Pharmacy (OSPAP) MSc (PGDip)

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Course structure

There are seven diploma modules run over two semesters: one independent study and six university-based modules. The independent study module is supported by specifically written module materials and staff-led tutorial sessions. The remaining six modules involve a mixture of lectures and skills-based workshops and are run over two days per week at the university.

Although attendance for the diploma modules is only required at the university for two days a week, attendance for the MSc project from June to August requires attendance five days a week.

Syllabus

Studies focus on new developments in the areas of pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice. In addition, you explore pharmacy law and ethics, contemporary pharmacy issues and UK healthcare provision. There is also an opportunity for you to develop a programme of work that suits your individual requirements.

You choose your topic for the research project from the range of research interests in the School of Applied Sciences. Current research areas in the school include work with paediatric medicine, patient mood and health outcomes, the role of empathy in consultation skills, and patients’ and pharmacists’ knowledge of and attitudes towards counterfeit drugs. 

Modules

• Scientific Basis of Pharmacy Practice

  This module aims to ensure that you have the required foundational science to undertake the PG Diploma in Pharmacy (OSPAP). Subjects covered in the module include chemistry; cell biology, biochemistry and nutrition; microbiology; applied physiology and pharmacology; research methods and ethics.

• Applied Therapeutics

  Applied Therapeutics will give you an in-depth understanding of the therapeutic process by using case studies to examine the major diseases which affect the population. You will examine the therapeutic process as a concept; the diagnostic process, its philosophical principles and practical application; and the application, influence and limitations of laboratory data on drug therapy and patient care.

• Novel Medicinal Products: A Clinical Perspective

  In this module you will demonstrate a sound understanding of the multidisciplinary framework of research and development. You will develop an understanding of the processes involved in developing new drug substances and products as well as the pre-clinical and clinical trial protocol to optimise patient safety for new medications. You will also show an understanding of the regulatory processes and controls in place during and after drug development.

• Health Promotion for Pharmacists

  The pharmacist’s role in promoting health and providing lifestyle advice is becoming increasingly recognised; this module will provide you with an appreciation of the conditions which promote behaviour change and the theory underpinning health promotion campaigns. It will cover current health promotion areas such as sexual health; healthy eating; smoking cessation; screening and diagnostic services.

• Clinical Drug Delivery

  This module uses a patient-focused, case-based approach to provide an overview of drug delivery systems, including oral, parenteral, transdermal, pulmonary and nasal drug delivery, as well as other routes such as buccal, ocular and rectal. You will also look at therapeutic agents and medical devices.

• Pharmaceutical Skills

  This module teaches the skills needed to practice pharmacy in the UK. These include effective communication, record-keeping, numerical, team-working, literature search and evaluation and aseptic skills. You will also learn about dispensing, including the evaluation, interpretation, compounding and counselling of a prescription; diagnostic and patient management skills regarding minor ailments; clinical pharmacy considerations; and reflective practitioner skills.

• Advanced Professional Studies

  In this module you will learn about aspects of pharmaceutical legislation and ensure you are up to date with the latest professional and political issues in pharmacy and can fully discuss their impact. You will also explore ethical issues such as truth-telling and confidentially, patient autonomy and paternalism, allocation of healthcare resources and the use of new healthcare technologies such as genetics.

• MSc (OSPAP) Project

  This module enables you to plan, organise and complete a programme of research using your knowledge of health and social sciences research, clinical research and research into the natural sciences relevant to your field of interest. You will write up the data generated during your project as a report of 20,000 words or fewer and also produce the findings as a poster presentation.

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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