MPharm Pharmacy with a Foundation Year
Course options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Pharmacy
- UCAS Course Code
- 8B23
- Entry Requirements
- CCC
- Course Length
- 5 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
Course Overview
Our GPhC accredited five–year Pharmacy with a Foundation Year degree prepares you for university-level study if you don’t have the required qualifications for direct entry onto the four-year MPharm course.
The five-year program helps you develop the knowledge, skills and attributes required of a modern pharmacist. From day one, you’ll work with patients and other healthcare practitioners in placements and simulations. Learning in an enjoyable and supportive environment to maximise your potential.
We are proud of our graduates, and their early career destinations are a testament to the employability prospects provided by our degree.
The foundation year of this five-year course is designed to equip 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 undertake a bespoke Pharmacy skills module. You’ll explore teaching methods utilised throughout the MPharm and learn some of the underlying principles of medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical formulation and pharmacy practice.
Our MPharm degree programme has a global reputation for exceptional, innovative teaching, backed by world-class research. You’ll focus on clinical skills development and practical experience to develop your professional attributes and competencies. You will benefit from the support of our friendly staff, who are leading researchers and practitioners. Furthermore, your learning will be integrated with placements from the very beginning of this four-year course.
Whatever your focus, your course will reflect the most up-to-date developments in pharmaceutical science and the most recent advances in clinical practice.
This course is intended for UK and EU students who wish to later register as a Pharmacist in the UK following a 12-month period of foundation training undertaken after graduation. If you wish to register as a pharmacist overseas we recommend you check this course is acceptable for this purpose in that country.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our Pharmacy with a Foundation Year course follows a carefully structured programme. In your foundation year, you’ll focus on developing fundamental skills in mathematics, biology, chemistry and pharmacy, which on successful completion will allow you to move onto our four-year MPharm degree.
The next four years of the MPharm course covers topics in an integrated way, centered on different diseases and clinical topics. Throughout your degree you will 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.
For information on subsequent years, please see the full MPharm Pharmacy course.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)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.
We promote active learning, with a large proportion of workshops, practicals and simulations designed to help you get to grips with applying your knowledge to deliver benefits to patients and the public.
You’ll work in small groups to solve problems, and in teams to help you recognise your own strengths and weaknesses, and to support your development to becoming a healthcare professional.
We give you plenty of practice of the things you will need to do as a working Pharmacist: from the production of a professional portfolio to counselling a patient and preparing a pharmaceutical care plan, everything is taught in context.
Independent study
The course is designed to give you space to reflect on your experiences to help you to maximise your potential. You’ll have opportunities to research, test and apply your knowledge in your own time, supported through tasks and activities delivered via our virtual learning environment.
Assessment
We employ a range of innovative assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and observations of clinical practice.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
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Optimise your learning and development
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Develop professionalism
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Develop clinical decision-making skills
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Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
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Mock assessments and feedback for exams
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Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
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Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
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Short answer and multiple-choice tests
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Essays and laboratory reports
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Pharmaceutical care plans
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Clinical observations
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Professional development portfolios
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Oral and poster presentations
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Scientific paper writing
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Staff and peer assessment
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- CCC
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism. Any subject is acceptable.
- BTEC
- MMM
- Scottish Highers
- BBCCC
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- DDD
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 6 subjects at H4
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 28 points
- GCSE
- You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- 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) for year 1 entry
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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- Intakes
- This course is open to home (UK) applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
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.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
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.
Applicants submitting UCAS applications that include a good personal statement and academic reference as well as a strong academic background will be invited to an interview. We will be in touch prior to the interview to arrange a suitable time.
Programme Conditions
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). In the interests of patient and public safety, we may share some of the information provided in your application form with the Pharmacy Schools Council in order to verify your fitness to practise. Successful applicants will be asked to complete the Pharmacy Schools Council Excluded Database form. If a fitness to practise finding is made against you in the future, this information and a copy of the decision against you will also be stored on the database maintained by the Pharmacy Schools Council. UK Pharmacy students are also required to sign up to a national Code of Conduct for Pharmacy Students.
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.
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your 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.
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.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
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:
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 community, primary care, hospital and the pharmaceutical industry when you graduate.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Hospital pharmacy
- Community pharmacy
- Primary care and GP practices
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Research
- Education