MPharm PHARMACY WITH A FOUNDATION YEAR
MPHARM PHARMACY WITH A FOUNDATION YEAR
Why study
The Foundation Year is designed to support you to gain core knowledge and Develop key skills to directly progress onto the MPharm (Pharmacy) course upon successful completion of the year.
Our Pharmacy degree is designed to develop you as both a scientist and a practitioner., We embed practical and experiential learning and opportunities to work with patients throughout the course, providing you with excellent clinical skills to maximise your employability.
Our innovative teaching methods are focused on active learning, where you will develop your skills through interactive teaching sessions including team based learning, problem solving classes, patient presentations, clinical placements and dispensary days.
You will benefit from our inter professional learning opportunities studying alongside students from other medical and healthcare professions, just as you will in your career.
Together these study approaches will prepare you to become a skilled pharmacist, a role that has excellent career prospects.
The foundation year of this five-year course is designed to arm you with the skills and knowledge you need to move on to study our MPharm degree. You’ll not only focus on fundamental skills in mathematics, biology and chemistry, but also specialise in principles in pharmacy. Upon successful completion of the Foundation Year, you’ll continue on the full MPharm Pharmacy four-year course.
Our MPharm degree programme has a global reputation for exceptional, innovative teaching, backed by world-class research. You’ll focus on practical experience in the lab and clinical settings, and cultivate professional skills on placements from the very beginning of this four-year course. You will benefit from extensive real-world training, and start to build your own professional portfolio before you’ve even graduated.
With support from leading researchers and practitioners, you’ll hone your knowledge of chemistry and biology, and learn how to apply it to drug design, drug delivery and pharmacology with the aim to optimising patient care. Our course covers everything needed to be a pharmacist including the following topics:
- Disease causes, prevention and treatments
- Drug design and discovery
- Mechanisms of drug action
- The science of medicine formulation
- Improving patient care through medicines optimisation
- Precision medicine
- The role of the pharmacist
- Professionalism and ethics
- Preparation for the workplace
As well as exceptional training in the core requirements, you’ll cover a broad range of subjects integrating healthcare and science, enabling you to identify and specialise in the areas you find most interesting. And you’ll have opportunities to establish links with organisations where you might hope to secure future employment.
Whatever your focus, your course will reflect the most up-to-date developments in pharmaceutical science and the most recent advances in clinical practice and is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
This course is intended for UK and EU students that wish to later register as a Pharmacist in the UK. If you wish to register overseas we recommend you check this course is acceptable for this purpose in that country.
About
Develop your clinical skills and the study the science underpinning medicines and health at one of the UK’s leading Pharmacy Schools.
Our five-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) with a Foundation Year prepares you for University-level study if you don’t have the right qualifications for direct entry to the four-year degree course.
We’ll help you develop as both a scientist and a practitioner, with embedded practical and experiential learning throughout to optimise your development. You’ll work with patients, developing your clinical skills to maximise your employability after graduation.

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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.Placement Year and Study Abroad
In your final year you’ll carry out a research project, giving you the chance to gain a greater insight into a specialist subject area. You can choose to undertake it at an English-speaking laboratory or research group in a European university. We currently have arrangements with pharmacy schools in Germany, France, Spain and Norway.

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After the Course
After completing your MPharm degree you’ll need to complete a 12-month structured pre-registration training period, leading to registration as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Career prospects for pharmacists are excellent. In many areas of the UK there is a shortage of pharmacists, presenting exciting employment opportunities for you in community, primary care, hospital and the pharmaceutical industry when you graduate. There are also opportunities in veterinary, prison pharmacy or working as a pharmacist in the armed forces. Some graduates are interested in developing careers in research and/or pharmacy education. There are also opportunities for pharmacists in pharmaceutical sales and marketing, journalism and publishing.
Career destinations
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Hospital pharmacies
- Community practices
- Primary care
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Research

