Pharmacy degree personal statement example (1w) - volunteering experience

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I believe pharmacists are integral to the progression of health in modern society; a pharmacist's roles are not only about dispensing and formulating drugs, but they also encompass monitoring and reporting the safety of drugs and adhering to the core values of patient safety. I have extended my knowledge of pharmacy as much as possible by undertaking a Major Online Course (MOC) in safe pharmaceutical practice. I have been reading various articles regarding new drug discoveries such as the New-Scientist magazines online. I am very confident that I have the skills, enthusiasm, and drive to thrive in this course and my future career in pharmacy.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Biology, Chemistry and History have provided me with a range of transferrable skills and knowledge that are beneficial in the M-Pharm degree. Chemistry has afforded me a better understanding of organic chemistry and the importance of compound identification. I enjoyed the aspirin preparation topic which we conducted in a laboratory over a five-week period which entailed testing the purity of the aspirin via melting point and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Consequently, this experience significantly enhanced my understanding of the importance of monitoring the purity, efficacy, and side effects of drugs in Pharmacy. In addition, Biology has provided me with knowledge of the human anatomy, physiological processes, the immune system, and the importance of analysing information and drawing up conclusions in pharmacy. I have acknowledged that History has further complemented my skills to analyse information in a concise manner which I believe is vital in pharmacy.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

I have completed a virtual work experience for the NHS and learned some valuable skills such as the NHS core values, and constitution. This is paramount as these core values underpin the standards required in all medical professional practice. In the MOC, I learned about the roles of a pharmacist, the Good Pharmacy Practice code, and the Good Distributing and Manufacturing Practices. This substantiated me with background knowledge into my volunteering as an Active Responder and in the inpatient pharmacy department.

As an Active Responder, I worked on several wards serving food and drinks. This enabled my understanding about hospital policies and procedures such as infection control. This volunteering experience has enriched my communication skills based on patient health and professionalism required when working in healthcare services. My communication skills have also been increased when I embarked on the Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) Program and was granted a silver award. The DoE comprised testing my ability to interact with the public and in teams. This was a tremendously interesting experience for me as this solidified my confidence, resilience, the ability of teamworking, and effective communication. I can work as part of a team and can take the lead and maintain professionalism successfully.

As a volunteer in the Inpatient pharmacy department, I was involved in filing prescriptions for patients, distributing medication to wards, and communicating to different pharmacy technicians regarding their roles and responsibilities. Consequently, I learned various aspects of pharmacy such as the drug monitoring station where drugs are tested before they are deemed fit for purpose.

In my free time, I particularly enjoy debating and researching about any topic, playing football, and going to the gym. I believe my interest in debating and research have significantly improved my communication skills, analysing skills, and the general healthcare setting in the UK. I believe that I am ready and excited to be part of university and if given the opportunity, I am convinced that a degree in pharmacy will be one of the most important steppingstones towards my successful future and career.

Universities applied to:

• Cardiff University
• University of Bath
• University of Reading
• University of Portsmouth
• University College London (UCL)

Grades achieved:

• ABB
• ABB
• ABB
• AAB

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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