Pharmacy MPharm

The modern pharmacist goes beyond dispensing medications; they are trusted advisors on community health and key contributors to research. From learning in our dedicated specialist facilities or during your practice placements, you will become an essential part of modern healthcare. Discover the science underpinning the use of medicines, from human physiology and anatomy to drug design. Develop key skills in clinical communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. Engage in practice placements in primary care, community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy to prepare you for life after graduation.

• Benefit from learning alongside Medicine, Biomedical Science and Nursing students to prepare you to excel in today’s modern, interdisciplinary healthcare teams
• Apply your learning as you spend a significant amount of time on clinical placements in all four years of your course
• Access dedicated practical teaching facilities, including formulation and clinical practice laboratories, clinical skills and simulation space, and patient consultation suites
• Upon completion, will be able to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and start your journey to becoming a UK-registered pharmacist

Dive into clinical placements right from the start

Exposure to the professional working environment is crucial for your future employability. Apply your learning in primary care, community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy clinical placements across all four years of your course. This essential work experience will help you secure your pre-registration year. 

• Clinical skills practice - Build your practical experiences and confidence through our dedicated clinical skills facilities equipped with high fidelity patient simulation manikins 
• Practical learning - You will have access to formulation laboratories, dispensing, patient consultation suites, clinical skills, simulation spaces, and specialist anatomy teaching
• Varied teaching methods - Delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals, problem and enquiry based learning, role-play with real actors and bedside demonstrations

Support during your studies

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham:

Personal academic tutors – You will be assigned your own personal academic tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Student Services Centre - Located within the Medical School, our Wellbeing Officers are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need advice and guidance, referrals to internal and external services, or help with extenuating circumstances, drop into our student services centre for comprehensive support. 

Our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning. At the start of each module, you'll receive details on your assessments and get feedback within four weeks to help you improve. Assessments may include essays, group and individual presentations, lab work, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), and formal exams. 

Contact hours

Year 1: Approximately 30% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 65% on independent study and 5% on placement.

Year 2: Approximately 30% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 65% on independent study and 5% on placement.

Year 3: Approximately 30% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 60% on independent study and 10% on placement.

Year 4: Approximately 30% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 60% on independent study and 10% on placement.

The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Teaching staff

• Dr Vivek Dhir, MPharm Admissions Tutor

• Dr Kimberley Roper, MPharm Programme Lead

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

Required subjects and grades

Chemistry and at least one further science at A level from Biology, Mathematics or Physics. Mathematics and Further Mathematics will not be considered as separate subjects at A2. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. 

GCSE

Grade B/6 in Maths GCSE is also required. Maths grade C at AS level may be offered in lieu of the GCSE requirement where appropriate.

BTEC qualifications

• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma will not be considered without A level Chemistry
• BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in science related subject will be considered in addition to 2 A levels including Chemistry
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in science related subject will be considered in addition to two A levels including Chemistry

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

A minimum of 32 points overall including grades 6, 6, 5 at Higher Level, including Chemistry plus one from Biology, Physics or Maths plus three further subjects at Standard Level. Maths with Further Maths will count as one higher and one subsidiary. Where relevant, Language A must be English at grade 5. Bonus points will not be taken into account.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Four subjects at Higher Level, including Chemistry and a second science from Biology, Maths or Physics is required with a typical offer being H1 H1 H1 H2. Maths at minimum of O3 to meet GCSE equivalent.

Scottish qualifications

Chemistry and one further science from Biology, Maths or Physics at Advanced Higher Grade BB plus Higher AABBB is required.

Returning to education

Returning to education students will be required to meet the same requirements as other candidates. Graduates in an appropriate subject with substantial appropriate chemistry content will be considered providing an award of at least a 2.1 honours degree (GPA 3.0) is offered. Various grades at A-level together with an incomplete or partial degree would not be considered.

Minimum age requirement

As this programme has a mandatory clinical placement, every applicant for admission to the University must have reached the age of 18 years on 1 October of the year of entry.

Core Maths qualification

Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any band.
• IELTS*: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015)***: Cambridge English: Advanced or Cambridge English: Proficiency Minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component.
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): C1 ‘Expert’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable.
• Trinity ISE III: Merit in Writing, Pass in other skills.

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

Pharmacy interviews

In line with new education standards, the School of Pharmacy will be incorporating interviews as part of the admissions process to ensure your values and behaviours align with those of the profession and the NHS Constitution for England. These interviews will take place online between November and April and the whole interview session will be no longer than 45 minutes. Please note that meeting the minimum requirements for entry does not guarantee you an interview or an offer of a place on the programme.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check and the Excluded Students Database (ESD)

You will be required to complete a successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before admission to the programme. You will receive an email from our central admissions team regarding DBS checks approximately 2-3 weeks after you have firmly accepted your place on the course. This email will contain further instructions, next steps and advise of the deadline for submitting your DBS application. Please be sure to check your junk/spam folders for this email before contacting us.

• College of Medicine and Health DBS and ESD Panel Process
• Guidance for applicants on the ESD
• Protocol for the Excluded Students Database

Health screening

If you are accepted onto the course, you will be required to complete health declaration and immunisation forms. You may also be contacted by an Occupational Health Physician where appropriate. If you accept our offer, you must submit the completed forms by the deadline stated in the offer.

You are required to agree to the "Code of Conduct for MPharm Students" prior to entry. We advise you to familiarise yourselves with the General Pharmaceutical Council's "Guidance on student fitness to practice procedures in schools of pharmacy". The British Pharmaceutical Students' Association video may also be of interest.

While many graduates thrive in community pharmacies, hospitals, and general practice, you could also launch a ground breaking career in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, government, regulatory bodies, or healthcare informatics. Top employers of our Pharmacy graduates include Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy, Superdrug, and the NHS. 

You can find more on pharmacy careers at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Website and the NHS careers website. 

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Upon successful completion of the 4-year course, you will need to undertake a professional one-year Foundation training year in a GPhC-approved practice setting, pass the GPhC's professional competency examination and meet the fitness to practise requirements in order to register as a pharmacist. As part of the registration process, you have to make a health declaration and character checks are carried out. Once complete, you will be a qualified UK-registered Pharmacist ready to practice.

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Flexible programmes to suit you

Not sure what you want to study?

Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.