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Assessment for Year 1
First we employ a range of authentic assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and communication assessments.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
-
Optimise your learning and development
-
Develop professionalism
-
Develop clinical decision making skills
-
Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
-
Teaching approaches that are aligned to each assessment
-
Mock assessments and feedback for exams
-
Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
-
Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
-
Short answer and multiple choice tests
-
Essays and laboratory reports
-
Pharmaceutical care plans
-
communication assessments
-
Professional development portfolios
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Scientific paper writing
-
Peer assessment
Assessment for Year 2
First we employ a range of authentic assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and communication assessments.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
-
Optimise your learning and development
-
Develop professionalism
-
Develop clinical decision making skills
-
Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
-
Teaching approaches that are aligned to each assessment
-
Mock assessments and feedback for exams
-
Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
-
Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
-
Short answer and multiple choice tests
-
Essays and laboratory reports
-
Pharmaceutical care plans
-
communication assessments
-
Professional development portfolios
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Scientific paper writing
-
Peer assessment
We employ a range of innovative assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessment and objective clinical pharmacy examinations.
We carefully select our assessment methods to:
- Optimise student learning and development
- Develop professionalism
- Develop clinical decision making skills
- Prepare students for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
- Mock assessments and feedback for exams
- Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
- Drop in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Examples of assessment types include:
- Short answer and multiple choice tests
- Essays and laboratory reports
- Pharmaceutical care plans
- Objective structured clinical examinations
- Professional development portfolios
- Oral and poster presentations
- Scientific paper writing
- Staff and peer assessment
Assessment for Year 3
First we employ a range of authentic assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and communication assessments.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
-
Optimise your learning and development
-
Develop professionalism
-
Develop clinical decision making skills
-
Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
-
Teaching approaches that are aligned to each assessment
-
Mock assessments and feedback for exams
-
Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
-
Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
-
Short answer and multiple choice tests
-
Essays and laboratory reports
-
Pharmaceutical care plans
-
communication assessments
-
Professional development portfolios
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Scientific paper writing
-
Peer assessment
Assessment for Year 4
First we employ a range of authentic assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and communication assessments.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
-
Optimise your learning and development
-
Develop professionalism
-
Develop clinical decision making skills
-
Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
-
Teaching approaches that are aligned to each assessment
-
Mock assessments and feedback for exams
-
Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
-
Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
-
Short answer and multiple choice tests
-
Essays and laboratory reports
-
Pharmaceutical care plans
-
communication assessments
-
Professional development portfolios
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Scientific paper writing
-
Peer assessment
Assessment for Year 5
We employ a range of innovative assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessment and objective clinical pharmacy examinations.
We carefully select our assessment methods to:
- Optimise student learning and development
- Develop professionalism
- Develop clinical decision making skills
- Prepare students for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
- Mock assessments and feedback for exams
- Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
- Drop in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Examples of assessment types include:
- Short answer and multiple choice tests
- Essays and laboratory reports
- Pharmaceutical care plans
- Objective structured clinical examinations
- Professional development portfolios
- Oral and poster presentations
- Scientific paper writing
- Staff and peer assessment
Assessment for Year 1
First we employ a range of authentic assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and communication assessments.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
-
Optimise your learning and development
-
Develop professionalism
-
Develop clinical decision making skills
-
Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
-
Teaching approaches that are aligned to each assessment
-
Mock assessments and feedback for exams
-
Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
-
Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
-
Short answer and multiple choice tests
-
Essays and laboratory reports
-
Pharmaceutical care plans
-
communication assessments
-
Professional development portfolios
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Scientific paper writing
-
Peer assessment
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.Assessment for Year 2
First we employ a range of authentic assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and communication assessments.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
-
Optimise your learning and development
-
Develop professionalism
-
Develop clinical decision making skills
-
Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
-
Teaching approaches that are aligned to each assessment
-
Mock assessments and feedback for exams
-
Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
-
Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
-
Short answer and multiple choice tests
-
Essays and laboratory reports
-
Pharmaceutical care plans
-
communication assessments
-
Professional development portfolios
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Scientific paper writing
-
Peer assessment
We employ a range of innovative assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessment and objective clinical pharmacy examinations.
We carefully select our assessment methods to:
- Optimise student learning and development
- Develop professionalism
- Develop clinical decision making skills
- Prepare students for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
- Mock assessments and feedback for exams
- Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
- Drop in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Examples of assessment types include:
- Short answer and multiple choice tests
- Essays and laboratory reports
- Pharmaceutical care plans
- Objective structured clinical examinations
- Professional development portfolios
- Oral and poster presentations
- Scientific paper writing
- Staff and peer assessment
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.Assessment for Year 3
