Master of Pharmacy

What's the course about?
 

Pharmacists are experts in medicines and a trusted source of advice and treatment. The role of pharmacists is developing in exciting new ways to support patients through medicine management and non-medical prescribing, as well as drug development. Using state- of-the-art facilities, you’ll gain the scientific knowledge to become a skilled and confident pharmacist. You’ll develop an understanding of normal and abnormal bodily functions and be able to apply what you’ve learned to the treatment of patients. You’ll also study the role of the pharmacist in healthcare and industry, and develop vital interpersonal skills. Work placements are essential and you’ll have opportunities in every year of the course.
 

Your main campus is College Lane   
 

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.  
 

What will I study?
 

You will undertake your studies both on campus within lecture theatres and modern laboratories, as well as on clinical placements. A variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical classes and problem based learning will be used in components of the course, supported by computer-assisted learning and self-directed study. You will be regularly assessed throughout the four years by examinations, coursework and project work. Within your final year you will undertake a Research Project in an area which interests you.

Entry requirements
 

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 5/B in Double Science and 5/B in English Language and Mathematics.
 

Anyone wanting to undertake this course must comply with the Department of Health and Social Care immunisation guidelines. This applies to all health and social care settings regulated by the Care Quality Commission and applies to all workers including students conducting placements.
 

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band.
 

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

UK Students
 

Full time

• £9250 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

EU Students

Full time

• £14000 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

International Students

Full time

• £14000 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

Additional costs include:

• £30 deposit for chemistry locker covering years 1 and 2 of study – refundable

• £25 for dispensing lab coat and 2 lab books – non-refundable

• £35 deposit for EVS system – refundable after year 4 of study

• For students who wear a Hijab or head cover there is a laboratory flame-proof Hijab or other head cover for £10– non-refundable

• Travel costs for visits and placements
   

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

There are excellent employment and career prospects within Hertfordshire and the UK for graduates of the MPharm programme. A career in pharmacy offers graduates the pursuit of an interest in science, the opportunity to join the NHS healthcare team, a choice of working environments and a competitive salary.
 

Community pharmacists
 

Community pharmacists represent the largest body of the profession. There are over 12,000 community pharmacies in the UK. Community pharmacies may be located on the high street or in local or rural sites.
 

The new pharmacy contract enables pharmacists to develop their clinical skills and contribute to the public health agenda and management of long-term health conditions. Pharmacists are also developing new roles in prescribing.
 

Hospital pharmacists
 

Pharmacies within hospitals differ from community pharmacies. Many pharmacists practising in hospitals gain more education and training after pharmacy school through a pharmacy practice residency, sometimes followed by another residency in a specific area. Those pharmacists are often referred to as clinical pharmacists and they often specialise in various disciplines of pharmacy.
 

The role of the hospital pharmacists includes the dispensing and supply of medicines and the provision of clinical services to hospital wards. It also involves direct contact with patients and liaison with other healthcare professionals such as doctors, allied health professionals and nurses who constitute the healthcare team.
 

The testing and preparation of medicines in NHS hospitals are also the responsibility of hospital pharmacists. New roles are emerging for pharmacists as advanced practitioners and consultant pharmacists.
 

Consultant pharmacy
 

Consultant pharmacy practice focuses more on medication regimen review than on actual dispensing of drugs. Consultant pharmacists typically work in nursing homes but are increasingly branching into other institutions and non-institutional settings.
 

Consultant pharmacists have traditionally been independent business owners. This trend may be gradually reversing as consultant pharmacists begin to work directly with patients. This is primarily because many elderly people are now taking numerous medications but continuing to live outside of institutional settings.
 

Internet pharmacy
 

Since the year 2000, a growing number of internet pharmacies have been established worldwide. Many of these pharmacies are similar to community pharmacies and in fact many of them are operated by bricks-and-mortar community pharmacies that serve consumers online as well as those that walk through their door. The primary difference is the method by which the medications are requested and received.
 

Internet pharmacies, also known as online pharmacies are recommended to some homebound patients by their physicians.
 

Other careers in pharmacy
 

Pharmacists can also pursue careers within the pharmaceutical industry in the fields of:

• medical information

• marketing

• production

• research and development

• university teaching or research

• animal medicines

• the Armed Forces

• medical journalism and more.