Pharmacy MPharm
London, Bloomsbury
Pharmacy MPharm (2024)
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are experts in medicines, with a detailed understanding of the scientific basis of therapy. The MPharm programme integrates pharmaceutical science into the practice of clinical pharmacy. We offer you the opportunity to become a confident and competent healthcare professional with patient safety and wellbeing as your primary concern.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2023Application deadline
25 Jan 2023UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAB
- Subjects
- Chemistry and either Biology, Mathematics or Physics required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- BBB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- Chemistry and either Biology, Mathematics or Physics required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
- Points
- 36
- Subjects
- A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects including Chemistry and one subject from Biology, Mathematics or Physics, with no higher level score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 32 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects to include Chemistry and one subject from Biology, Mathematics or Physics, with no higher level score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated. This qualification is not accepted where applicants have not previously studied beyond GCSE standard or have not achieved the required grades at A-level.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAB. Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher). Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Physics or Mathematics, at Advanced Higher.
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Physics or Mathematics
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 2
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
The Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). An MPharm from an accredited UK school of pharmacy is the first step towards a career as a pharmacist. To qualify as a registered pharmacist in Britain you will need to undertake a year of pre-registration training (foundation training year) after graduation and then pass the qualifying examinations of the GPhC.
The programme gives graduates an integrated and interdisciplinary perspective on the science of medicines and links this to the practice and ethics of the pharmacy profession. It includes contact with patients throughout, with students taking part in placements in pharmacy settings and in-house patient interviews.
In the fourth year students undertake a research project in an area of pharmacy or pharmaceutical science. This project may be carried out in the school or with one of our NHS or international partners.
What this course will give you
The UCL School of Pharmacy has a long tradition of academic and research excellence and is internationally recognised as being one of the leading pharmacy schools worldwide. It is ranked fourth in the world for Pharmacy and Pharmacology (QS World University Rankings 2022).
Placements in community pharmacies, teaching hospitals and GP practices. Interprofessional learning with other healthcare degree students. Students make regular visits to Green Light Pharmacy, where workshops are taught by community pharmacists and students can interact with the patients.
The UCL School of Pharmacy has a dedicated pre-registration co-ordinator and an excellent graduate employment rate. A Pharmacy degree from UCL will bring a wide range of career choices. 99% of our graduates are in work or further study within six months of finishing their degree.
Opportunity to take the Year 4 research project as part of our Study Abroad programme either in Europe or at one of our international partner institutions.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a MPharm (Hons) in Pharmacy.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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The programme gives you an integrated and interdisciplinary perspective on the science of medicines and links this to the practice and ethics of the pharmacy profession. It includes contact with patients throughout, with you taking part in hospital visits, hospital and community pharmacy placements, and in-house patient interviews.
In years one, two and three you will take modules relating to body systems and therapeutics, the chemistry and formulation of medicines, and the clinical and professional and role of the pharmacist.. In year 3 you will have the opportunity to develop enhanced expertise in areas currently at the forefront of the science and practice of pharmacy.
You will study in parallel a ‘practice into science’ and a ‘science into practice’ option, in a group size of approximately 30 students.’During 2022/23 the following topics will be taught:
Strand A ‘practice into science’ options:
- Role of the Pharmacist in Cancer Care
- Drugs from natural sources
- Global perspectives: health, medicines and pharmacy
- Pharmaceutical Quality and Regulatory Affairs
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Leadership and Quality Improvement Strategies in Pharmacy
- Tailoring therapy to the individual
- Physiological gender differences and common diseases in women
Strand B ‘science into practice’ options:
- Advanced cancer therapies
- Industrial pharmacy
- Infectious diseases: challenges and opportunities
- Medicines for children
- The aging brain and neurodegeneration
- Drug discovery in cardiovascular disease and diabetes
- Drug delivery across biological barriers
- Biologics and Biosimilars
In the fourth year you will undertake a research project in an area of pharmacy or pharmaceutical science. This project may be carried out in the school or with one of our NHS or Turing Scheme partners.
Your learning
You will be exposed to many different styles of teaching and learning. The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, practical classes, tutorials, problem-solving classes, clinical seminars and workshops, clinical placements, skills workshops with patients, journal clubs, independent learning, and visits to hospital and community pharmacies. There is also an emphasis on connected learning; supplementing traditional on campus teaching and learning with high quality and engaging online learning activities including quizzes and e-portfolios.
Assessment
Your performance is assessed through a combination of coursework, essays, controlled assessments of coursework, MCQs, practical exams (OCSEs), portfolios, short answer questions and extended written case studies in examinations as well as integrated examination questions and a research project. Coursework contributes about 40% and examinations about 60% to your final mark.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
Six out of every ten pharmacists work in community pharmacies on the high street or in supermarkets or in GP practices. Another popular branch of the profession is hospital pharmacy, working closely with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. After one or two years, a hospital pharmacist can choose to specialise in areas such as cancer, paediatrics, HIV, surgery or education and training.
There are also career routes into industry and academia. Industrial pharmacists work in research and development, production, quality control, clinical trials, product registration and medical information. Those choosing to stay in the academic world undertake teaching and research.
Employability
MPharm graduates must apply for and undertake a year in pre-registration training then pass the registration examination to qualify as a professional pharmacist. As a pharmacy professional you will be a frontline healthcare provider and can have a direct impact on people's lives and health.
Accreditation
The Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). An MPharm from an accredited UK school of pharmacy is the first step towards a career as a pharmacist. To qualify as a registered pharmacist in Britain you will need to undertake a year of pre-registration training after graduation and then pass the qualifying examinations of the GPhC.Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £29,000 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2023/24 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.
Additional costs
Students living or who have lived outside of the UK will be expected to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct (police check) from that country. You will be responsible for any costs of this check. You will need to provide your own lab coat for practical classes and you may also incur additional transport costs from undertaking the hospital visits, placements and patient interviews that are a part of the programme.
A charge for a Post Office check needed for an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is payable by the student. The cost of the DBS check itself is paid by the School of Pharmacy
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Interviews are held from November to April. Successful applicants are required to pass Occupational Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced checks before starting the programme. Successful applicants will need to show that they espouse the professional values necessary in a pharmacist or pharmacy student. The values of the UCL School of Pharmacy and information on selection can be found on the departmental website. You should read this before you apply. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/pharmacy/study/master-pharmacy-mpharm/applications-mpharm-pharmacy
Got questions? Get in touch
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