Pharmacy courses in India have a good reputation among the students who are looking for a better career option but can’t opt for the expensive courses like MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses popular among the students. With great career opportunities and a less expensive fee structure, the pharmacy courses are great for the students who have completed their schooling and are after a better job along with better job assurance in the future.
Pharmacy is a versatile field and you can opt for a degree course, or opt for a post graduation or go for a doctorate. In all, if you are looking for a great course after completing your 12th, you can opt for pharmacy.
If you were also looking for better career opportunities and good stability in life then this article can help you choose the right pharmacy course after 12th. So, stay with us until the end of the article and know how beneficial a pharmacy course can be for you.
Different types of pharmacy courses in India
Based on the education level, the pharmacy course can be divided into four categories. All these pharmacy courses differ from each other in terms of course complexity and fee structure. Also, they differ from each other in terms of duration. Depending on these, you can easily choose a better course after completing the school. Details of these pharmacy course categories are given below. Have a look at these and then decide which one of these courses is the most suited one for you.
- Graduate-level pharmacy courses
After completing your 12th with PCB, you can start preparing for the entrance exams and get enrolled in graduate level pharmacy courses. B Pharma and other graduate level pharmacy courses have a duration of four years and you can easily choose the right course according to the fee structure of the course.
Along with the regular graduate level courses, you can also opt for lateral entry to the courses, which makes the duration of the course 3 years as you get admission in the 2nd year. There are different eligibility criteria for that also which we will discuss further.
- Diploma pharmacy courses
If you are looking for an easy course for Pharmacy but are looking for the best career opportunity, a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharma) can be an ideal deal for you. The course has a duration of 2 years, and you can choose to work on your own or assist the pharmacist in a hospital after completing the diploma. Additionally, you can enroll in B.Pharma and other graduate level courses as lateral entry and start studying from the second year. This saves one year and you are going to have better practical exposure to the subjects and concepts of the subjects.
- Post-graduate pharmacy courses
Depending on the course you are willing to enroll in, a postgraduate degree in pharma can vary a lot, both in terms of duration and fee structure. The M.Pharma is a 2-year course while the Pharma D (Post Baccalaureate) is a 3 years course. So, choose accordingly and find a better and more promising course for yourself. You can also choose the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharma D) for yourself, but it takes 6 years to complete the course.
- Doctorate level pharmacy course
Ph.D. in Pharmacy is a great option for the students who are willing to work in the industry and serve the field and get better job opportunities in both the local and international world of pharma.
These were the four types of pharmacy courses you can enroll in for getting a better future and well-established life.
Course details
Talking about the course complexity, pharmacy courses are relatively easier than mainstream medical courses like MBBS and others. And this makes it an ideal choice for the students who aren’t too interested in the tough courses but do not want to compromise with the job opportunities after the course. The diploma and graduate-level courses offer the base knowledge of the field and if you are keen to know more about the field and get better opportunities, the post-graduate and doctorate course will be the best choice to go with.
The subjects you are going to study in the graduate-level courses areHuman Anatomy, Pharmaceutical chemistry, and organic chemistry along with many others. And though the subjects differ from the courses, you can get these common topics at the beginning of the course. The advanced topics that you may learn about later in the course are Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, medicinal pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, and others.
In all, if you are a chemistry and Biology student, you shouldn’t get too many issues with the subjects and clearing the concepts. This makes pharmacy a great course to opt-in for after completing 12th for the PCB students.
Scope of Pharmacy courses
Pharmacy courses in India have a great scope. These courses allow the students to work in different fields along with the opportunity to open a medical shop that can be a great way to earn money. So, whether you are after joining a reputed pharmaceutical company, or serve the locals by opening a shop, the pharma courses can be a great opportunity for you.
So, if you are after an inexpensive medical course that can help you earn both money and reputation, the Pharmacy courses would the right choice for you.
Salary expectations after pharmacy courses
Like the other medical fields, pharmacy courses also provide the students with a great way to earn money and reputation. As a fresher, the pharmacy graduate can easily earn up to 4 lakh per annum and if you are planning to start a medical shop then the salary can be much more than this figure.
In all, pharmacy is a great course for students who are looking for a secure future and want to earn a good life and respect.
How to enroll in Pharmacy courses
Enrolling in a pharmacy course has a streamlined method in India. After you have completed your 12th with PCB, or biotechnology, you can easily prepare for the entrance exams. There are both national level and state level entrance exam for the pharmacy that you can prepare to get admission in your desired college.
