Pharmacy MPharm with preparatory year

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Interview info

Interviews take place each Wednesday until the end of April.

Your interview will be held online using MS Teams, with a member of our pharmacy teaching staff and, in some instances, an observer. It is designed around what is known as values-based recruitment (VBR).

We may ask you questions about:

• what motivated you to consider a career in pharmacy
• why do you wish to study at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
• what subjects you enjoyed the most at school or college
• examples of when you have worked well in a team and individually
• your opinions of health care and science in the wider sense.

We will also ask you to consider and discuss a pharmacy-related scenario. Your responses to the scenario and these questions will allow us to find out if you have the right attributes to successfully engage with and complete the course. All candidates are asked the same set of questions and answers are assessed against a standard framework to ensure a fair interview and selection process. Finally, you will have an opportunity to ask us questions about the course, studying and living and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø or anything else you’d like to know.

Find out more about and the , the core values that underpin the NHS.

Info for international pharmacy students

All international students who graduate with an MPharm from a UK university must apply for a visa in order to work in the UK (ie to undertake their foundation training).

Information on visa options that may be suitable for the foundation training year can be found on the . You may want to consider whether applying for Tier 2 or Tier 5 sponsorship may be suitable for your particular circumstances.

Please note, however, that the UK Visas and Immigration website provides the most up-to-date information and it is possible that there may be changes to visa and/or immigration policy by the time you start your foundation training – particularly in light of the recent (see also ).

You should be aware that it may not be possible to obtain a visa for the foundation training year, so there is no guarantee you will be able to stay in the UK to complete your training.

For further guidance on visas for the foundation training year, contact our international student advisers. You can also contact the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) by telephone on 0845 257 2570 or by email at support@rpharms.com.

Why choose an integrated preparatory year? 

This integrated preparatory course is designed for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and qualifications who may not feel ready to begin study at undergraduate level.

This could be for a number of reasons, for example, mature students who have had a break from education and may have vocational experience in addition to academic qualifications.

Students who do not have the subject-appropriate A-levels or equivalent qualifications for the undergraduate course may also benefit.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Ideal for students without science qualifications – the preparatory year is specially designed to introduce university-level study for those changing career, returning to education or without the required A-level subjects.
• Smooth progression to the full MPharm – successfully completing the foundation year guarantees entry to the Pharmacy MPharm without reapplying.
• Strong academic support – benefit from tailored teaching and guidance to build confidence in core science, numeracy and study skills before starting the main degree
• Accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) – ensuring your degree meets professional standards and preparing you for the foundation training year required to become a qualified pharmacist.
• Guaranteed interview for medicine – eligible students benefit from a guaranteed interview with ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), offering an alternative route into medicine.
• Hands-on clinical experience – complete 12 weeks of placements across community pharmacies, GP surgeries, hospitals and mental health trusts, applying your skills in real healthcare settings.
• Access funded opportunities – take part in the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Student Research Experience Scheme (SRES) to gain hands-on research experience alongside academic experts.
• Interprofessional learning opportunities – benefit from close links with BSMS, collaborating with medical students and other healthcare professionals to develop team-based care skills.

• State-of-the-art facilities – train in modern labs and simulation suites with access to advanced technologies for pharmaceutical analysis and patient care.
• Integrated science and patient care – learn through case-based teaching that combines pharmaceutical science with real-world clinical scenarios.
• Expert teaching and research links – learn from academics engaged in innovative research in pharmacology, biotechnology and healthcare innovation.
• Contribute to cutting-edge research – work on projects in areas such as drug delivery, cancer treatment, neuroscience and biomedical science to enhance your scientific expertise.
• Vibrant student experience – study in a creative, diverse city with strong healthcare networks and excellent support services.

Preparatory year 

During your preparatory year you’ll be introduced to key concepts in biology, chemistry and data handling to prepare you for study at undergraduate level. You’ll also develop your skills in problem-solving, analysis and communication.

Modules

• Foundation Biology

  You will be introduced to key biological concepts, from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems. Topics include biological macromolecules, enzymes and energy transfer, DNA and gene expression, cell structure and division, animal physiology, genetics and evolution, metabolism and photosynthesis, as well as ecological and behavioural principles. Practical lab sessions develop core scientific skills such as measurement, microscopy and experimental observation, while seminars support understanding, integration of concepts and exam preparation. The module provides a strong academic and practical foundation for progression in the biosciences.

