The most common question when a Saudi student thinks about pharmacy is: “Should I study medicine or pharmacy?” — a question that is wrong at its core, because it reduces pharmacy to being an “alternative” to medicine. Pharmacy is a profession in its own right, with a clear career path and growing demand in the Saudi market, especially after the decisions to Saudize the health sector under Vision 2030.
In this comprehensive article, the Future Way Academy team presents a complete guide to studying pharmacy in Europe for Saudis: the best 5 countries, the leading universities, the real cost figures, Saudi recognition, and job opportunities after graduation.
| 5 years The predominant study duration | €8,000 – 12,000 Average annual tuition | 🇸🇦 Recognized in specific specializations | A growing market Saudi pharmacy 2030 | 🇪🇺 5 countries covered in this article |
Why pharmacy in Europe? An objective look
Pharmacy versus medicine — what actually differs?
| Item | Pharmacy | Human medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Study duration in Europe | 5 years (predominantly) | 6 years |
| Admission requirements | Less competitive than medicine | Very high competition |
| Total costs | About 15-25% lower | The highest among health specializations |
| Job opportunities in Saudi Arabia | Wide — targeted Saudization | Wide — constant demand |
| Average starting salary (Saudi Arabia) | SAR 8,000 – 15,000 | SAR 12,000 – 25,000 |
| Postgraduate possibilities | Doctor of Pharmacy — clinical specializations | Medical specialty (fellowship) |
| Qualification to work in Europe | European-aligned standards | European-aligned standards |
Pharmacy in Vision 2030 — growing demand
Vision 2030 aims to raise the proportion of Saudis in the health sector in general, and pharmacy is among the sectors that need more qualified Saudi personnel. Clinical pharmacy, pharmacy management, and pharmaceutical research are fields where demand is expanding. A pharmacy graduate from a recognized European university adds a clear competitive value in the Saudi labor market.
| The Future Way team’s view Pharmacy is a smart choice for anyone who wants a scientific health path with less intense admission competition than medicine and a lower cost. The Saudi pharmaceutical sector is expanding at a notable rate, and the recognized European degree gives its holder a genuine competitive advantage. |
The career path of the Saudi pharmacist graduating from Europe
Before talking about countries and universities, it is important to understand the full path from study to employment:
| Studying pharmacy 5 years in Europe | Degree equivalency Saudi Ministry of Education | Commission licensing Saudi Commission for Health Specialties | Employment A hospital, pharmacy, or pharmaceutical company | Professional development Master’s, doctorate, or specialty |
The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties — SCFHS
A European pharmacy degree does not automatically entitle its holder to practice the profession in Saudi Arabia; rather, a license must be obtained from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS). This requires equating the degree first with the Ministry of Education, then passing the Commission. For full details, see our article: equivalency of European certificates in Saudi Arabia.
The best 5 European countries for studying pharmacy for Saudis — a detailed card for each country
The ranking is based on: the quality of the degree + Saudi recognition + cost + ease of admission.
