B.Pharm Degree
in Sri Lanka
The Bachelor of Pharmacy is the gateway to a regulated, respected profession. Here is where to study it, what it costs in LKR and how to register with the Sri Lanka Pharmacy Council.
Understanding the B.Pharm Degree
The Bachelor of Pharmacy, written as B.Pharm, is the four-year honours degree that trains you to become a licensed pharmacist in Sri Lanka. It blends pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics and clinical practice so that graduates can handle medicines safely and counsel patients with confidence.
The most established state programmes run at the University of Colombo and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, with Eastern University expanding access in the east. Private and affiliated institutes provide further intakes for A/L Science students who miss the highly competitive state cut-off. Whichever route you take, graduation must be followed by Sri Lanka Pharmacy Council and NMRA registration.
- Four-year honours Bachelor of Pharmacy
- State and private intakes each year
- Clinical placements in teaching hospitals
- Leads to NMRA pharmacist registration
B.Pharm
Honours Degree
Where to Study B.Pharm
State, eastern and private routes into the Bachelor of Pharmacy.
University of Colombo
A leading state B.Pharm programme with strong hospital links in the Western Province and competitive UGC entry.
Sri Jayewardenepura
A well-regarded Faculty of Allied Health Sciences offering the Bachelor of Pharmacy honours degree to A/L Science students.
Eastern University
Expands access to pharmacy education in the Eastern Province with a state-recognised B.Pharm pathway.
Private & Affiliated
Private institutes and franchised degrees give an extra intake for students outside the state Z-score cut-off, paid in LKR.
Duration & Eligibility
A four-year honours degree requiring three A/L passes in the Biology or Physical Science stream including Chemistry, with a strong Z-score for state places.
Fees
State degrees are tuition-free. Private B.Pharm programmes generally cost between LKR 2 million and LKR 4 million in total.
Get Registered
SLMC & NMRA
From Graduation to Registered Pharmacist
Completing the B.Pharm is only the first step. To practise, you must sit the Pharmacy Board registration examination and register with the Sri Lanka Medical Council and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority. Once registered you can work in hospital pharmacies, community and retail pharmacies, or the pharmaceutical industry.
Entry salaries for B.Pharm graduates usually start around LKR 60,000 to LKR 90,000 per month. Industry, regulatory and managerial roles raise this substantially, with senior pharmacists comfortably exceeding LKR 150,000 per month.
Related Pharmacy Guides
Dig deeper into pharmacy study, fees and careers in Sri Lanka.
B.Pharm Degree FAQ
What is the difference between B.Pharm and a pharmacist degree?
They are the same thing. B.Pharm is the formal name for the Bachelor of Pharmacy, the degree you complete to become a registered pharmacist in Sri Lanka.
Which universities offer the B.Pharm in Sri Lanka?
The University of Colombo, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Eastern University lead the state sector, while private and affiliated institutes provide additional intakes.
What A/L results do I need for the Bachelor of Pharmacy?
You need three passes in the Biology or Physical Science stream including Chemistry, with a competitive Z-score for state university selection through the UGC.
How much does the B.Pharm degree cost?
State university degrees carry no tuition fee. Private Bachelor of Pharmacy programmes generally range from LKR 2 million to LKR 4 million for the complete course.
Is the B.Pharm enough to work as a pharmacist?
You also need to pass the Pharmacy Board registration examination and register with the SLMC and NMRA before you can legally practise.
Plan Your Bachelor of Pharmacy
Get tailored advice on B.Pharm intakes, eligibility and study options from Ceylon Open Campus.