You cannot major in pharmacy in a science degree--pharmacy is pharmaceutical science + pharmacy practice, just thought I'd clear that up. There are no courses as far as I'm aware that offer pharmaceutical science in metropolitan Sydney anyway.
DFEE is expensive though, can your folks fork out at least $20k/year for the next 4 years? Otherwise, there are several options:
- Transfer--pharmacy is highly competitive to transfer into, need a Distinction average. So you'd be best doing subjects that you're good at. The other thing is, the degree has now changed so they're doing more pharmacy-only subjects in first year, so you can't get credit for all of first year and skip straight to second year. Therefore, you will still waste a year anyway, so you might as well do something you enjoy. So if you think you have a stronger chance of getting in by doing an Arts degree first, do it!
- Grad entry pharmacy--they're offering M.Pharm., which is like grad med in that it's shorter than the bachelor's, you do it after your first degree, and they assume you know stuff. It's 2 years full fee paying, so again not cheap, but cheaper than 4 years DFEE.
- Try another interstate if you can afford it--other cities' standard of living is cheaper, and it takes less to relocate than DFEE. Of course, whether you're comfortable moving or not is more important, but this is an option.
- Get in with DFEE and transfer to HECS after first year--again, subject to competition, so I wouldn't advise this route.