First we employ a range of authentic assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and communication assessments.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
-
Optimise your learning and development
-
Develop professionalism
-
Develop clinical decision making skills
-
Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
-
Teaching approaches that are aligned to each assessment
-
Mock assessments and feedback for exams
-
Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
-
Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
-
Short answer and multiple choice tests
-
Essays and laboratory reports
-
Pharmaceutical care plans
-
communication assessments
-
Professional development portfolios
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Scientific paper writing
-
Peer assessment
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.Assessment for Year 4
First we employ a range of authentic assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and communication assessments.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
-
Optimise your learning and development
-
Develop professionalism
-
Develop clinical decision making skills
-
Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
-
Teaching approaches that are aligned to each assessment
-
Mock assessments and feedback for exams
-
Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
-
Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
-
Short answer and multiple choice tests
-
Essays and laboratory reports
-
Pharmaceutical care plans
-
communication assessments
-
Professional development portfolios
-
Oral and poster presentations
-
Scientific paper writing
-
Peer assessment
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.Assessment for Year 5
We employ a range of innovative assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessment and objective clinical pharmacy examinations.
We carefully select our assessment methods to:
- Optimise student learning and development
- Develop professionalism
- Develop clinical decision making skills
- Prepare students for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
- Mock assessments and feedback for exams
- Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
- Drop in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Examples of assessment types include:
- Short answer and multiple choice tests
- Essays and laboratory reports
- Pharmaceutical care plans
- Objective structured clinical examinations
- Professional development portfolios
- Oral and poster presentations
- Scientific paper writing
- Staff and peer assessment
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.Entry Requirements
A Levels
CCC. Science A-Levels must include a pass in the practical element.BTEC
MMM.Scottish highers
BBCCC.Scottish highers advanced
DDD.Irish leaving certificate
6 subjects at H4.Access course
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.European Baccalaureate
60% overall.International Baccalaureate
28 points.GCSE offer
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
Additional entry requirements
General Studies and Critical Thinking A Levels are not accepted.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check
During your first semester, we ask that you apply for a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. In addition to your DBS check, if you have lived outside of the UK for a continuous period of 4 months or more within the last five years, you will also be required to complete and submit a police check, (from your home country if this is not the UK) or a Certificate of Good Conduct. A template for this is provided by the Student Disclosure Service when they begin your DBS check.
You will also be required as are all UK pharmacy students to sign up to a national "Code of Conduct for Pharmacy Students". You may view this document at:
http://www.pharmacyregulation.org/education/pharmacist/student-code-conduct
In addition to reviewing the "Student Fitness to Practice Policy and Procedures" which are developed to address any concerns about a student's fitness to practice, including issues relating to conduct and health in relation to patient safety and professional standards.
PLEASE NOTE: Non-completion of the DBS or Occupational health checks or an adverse DBS outcome may result in withdrawal from the programme.
Alternative Qualifications
UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher Level. In addition some degree programmes require specific subjects at a higher level.
We welcome applications from students with non-traditional academic backgrounds. If you have been out of study for the last three years and you do not have the entry grades for our three year degree, we will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference to gain a holistic view of your suitability for the course. You will still need to meet our GCSE English Language and Mathematics requirements. All applicants for this course are interviewed.
If you are currently studying your level 3 qualifications, we may be able to give you a reduced grade offer based on these circumstances:
-
You live in an area with low progression to higher education (we use Polar 4, quintile 1 & 2 data)
-
You will be 21 years of age or over at the start of the course
-
You have been in care or you are a young full time carer
-
You are studying at a school which our Outreach Team are working closely with
Interviews
Applicants submitting UCAS applications that include a good personal statement and academic reference as well as a sufficient academic background will be asked to attend the University on one of our Applicant Days.
As part of our selection process on the Applicant Day there will be three different activities: an interview, a demonstration and a group exercise. You don’t need to prepare or bring anything with you, we will give you all the information you need on the day. These activities take about an hour in total.
The selection process is designed to help us choose students with the appropriate skills and attitudes to become excellent pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
If an applicant is located outside the UK, we will arrange a structured competency based one-to-one telephone interview. This will be held with a member of academic staff from the School of Pharmacy. We will be in touch prior to the interview to arrange a suitable time.
Gap year
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
Intakes
This course is open to UK applicants only. The annual intake is in September each year.
Foundation courses for international applicants are run by our partners at INTO.

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Fees and Funding
Undergraduate University Fees and Financial Support
Tuition Fees
Information on tuition fees can be found here:
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds.
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
Prior to commencing the course you’ll need to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which also involves a fee. And you’ll need to undergo an occupational health check and pay for any necessary vaccinations before going on placement.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.

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How to apply
Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.
UCAS Apply is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The application allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it is sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is EANGL E14.
Further Information
Please complete our Online Enquiry Form to request a prospectus and to be kept up to date with news and events at the University.
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

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