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Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours)

Understand how diseases affect the body. Design and test potential life-changing medicines. Build the expertise behind tomorrow's breakthrough treatments. 

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 can apply to study at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in several ways. Your application options will depend on your individual circumstances.

Explore your options at UOW Apply.

International students are encouraged to apply with the support of an approved UOW agent to help you navigate the application process, ensure that you submit all necessary documentation, and provide you with visa counselling services. Applying through an approved UOW agent is offered at no cost to students.

For your nearest agent, please see our UOW agent list.

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

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

Student ?
Year ?
Campus
Wollongong
ATAR-SR ?
80
Delivery ?
On Campus
Duration ?
4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2026
Codes
CRICOS: 084858K
UOW: 1773

Overview

What does it take to create a new medicine?

In the Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) you'll learn the science of drug discovery, combining chemistry and biology to explore how diseases work and how new medicines are developed.

One of the few dedicated medicinal chemistry degrees in Australia, this course takes you through the full drug discovery process, from identifying disease targets and designing compounds to testing their potential in the laboratory.

You'll build practical skills from day one and gain experience with the techniques, technologies, and ways of thinking used across chemistry, pharmaceutical, and biochemistry research. Develop knowledge and expertise in:

  • Chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology.
  • Molecular modeling and drug design.
  • Laboratory research and analytical techniques.
  • Scientific investigation and data analysis.
  • Medical drug discovery and development.

Throughout your studies, you'll learn from researchers working on challenges such as cancer therapies, antibiotic and antiviral development, and diagnostic technology development.

You'll also undertake integrated Honours research and benefit from connections with industry partners such as ANSTO, helping you build sought-after skills and experience.

See the course handbook for more information.

As your understanding of chemistry, biology, and disease grows, you'll put your knowledge into practice through laboratory classes, research projects, and collaborative investigations. By applying scientific concepts to real research challenges, you'll develop the skills used across pharmaceutical and biotechnology research.

You'll experience the drug discovery process from multiple angles. Explore how diseases affect the body, identify potential drug targets, design and create compounds in the laboratory, and evaluate how they perform using contemporary research methods.

Hands-on learning is embedded throughout the degree. You'll develop practical skills in chemical synthesis, biological testing, molecular modelling, and data analysis while working with industry-standard technologies, including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and advanced spectroscopy equipment.

You'll also gain exposure to emerging approaches shaping pharmaceutical research, such as AI-supported drug discovery and laboratory automation.

Research plays an increasingly important role as you progress through the course. In the third year, you'll work as part of a team to develop a research proposal, manage budgets, conduct experiments, and share your findings. In the fourth year, you'll join an active research group and complete an integrated Honours research project.

You'll learn from researchers who are actively advancing medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Industry engagement, guest speakers, and external collaborations connect your studies to current scientific challenges. Partnerships with organisations such as ANSTO also provide access to specialist expertise, facilities, and insights into career opportunities. 

See more

Careers

  • Medicinal Chemist
  • Drug Discovery Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Scientist
  • Biotechnology Scientist
  • Medical Researcher
  • Radiopharmaceutical Scientist
  • Regulatory Affairs Officer
  • Analytical Chemist
  • Diagnostics Scientist
  • Toxicologist 

See more

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.

  • Academic Entry Requirements
    Applicants need to have achieved the required score in a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in Australia.

    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

    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, practical work and 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 recognises 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$21096 (2026)$168768 (2026)

* 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 reviewed 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 Session, 2027 at UOW

    Application Deadline
    Applications must include all required documents to be considered complete. Applications submitted after the advertised closing date will still be accepted. We will endeavour to process late applications in time for the nominated session, however this cannot be guaranteed.

    ApplicationDate
    Domestic (UAC Early Bird)30 September, 2026
    InternationalSee International students page for key application cut-off dates
    Domestic (direct)31 December, 2026
    Domestic (UAC final round)28 January, 2027

    Session Details
    For more detailed information like enrolment cutoffs and exam periods, see key dates. 

     Date
    OrientationCheck your campus details
    Session start1 March, 2027
    Census date31 March, 2027
    Mid-session recess19 - 23 April, 2027
    Session end24 June, 2027

    Indicative enrolment

    The tables below contain information on the 2025 commencing student cohort, which indicates the likely profile of students for 2026.

    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 2025.

    Student profile table
    Applicant background 2025 intake 2025 intake (%)
    Higher education study <5 <5
    Vocational education & training study 0 0%
    Work & life experience 0 0%
    Recent secondary education
    ATAR Only 0 0%
    ATAR plus additional criteria 0 0%
    Other criteria only (non-ATAR) <5 <5
    International students 0 0%
    All students 5 100%

    < 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 2025 ATAR Selection Rank
    Highest rank to receive an offer <5 <5
    Median rank to receive an offer <5 <5
    Lowest rank to receive an offer <5 <5

    < 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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