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Profile of the Programme

Program’s purpose and objectives:

UNIC Pharmacy Programme is dedicated to the education of pharmacy scientists who can deliver high-quality, evidence-based, interprofessional, person-centred pharmaceutical care and advance centred pharmaceutical care and advance public health services.

The Pharmacy Program is recognized as a pioneer in educating Pharmacists in Cyprus and is known for its academic excellence and its iinnovative leadership. The programs’ graduates are be highly visible locally and nationally and engaged in advancing the profession of pharmacy.

More specifically, Pharmacy Program aims to:

• educate future pharmacists and researchers
• be an incubator of future leaders in transforming the pharmacy profession
• acquisition of professional rights of a Pharmacist according to Directive 2005/36/EC and Directive 2013/55/EU
• be recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in improving medication outcomes and pharmacy education research &
• establish relationships with key individuals and organisations to improve the quality use of medicines and health outcomes.
• provide quality research and education that can add to the quality of life of members of the community.
• attract strong candidates
• contribute to the advancement of the profession of pharmacy through advanced pharmacy practice, organisational involvement, and to provide scholarly contributions to the profession.
• achieve excellence in didactic, experiential education as showed by our students’ ability in translating basic science knowledge into clinical applications and in providing comprehensive pharmacist-delivered patient-centered care
• be consistently ranked among the top schools of pharmacy
• share expertise with the pharmaceutical and health- care industries and contribute to local and international professional or scientific organizations and committees.
• demonstrate a high level of understanding in all pharmacy disciplines including pharmaceutical technology, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, toxicology, medicinal chemistry, physics, and practice-based calculations (numeracy evaluation) relevant to pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacokinetics, therapeutics, and pharmacy practice including pharmaceutical care, public health, pharmacoepidemiology, social pharmacy and pharmacoeconomics
• evidenced by students’ proficiency in translating basic science knowledge into clinical applications and in providing comprehensive pharmacist-delivered personed-centered care
• support sustainable development goals (SDGs) by innovating practices to enhance global health equality and equity, and access to medications
• focus on reducing health inequalities and promoting inclusive health care solutions as well as to minimize environmental impact

The curriculum meets the academic and scientific requirements for the award of an integrated master, in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework since:

• It has a duration of ten (10) academic semesters
• The programme includes courses that ensure:

1. Fundamental knowledge forming a strong academic background.
2. Developing core courses, fully covering the discipline’s subject matter.
3. Deepening and consolidating knowledge at an advanced level, enabling the acquisition of expertise in the field.

• Includes Compulsory Diploma Thesis:

1. The program requires the completion of a thesis, which is one (1) academic semester in length. Through this thesis, the student demonstrates his/her ability to apply the acquired knowledge to a high-level research or practical project.

Career and Employability Prospects

Pharmacists in the EU are one of the six professions granted automatic recognition of qualifications under the Directive on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications [Directive 2013/55/EU]. No other health professionals have so much of their education devoted to medicinal products. On the other hand community pharmacist is recognised as a primary health care services provider.

As public and international interest on medicinal products and primary care grows rapidly, career opportunities for drug and healthcare products experts are expanding every year.

Pharmacists are highly trained professionals who participate in the R&D process, prepare and dispense medication to customers and patients.

The programme provides pharmacy students and graduates with a sound and balanced grounding in the natural, pharmaceutical and healthcare sciences that provide the essential foundation for pharmacy practice in a multi-professional healthcare delivery environment.

Pharmacists provide their services in a variety of settings in response to a dynamic and evolving set of primarily local health care priorities and needs.

There are five major sectors of employment:

1. Community Pharmacy
2. Hospital Pharmacy
3. Primary Care Pharmacy
4. Industrial Pharmacy & Regulatory Affairs
5. Research and Development

Access to Further Studies

Graduates of the programme can be accepted into Third Cycle degrees (Doctoral Degree)

Academic Admission

The programme admits students in the Fall and Spring semesters. Applications for admission to the programme will be considered only from candidates that fulfill the minimum entrance criteria as described below:

• 17/20 at high school leaving certificate and 17/20 in Chemistry and Biology (subjects of choice) or equivalent grades

OR

• 17/20 High School leaving certificate and GCE A ‘Level (or IAL) in Chemistry and Biology with Grade B or equivalent grades

OR

• Assessment of knowledge level in Chemistry and/or Biology for candidates with at least 15/20 or equivalent grades in Chemistry and Biology.

