Pharmacy: The University of Manchester

Course description

The four-year MPharm programme provides a broad-based, scientifically strong education in pharmacy. It equips students with the skills needed to enter all areas of the profession and helps them adapt to changes that may occur during their careers. By the end of the four years, students are conversant with the professional aspects of pharmacy, able to communicate effectively and able to appreciate the professional and social role of the pharmacist.

Pharmacists are experts in medicines. Therefore, a pharmacist can be involved in any aspect of the preparation and use of medicines, from the discovery of their active ingredients to their use by patients. Pharmacists also monitor the effects of medicines, both for patient care and for research purposes.

Careers

A pharmacist is the member of the health team who knows most about all aspects of medicines.

One of the most important advances in health care has been the development of highly specific and effective medicines - medicines that have virtually eliminated some diseases which were major killers in the recent past, and that have reduced the impact of many others.

Pharmacists are the profession legally responsible for the supply of medicines. Their clinical role is concerned with medicines management, which seeks to improve health through the best use of medicines.

Pharmacists work in:

• community pharmacies
• GPs surgeries
• hospitals
• industry
• government
• universities

Entry requirements

• English language:
  • GCSE, IGCSE or O-level at grade B
  • IELTS grade 7
  • TOEFL: 250 (computer based); 600 (paper based); 100 (internet based)
  • UCLES Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English at grade C
• A level: Grades AAB-ABB. This must include Chemistry, either Mathematics or Biology, and one further rigorous academic subject.
• AS level: Two AS levels are considered in place of the third A-level only.
• Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications.
• GCSE: Minimum of grade B in English Language and Mathematics.
• Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University.
• International Baccalaureate:
  Successful completion of the Baccalaureate, 33-35 points overall including:
  • 6 in chemistry
  • 6 and 5 in mathematics and biology, in any order
  • All at Higher level