Depending on the marks scored in the entrance examination, you can attend the counseling and get admission to the private or government college of your city. So, if you have the basic knowledge of the field along with the confidence of working in the pharmacy field, you can easily crack the exam with a little effort.
For the postgraduate degree in pharmacy, you should clear the GPAT exam that is a great option for the users who are looking to have a job in a reputed pharmacy company instead of opening their own medical shop.
Colleges/Study materials availability
Talking about the colleges for pharmacy in India, there are numerous private as well as government colleges that provide great facilities and career opportunities to the students. So, you can easily opt for a great pharmacy college without too many issues after you have cracked the entrance exam.
The two major points that you need to keep in mind while choosing are the placement history of the college and the facilities being provided to the students. This will help you get a better job placement along with a good environment to learn new theories and knowledge about the human body.
And for the study materials, there are numerous national and international writers who have detailed study material for the students who are new to the field and want to gain their knowledge. Also, the study material provided from the college along with the recommendation for the writers to follow is great for the students who are looking for a better knowledge of the field.
Jobs you can apply for after completing pharmacy courses
Like the many other medical courses, pharmacy courses also offer a great job opportunity if you have the desired skills along with the good marks in your course. After completing your Pharmacy course, you can choose to work in a hospital, get a placement in a reputed pharma company, or go with the sales job for the pharmaceutical companies. In all, the pharmacy students have a great scope to work in a reputed firm without any issue.
SO, if you are looking for a secured job in the medical field and aren’t too bright to work as a doctor, the Pharmacy courses can be a great way to achieve a successful and financially secure future. With the right specialization, you can decide the right path for yourself.
Conclusion
So, these were all the courses in India for the students interested in the pharmacy courses. Depending on your qualifications and fee structure of the course and college you are choosing for your course. The pharmacy course can be a worthy deal for the students who are looking for a better alternative to the other medical fields. The outstanding course structure, better fee structure, and good job opportunities make it an ideal choice for the PCB students after completing the 12th.
Pharmacy Courses After 12th FAQs
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What is Pharmacy?
- Pharmacy is the science and technique of preparing, dispensing, and reviewing drugs and providing additional clinical services. It is a field related to health sciences and involves the study of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacognosy.
- What are the different pharmacy courses available after 12th?
- After completing 12th grade, students can pursue various pharmacy courses, including:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)
- Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm)
- Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy)
- B.Pharm + M.Pharm (Integrated program)
- After completing 12th grade, students can pursue various pharmacy courses, including:
- What is the duration of pharmacy courses after 12th?
- The duration varies depending on the course:
- B.Pharm: 4 years
- D.Pharm: 2 years
- Pharm.D: 6 years (5 years of study + 1 year of internship)
- B.Pharm + M.Pharm (Integrated program): 5 years
- The duration varies depending on the course:
- What are the eligibility criteria for pharmacy courses after 12th?
- The eligibility criteria may vary depending on the institution and the course, but generally, candidates must have completed 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics as core subjects. Some institutions may also require a minimum percentage in 12th grade.
- What subjects are covered in pharmacy courses?
- Pharmacy courses cover a wide range of subjects including pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical analysis, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and pharmacy practice.
- What are the career prospects after completing pharmacy courses?
- Graduates of pharmacy courses can work in various sectors such as pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, research institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, and community pharmacies. They can work as pharmacists, clinical research associates, drug safety associates, medical writers, regulatory affairs specialists, etc.
- Are there any entrance exams for pharmacy courses?
- Some institutions may require students to appear for entrance exams such as GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test), CET (Common Entrance Test), MHT-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test), etc., for admission to pharmacy courses.
- Can I pursue pharmacy courses through distance education?
- Some institutions offer pharmacy courses through distance education mode, but practical training and internships may need to be completed at designated centers or institutions. It’s essential to check the accreditation and recognition of the institution offering distance education programs.
- What is the scope for higher studies after completing pharmacy courses?
- After completing pharmacy courses, students can pursue higher studies such as Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmacy, or other related fields. They can also opt for postgraduate diplomas or certificate courses in specialized areas of pharmacy.
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What is the difference between B.Pharm and Pharm.D courses?
- B.Pharm is an undergraduate degree focusing on pharmaceutical sciences, whereas Pharm.D is a doctoral degree that involves extensive clinical training and prepares students for clinical pharmacy practice. Pharm.D graduates are trained to provide patient care and medication therapy management services in healthcare settings.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