• Foundation Chemistry

  This module provides an introduction to the core areas of physical, inorganic, organic and analytical chemistry. It is designed to give you a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding across these disciplines and will prepare you to study science subjects such as biosciences and pharmaceutical sciences at undergraduate level. 

• Data Handling for Science

  This module introduces the mathematical, statistical and data handling skills that you need for undergraduate study in biological and chemical sciences, and pharmacy. You will explore key principles and methods and carry out analysis on a range of information, helping you develop skills in problem-solving, analysis and evaluation within defined criteria. 

• Foundation Study Skills

  This module focuses on the skills needed to study a biological, pharmaceutical or chemistry degree, for example testing by experiment and evaluating the results, key laboratory techniques and safe practice in the lab. You will also develop transferable skills like time management, effective essay writing, locating sources of information and presentation and communication skills.

Year 1

The Fundamentals of Pharmacy modules in year 1 provide you with a solid foundation in the science that supports health, disease and medicines use, and introduce you to biomarkers of health and homeostasis.

Case studies cover subjects such as digestive ailments, skin conditions and minor respiratory conditions. You’ll take part in simulation workshops and spend two weeks on a clinical placement to gain experience of patient care, medicines use and multidisciplinary working.

Modules

• Fundamentals of Pharmacy: From Molecules to Medicine

  In this module, you will explore the key principles of pharmaceutical sciences, cell biology, microbiology and pharmacology that underpin pharmacy. Areas of study include physical pharmacy and the principles involved in formulating the drug into a medicine; life forms, cellular structures and microorganisms; and drug targets and pharmacodynamics.

• Fundamentals of Pharmacy: The Healthy Human and Healthcare Delivery

  This module gives you an introduction to pharmacy, covering fundamental insights into the clinical use of medicines, including healthcare structure and delivery, clinical decision-making, communication and professionalism. Topics studied with include the healthy body; when people become patients; healthcare delivery; and evidence-based medicine.

• Minor Illness

  In this first case-based module of the MPharm course you will focus on minor illness, such as indigestion, coughs and colds, and explore pharmaceutical science, therapeutics and medicines used to better understand and treat uncomplicated diseases (infectious and non-infectious). You will develop decision-making skills, particularly regarding treatment and advice relating to minor illnesses and over-the-counter (OTC) medication.

• Clinical and Professional Skills 1

  This module brings together the skills, attributes and knowledge you gained in year 1 and helps prepare you for clinical placements in later years of the course. You will work on developing your basic clinical and communications skills, pharmaceutical numeracy and aspects of professionalism including reflective practice in simulated and clinical settings. You’ll be introduced to basic physical assessment and prescriptions review and be trained in key entrustable professional activities.

Year 2

The second year theme is illness and disease. Most of the material covered in this year relates to common, serious diseases or conditions including ischaemic heart disease, diabetes and asthma. Case studies deal with more complex conditions like cardiovascular, endocrine and immunity, and infectious disease and global health.

You’ll have another two-week clinical placement and attend simulation workshops focusing on patient communication and data retrieval, diagnostic skills, medicines supply and patient counselling.

Modules

• Cardiovascular and Related Systems

  This module brings together pharmaceutical sciences, therapeutics and medicine use to help you understand scientific evidence and make appropriate professional and therapeutic decisions. You will explore the pathology of the cardiovascular, hepatic and renal systems, alongside the cellular processes involved in drug pharmacokinetics.

• Endocrine and Immunity

  You will explore conditions related to the endocrine and immune systems and their treatments using illustrative case studies to bring the topics to life. The cases covered include asthma, diabetes and reproductive health. You will also look at drug development, pre-formulation, drug stability and quality testing of drugs and medicines.

• Infectious Disease and Global Health

  On this module you will examine major conditions caused by microorganisms. You will gain an insight into the microbiology, pathology and immunology of infectious disease and the role of the pharmacist in treating and preventing these disorders from a national and international perspective. 

• Clinical and Professional Skills 2

  In year two Clinical and Professional Skills focuses on developing key skills, especially physical assessment and prescribing skills, numeracy and clinical problem-solving, in relation to cases that you’ve studied in years 1 and 2. You’ll continue to work on Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), and develop other skills that are crucial for pharmacists like consultation and communication skills. Reflecting on your practice is an important part of this module.

Year 3

Year three themes are co-morbidity, complex disease and treatments.

