To become a pharmacist, you need the Abitur (A-levels) to study pharmacy at a university.
The study places are allocated via the ZVS (Central Office for the Allocation of Study Places). Pharmacy is a so-called numerus clausus subject.
If you are interested in the admission grades and the procedure, you can find the necessary information on the internet at www.zvs.de.
The study of pharmacy is structured as follows:
- Basic studies (4 semesters)
- State examination
- Main course (4 semesters)
- State examination
- Internship (12 months)
- State Examination
The main focus of the programme is on pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical analytics, pharmaceutical biology, technology, pharmacology and clinical pharmacy. In addition, subjects such as mathematics, physics, terminology, physiology and clinical disease as well as dietetics round off the course of study. Half of the internship has to be completed in a public pharmacy (offical pharmacy), the other half can also be done in a hospital, in the German armed forces or in industry, for example. During this time, the legal and business management tools are taught in accompanying courses. The 1st state examination is taken in writing, the 2nd and 3rd orally. In order to be able to work as a pharmacist, you must apply for your licence to practise.
After graduation, you have the opportunity to take part in further training. To do this, you have to attend certain continuing education courses and then take an examination. In this way, for example, you can acquire the title of "pharmacist specialising in medicinal pharmacy" or "clinical pharmacy".