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Set yourself on the path to a career as a qualified pharmacist, and develop the skills and knowledge needed in this constantly evolving sector with this MPharm Pharmacy course.
An MPharm is the only degree that will allow you to register as a qualified pharmacist, following a year of pre-registration training (see careers section below). This degree is accredited by the pharmacy regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council, and has been designed to reflect the changing roles of pharmacists.
You will learn how the body works, how medicines affect it, and how these medicines are designed. The course content focuses on the different areas of the body, such as the heart, and you will learn how, for each one, the chemistry, biology and pharmacology, pharmaceutics and pharmacy practice are interrelated. This will enable you to apply information to patient care right from the first year.
We will also provide you with information and techniques essential for work in pharmacy, including law, storage of medicines, processes for reducing errors, assessing prescriptions, and professional behaviour. Our pharmacy practice suite uses professional dispensing software and real medicines, in order to build up your experience of key processes and handling substances
As part of the course, all MPharm students will benefit from business and leadership lectures run by the award-winning Henley Business School. You will then have the option to invest in an additional module and assessment to gain a Certificate in Business Administration.
Additionally, you will develop your research skills throughout the course, and spend part of your final year working alongside internationally recognised researchers on a project of your choice. Past topics have included molecular pharmacology, medical technology, pharmacy practice, and drug synthesis, analysis and formulation.
Placement
Throughout the course you will gain an insight into professional practice by carrying out observational visits and placements in hospital and community pharmacies, as well as GP practices. Our annual pharmacy careers fair is attended by numerous employers and is a good source of work experience and job opportunities.
For more information, please visit the Pharmacy website.Overview
Set yourself on the path to a career as a qualified pharmacist, and develop the skills and knowledge needed in this constantly evolving sector with this MPharm Pharmacy course.
An MPharm is the only degree that will allow you to register as a qualified pharmacist, following a year of pre-registration training (see careers section below). This degree is accredited by the pharmacy regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council, and has been designed to reflect the changing roles of pharmacists.
You will learn how the body works, how medicines affect it, and how these medicines are designed. The course content focuses on the different areas of the body, such as the heart, and you will learn how, for each one, the chemistry, biology and pharmacology, pharmaceutics and pharmacy practice are interrelated. This will enable you to apply information to patient care right from the first year.
We will also provide you with information and techniques essential for work in pharmacy, including law, storage of medicines, processes for reducing errors, assessing prescriptions, and professional behaviour. Our pharmacy practice suite uses professional dispensing software and real medicines, in order to build up your experience of key processes and handling substances
As part of the course, all MPharm students will benefit from business and leadership lectures run by the award-winning Henley Business School. You will then have the option to invest in an additional module and assessment to gain a Certificate in Business Administration.
Additionally, you will develop your research skills throughout the course, and spend part of your final year working alongside internationally recognised researchers on a project of your choice. Past topics have included molecular pharmacology, medical technology, pharmacy practice, and drug synthesis, analysis and formulation.
Placement
Throughout the course you will gain an insight into professional practice by carrying out observational visits and placements in hospital and community pharmacies, as well as GP practices. Our annual pharmacy careers fair is attended by numerous employers and is a good source of work experience and job opportunities.
For more information, please visit the Pharmacy website.Entry requirements A Level ABB | IB 32 points overall
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Background check
Candidates from the UK will need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, arranged by the University. All non-UK candidates need to provide a certificate of no criminal convictions or letter of good standing – provided by their own country before entering the UK. Candidates must also complete an occupational health questionnaire, provided by the University, and complete a declaration of health. Evidence is required of up-to-date vaccinations, including MMR, varicella (chicken pox) and tuberculosis.
Whilst the University does not charge candidates for processing these checks, you will be required to arrange for and fund any vaccinations needed, and pay the Disclosure and Barring Service for their DBS check (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about).
Fitness to Practise
In line with national requirements for courses leading to a health professional qualification, students applying to this course are also subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations.
Typical offer
ABB including minimum grade B in Chemistry and another science.
Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science, ICT).
If you would like to join Year 1 of the programme, but have started an MPharm degree at another institution, please email us at mpharmadmissions@reading.ac.uk. We may require some supplementary information from you to consider your application fully.
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall including 6, in Chemistry and 5 in another science, both at higher level
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM (Modules taken must be comparable to A level subjects specified)
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Assessment task
All eligible applicants will be invited to complete an assessment task.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PM1C | Introduction to Professionalism and Practice | DR Amelia Hollywood |
PM1A | Fundamentals of Physiology | DR Darius Widera |
PM1B | Medicines Discovery, Design, Development and Delivery | DR John Brazier |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PM2D | Delivering Pharmacy Services | DR Rosemary Lim |
PM2C2 | Therapeutics and medicines optimisation C2: Therapeutics and Patient care | DR Silvia Amadesi |
PM2A2 | Therapeutics and medicines optimisation A2: Molecules and Medicines | DR Sam Bizley |
PM2B | Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation B: A Journey Through the GI Tract | DR Francesco Tamagnini |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PM3C | Delivering Pharmacy Services 2 | MR Rav Savania |
PM3A | Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation D | DR Hisham Al-Obaidi |
PM3B | Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation E | DR Leanne Black |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PM4B | Advanced Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice | PROF Kenneth Shankland |
PM4A | Pharmaceutical Research and Enquiry | DR Graeme Cottrell |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £23,700 per year
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
In order to become a fully qualified pharmacist, you will need to complete a year of pre-registration training following graduation. During this time you will complete a portfolio of evidence of competence and take a further assessment, which is run by the pharmacy regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council. During this year we will provide you with further support, including study documents and mock examinations.
95% of our pharmacy graduates are in work or further 15 months after graduating; of those in full-time employment, 100% were in graduate level roles [1]. Most students go on to work for community or hospital pharmacies, with a few moving into industry. A small number decide to embark on careers in other areas, such as teaching, or move on to further study.