You’ll go on a four-week clinical placement and study case-based modules that are delivered in a series, each over two weeks. The case studies cover neurological disorders and mental health, molecular and genomic medicine, and managing complex patients. You’ll also attend around 20 two-hour simulation workshops throughout the year.

Modules

• Neurological Disorders and Mental Health

  In this module you will study cases in the fields of clinical neuroscience and psychiatry. Integrated studies in clinical pharmacology, formulation science and medicines use will enable you to assess the needs of neurological and psychiatric patients, critically appraise evidence and decide on safe and effective treatment and monitoring. 

• Molecular and Genomic Medicine

  This module will provide you with in-depth insights into fundamental therapeutics and pharmaceutical sciences, enabling you to further develop your knowledge of these fields. You will explore cancers and autoimmune diseases with complex care requirements, and examine personalised medicine with reference to a wide range of other medical conditions.

• Managing Complex Patients

  During this module you will gain an in-depth insight into advanced pharmaceutical sciences, therapeutics and clinical practice (critical thinking, reasoning and judgement) related to the treatment of complex patients. Illustrative case studies will include cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and HIV.

• Clinical and Professional Skills 3

  In year 3 Clinical and Professional Skills focuses on developing your clinical and communication skills, pharmaceutical numeracy and aspects of professionalism including reflective practice. You’ll develop enhanced assessment and prescribing skills whilst working on your resilience and adaptability. This will all contribute to your portfolio of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA).

Final year

The final year comprises two modules: the Pharmacy Research Project and the final Clinical and Professional Skills 4 module. The theme for the final year is multi-morbidity and ageing. You’ll focus on complex care involving patients – especially older people – with multiple chronic and acute conditions who may be prescribed several different medications.

You’ll go on a four-week placement and have around 20 two-hour simulation workshops. You will continue to study the theme of transfer through care settings and prescribing, diagnostic and decision-making introduced in year 3.

You’ll carry out a substantial research project based on an area that interests you, working with an academic who is a recognised expert in the field.

Modules

• Pharmacy Research Project

  The research project is your opportunity to plan and organise a programme of research. First, you will explore research methodologies, health and safety regulations, ethics and a variety of research methodologies. Then you’ll choose a topic to research in depth, collect and analyse the data, discuss your findings and draw appropriate conclusions.

• Clinical and Professional Skills 4

  In your final year Clinical and Professional Skills focuses on clinical decision-making in complex patient groups, for example patients with multiple pathologies, and multiple drug therapies. You’ll take part in practical activities, lectures and tutorials, both in simulated and clinical environments, to enhance your professional and pharmaceutical skills in communication, physical assessment, prescribing, leadership and delivery of pharmaceutical care. You will also an opportunity to critically evaluate the issues facing the NHS.

Staff profile

, course leader

“My research team seeks to increase the understanding of the underlying pathological mechanisms of disease focusing on Type 1 and 2 diabetes and diabetic complications of the cardiovascular and hepatic systems. We also research medicines optimisation investigating cellular mechanisms of drug-induced complications.

“I teach on a wide variety of courses including the masters courses in pharmacy at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø while also delivering material to medical students at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and Sussex Medical School.

“My lecture material is developed from first principals coupled with interactive questions and supported by online video lecture material. In addition I run experimental practical sessions in the laboratory setting with students obtaining a hands-on experience of concepts covered in traditional lectures.”

Facilities

You’ll be able to explore and develop your practical lab techniques through access to specialist labs and equipment, including:

• clinical skills lab
• SimMan 3G – a highly advanced patient simulator that allows you to monitor vital signs, detect numerous signs of disease and assess clinical response to drug treatment in real time
• medicine dispensary
• nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry
• image analysis suite with electron microscopes, a confocal microscope and atomic force microscopes.

Course fees

The course fees shown here are what you will pay for the first year of your course if you start in the academic year 2026–27 and you are studying full-time (fee amount is subject to parliamentary approval). You pay fees in each year of your course. The fees you pay may increase each year.

Regulated fees

Fees for UK students on undergraduate and some postgraduate courses are set by the UK government. These are known as regulated fees. From academic year 2026–27, regulated fees will increase annually in line with forecast inflation.

Student Finance England loans for tuition fees and maintenance will also rise in line with inflation.

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Unregulated fees

Course fees for international students taking undergraduate courses and for most postgraduate courses are not regulated by the UK government. Unregulated fees may increase each year by up to 5% or the forecast Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation (whichever is higher).

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and (pdf) for more on ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø tuition fees.
• ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

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