MPharm (Hons) Pharmacy
- UCAS code: B230
- Mode of study: Full time
- Duration: 4 years
- Entry requirements 2013: 320 points at A level*, or equivalent, to include a minimum of 80 points from A level Chemistry and a minimum of 80 points from an A level in a second Science subject (Biology preferred, Applied Science not accepted) or Mathematics. All shortlisted applicants are subject to interview where they do not offer A levels, Irish Leaving Certificate or International Baccalaureate. An admissions test may be required. All offers are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance. *Please note: A level General Studies is not normally accepted.
- Please see details of the range of other qualifications that will also be considered on the 'Entry Requirements' tab below. Please do contact us for advice on other qualifications that aren't listed here.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 5550
Email: sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
Department: Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Course overview
Our Master of Pharmacy programme is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and provides the necessary skills and knowledge for you to eventually be able to enter pre-registration placement training. This year-long placement is undertaken in either hospital or community pharmacies or other GPhC-approved premises, and on successful completion you will be able to practise independently as a pharmacist in any of the branches of the profession.
As with all other UK pharmacy degrees, it must be noted that award of the MPharm degree is no guarantee of registration as a pharmacist.
As a pharmacist, you will need to have a sound understanding of science that underpins your professional practice. This course is structured not only to provide you with high level knowledge and understanding of both science and practice, but most importantly it integrates these disciplines in a way that will enhance your practice. This is reinforced in simulated practice and placement activities that you will undertake throughout the course.
Course content
This is a four-year course that provides you with an education in both the science and practice of pharmacy. A foundation in science inspires the practise of pharmacy and hence great emphasis is placed on how these are integrated. Consequently, cross discipline teaching is a feature of some of the teaching activities.
The degree course is fully unitised and you are required to study 120 credits each academic year before you can proceed to the next stage of the course. Your advancement in practice and pharmaceutical knowledge and application will expand with each progressive year of the course.
The structure of the course has three main areas of speciality that are developed throughout all four years of the degree programme. You will learn how these three disciplines integrate from many different approaches:
- Pharmacy Practice covers pharmacy law and ethics as well as prescription monitoring and dosage calculations. It also includes simulation exercises that involve the dispensing process, patient counselling, and clinical and therapeutic evaluation. In addition, you will gain experience of counselling professional patients, work through case studies in science into practice workshops that are supported by academic staff in all areas of expertise, and experience placements in both community and hospital pharmacies
- Life Sciences focuses on body physiology and systems, consideration of diseases and their causes, mode of action of drugs, and treatment of infections and illnesses. This progresses to consideration of therapeutic choices and is integrated with pharmacy practice as you learn the skills of deciding and counselling on these choices and of medicines management.
- Pharmaceutical Science centres on areas ofdesigning drug molecules and the development of devices as medicines. It includes the fundamental chemical understanding of drugs, suitable formulations and manufacturing for patient use, synthesis and methods to analyse drugs, and quality control and storage of drugs. Mathematical and statistical concepts relevant to pharmaceutical science are incorporated in specific units. These are important aspects to be considered by pharmacists.
The final year of the degree is at Master’s level, where integration of knowledge and application is undertaken on a wider scale. It covers the development of therapeutic frameworks, studies in formulation and drug discovery, and theoretical and evidence-based therapeutic strategies for cancer and mental health disorders. The three main themes in the course are complemented in the final year by a research project. This allows you to expand your knowledge in an area of specific interest to you. The project may be either based on a laboratory investigation or a study of some aspects of professional practice.
You will undertake the following units (modules) in each year of the course:
Year one
- Learning Skills in Pharmacy
- Chemistry
- Drug Formulation
- Physiology and Pharmacology
- Pharmacy Practice
Year two
- Pharmaceutics
- Pathology and Therapeutics of Body Systems
- Microbiology and Infective Diseases
- Medicines, Patients and Public Health
Year three
- Pharmaceutical Formulation
- Bioactives
- Antimicrobials
- Pharmaceutical Care of Patients
- Research Methods and Ethics
Year four
- Drug Design and Advanced Delivery Methods
- Cancer and Mental Health
- Advanced Pharmacy Practice
- Project
Work placements
In your first year you will have an opportunity to observe pharmacists working in a community setting and in your third year you will undertake placements in both community and hospital environments so you can experience the way in which different professions interact in the provision of healthcare.
The learning opportunities on this course also include simulated activities such as counselling professional patients, dispensing drugs, preparing patient drug histories and assessing the effects of drugs using high-tech mannequins.
You are also encouraged to undertake vacation work-based experience in a pharmacy-related outlet.
Teaching and assessment
The course is delivered by means of a wide variety of methods including lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, workshops, training by means of simulations and professional patients, computer-aided learning and placements.
Our academic staff have extensive practice and research expertise. In addition, a number of teacher practitioners contribute to the teaching, bringing their skills and experience to the teaching and learning environment.
Assessments are usually via coursework and end of year examinations. We employ a wide range of written assessment methods including diagnostic tests that allow you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Summative assessments vary from the traditional written examination through to simulated patient focused case studies, and oral and poster presentations. In addition, online learning and assessment opportunities are also used and there are group-based assessments in each year of the course.
Career prospects
Our students graduate having demonstrated high levels of academic knowledge and practical application. You will also develop key transferable skills such as time-management, communication, reflective learning and teamwork to equip you for success in your future career, so that you can play a full role in the care of patients.
We provide careers support so that you can make informed choices for your pre-registration placement and for the future. This includes:
- guidance from personal tutors and teacher practitioners
- writing an effective CV
- a careers information session involving presentations from people with difference expertise
- a pharmacy careers fair with employers from many areas and companies
- advise on possible future career developments
Approximately 99 per cent of our graduates progress to pre-registration training. The majority of them opt to take up placements in either a hospital or a community pharmacy setting. However, you are encouraged to consider options such as academia and industry where there are a number of pharmacy-related opportunities which include drug development and formulation, involvement with toxicity studies, clinical trials, marketing and regulatory affairs.
After registration as a pharmacist, there are many postgraduate opportunities for further career development. These could be on taught courses such as Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas or Master's degrees in clinical, community or industrial pharmacy, or a Professional Doctorate. Research degrees (MPhil or PhD) can also be undertaken in any area of the pharmacological, pharmaceutical sciences and the practice of pharmacy, sponsored by professional bodies such as research councils, the European Union, university bursaries or the pharmaceutical industry.
Facilities and features
The School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences is accommodated in the purpose-built St Michael's Building. We have dedicated teaching laboratories for the disciplines relating to pharmacy. For instance, the practical aspects of practice are undertaken in a dispensary setting, and pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry and microbiology are in separate laboratories of their own with relevant equipment for teaching of the respective subject areas.
The academic staff members on the course include a number of teacher practitioners who add a further practice dimension to the already wide, existing expertise amongst the teaching team. The University also benefits from multi-million pound investment in healthcare simulation facilities which allows you to experience many aspects of the practice of pharmacy in a safe and controlled environment in advance of undertaking placements.
In order to enable our students to have a high-quality learning experience, the University has invested in its facilities and infrastructure as well as student support services, such as study skills, careers advice and pastoral care. The University Library, which has extended opening hours during the semester, houses a variety of information sources and is equipped with computer suites for student and staff use.