Pharmacy with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year
Swansea University
UCAS Code: B231 | Master of Pharmacy (with Honours) - MPharm (H)
Swansea University
UCAS Code: B231 | Master of Pharmacy (with Honours) - MPharm (H)
Entry requirements
A level
Must include Chemistry and at least one other STEM subject, i.e. Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Psychology.
Other UK and International qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis – please contact us to discuss them.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Must include HL Chemistry plus one other STEM subject at Grade 4
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H4,H4,H4,H4,H4-H3,H3,H3,H4,H4
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 H4 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).
Typically Merit to Distinction, ideally with a good Chemistry profile
Grades of BBCC 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.
Swansea University accepts the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales as fully equivalent to x1 A-Level.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge will be considered in lieu of a 3rd?A Level
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About this course
Pharmacy at Swansea University is designed to prepare you for your role as medicines expert in the modern interdisciplinary healthcare team. Our 5-year MPharm foundation programme will get you ready for the changing face of pharmacy and the new and advanced roles pharmacists undertake in healthcare and pharmaceutical settings. Following successful completion, achieving an overall average of 60%, in the Foundation Year with at least 60% in the Foundations in Pharmacy and Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry modules, you will progress to Year 1 and follow a curriculum designed to reflect the way pharmacists approach patients and how patients present to pharmacists. 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 course, 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 enterprises 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 their role as an experts 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 allow Swansea University Medical School to develop high-quality healthcare professionals to meet the needs of the NHS and patients alike.
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.
In Year 0, you will typically study areas including:
Foundation Biological Chemistry
Metabolism and Homeostasis
The Human Cell
Foundation Applied Medical Sciences Skills Development
Introduction to Molecular Biology
Fundamentals of Microbiology & Disease
Fundamentals of organic chemistry
Foundations in Pharmacy
In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
Pharmacist as a Professional
Health, Disease and Patient
Drugs & Medicines
Practice of Pharmacy
In Year 2, you will typically study areas including:
Pharmacist as a Professional
Patient-Centred Learning
In Year 3, you will typically study areas including:
Pharmacist as a Professional
Patient Centred Learning
New Knowledge
Pharmacy in Wales
Substance Misuse
In Year 4, you will typically study areas including:
Pharmacist as a Professional
Patients and the population
Preparation for Advanced Practice & Management
Placements -
You will undertake placements in a variety of different settings to give you a taste of the options available to you as a graduate. The settings for placements throughout the rest of the course include, but are not limited to hospitals, community pharmacies and GP practices. Our 'Extending Horizons' placements will be offered in a variety of other healthcare sectors, prison pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry and other allied healthcare professions.
For students entering their 3rd year (not including the preparatory year), there may be a limited number of overseas research projects available in Semester 2.
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
Singleton Park Campus
Swansea University Medical School
What students say
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After graduation
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Pharmacy
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Top job areas of graduates
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.
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