Pharmacy (MPharm)

at Cardiff University

Course structure

This is a four-year full-time degree, consisting of 120 credits per year. Since the programme leads, after subsequent pre-registration training, to registration as a pharmacist and is regulated, through accreditation by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), all modules are required modules and must be passed: the MPharm award is made only upon achievement of the full 480 credits from the full set of required modules.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2022/2023 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2022.

Year one

In year one you will learn about the role of the pharmacist in the UK. It has altered drastically in the past 40 years, with a shift from a more traditional dispensing role to that of a patient-focussed provider of clinical services. Pharmaceutical care is the focus of attention and pharmacists have been highlighted as the sole profession specifically educated to deliver pharmaceutical services. Learning about your future role will provide a building block for the remainder of the MPharm course where optimising pharmaceutical care is the ultimate outcome.

The aim is to provide an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacy within healthcare systems, in public health and more widely in society.

Your specific study will focus on the healthy human and patient-self-care, the fundamentals of pharmaceutical science, and medicines in healthcare.

Year two

In year two you will have the opportunity to demonstrate attitudes, behaviours and skills-development of a future health professional preparing for safe and evidence-based practice focused on the needs of the patient and society

Your specific study will focus on the use of medicines in priority clinical areas such as heart disease, asthma, and gastro-intestinal diseases.

Year three

In year three your study will focus on the use of medicines in more complex clinical areas such as the optimisation of pharmaceutical care for patients with cancer, neurological diseases, infection with multiply-antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

Year four

The final year features a research or development project and also develops students to prepare for holistic healthcare; challenging them to make decisions, take responsibility, manage change and deal with uncertainty.

A level
AAB-ABB in two sciences. Must include one from Biology or Chemistry, and one from either Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

International Baccalaureate
34-32 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 6 in HL Biology or Chemistry, and grade 6 in HL Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. 

GCSE
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language.

IELTS (academic)
At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all subskills.

TOEFL iBT
At least 100 overall with a minimum of 22 in all subskills.

PTE Academic
At least 70 overall with a minimum of 69 in all communicative skills.

Trinity ISE II/III
III: at least a Pass in all components.

Tuition fees for 2022 entry

Fees for home status

• £9,000    

Fees for overseas status

• £23,450

The career options for Pharmacists are varied and plentiful, ranging from hospital, primary care or community settings - including being based within GP surgeries - to industry or research in the UK and internationally, making this an exciting degree to embark upon.

Many of today’s pharmacists are now also qualified to prescribe medicines independently of a doctor and are on the frontline of healthcare provision.

Our MPharm programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and experience you need to pursue your pharmacy career. Following on from successfully completing our MPharm programme, you’ll be able to undertake a pre-registration year of training before sitting the General Pharmaceutical Council’s registration assessment to register as a Pharmacist.

And we are proud that 100% of our students are in employment and/or further study six months after graduating.

Our graduates have gone on to occupy key positions in NHS hospitals and hospitals overseas, in community pharmacy organisation such as Boots UK, LLoyds Pharmacy Group, Well pharmacy, in allied scientific and healthcare enterprises, as well as in industry settings. Some have also gone on to enjoy careers as veterinary pharmacists, military pharmacists and in regulatory affairs.

Types of jobs:

• Hospital Pharmacist - as a hospital pharmacist, you’d be a key part of the healthcare team, working in either the NHS or a private hospital, with a clear focus on patient needs.

• Community Pharmacist - based in your own pharmacy, out of a local healthcare centre or doctor’s surgery, you’d be at the frontline of healthcare in the UK or overseas. With further study, you may prescribe medicines independently.

• Primary care Pharmacist – as a primary care pharmacist you will optimise patient’s medicines to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks associated with different drugs. You will also help to develop services to support the local population with their health needs.

• Industrial Pharmacist - you’d be involved in the research, design, development and testing of new medicines and treatments, ensuring they are safe and of a good quality for patients.

• Academic Pharmacist - if teaching, researching, practising or a combination of all three appeals to you, becoming an Academic Pharmacist could be for you. You might be based in universities, research institutions or other organisations throughout the world.

Graduate careers

• Clinical Pharmacist
• Community Pharmacist
• Industrial Pharmacist
• Researcher
• Pharmacy Manager