At the University of Kentucky, pre-professional paths are interest areas that students complete alongside their UK Core requirements and major curriculum. Students applying to the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy may complete necessary coursework in two or three years. Students may also pursue any major as long as prepharmacy prerequisite coursework is completed. Pre-Professional Advisors offer support and guidance to University of Kentucky students from all majors interested in applying to pharmacy school. In addition to outlining necessary coursework and guiding students through application processes, Pre-Professional Advisors also direct students to University programs, such as UK Education Abroad or the Center for Community Outreach, that foster well-rounded pharmacy school applicants.

The Pre-Pharmacy is a Certificate degree offered by University of Kentucky at its main campus in Lexington, United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 1 year to complete. Students study at the university's main campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from August 21, 2027.
About Certificate in Pre-Pharmacy
Disciplines
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Certificate in Pre-Pharmacy at University of Kentucky
Entry Requirements
- Freshman Admission: Applicants who have not attended a college or university upon completion of secondary school AND who have met all requirements including English proficiency as noted below.
- Transfer Admission : Applicants who have attended a college or university upon completion of secondary school AND met all requirements including English proficiency as noted below.
- Non-degree Admission: Applicants who are exchange or visiting students.
- Conditional Admission: Applicants who meet UK’s academic requirements for admission but do not meet the minimum language proficiency requirement or the departmental specific requirements (such as certain SAT/ACT math scores for Engineering and Nursing).
- Students who are offered conditional admission because of English may either resubmit a higher TOEFL/IELTS score or enroll in UK's Center for English as a Second Language program. The duration of these courses will depend on placement test results and individual student progress. Upon successful completion of the English language course(s), the student will move seamlessly into a degree program at UK. This means no TOEFL/IELTS scores will be required if students complete CESL.
- Students who require a higher math score for Engineering may submit a higher score or switch their intended major to a program that does not have specific requirements.
- No additional application is required for Conditional Admission.
English Requirements
- IELTSMin 6
- TOEFLMin 71
Career Opportunities after Completing Certificate in Pre-Pharmacy
UK Pharmacy School Requirements
The following is a general outline of UK College of Pharmacy Requirements (not including UK Core or major requiremetns). Please note UK prerequisisites may differ from other pharmacy schools:
- Biology + lab (1 semester) BIO 148 and BIO 155
- Microbiology + lab (1 semester) BIO 208, BIO 209 or BIO 308 + lab
- Human Anatomy (1 semester) ANA 209
- Physiology (1 semester) PGY 206
- General Chemistry + labs (1 year) CHE 105/CHE 111, and CHE 107/CHE113
- Organic Chemistry + labs (1 year) CHE 230/CHE231 and CHE 232/CHE233
- Mathematics (1 semester - 1 year) MA 109 and MA 123 or MA 113
- Statistics (1 semester) STA 296
- English (1 year) WRD/CIS 110 and WRD/CIS 111
- Business (1 semester) ECO 201, ECO 202, ACC 201 or FIN 300
- Oral Communications (1 semester) WRD/CIS 110/111 or 112
- Electives - Enough hours to bring total to a minimum of 70 semester hours including the courses listed above
"‹The following courses are also recommeneded or required for some pharmacy school admission:
- Biochemistry, BCH 401G
- Genetics, BIO 304
- Physics, PHY 211
Other courses to consider: courses required by major, general education courses, dual degree prerequisities, healthcare-related courses, dual degree prerequisites, healthcare-related courses such as public health, human health sciences, medical terminology, pharmacology and clinical leadership,
Visit go.uky.edu/courses to see full descriptions of these University of Kentucky courses.
Tuition and Fee Information for Certificate in Pre-Pharmacy at University of Kentucky
How to Apply for Certificate in Pre-Pharmacy at University of Kentucky
1. Complete UK International Application for Undergraduate Admission or Common Application
2. $60 Application processing fee (non-refundable)
3. Official transcripts in English
4. English proficiency directly from testing center:
- TOEFL: 71 iBT, 543 IPT (UK administered)
- TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
- IELTS: 6.0
- Duolingo: 105
5. Optional tests: ACT / SAT (M+CR) Scores
- ACT school code: 1554 | SAT school code - 1837
- Required for engineering programs and scholarships
Priority Deadline:
- December 1 for Fall semester (August start)
- October 15 for Spring semester (January start)
*Scholarship deadline for freshmen international undergraduate students is December 1.

United States of America, Lexington