MPharm Pharmacy
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Master of Pharmacy
- UCAS Course Code
- B230
- Typical Offer
- AAB (specific subjects required)
- Contextual Offer
- BBB (specific subjects required)
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Our GPhC-accredited MPharm Pharmacy degree equips you with the knowledge, skills, and attributes required of a modern pharmacist. From day one, you'll engage with patients and healthcare practitioners through placements and simulations, all within an enjoyable and supportive learning environment designed to maximise your potential.
Our MPharm degree programme boasts a global reputation for exceptional, innovative teaching, underpinned by world-class research. You'll focus on developing clinical skills and gaining practical experience to enhance your professional attributes and competencies. Our friendly staff, who are leading researchers and practitioners, will support you throughout your studies. Additionally, your learning will be integrated with placements from the very beginning of this four-year course.
No matter your focus, the course reflects the latest developments in pharmaceutical science and the most recent advances in clinical practice. This programme is intended for UK and EU students who wish to register as pharmacists in the UK following a 12-month period of foundation training after graduation. If you aim to register as a pharmacist overseas, we recommend checking the course's acceptability in that country.
From the first day, you’ll engage in placements and simulations, working alongside healthcare practitioners and patients to gain practical experience. Placements evolve from early years, where you’ll gain familiarity with different pharmacy environments, to later years, where they contribute to healthcare delivery by undertaking blood pressure screenings, providing vaccinations, reconciling patients' medicines, and making care recommendations. In the final years, you’ll undertake quality improvement projects to enhance services delivered by their placement providers. Placements are primarily across the eastern region, with opportunities for wider experiences through national organisations. Placement allocation aims to provide you with diverse experiences.
Our course provides the foundation for a rewarding career in pharmacy. We’re proud of our graduates, whose early career destinations reflect the employability prospects offered by our degree. You may become a professional scientist or pursue careers in hospital pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry, community pharmacy, primary care, and GP practices.
Placement
In your final year, you’ll carry out a 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 provider. We currently have arrangements with pharmacy schools in Germany, France, Spain, and Vietnam.
Accreditations
The course is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Study and Modules
Structure
Our course covers topics in an integrated way, centered on different diseases and clinical topics. Throughout your degree, you’ll develop your skills through patient-facing experiences and placements. Some parts of your learning will be alongside other healthcare professionals, just like it would be in the workplace.
In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the different areas of pharmacy: the biology behind how drugs work (pharmacology), dosage form design (pharmaceutics), how medicines are designed and made (medicinal chemistry), and patient care and the practice of pharmacy. Building from this, the degree is taught around different clinical topics, starting first with hypertension, which is one of the most commonly treated clinical symptoms.
Compulsory Modules
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.
Teaching and Learning
Our course combines a variety of teaching methods, designed to help you make the most of your learning and your ability to perform the professional role of a pharmacist.
In your first year, you’ll be introduced to a variety of teaching methods, including traditional lectures, workshops, and practicals, alongside Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Team-Based Learning (TBL), and InterProfessional Learning (IPL). You’ll work in a simulated dispensary to develop fundamental skills in the supply of medicines and undertake your first placements.
Assessment
The MPharm is a pass all components course, this means that to progress into the next year of study, you must pass all summative assessments in the current year of study. This includes a professionalism assessment which confirms your professional standing across the year and completion of placement activities. You can engage with formative assessment for all assessments. Feedback will be provided in written and oral forms to guide your learning and development.
During your first year, assessment include written exams, practical Objective Structured Pharmacy Examination (OSPEs), a Professional Development Portfolio (which demonstrates your skill development and ability to reflect on experiences) written essay, to develop scientific writing skills, a calculations exam and scientific practical to demonstrate your laboratory skills, data analysis and report writing.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll build on your knowledge in areas relating to the management of common conditions such as diabetes, asthma, infectious diseases and cancer.
You'll also start to develop your skills as a healthcare practitioner whilst developing your own consultation style and skills to enable you to work in a modern healthcare team.
Compulsory Modules
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.
