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Pharmacy

Entry requirements


A level

A,B,B-B,B,B

Must include Chemistry and at least one other STEM subject, i.e. Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Psychology Selection for interview is typically based on predicted grades of at least BBB.

Other UK and International qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis – please contact us to discuss them.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32-34

32-34 must include HL 6 in Chemistry and HL 5 in one other STEM subject. Selection for interview is typically based on predicted IB grades of at least 32 points.

136 UCAS tariff points. Minimum of 4 subjects to be studied at Higher Level including Chemistry and one other STEM subject, i.e. Mathematics, Biology, Physics or Agricultural Science, all at H2 or above. Must also have Irish Leaving Certificate English and Mathematics at Higher Level H6 or above (or Ordinary Level English and Mathematics grade O4 or above). Interviews may be undertaken remotely.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD-DDM

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science only. Optional chemistry modules are desirable i.e. organic chemistry.

Grades of AABB in four suitable Scottish Higher level subjects (including Chemistry and one other STEM subject) plus Advanced Higher Grade B in Chemistry. English and Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 required if not taken at Higher/Advanced level.

Advanced Skills Challenge will be considered in lieu of a 3rd A Level

UCAS Tariff

120-128

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About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Pharmacy

Pharmacy at Swansea University is designed to prepare you for your role as medicines expert in the modern interdisciplinary healthcare team. Our 4-year MPharm programme will get you ready for the changing face of pharmacy and the new and advanced roles pharmacists undertake in healthcare and pharmaceutical settings.

We integrate the science of drug design and development, with embedded clinical case-study teaching alongside experiential learning. Our approach is designed to develop your academic, practical and personal qualities so you can practise competently, professionally and with confidence.

Throughout your 4 years with us, you will undertake a variety of placements, in the hospital, community and primary care settings. Our expanding horizons placements will give some students the opportunity to undertake pharmacy experiences in prisons, care homes and enterprise to explore the role of pharmacists in new, innovative and emerging areas of practice. The breadth, variety and quality of our placements will allow you to experience the diverse roles you could undertake as a pharmacist and decide on the direction you would like your future pharmacist career to take.

From the moment you enrol at Swansea we will work with you to develop your clinical and professional skills, and alongside learning about the latest scientific advances we will prepare you for the rapidly changing and innovative environment in which modern pharmacists now find themselves. Our "digital thread" brings together the technological advances in pharmaceutical development and medicines management, preparing you for future practice in a world of big data, AI, robotics and video consultations. We take this modern approach whilst ensuring our students still have the underpinning knowledge of the fundamental sciences to cement your role as an expert in drugs and medicines.

Pharmacy at Swansea builds on the strengths of the Medical School by adopting an interdisciplinary approach. We recognise that Pharmacists, Doctors and Nurses work together in a clinical setting so education and training should reflect this. You will benefit from our experience and expertise in clinical and life science, research, training and practice, helping you to develop your pharmaceutical practice, science and knowledge.

It is these strengths and the recognition of the need for scientific rigour and understanding, coupled with a strong focus on patient care and outcomes that allows Swansea University Medical School to develop high-quality healthcare professionals to meet the needs of the NHS and patients alike.

You will join a university that is ranked 5th in the UK for Pharmacology and Pharmacy Research Quality according to the Complete University Guide 2023.

Modules

Throughout your course you will have a high level of structured clinical contact, lecture and lab based teaching. Students will learn across 7 broad themes which have been adapted from the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC's) Indicative Curriculum:
Pharmaceutics
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Cellular and Molecular Bioscience
Human Biology
Clinical Pharmacy
Pharmacy Practice
Students are required to undertake 120 credits per year throughout each year of their study. Students will undertake modules to embed the basic scientific knowledge required of a scientist, Patient centred learning and the role of a Pharmacist as a professional.

Year 1: Pharmacist as a Professional | Health, Disease and Patient | Drugs & Medicines | Practice of Pharmacy |

Year 2 : Pharmacist as a Professional | Patient-Centred Learning

Year 3: Pharmacist as a Professional | Patient Centred Learning | New Knowledge | Pharmacy in Wales | Substance Misuse

Year 4: Pharmacist as a Professional | Patients and the population | Preparation for Advanced Practice & Management

Assessment methods

The teaching and learning methods employed address the knowledge and competencies required for the varied responsibilities of Pharmacists. You will learn through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, case-based learning, workshops, laboratory classes, experiential learning and an independently-led research project. Assessments will include Laboratory practicals, written exams, oral presentations, written assignments, and clinical skills assessments. The range of assessment methods is chosen to develop and demonstrate a range of skills transferable to the modern healthcare environment including reflection, oral and written communication, confidence and competence.

The Uni


Course location:

Singleton Park Campus

Department:

Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science

Read full university profile

What students say


How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Pharmacy

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

95%
UK students
5%
International students
49%
Male students
51%
Female students
91%
2:1 or above
7%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
B
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Pharmacy

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£22,000
med
Average annual salary
100%
high
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

79%
Nursing and midwifery professionals
14%
Health professionals
2%
Therapy professionals

As only a relatively small number of students study pharmacology or toxicology, these statistics refer most closely to the graduate prospects of pharmacy graduates, so bear that in mind when you review them. Only a handful of students take first degrees in pure toxicology every year — the subject is more popular at Masters level. Pharmacology is a degree that tends to lead to jobs in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, and outcomes are improving again after a difficult time in the last few years. Jobs in pharmacology are often very specialist and so it’s no surprise that pharmacologists are amongst the most likely of all students to go on to a doctorate — if you want a job in research, start thinking about a PhD. As for pharmacy, unemployment rates are below 1% and 95% of pharmacy graduates had jobs as pharmacists (mostly in retail pharmacists) six months after they left their courses - employment rates have gone up significantly in the last couple of years.

Explore these similar courses...

Lower entry requirements
University of Strathclyde | Glasgow
Pharmacy
MPharm 5 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 96-136
Nearby University
Cardiff University | Cardiff
Pharmacy
MPharm 4 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 128-136

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Post-six month graduation stats:

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It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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