| ① First 🇵🇱 Poland | 🇪🇺 EU | |
| Leading university: Medical University of Warsaw — WUM | Annual tuition: €6,000 – 10,000 |
| Monthly living: €500 – 700 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: Recognized in Saudi Arabia — documented equivalency precedents | |
| Competitive tuition + European academic quality + relative ease of admission | Some programs require Polish — confirm the fully English programs |
| ② Second 🇱🇹 Lithuania | 🇪🇺 EU | |
| Leading university: | Annual tuition: €8,000 – 10,000 |
| Monthly living: €600 – 900 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: Recognized in Saudi Arabia — LSMU listed in WHED | |
| A fully English environment + a university specialized in health + clinical and industrial pharmacy | Higher cost than Poland — the Arab community is smaller |
| ③ Third 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 🇪🇺 EU | |
| Leading university: | Annual tuition: €8,000 – 12,000 |
| Monthly living: €700 – 1,000 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: Recognized in Saudi Arabia — a well-established academic reputation | |
| The most venerable university in the region + wide international fame + strong medical and pharmaceutical recognition | Higher tuition + higher living costs + more competitive admission |
| ④ Fourth 🇧🇪 Belgium | 🇪🇺 EU | |
| Leading university: Ghent University (UGent) — Faculty of Pharmacy | Annual tuition: €835 – 4,000 (public) + international fees |
| Monthly living: €800 – 1,100 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: Recognized in Saudi Arabia | |
| High research quality + a multilingual environment + a strong EU network | Some programs are in French or Dutch — English programs are limited |
| ⑤ Fifth 🇮🇹 Italy | 🇪🇺 EU | |
| Leading university: | Annual tuition: €8,000 – 13,000 |
| Monthly living: €700 – 1,000 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: Recognized in Saudi Arabia — listed in WHED | |
| Modern English programs + an exceptional Italian lifestyle + a wide international network | Higher tuition + living is expensive in the major cities |
A comprehensive comparison — studying pharmacy in the five countries
| Criterion | Poland | Lithuania | Czech Republic | Belgium | Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition (€) | 6,000 – 10,000 | 8,000 – 10,000 | 8,000 – 12,000 | 835 – 4,000+ | 8,000 – 13,000 |
| Monthly living (€) | 500 – 700 | 600 – 900 | 700 – 1,000 | 800 – 1,100 | 700 – 1,000 |
| Total 5 years (€) | 61,000 – 92,000 | 76,000 – 104,000 | 82,000 – 120,000 | ~70,000 – 110,000 | 87,000 – 125,000 |
| Total (approx. SAR) | 229,000 – 345,000 | 285,000 – 390,000 | 307,000 – 450,000 | 262,000 – 412,000 | 326,000 – 468,000 |
| Language | English | English | English | English / French | English |
| Saudi recognition | Well-established | Available | Well-established | Available | Available |
| Admission difficulty | Medium | Medium | Medium – high | High | Medium |
| The smartest choice by priority If your priority is cost: Poland is the lowest. If your priority is the degree and international reputation: the Czech Republic. If your priority is a fully English environment at a reasonable cost: Lithuania. If your priority is a rich European experience and you can bear a higher cost: Italy or Belgium. |
Admission requirements at European pharmacy faculties
General academic requirements
| Country / University | Minimum GPA | Core subjects | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland — WUM and others | 70% – 80% | Chemistry, biology | Usually less competitive |
| Lithuania — LSMU | 75% – 80% | Chemistry, biology | Less competition than medicine |
| Czech Republic — Charles | 75% – 85% | Chemistry, biology | May require an entrance exam |
| Belgium — UGent | High — 80%+ | Chemistry, physics, biology | The competition is more intense |
| Italy — Humanitas | 70% – 80% | Chemistry, biology | A new program — a good window |
English language requirements
- IELTS Academic: 5.5 – 6.0 (usually sufficient for pharmacy faculties)
- TOEFL iBT: 72 – 79
- Prior study in English — accepted with an official certificate
Required documents
- High school certificate + transcript, translated and certified
- Valid passport
- An accredited English language certificate
- A motivation letter in English highlighting your interest in pharmacy specifically
- Academic recommendation letters (some universities)
- Personal photos on a white background
- Application fee: €50 – 150
Saudi recognition of the European pharmacy degree — what you need to know
How is a pharmacy degree from Europe recognized in Saudi Arabia?