Teaching and Learning
In the second year, active learning methods will help you apply skills across a range of individual clinical topics, understanding human physiology, pathophysiology, and the development of medicines to manage these conditions. You'll develop consultation and initial clinical decision-making skills, including clinical assessment skills, required of a pharmacist and prescriber. Experiential learning through simulations and placement activities will allow you to apply theory in real-world settings.
Assessment
In your second year, you’ll complete written exams, practical Objective structured Pharmacy Exams (OSPE), a professional development portfolio (which demonstrates your development towards achieving GPhC learning outcomes), a service evaluation, a group poster presentation, a calculations exam and scientific practical portfolio to demonstrate your laboratory skills, data analysis and report writing.
Structure
In your third year, you’ll further develop your research and clinical skills where you'll learn about skin disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disorders, neurological diseases, and management of pain. In addition to clinical topics, you develop your scientific understanding of how a medicine is designed, tested and formulated. Using this knowledge to benefit your patients and fellow healthcare professionals.
Compulsory Modules
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.
Teaching and Learning
In the third year, you'll continue to use active learning methods to tackle more complex disease states and start considering decision-making in patients with multiple conditions. Realistic simulations in various settings will enable you to fine-tune your skills with real-world applications in clinical placement environments. Your research skills will develop, allowing you to gather and assimilate information on topics at the cutting edge of scientific breakthroughs.
Assessment
In your third year, you’ll complete written exams which include management plans for patient cases, practical Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE), a professional development portfolio (which includes case-based discussions from placements and evidence collection of application of skills to meet GPhC learning outcomes), an advanced topic review and a calculations exam. You'll also have formative opportunities to sit foundation pharmacist national recruitment assessments and prepare for the Foundation training allocation process (ORIEL).
Structure
In your final year, you’ll bring together everything you’ve learned and apply it to complex patient situations reflecting real world practice. In this year, you'll also develop your research and evaluation skills to make judgements and recommendations about future practice, together with developing your understanding of education to enable you to fully support the wider healthcare team. There may be an opportunity this year to study abroad at one of our partner organisations.
Compulsory Modules
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.
Teaching and Learning
During your final year, you'll have greater independence to manage your own learning and development, mirroring the practice of a healthcare professional. You'll complete a research project, enabling you to make judgements on new data and communicate your findings to peers in a mock scientific conference. You'll apply the knowledge and skills from previous years to manage complex patients with multiple diseases and medications in both real and simulated environments. Additionally, you'll complete extended group projects to improve population health by developing new services and health campaigns. Placements will provide opportunities to enhance real healthcare services.
Assessment
In your final year, you’ll complete a written exam which mirror registration assessment questions and include management plans for complex cases, practical Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE), a professional development portfolio (which mirrors pharmacist revalidation requirements), an extended group business case proposal and a quality improvement project Through your research project you'll prepare a scientific journal article and deliver a conference style presentation.
Employability
After the Course
After completing your MPharm degree you’ll need to complete a 12-month structured foundation training period and assessment, leading to registration as a Pharmacist with the GPhC.
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 the community, primary care, hospital and the pharmaceutical industry when you graduate.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Hospital pharmacy
- Community pharmacy
- Primary care and GP practices
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Research
- Education
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language at minimum grade 4 or grade C and Mathematics at minimum grade 5 or grade B.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB including Chemistry and either Physics, Biology or Mathematics. Interview required.
Contextual offer: BBB including Chemistry and either Physics, Biology or Mathematics. Interview required.
Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science/Biomedical Science) including all modules listed below OR DDD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science/Biomedical Science) plus A level Chemistry grade B. Interview required.
Contextual offer: DDM in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science/Biomedical Science) including all modules listed below OR DDD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science/Biomedical Science) plus A level Chemistry grade B. Interview required.
BTEC only accepted alongside A Level Chemistry grade B unless all of the following modules studied: Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry and Practical Chemical Analysis.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers.
Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
Access to HE Diploma
Not accepted
T levels
Not accepted
Foundation Year options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as MPharm Pharmacy with a Preparatory Year
Foundation Years
We will consider applicants with a foundation year if achieved A levels are CCD or above. The foundation year content must meet the subject requirement for this course.
