Pursuing a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree opens up a wealth of career paths in Bangladesh’s rapidly growing pharmaceutical industry. With new drug manufacturing plants and pharmacies opening every year, demand for qualified pharmacists continues rising across the country.
But where should you get your pharmacy education? Bangladesh now boasts over 25+ private universities offering pharmacy programs. With so many options, researching the best fits can feel exciting.
That’s why we evaluated the top pharmacy universities in Bangladesh based on curriculum, facilities, faculty, career support and more. Keep reading for our picks of the 5 best private universities for pharmacy in Bangladesh.
Top 5 Private Universities for Pharmacy in Bangladesh
1. North South University
Topping our list as the best private university for pharmacy in Bangladesh is North South University (NSU). Founded in 1992, NSU rapidly grew into the country’s leading private research university. Students also benefit from North South University’s state-of-the-art campus facilities. The dedicated pharmacy building houses multiple laboratories stocked with cutting-edge analytical equipment. Students gain hands-on experience through lab courses in:
- Pharmaceutical analysis
- Medicinal chemistry
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacognosy
The campus also features a mock pharmacy where students get supervised practice filling prescriptions and counseling patients. Plus, NSU runs the country’s only university pharmaceutical factory. Pharmacy students work alongside professors to manufacture generics and nutraceuticals while learning GMP protocols.
Beyond labs and classrooms, pharmacy undergraduates complete externships at major hospitals and community pharmacies. This experiential learning bridges academic knowledge with the realities of different pharmacy career tracks. Among private universities, NSU provides exceptional exposure across various pharmacy sectors in Bangladesh.
With its elite faculty, small class sizes, array of facilities and emphasis on practical learning, North South University earns the #1 spot among the best private universities for pharmacy in Bangladesh.
2. BRAC University
Following shortly behind North South University, BRAC University garners the 2nd place among top pharmacy university in the private sector.The Bachelor of Pharmacy at BRAC University balances scientific foundations with a whole-person approach to pharmacy practice.
Required courses build expertise in key areas like:
- Pharmaceutics and drug design
- Pharmacology and toxicology
- Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Students also complete electives in growing fields like pharmocogenomics, herbal medicines, bioethics and pharmacoeconomics.
The university also actively connects students abroad. Through semester exchange programs, pharmacy undergraduates can study at leading schools in Australia, Europe and North America. These opportunities widen perspectives on global pharmacy issues.
3. East West University
In third place for best private university pharmacology programs is East West University (EWU). What sets East West University’s four-year pharmacy program apart is the emphasis on experiential training. Pharmacy students complete three semesters of supervised clinical rotations before graduating. Placements span major hospitals, community pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies nationwide.
Through these intensive externships, students gain firsthand experience in:
- Interpreting and filling prescriptions
- Advising patients on proper medication use
- Managing pharmacy operations and inventories
- Monitoring medicine side effects and interactions
- Preparing and testing new drug formulations
Back on campus, East West University provides robust career development support. The university’s Career & Alumni Relations Office runs resume and cover letter clinics, mock interviews, corporate etiquette bootcamps and more. These professional development initiatives prepare graduates to stand out when applying to employers.
4. Stamford University Bangladesh
The next top contender for best private pharmacy university is Stamford University Bangladesh.
The four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy program equips students with versatility across pharmacy sub-fields. The well-rounded required coursework includes:
- Pharmaceutics and drug delivery systems
- Medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry
- Pharmacology and clinical pharmacy
- Pharmacognosy and phytochemistry
- Pharmacy practice, law and management
Facilities also provide robust hands-on education. Stamford University Bangladesh features six dedicated laboratories outfitted with cutting-edge analytical tools. Students master equipment used in quality testing, bioequivalence studies, natural products research and more.
5. The University of Asia Pacific
Rounding out our list of top pharmacy programs is The University of Asia Pacific (UAP). Though one of Bangladesh’s younger private universities, UAP made great strides since opening its pharmacy department in 2006.
Spanning four years of full-time study, The University of Asia Pacific’s Bachelor of Pharmacy covers all essentials through required coursework and rotations:
- Pharmaceutics and industrial pharmacy
- Pharmaceutical chemistry and analysis
- Pharmacology and clinical pharmacy
- Natural products and alternative medicines
- Biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacy practice and law
Students also complete three semesters of hands-on clinical externships at hospitals and pharmacies across Bangladesh. These intensive placements let them directly apply classroom teachings under professional supervision.
Another highlight of UAP’s pharmacy program is the focus on research. Undergraduates have access to well-equipped laboratories to undertake their own experiments and projects. Many even get to present findings at national conferences or co-author papers with professors.
Such opportunities boost critical thinking skills and passions for pharmacy. Over 30% of The University of Asia Pacific pharmacy graduates continued to Master’s and PhD programs abroad on scholarships. Other alumni accept pharmacist roles at leading hospitals, community pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies.
How We Evaluated the Top Private Pharmacy Universities
Our goal was identifying institutions providing exceptional pharmacy training to help graduates succeed as community, clinical, regulatory or industry pharmacists. We focused our search on private universities, considering the largest public university programs reach capacity quickly.
Here were our key criteria for selecting the best schools:
- Quality of Faculty: Priority was given to colleges with more experienced professors, stronger pharmaceutical research backgrounds and better student-faculty ratios for mentorship.
- Campus Facilities: The top schools offer modern labs, practice pharmacies, and libraries to immerse students in real pharmacy environments.
- Strength of Curriculum: The best programs cover all critical areas of modern pharmacy through required and elective courses. They also integrate experiential learning.
- Career Support: The highest-ranked colleges provide robust career guidance through alumni networks, interview prep, resume workshops and more.
We pored through school websites, student testimonials, rankings and accreditation information to compile this definitive list. All featured institutions hold proper approvals and certifications from pharmacy regulatory bodies.
Conclusion
Bangladesh’s booming pharmaceutical sector promises bright futures for qualified pharmacists. By choosing the right private university pharmacy program, you can access state-of-the-art facilities, rigorous curriculum and experiential training opportunities. After evaluating facilities, faculty, career support and more, we picked North South University, BRAC University, East West University, Stamford University Bangladesh and The University of Asia Pacific as Bangladesh’s top private institutes for pharmacy education.
All featured varsities have strengths in critical areas like pharmaceutical sciences education, hands-on labs, and hospital externship partnerships. Compare course offerings, specializations, class sizes, and other factors at these outstanding programs. Identify the best match for your talents, interests and professional ambitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between public and private universities for pharmacy?
Bangladesh’s top public university pharmacy programs like Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University are highly reputable. However, admission is extremely competitive with thousands applying for just dozens of seats. Opting for a private institute generally means smaller class sizes and more attention from professors. Facilities also tend to be more modern at leading private universities.
How competitive is pharmacy admissions in Bangladesh?
Pharmacy remains a popular field with strong career prospects. Expect stiff competition for limited seats at both public and private universities. Applicants usually need excellent grades in sciences and math to get accepted. Having extracurriculars, leadership experience and community service initiatives on your application can further boost chances.
Are university rankings important for getting pharmacy jobs later?
Major hospitals and pharmacies in Bangladesh actively recruit from top-ranked private schools. That said, experiences like externships, research projects and internships matter more than university name alone. Pursuing a rigorous, well-rounded pharmacy education at any reputable institute will set you up for success.
