Become a vital point of contact that patients rely on for the safe and effective use of medicines
A pharmacy degree in the UK is ideal for students interested in chemistry and how medicine assists patients with their conditions. Whether working at a local drug store to dispense medication from a General Practitioner or working in a vast and complex hospital to ensure doctors, nurses, and patients receive the correct advice and assistance, a career in pharmacy is ideal for those interested in health, disease and science.
Pharmacy courses generally last for four years, and modules will look at pharmacology, biology and physiology, pharmaceutics, chemistry, ethics and economics. Students will also benefit from work placements within the industry to provide valuable insights and professional experience. State-of-the-art labs will help finesse your skills with replica medicine-dispensing stations, consulting areas, and computers linked to the systems used by the Pharmacy industry.
For postgraduate students, a master of pharmacy will further enhance your career prospects by developing key clinical, leadership, and research skills.
Careers in Pharmacy
There are three main roles that a Pharmacy graduate can move into.
Pharmacist: The majority of pharmacists work in complex hospital pharmacies or community pharmacies, ensuring that over-the-counter medicine is prescribed correctly. They ensure that patients receive their correct medicine, as well as advising on treatments and how to manage their doses, and work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Pharmacy Assistant: Assistants work alongside technicians and perform many activities on an ad-hoc basis. This can involve taking in and handing out prescriptions, helping order stock to ensure demand is met within various departments, and answering queries from customers on the best course of action. Assistants are most commonly employed in hospitals.
Pharmacy Technician: Technicians tend to work in two areas – hospitals and community pharmacies – and they ensure the correct supply and dosage of medicine is delivered to patients. Pharmacy technicians can specialise in a number of roles, such as manufacturing, quality control and clinical trials.
What do Pharmacy Graduates Earn?
- Average starting professional salary: £18,500
- Average starting non-professional salary: £16,800
Pharmacy UK Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for pharmacy vary depending upon whether you wish to become a technician, assistant or pharmacist, but qualifications in maths, English and chemistry are generally required.
- Typical International Baccalaureate requirements: 34 points.
- Typical A-levels requirements: AAB.
- Typical IELTS requirements: 6.5 overall, with no lower than 6.0 in any one component.
Please note that entry requirements vary for each UK university.
Where can I study Pharmacy in the UK?
To learn more about the best pharmacy courses in the UK, find details on the top ten ranking Pharmacy and Pharmacology universities in the Guardian University Guide 2024 below:
- University of Lincoln
- Ulster University
- University of Sunderland
- University College London
- Queen’s University, Belfast
- University of Bradford
- University of Brighton
- University of Strathclyde
- Cardiff University
- University of Bath
Study Pharmacy in the UK
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