We require 70% overall with 70% in Chemistry & 60% in second science or maths from foundation years with acceptable content to meet our requirements. Interview required.Degree study
Achieve or predicted to achieve a 2.1 or above and A level BBB including grade B in Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics required. Interview required.
If part-way through a degree, grades achieved must average 2.1 or above and hold A level BBB including grade B in Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics. Interview required.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall with Higher Level 5 in Chemistry and Higher Level 5 in a second science from Biology, Physics or Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation or Analysis and Approaches). Interview required.
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3 including Chemistry and either Physics, Biology or Mathematics. Interview required.
Scottish Highers
AAAAA including Chemistry and either Physics, Biology or Mathematics. Interview required.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC including Chemistry and either Physics, Biology or Mathematics. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable. Interview required.
- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Offers to successful applicants will be subject to a successful interview, a satisfactory occupational health check, including evidence of appropriate immunisations and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Where applicable an Overseas Police Check may be required. As part of the selection process, successful applicants will be asked to complete the Pharmacy Schools Council Excluded Database form. UK Pharmacy students are also required to sign up to a national Code of Conduct for Pharmacy Students.
- Interviews
Interviews will be held virtually with a member of academic staff from the School of Pharmacy. Please note that we do not disclose interview questions. Typically, we will look for you to demonstrate a good understanding of the course, your approaches to decision making, effective teamwork, effective communication, and a desire to help others. The selection process is designed to help us choose students with the appropriate skills and attitudes to become excellent pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
Applicants can only be interviewed once per cycle. If unsuccessful at interview applicants cannot reapply until the following academic cycle.
- Preparing for Pharmacy
Applying to study Pharmacy can be daunting, especially without any experience of university or pharmacy in the family to draw upon. Preparing for Pharmacy supports Year 12 /Level 3 Year 1 students on their path to studying Pharmacy through participation in a range of free activities.
Applicants who successfully complete both the Placement Week (held between July and August) and the Interview Preparation Day (in October), and who meet the eligibility criteria for application, will be guaranteed an interview for either the MPharm Pharmacy course or the MPharm Pharmacy with a Preparatory Year, depending on their academic qualifications.
- Placements
Where a course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
- Deferred Entry
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.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language at minimum grade 4 or grade C and Mathematics at minimum grade 5 or grade B.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB including Chemistry and either Physics, Biology or Mathematics. Interview required.
Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall with Higher Level 5 in Chemistry and Higher Level 5 in a second science from Biology, Physics or Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation or Analysis and Approaches). Interview required.
Foundation Years
We will consider applicants with a foundation year if achieved A levels are CCD or above. The foundation year content must meet the subject requirement for this course.
We require 70% overall with 70% in Chemistry & 60% in second science or maths from foundation years with acceptable content to meet our requirements. Interview required.Degree study
Achieve or predicted to achieve a 2.1 or above and A level BBB including grade B in Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics required. Interview required.
If part-way through a degree, grades achieved must average 2.1 or above and hold A level BBB including grade B in Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics. Interview required.
Degree study
Achieve or predicted to achieve a 2.1 or above and A level BBB including grade B in Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics required. Interview required.
If part-way through a degree, grades achieved must average 2.1 or above and A level BBB including grade B in Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics required. Interview required.
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
-
- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Offers to successful applicants will be subject to a successful interview, a satisfactory occupational health check, including evidence of appropriate immunisations and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Where applicable an Overseas Police Check may be required. As part of the selection process, successful applicants will be asked to complete the Pharmacy Schools Council Excluded Database form. UK Pharmacy students are also required to sign up to a national Code of Conduct for Pharmacy Students.
- Interviews
Interviews will be held virtually with a member of academic staff from the School of Pharmacy. Please note that we do not disclose interview questions. Typically, we will look for you to demonstrate a good understanding of the course, your approaches to decision making, effective teamwork, effective communication, and a desire to help others. The selection process is designed to help us choose students with the appropriate skills and attitudes to become excellent pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
Applicants can only be interviewed once per cycle. If unsuccessful at interview applicants cannot reapply until the following academic cycle.
- Placements
Where a course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
- Deferred Entry
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.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
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. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: