Preparing for Pharmacy

Experience what it's like to be a Pharmacy student

What is Preparing for Pharmacy? 

Preparing for Pharmacy is a Year 12 /Level 3 Year 1 to Year 13/Level 3 Year 2 programme that aims to support students in their journey to studying Pharmacy. Our programme offers support, guidance, mentoring and opportunities to help you to apply and prepare, to succeed on your course.

Why should you sign up?  

  • Attend on campus events, getting used to the campus, and meeting other like-minded students 
  • Receive three days’ work experience in a local pharmacy  
  • Receive guided e-mentoring with current UEA Pharmacy students during the programme 
  • Receive guidance on mock interviews, making your UCAS Pharmacy application stand out from the crowd and support with your current studies 
  • Get the opportunity to meet and work with current Pharmacy students and academics, and learn skills required in the field 
  • Take on the role of a pharmacist by working in groups on a Problem Based Learning scenario 
  • If you choose to study for a Pharmacy degree at UEA at the end Year 13/Level 3 Year 2) after participating in Preparing for Pharmacy, support will continue into your undergraduate studies.

You will take part in all of this and more during the rest of Year 12 /Level 3 Year 1 – end of Year 13/Level 3 Year 2). 

What’s more… it’s all FREE! 

Types of careers within Pharmacy

Here are some examples of what kind of careers, a degree in Pharmacy can lead to: 

  • Hospital Pharmacist  
  • Community Pharmacist (like the ones you see in Boots)  
  • Clinical pharmacist/GP pharmacist  
  • Primary Care Pharmacist in a community setting 
  • Research Scientist (developing new medicines) 

To explore more careers in Pharmacy visit the Careers In Pharmacy website.

 

Applications for 2023 are now closed.

FAQs

You must:  

  • Live in Norfolk, or North East Suffolk with a home postcode beginning NR32, NR33, NR34 or NR35
  • Be currently in Year 12 or Level 3 Year 1, starting Year 13/ Level 3 Year 2 in September 2023 
  • Be from one, or more, of the following groups:  
  • Live in an area where Higher Education progression is at the lowest rates (Quintiles 1 and 2).  
  • A mature student, defined as students aged 21 or over when starting their undergraduate studies, with no previous university experience. 
  • Students with a disability, including people with specific learning difficulties and mental health problems as defined by UCAS. 
  • To help us to further plan the programme, we also asked applicants to rate their confidence in skills in four areas. There are no right/wrong answers.   
  • You are required to have Mathematics GCSE at a minimum grade B or grade 5, and both English Language and Science GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4.  If you are planning on retaking GCSEs to achieve this level, you are still eligible to apply, but need to outline this in your application. 
  • Currently studying A-Levels, BTECs, an Access Course (or a mixture) that has progression route to the UEA Pharmacy degree. For more details on our entry requirements view our Pharmacy course page. 
  • Be interested, or potentially interested, in applying your scientific knowledge and understanding in a pharmacy and/or pharmaceutical based setting.  

If you have any queries about the eligibility criteria, please get in touch.

Applications for 2023 are now closed.

You will receive more information once enrolled onto the programme. Sessions are planned to occur after school/college, during holiday periods or online to avoid clashing with your school/college studies. To give you an idea of what you might expect to take part in, please see below: 

April 2023: On campus event, problem-based learning 

April 2023 – July 2024: Receive e-mentoring from current UEA Pharmacy students 

24th July – 28th July: Pharmacy placement week, the first week of summer holidays. You will take part in a two day on-campus summer school and three day integrated off-campus pharmacy work experience shadowing a pharmacist, or virtual placements, which includes: 

  • Meeting UEA academics and students 
  • Tour of Pharmacy facilities including dispensary, clinical suite, learning a new workplace 
  • Pharmacy placement preparation   
  • Pharmacy placement which aims to include speaking to Pharmacists about their role, their education journey, receive advice and guidance 
  • Campus tour 
  • Clinical cases and scenarios activities 
  • Practice talking to patients 
  • Experience over the counter medicine and dispensing medicines 
  • Over the counter sales experience 
  • Gain customer service skills 
  • Explore careers and next steps 

October 2023: Application and interview preparation to a Pharmacy university course (doesn’t have to be UEA). Interview practice for a Pharmacy job, learning skills to help with successful outcomes. 

Spring 2024 (optional): Chemistry Masterclass to help with revision support for Chemistry A-Level or equivalent. 

If you successfully apply to study Pharmacy at UEA, there will be additional transition and support activities from August 2024 onwards, until you start your course here.