Pharmacy
Swansea University
UCAS Code: B230 | Master of Pharmacy - MPharm
Swansea University
UCAS Code: B230 | Master of Pharmacy - MPharm
Entry requirements
A level
Must include Chemistry and at least one other STEM subject, i.e. Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Psychology Selection for interview is typically based on predicted grades of at least BBB.
Other UK and International qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis – please contact us to discuss them.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32-34 must include HL 6 in Chemistry and HL 5 in one other STEM subject. Selection for interview is typically based on predicted IB grades of at least 32 points.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2,H2,H3,H3,H3-H3,H3,H3,H3,H3
Must include H3 in Chemistry and one other STEM subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science only. Optional chemistry modules are desirable i.e. organic chemistry.
Grades of AABB in four suitable Scottish Higher level subjects (including Chemistry and one other STEM subject) plus Advanced Higher Grade B in Chemistry. English and Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 required if not taken at Higher/Advanced level.
Swansea University accepts the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales as fully equivalent to x1 A-Level.
Advanced Skills Challenge will be considered in lieu of a 3rd A Level
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About this course
Pharmacy at Swansea University is designed to prepare you for your role as medicines expert in the modern interdisciplinary healthcare team. Our 4-year MPharm programme will get you ready for the changing face of pharmacy and the new and advanced roles pharmacists undertake in healthcare and pharmaceutical settings.
We integrate the science of drug design and development, with embedded clinical case-study teaching alongside experiential learning. Our approach is designed to develop your academic, practical and personal qualities so you can practise competently, professionally and with confidence.
Throughout your 4 years with us, you will undertake a variety of placements in the hospital, community and primary care settings. Our expanding horizons placements will give some students the opportunity to undertake pharmacy experiences in prisons, care homes and enterprises to explore the role of pharmacists in new, innovative and emerging areas of practice. The breadth, variety and quality of our placements will allow you to experience the diverse roles you could undertake as a pharmacist and decide on the direction you would like your future pharmacist career to take.
From the moment you enrol at Swansea we will work with you to develop your clinical and professional skills, and alongside learning about the latest scientific advances we will prepare you for the rapidly changing and innovative environment in which modern pharmacists now find themselves. Our "digital thread" brings together the technological advances in pharmaceutical development and medicines management, preparing you for future practice in a world of big data, AI, robotics and video consultations. We take this modern approach whilst ensuring our students still have the underpinning knowledge of the fundamental sciences to cement their role as an experts in drugs and medicines.
Pharmacy at Swansea builds on the strengths of the Medical School by adopting an interdisciplinary approach. We recognise that Pharmacists, Doctors and Nurses work together in a clinical setting so education and training should reflect this. You will benefit from our experience and expertise in clinical and life science, research, training and practice, helping you to develop your pharmaceutical practice, science and knowledge.
It is these strengths and the recognition of the need for scientific rigour and understanding, coupled with a strong focus on patient care and outcomes that allow Swansea University Medical School to develop high-quality healthcare professionals to meet the needs of the NHS and patients alike.
Modules
Throughout your course you will have a high level of structured clinical contact, lecture and lab based teaching. Students will learn across 7 broad themes which have been adapted from the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC's) Indicative Curriculum:
Pharmaceutics
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Cellular and Molecular Bioscience
Human Biology
Clinical Pharmacy
Pharmacy Practice
Students are required to undertake 120 credits per year throughout each year of their study. Students will undertake modules to embed the basic scientific knowledge required of a scientist, patient-centred learning and the role of a Pharmacist as a professional.
In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
Pharmacist as a Professional, Health, Disease and Patient, Drugs & Medicines, Practice of Pharmacy
In Year 2, you will typically study areas including:
Pharmacist as a Professional and Patient-Centred Learning
In Year 3, you will typically study areas including:
Pharmacist as a Professional, Patient Centred Learning, New Knowledge, Pharmacy in Wales and Substance Misuse
In Year 4, you will typically study areas including:
Pharmacist as a Professional, Patients and the population, Preparation for Advanced Practice & Management
Placements -
You will undertake placements in a variety of different settings to give you a taste of the options available to you as a graduate. The settings for placements throughout the rest of the course include, but are not limited to hospitals, community pharmacies and GP practices. Our 'Extending Horizons' placements will be offered in a variety of other healthcare sectors, prison pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry and other allied healthcare professions.
For students entering their 3rd year, there may be a limited number of overseas research projects available in Semester 2.
Assessment methods
The teaching and learning methods employed address the knowledge and competencies required for the varied responsibilities of Pharmacists. You will learn through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, case-based learning, workshops, laboratory classes, experiential learning and an independently-led research project. Assessments will include Laboratory practicals, written exams, oral presentations, written assignments, and clinical skills assessments. The range of assessment methods is chosen to develop and demonstrate a range of skills transferable to the modern healthcare environment including reflection, oral and written communication, confidence and competence.
Extra funding
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.
To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/scholarships/
Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/academi-hywel-teifi/learn/scholarships/
The Uni
Singleton Park Campus
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science
What students say
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Pharmacy
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Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Pharmacy
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
As only a relatively small number of students study pharmacology or toxicology, these statistics refer most closely to the graduate prospects of pharmacy graduates, so bear that in mind when you review them. Only a handful of students take first degrees in pure toxicology every year — the subject is more popular at Masters level. Pharmacology is a degree that tends to lead to jobs in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, and outcomes are improving again after a difficult time in the last few years. Jobs in pharmacology are often very specialist and so it’s no surprise that pharmacologists are amongst the most likely of all students to go on to a doctorate — if you want a job in research, start thinking about a PhD. As for pharmacy, unemployment rates are below 1% and 95% of pharmacy graduates had jobs as pharmacists (mostly in retail pharmacists) six months after they left their courses - employment rates have gone up significantly in the last couple of years.
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