
No. Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences are required for entry to a BPharm.
Is community service compulsory?
Yes, and placements are allocated centrally, so you may not be able to choose your province.
Are there shorter routes?
Pharmacist assistant categories have shorter training and narrower scopes, and can articulate upward later.
Confirm degree accreditation, internship and community service requirements with the South African Pharmacy Council. See pharmacist requirements. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.