Recognition passes through two consecutive stages that cannot be bypassed:
- The first stage: equating the degree with the Saudi Ministry of Education (confirming that the university and specialization are recognized)
- The second stage: licensing from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), which permits practicing the pharmacy profession
Pharmacy specializations recognized in Saudi Arabia
| Specialization | Academic degree | Saudi recognition | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Pharmacy | BSc / BPharm | Recognized at the listed universities | The most common |
| Clinical Pharmacy | BSc / PharmD | Recognized — in demand | Growing Saudi demand |
| Industrial Pharmacy | BSc / MSc | Recognized | For the pharmaceutical and manufacturing sector |
| Doctor of Pharmacy — PharmD | PharmD | Recognized | For advanced clinical work |
| Research master’s / doctorate | MSc / PhD | Usually recognized | Research and academia |
Job opportunities for the Saudi pharmacist — an expanding market
The main employment sectors in Saudi Arabia
| Sector | Leading employers | Average starting salary (SAR/month) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government hospitals | Ministry of Health, the Specialist hospitals, the Medical City | 8,000 – 14,000 | Job stability — organized professional development |
| Private hospitals | Saudi German Group, Wladah, BMC | 10,000 – 18,000 | Higher salary — a more competitive environment |
| Community pharmacies | Al-Nahdi, Al-Dawaa Pharmacy, Bin Dawood | 7,000 – 12,000 | Wide geographic spread |
| Pharmaceutical companies | Novartis, Riyan, GlaxoSmithKline | 12,000 – 22,000 | The field of medical sales and research |
| Education and academia | Saudi universities | 12,000 – 20,000 | Requires a master’s or doctorate |
| Pharmaceutical regulation and oversight | Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) | 10,000 – 18,000 | A distinguished government job |
The Saudi scholarship for the pharmacy specialization
Pharmacy is among the health specializations included in Saudi government scholarship programs. To learn the conditions and the universities approved for a scholarship in pharmacy, please see: the conditions of the Saudi external scholarship.
You can also review the detailed pages for each destination: Lithuania — LSMU | Studying in Belgium | Studying in Poland.
Practical tips before enrolling at a European pharmacy faculty
1- Verify recognition before anything else
Not every pharmacy program at every European university is recognized in Saudi Arabia. The university may be listed in WHED, but its pharmacy specialization specifically may not enjoy full recognition. Verification is done via the Ministry of Education website or through the Future Way team free of charge.
2- Look for clinical pharmacy programs (PharmD)
Clinical pharmacy (PharmD) is becoming an increasing standard in the Saudi labor market. If you find a recognized PharmD program instead of the traditional BSc in pharmacy, it is a smarter academic investment over the long term.
3- Plan to pass the SCFHS exam from day one
The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties exam requires systematic preparation. Students who start preparing from their fourth university year succeed at far higher rates than those who wait until graduation.
4- Consider a third language during your study years
Most of your time at the European university is in English. Make use of the five years to learn the basics of the country’s language (Polish, Lithuanian, or another). This makes your daily life easier outside the campus and adds value to your professional profile in the future.
| The smart choice for European pharmacy A summary of the Future Way team’s recommendations: start by verifying recognition, choose a country that suits your budget and goals, focus on clinical pharmacy programs when available, and start preparing for the Commission exam from the fourth year. The first step? Verify with us free of charge. |
Frequently asked questions about studying pharmacy in Europe for Saudis
Is the pharmacy specialization in Europe recognized in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, a pharmacy degree from European universities listed in WHED is recognized in Saudi Arabia, but recognition is granted to the university and specialization together. After equating the degree with the Ministry of Education, a professional practice license must be obtained from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS).
What is the cheapest European country for studying pharmacy?
Poland is the lowest cost among the five options. Tuition starts from €6,000 per year with monthly living of €500-700. The estimated total for the five years is between SAR 229,000 and 345,000. Lithuania comes second in terms of overall competitiveness (cost + quality + a fully English environment).
How many years is studying pharmacy in Europe?
The duration of studying pharmacy in most European countries is five years for a bachelor’s (BSc or BPharm). Some universities offer a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) program lasting 5 or 6 years. Specialized master’s programs after the bachelor’s take one to two additional years.
Does the Saudi scholarship include the pharmacy specialization in Europe?
Yes, pharmacy falls within the priority health specializations in scholarship programs. The basic condition is that the university and specialization be listed in the approved list of the sending body. Obtaining preliminary approval from the body before applying is advised.
What are the admission requirements at European pharmacy faculties?
The general admission requirements: a high school GPA of no less than 70-80% with high grades in chemistry and biology, an English language certificate (IELTS 5.5+ usually), a motivation letter, and a valid passport. Admission requirements in pharmacy are less competitive than human medicine at most universities.
| Pharmacy in Europe — Future Way opens the path for you We help you choose the right university and country, verify Saudi recognition, and prepare the complete admission file. Our experience with Saudi pharmacy students in Europe saves you time and costly mistakes. |
