University of Queensland
Graduate Certificate in Pharmaceutical Industry Practice
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Gain insight into pharmaceutical industry practice, from drug and device development to regulatory affairs, clinical development and commercialisation.
Course overview
The University of Queensland's Graduate Certificate in Pharmaceutical Industry Practice is designed to develop knowledge and skills relevant to the medicines and medical devices development sector. The course provides insight into contemporary pharmaceutical industry practice and the processes involved in bringing medicines and devices from development through to market.
You'll explore areas including ethics and governance, regulatory affairs, business and health economics, drug design and formulation, manufacturing and packaging, and clinical drug development. Your studies also cover safety and pharmacovigilance, biometrics and different stages of development from preclinical research through to post-registration.
You'll also develop your understanding of project management and commercialisation in the pharmaceutical industry, including the business skills involved in working across disciplines and global teams. Delivered at UQ's Dutton Park campus, the course can be completed in six months of full-time study or part-time equivalent and may support career directions across pharmaceutical and medical device development.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
12th July, 2027
What you will study
At UQ, a unit represents the value of individual courses that contribute to the total unit requirements of a program. Most UQ courses have a value of two units, though some may vary depending on the program or course structure.
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Pharmaceutical Industry Practice, you must complete 8 units or four courses as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth two units.
Core units
You must complete eight units from the following:
- Drug Design and Formulation (four units)
- Pre-clinical Drug Development (four units)
- Clinical Drug Development and Biometrics
- Post-registration Life Cycle Management
- Device Development, Drug Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs and Governance
- Project Management and Commercialisation in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for this course, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in science, engineering, medical science or an equivalent discipline.
- Have a minimum GPA of 4.5 on UQ’s 7-point scale in their previous qualification.
Applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and meet the minimum entry requirements will be offered a place. Evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status must be provided on admission.
English language requirements
Applicants must provide evidence of at least one of the following:
- An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0.
- A TOEFL iBT overall score of 87, with a minimum score of 19 in listening, 19 in reading, 21 in writing and 19 in speaking.
- A PTE Academic overall score of 64, with no individual sub-band score below 60.
- A Cambridge English Scale overall score of 176, with no individual sub-band score below 169.
- Other accepted evidence of English language proficiency.
Contact the university for further information.
Inherent requirements
Students must meet the inherent requirements for UQ’s pharmaceutical industry practice programs. Applicants should review these requirements before applying.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Preclinical Research Lead
- Quality Control Chemist
- Clinical Trials Coordinator
- Clinical Research Project Manager
- Regulatory Affairs Manager
- Pharmaceutical Production Operator
- Medical Marketing Associate
- Drug and Device Safety Assessor
- Medical Affairs/Medical Science Liaison
- Drug Safety Manager
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $4,770 (Full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.