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Pharmacy is a profession in the front line of healthcare provision. A pharmacist offers professional advice on a range of healthcare issues. Depending upon the career route you take, you could work in research and development, marketing, production, quality control, clinical trials, product registration or medical information.
The MPharm degree
The MPharm is a four year full-time extended undergraduate degree. It combines the study of science with professional practice. It is a difficult and demanding degree.
After graduating with an MPharm degree, you must undertake a 12-month pre-registration training placement in an approved hospital or retail pharmacy before you can sit the examination of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. British registration is recognised in other member states of the European Union and in certain Commonwealth and foreign countries.
Entry requirements to schools of pharmacy in the UK
Entry requirements do vary across the UK and these should be checked with each university. For example, the School of Pharmacy, University of London, ask for three A levels to include chemistry, a second science subject (a biological science, mathematics or physics) and a third in any subject except general studies. Applicants must also have a grade B or higher in GCSE mathematics and English language, if not passed at A level.
The standard offer for entry in 2006 was BBB at A level but for entry in 2007 the university is expected to raise it to ABB. Those students taking re-sit A levels may be asked for AAB. Applicants who have already achieved BBB over two years of study and are currently on a gap year will still be considered. The offer you receive may be different, depending on your background and other qualifications. Other British and European qualifications are also accepted and these should be clarified with the university.
All students whose first language is not English must demonstrate adequate proficiency in the English language. The school prefers 6.5 in the IELTS exam but will also accept 600 in TOEFL (or 240 on computer-based TOEFL) with 4 in TWE.
Career prospects
Senior hospital pharmacists can earn £40,000+ per annum. A career in the retail sector will see your salary grow after registration to around £30,000 per annum or more within three years.
Further information
All job vacancies at Moorfields are advertised online at NHS Jobs as well as in relevant journals and newspapers.
