Pharmacy MPharm (Hons)

University College London

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are experts in medicines, with a detailed understanding of the scientific basis of therapy. The MPharm programme integrates pharmaceutical science into the practice of clinical pharmacy. We offer you the opportunity to become a confident and competent healthcare professional with patient safety and wellbeing as your primary concern.

Degree benefits

• The UCL School of Pharmacy has a long tradition of academic and research excellence and is internationally recognised as being one of the leading pharmacy schools worldwide. It is ranked seventh in the world for Pharmacy and Pharmacology (QS World University Rankings 2021).

• Placements in community pharmacies and teaching hospitals and GP practice. Interprofessional learning with other healthcare students. Students make regular visits to Green Light Pharmacy, where workshops are taught by community pharmacists and students can interact with the patients.

• The UCL School of Pharmacy has a dedicated pre-registration co-ordinator and an excellent graduate employment rate. A Pharmacy degree from UCL will bring a wide range of career choices. 99% of our graduates are in work or further study within six months of finishing their degree.

• Opportunity to take the Year 4 research project as part of our Study Abroad programme either in Europe or at one of our international partner institutions.

Your learning

You will be exposed to many different styles of teaching and learning. The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, practical classes, tutorials, problem-solving classes, clinical seminars and workshops, clinical placements, skills workshops with patients, journal clubs, independent learning, and visits to hospital and community pharmacies.

Assessment

Your performance is assessed through a combination of coursework, essays, controlled assessments of coursework, MCQs, practical exams (OCSEs), portfolios, short answer questions and extended written case studies in examinations as well as integrated examination questions and a research project. Coursework contributes about 40% and examinations about 60% to your final mark.

Careers

MPharm graduates must apply for and undertake a year in pre-registration training then pass the registration examination to qualify as a professional pharmacist. As a pharmacy professional you will be a frontline healthcare provider and can have a direct impact on people's lives and health.

Six out of every ten pharmacists work in community pharmacies on the high street or in supermarkets or in GP practices. Another popular branch of the profession is hospital pharmacy, working closely with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. After one or two years, a hospital pharmacist can choose to specialise in areas such as cancer, paediatrics, HIV, surgical or education and training.

There are also career routes into industry and academia. Industrial pharmacists work in research and development, production, quality control, clinical trials, product registration and medical information. Those choosing to stay in the academic world undertake teaching and research.