OR

Upon successful completion of the foundation semester where students must take four courses (Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry (IMPH-020), Elements of Biology (IMPH-010), Physics for Pharmaceutical Sciences (IMPH-110) and Pharmacy Calculus (IMPH-107) for candidates with grades lower than 15/20 and higher than 13/20 in Chemistry and Biology. Candidates must succeed grades no lower than 75% in all courses.

Graduates from other related fields like Chemistry, Medicine, Veterinary, Biology, Nursing etc can be admitted to the program. Evaluation for credit transfer is performed on a case by case basis. The maximum credits which can be transferred cannot exceed 150 ECTS. Same rule applies to Pharmacy transfer students from other accredited and recognised University.

The admissions process includes an interview with the candidate.

Course assessment usually comprises of a comprehensive final exam and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment can include amongst others, mid-terms, projects, laboratory reports, lab exams, quizzes, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Letter grades are calculated based on the weight of the final exam and the continuous assessment and the actual numerical marks obtained in these two assessment components. Based on the course grades the student’s semester grade point average (GPA) and cumulative point average (CPA) are calculated.

The student must complete 300 ECTS and all programme requirements.

A minimum cumulative grade point average (CPA) of 2.0 is required. Thus, although a ‘D-‘ is a PASS grade, in order to achieve a CPA of 2.0 an average grade of ‘C’ is required.

Upon completion of the program students will be able to:

1. Understand comprehensive and current knowledge in the field of pharmacy through academic and practical experiences, enabling critical evaluation of relevant literature and adaptation to scientific and technological developments, including emerging technologies.
2. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of pharmaceutical technology, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, toxicology, medicinal chemistry, physics, and calculations relevant to pharmaceutical sciences, therapeutics, clinical pharmacy practice, and pharmacokinetics.
3. Understand and analyze the key stages in drug discovery, development, and authorisation, incorporating regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions.
4. Explain drug actions and solve therapeutic problems as a medication expert
5. Design preventive, interventions, and educational strategies to manage chronic diseases, promote public health and provide personalized support to patients for effective medication management and improved therapeutic outcomes
6. Develop and conduct research within pharmaceutical science and clinical practice, focusing on basic science research and applied research, alongside analyzing, interpreting data, and evaluating therapeutic interventions
7. Evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic interventions, providing person-centered care as a medication expert
8. Engage as active healthcare team members, develop collaborative practice and communication skills, with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care and exchanging knowledge and experiences to solve complex health problems
9. Collect and interpret subjective and objective evidence related to patients, medications, allergies/adverse reactions, and diseases through patient assessments, and report adverse drug reactions to the appropriate authorities
10. Apply standards, guidelines, and best practices for the safe and effective preparation, control, and use of medications in both community and hospital pharmacy settings
11. Demonstrate a commitment to the pharmacy profession through continual improvement and adherence to legal and ethical practices
12. Understand the healthcare systems, policies, and socio-economic factors affecting access to healthcare.
13. Integrate technology, including AI tools, in pharmacy with a clear understanding of ethical, legal, and professional implications.

Section: A Required Courses
ECTS: Min. 288 Max. 288

Section: B Electives
ECTS: Min. 12 Max. 12

Section: C Unallocated Courses
ECTS: Min. 0 Max. 0

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8

Semester 9

Semester 10

* Οι φοιτητές πρέπει να επιλέξουν 3 μαθήματα επιλογής / Students must choose 3 elective courses

The above semester breakdown is an indicative one. A few of the courses are electives and can be substituted by others. Students may contact their academic advisor and consult their academic pathway found on this website under “Schools & Programmes”.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8

Semester 9

Semester 10

* Οι φοιτητές πρέπει να επιλέξουν 3 μαθήματα επιλογής / Students must choose 3 elective courses

The above semester breakdown is an indicative one. A few of the courses are electives and can be substituted by others. Students may contact their academic advisor and consult their academic pathway found on this website under “Schools & Programmes”.