Six-year Department of Pharmacy Program

The Department of Pharmacy program produces pharmacists equipped not only with advanced knowledge on the proper use of medications but also with the foundational skills needed by a scientist to respond to rapidly evolving clinical settings. In Keio University’s Faculty of Pharmacy, it is not just a case of acquiring skills. We also place emphasis on “people-oriented education” that integrates the study of medical ethics and communication skills, enabling students to actively participate in team-based medical care conducted from the patient’s perspective. In addition, through their long-term graduation research, students hone the ability to identify and solve real-world problems for themselves. We cultivate true healthcare professionals who combine a scientific perspective with compassion, always placing priority on the patient.

Having Keio University Hospital’s Department of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Pharmacy’s University Community Pharmacy is a significant strength of Keio University in the training of pharmacists. The Director of the hospital’s Department of Pharmacy and the Director of the University Community Pharmacy serve concurrently as faculty members of the Faculty of Pharmacy and pharmacists employed there are involved in the educational activities of the Faculty of Pharmacy. The faculty’s Department of Pharmacy conducts immersive practical training utilizing these facilities. Furthermore, maintaining close contact between faculty members and students and healthcare settings enables education that immediately reflects the latest developments in advanced pharmacotherapy and community healthcare.

Furthermore, to cultivate healthcare professionals who will lead team-based medical care in the future from an early stage, we begin implementing the Inter-Professional Education Program (involves the School of Medicine, the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care and the Faculty of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmacy) in the first year.

In the sixth year of the Department of Pharmacy program, we offer four courses designed to flexibly accommodate students’ career paths, interests and aptitudes.

The six years that students spend in the Department of Pharmacy are not solely for acquiring the knowledge necessary to pass the national examination. As they are professionals who handle medications, pharmacists bear responsibility for safeguarding people’s lives as well as healthy lifestyles for them. Therefore, throughout the six years of university, it is essential to acquire not only the knowledge and skills needed to use medications effectively but also the sense of mission, ethical values and communication skills of a healthcare professional. Furthermore, we place particular emphasis on cultivating individuals who will lead the future of pharmacy. Our curriculum is designed to facilitate the acquisition of scientific knowledge and skills needed for continuous self-improvement as well as the capabilities needed to solve medical challenges as scientists.

The Pharmaceutical Common Achievement Tests are standardized examinations administered at universities nationwide to pharmacy students who do not yet have a pharmacist qualification. They are taken prior to clinical practice to certify the quality of interns.

There are two exams: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Computer-Based Testing (CBT). Students must pass both to go on to practical training.

Main examination: January 14-15, 2026

Retake exam: February 27, 2026

Number of successful applicants: 139

Pass criterion: 60% or higher correct answer rate

Main examination: December 7, 2025

Number of successful applicants: 141

Pass criterion: Detailed evaluation 70% or higher; General evaluation 5 or higher

Number of successful applicants: 139