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Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours)

Understand what causes diseases. Develop life-changing medicines. Learn to protect your discoveries.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

If you’re planning to study at UOW immediately after finishing your HSC, International Baccalaureate (IB), or an interstate equivalent, you can apply for Early Admission to this course. Applications can be submitted via the UOW Early Admission website during the designated period, usually June – August each year.

Students can also apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

If you’re a non-school leaver (e.g., completed Year 12 previously and/or have a TAFE qualification or equivalent), you can apply directly to UOW.

Before applying, please review the requirements, intakes, and deadlines for your chosen degree.

International students are encouraged to apply with the support of an approved UOW agent. An agent can help navigate the application process and ensure that you submit all necessary documentation. For your nearest agent, please see our agent list.

Alternatively, if you would like to apply directly (without an agent), you can start the process through our Apply Online portal. Please note, some applicants will not be eligible to apply directly and will be prompted to apply via an agent.

International students who are studying an Australian Year 12 qualification in or outside of Australia may choose to apply through UOW Early Admission, and/or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?
Campus
Wollongong
ATAR-SR ?
80
Delivery ?
On Campus
Duration
4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2025
  • Autumn 2024
Codes
CRICOS: 084858K
UOW: 1773

Overview

Medicinal chemists design and synthesise new medicinal and pharmacological agents, monitor guidelines for testing drugs, and analyse drug regulatory affairs, assess patent applications for new drugs, inform policy on public health and teach in tertiary institutions.

The Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) provides excellent training in the modern techniques of chemical science applied to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

To support your learning, you will participate in practical classes in our purpose-built sciences teaching facility in the Science Precinct of the Wollongong campus or out in the field.

Built into the fourth year of the course, honours includes a substantial piece of independent research in medicinal chemistry, under the supervision of a leading researcher, together with other advanced course work, ensuring that you have the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of tomorrow's employers.

See the course handbook for more information.

On completion you will be ready for a career in the pharmaceutical industry, chemical industry, government agencies (health, veterinary, agriculture, food and drug administration), and research organisations.

See more

Careers

  • Healthcare Educator
  • Laboratory Manager
  • Medical Scientist
  • Medical Services Manager
  • Pathology Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Scientist
  • Research Scientist
  • Technical Writer
See more

Accreditation & professional recognition

The degree structure is designed to meet the qualifying standards of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Students who meet the course requirements will be eligible for corporate membership as Chartered Chemists.

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for future students. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

The University assumes students will have studied Mathematics and any 2 units of science. The university recommends that students study Mathematics Advanced, Chemistry and Biology

Students who have not completed Chemistry and/or Biology in the HSC are strongly recommended to enrol in bridging courses offered in February each year.

  • Academic Entry Requirements

    To succeed in your chosen course, you should have completed relevant subjects in senior high school or other qualifications. For more information, refer to UOW's Entry Requirements page.

  • English Language Requirements

    The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

     

    English Test

    Overall Score

    Reading

    Writing

    Listening

    Speaking
    IELTS Academic

    6.0

    6.0

    6.0

    6.0

    6.0
    TOEFL (Internet-based)

    70

    18

    18

    17

    17

     

    UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Pass (weighted average mark of 50 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

    Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

  • Workload

    Full-Time Study Load

    As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

    For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

    Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

    UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

More detail

International Course fees table
Campus Delivery method Session fee* Course fee*
WollongongOn Campus$19344 (2025)$154752 (2025)
WollongongOn Campus$17736 (2024)$141888 (2024)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Tuition fees are reviewing annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:

  • Autumn, 2025 at Wollongong

    On Campus delivery

    Orientation: 24 - 27 February 2025
    Session: 03 March - 27 June 2025

    Applications Close

    • Domestic Applicants (UAC): 30 September 2024 (early bird), 30 January 2025 (final) (see UAC Key Dates).
    • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 December 2024*
    • International Applicants: 9 December 2024*

    *Applications must be complete with all required documentation.

    Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

    Indicative enrolment

    The number of students in 2023 for the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology, and the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry was 30. This indicates the likely size of this group of students (in these similar courses) in 2024.

    Student profile

    This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.

    Student profile table
    Applicant background 2023 intake 2023 intake (%)
    Higher education study 0 0%
    Vocational education & training study 0 0%
    Work & life experience 0 0%
    Recent secondary education
    ATAR Only <5 N/P
    ATAR plus additional criteria 0 0%
    Other criteria only (non-ATAR) 24 80%
    International students <5 N/P
    All students 30 100%

    < 5: Number of students is less than 5
    N/A: Data not available for this item
    N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)

    ATAR profile

    This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ATAR-based admission.

    ATAR profile table
    ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023 ATAR Selection Rank
    Highest rank to receive an offer 96.25 96.8
    Median rank to receive an offer 89.9 90.05
    Lowest rank to receive an offer 75.15 75.14

    < 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
    N/A: Data not available for this item
    N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

    More information

    For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.

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