Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (R22)

School of Applied Science, Full-time Courses 2019, Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science-(R22)

What You Will Learn

Play a pivotal role in driving advances in modern medicine.

The Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (DPHM) offers you detailed insights into how new drugs and therapies significantly impact medical treatments today. Learn about drug discovery, drug development, clinical pharmacy, and supply of pharmaceuticals, along with best practices and societal considerations of the pharmaceutical industry.

Acquire rigorous hands-on training in authentic pharmacy operations at the cutting-edge RP Teaching Dispensary and the RP-Unity Teaching Retail Pharmacy. The RP-BASF Pharmaceutical Technology Laboratory will further upskill you in formulation and compounding of medications. You can choose to specialise in either Industrial Pharmacy or Pharmacy Practice. You will also undergo training in accordance with the Ministry of Health Pharmacy Technicians Entry-to-Practice Competency Standards and be issued the Letter of Competency Attainment if you complete your internship at participating training sites. 

With the valuable experience gained through your internships at healthcare institutions and other established pharmaceutical companies, your career is off to a good head start.



When Juliana was introduced to the clinical world of pharmacy, she knew that pharmaceutical sciences was what she wanted to pursue in life. Aspiring to create a positive impact on other people’s lives and health, she was motivated to do her best and excel in her studies, gaining the necessary knowledge to help people in need. At RP, Juliana was presented with many opportunities for hands-on learning and the skills she acquired brought her one step closer to fulfilling her dreams. She was the recipient of multiple scholarships and module awards, graduating as the top performing student from the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a perfect GPA of 4.0.

Apart from her academic achievements, Juliana also actively contributed to RP as the president of the Pharmaceutica Interest Group and a member of the Student Council and Service-Learning Club. Displaying all of the qualities in the REPUBLIC code of honour, Juliana was awarded the Service-Learner Gold Award 2014 and the Republic Award in 2015.

Juliana graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) from the National University of Singapore in 2020, and is currently doing her pre-registration training at Unity Pharmacy.

Juliana Fransisca
Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016 Graduate, BASF (ENP) Gold Medal Award recipient, Lin Jo Yan Scholarship recipient

The course structure consists of general, discipline, and specialisation modules. There is also an industry orientation component.

General Modules

Discipline Modules

Specialisation Modules

Industry Orientation Programme

Freely Chosen Module

Select either one of the following:

GCE O-level

Aggregate Type Range of Net ELR2B2 for 2023 JAE Minimum Entry Requirements/Grade
ELR2B2-C 8 to 19
English Language: D7
Mathematics (Elementary/Additional): C6
Any one of 9 subjects (subset of 2nd group of R subjects, see below): C6

List of Subjects: 9
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Food & Nutrition / Nutrition & Food Science
- Physics
- Science (Chemistry, Biology)
- Science (Physics, Biology)
- Science (Physics, Chemistry)  

Nitec/Higher Nitec

Minimum net GPA  Relevant Qualifications
Nitec ≥ 3.5
  • NT39 Chemical Process Technology/ Chemical Process Technology (Biologics)/ Chemical Process Technology (Petrochemicals)/ Chemical Process Technology (Pharmaceuticals)/ Chemical Process Technology (Process Instrumentation)
  • NT45 Nursing
  • NT58 Applied Food Science
  • NT64 Medical Manufacturing Technology
  • NT69 Community Care & Social Services
  • NT77 Opticianry
Higher Nitec ≥ 2.0
  • IT58 Biotechnology/Biochemical Technology
  • IT59 Chemical Technology
  • IT62 Paramedics & Emergency Care
  • IT79 Elder Care

GCE A-Level

Minimum Entry Requirements

Note:

For more details on admission using Singapore Cambridge GCE A-levels qualifications, please refer to our webpage at www.rp.edu.sg.

Note:

Admission to RP is based on academic merit and subjected to available vacancies of our diploma programmes. Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee that applicants will be offered a placement in the diploma programme. These requirements are set in place to ensure fairness to all applicants.

Career Opportunities

As a DPHM graduate, you can pursue a fulfilling career in healthcare institutions, research laboratories and companies that develop and distribute pharmaceuticals. Look forward to roles such as:

  • Clinic Supervisor

  • Clinical Research Coordinator

  • Medical Representative

  • Pharmacy Technician

  • Quality Control Technologist

  • Research Assistant

  • Sales / Product Executive

Further Studies

RP graduates are well-placed to embark on meaningful careers, immediately after graduation. They could even improve their employability by taking part-time courses or SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes (WSPs).

What’s more, every RP diploma is recognised and has a pathway leading to a relevant degree with top local and overseas universities. RP graduates may complete their degrees in just over two or three years in a four-year programme.

Skills Deepening

Upon graduation, DPHM students can choose to deepen their skills and knowledge in a chosen field before embarking on their career. They could either sign up for part-time courses or pursue WSPs. Please visit our lifelong learning page to find out more.

Undergraduate Studies

DPHM graduates can pursue degree programmes in a wide range of areas such as pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, medicine, dentistry, nursing, life sciences, biological sciences, and physiotherapy in local universities such as the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Institute of Technology.

Top universities overseas also welcome our graduates with advanced standing of up to 1.5 years. They include:

  • Deakin University (Australia) 
  • Griffith University (Australia)
  • Monash University (Australia)
  • The University of Queensland (Australia)
  • University of Otago (New Zealand)
  • University of South Australia (Australia)

Last updated on 19 May 2023

Important Dates

Joint Admissions Exercise
(JAE)

Application for Intake AY2023:
12 to 17 January 2023

Polytechnic Foundation Programme Admissions Exercise (PFPAE)

Application for Intake AY2023:
12 to 17 January 2023

Direct Admissions Exercise
(DAE)

Application for Intake AY2023:

  • O-levels & IP: 12 to 17 January 2023 and 21 to 28 February 2023
  • ITE: 20 March to 6 April 2023
  • IB & Working Adults: 12 to 17 January 2023 

Early Admissions Exercise
(EAE)

  • O-levels: 22 to 28 June 2023
  • ITE: 8 to 14 June 2023
  • Working Adults: 5 June to 2 July 2023