The Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Pécs have jointly launched a new educational program entitled “Pharmacy (PharmD) with Specialization in Business Skills and Economics.”
The aim of the program is to provide pharmacy students with a solid foundation in business, economics, and marketing during their university studies—knowledge that is essential for the successful operation of a pharmacy as a business.
One of the core ideas behind the program is that pharmacy, as a profession, still holds many untapped opportunities. Interdisciplinary knowledge—such as the integration of economic skills—can bring significant added value. All areas of pharmaceutical care and pharmacy services increasingly require competencies in financial planning, entrepreneurship, and strategic marketing. This program places a strong emphasis on developing these skills.
Dual purpose, practice-oriented knowledge
The program serves two main objectives:
- Practical preparation: Students gain business-related knowledge that can be directly applied in pharmacy operations and management.
- Pathway to further study: The 30 credits earned through the program may provide entry to several economics-related master’s programs (e.g. Finance, Marketing, or Management and Organization), thereby offering a route toward a business master’s degree.
How the program fits into the pharmacy curriculum
The program is fully aligned with the 10-semester structure of the pharmacy curriculum and can be completed from the 3rd through the 9th semester.
During the first five semesters (3rd to 7th), students are advised to take one 6-credit course per semester offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics. This adds up to 30 credits, structured as follows:
- 3 compulsory courses (totaling 18 credits)
- 4 specialization courses, of which 2 must be completed—depending on whether the student is more interested in the marketing or finance track (totaling 12 credits)
In the 8th and 9th semesters, students can take additional courses that are already part of the pharmacy curriculum—either compulsory or elective. These courses may contribute up to 8 additional credits to the program.
Frequently asked questions about the program
The FAQ document created for this program offers detailed guidance for students, instructors, and administrative staff. Here are some of the key points:
- Participation is free of charge: Pharmacy students can take KTK courses at no additional cost. Tuition is covered by the Faculty of Pharmacy.
- Flexible completion: The program is not mandatory, and each course can be taken individually, allowing students to progress at their own pace.
- No thesis requirement.
- Courses are listed as electives in the pharmacy curriculum and count toward the degree with the credit value assigned by the Faculty of Business and Economics.
- Credit certification: A certificate of completion can be requested from the KTK Registrar’s Office. The Faculty of Pharmacy certifies earned credits upon graduation—free of charge.
- No secondary student status required: Students remain registered solely with the Faculty of Pharmacy; there is no need for separate enrollment with the Faculty of Business and Economics.
- Course registration and materials: All course registration is done through the pharmacy faculty’s Neptun platform. Learning materials are made available within the course interfaces.
- Schedule conflicts: In justified cases, daytime courses may be completed in correspondence (evening/weekend) format, subject to instructor approval.
- Multiple courses per semester: Students may take more than one course per semester if their schedule permits.
- Entry to KTK MSc programs: Completion of this program does not require a pharmacy degree but facilitates admission to master’s programs in Finance, Marketing, or Management and Organization. Final acceptance depends on individual prior credit transfer approval.
- Additional business courses may be selected under the Campus Credit framework.
- No extra fees for extra credits: Participants in the program are exempt from paying fees for exceeding their credit limit.
Modern knowledge – competitive advantage
This program prepares students not only for the practical challenges of the pharmacy profession but also strengthens their competitive edge on the job market—especially for those planning to open their own pharmacy or pursue roles in pharmaceutical logistics and management.
The joint initiative of the University of Pécs’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Business and Economics is a model of forward-thinking education. It responds to the evolving needs of the profession while offering students meaningful opportunities for growth—during their university years.
Further details are available in the downloadable document below.