They are both very different fields. I was in the same position... ultimately I chose pharmacy.

One is science. The other is business-analytical.

Where do you see yourself in?

Pharmacy is not all about Bio. If you don't like the DNA part, it's alright. You don't have to go into research. Just study to pass the exam would be suffice. Going into the industry would be good and you can also opt to practice by going into hospital or community. The options are wide. In fact, pharmacy has the widest options in the science field. But I warn you, there's a lot of chemistry and non-DNA bio involved (ie: human body systems). Basically a lot of reading and studying.

However if you're not a science-loving person, pharmacy can get a bit redundant, routine and boring after a while.


Actuarial science on the other hand is in the stats-maths sector. If you really do have the flair, then go for it. You can choose to do a basic degree, or move on to do your 8 levels of paper later. You can work in almost any banking/finance/investment company out there.

I think actuarial science is more challenging than pharmacy if you're a maths person. As for me, my interest lies with drug design so pharmacy is the right course for me. I like stats too but I don't see myself doing that as a career.


Depends on you really. Can't quite compare the two. It's like comparing between apple and orange.

This post has been edited by baoz: Dec 10 2009, 10:02 PM

I recall you asking this question before... And I've done a bit of looking-up on it. So far I've found one uni in Australia that allows you to do a Master in Pharmacy from a non-pharmacy degree so that you can register as a pharmacist.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK (look under the "Target Group" section)


Look around other unis more. I'm sure there'll be a postgrad course out there that allows you to expand from your B.Biochem.


I haven't done any community pharmacy work (couldn't find a part time job...) but I have yet to find out whether it will be boring. I mean, there are all sorts of people walking into your pharmacy. Some cases may be interesting. And I do enjoy counseling people a lot.

Otherwise I could go into so many other things like industry, management, lecturing and research. My biggest dream is to make it to GlaxoSmithKline's research team but I'm gonna have to network a lot to get into a company like that.

This post has been edited by baoz: Dec 11 2009, 01:11 PM