Pharmacy MPharm (with integrated foundation year)

Course structure

Our MPharm course has moved away from a modular approach and been carefully structured to integrate an understanding of chemistry, pharmaceutics, microbiology, physiology, pharmacology and health psychology with the practice of pharmacy in providing the best care for patients. This is achieved in a case-based manner so you can see the science behind patient care as immediately relevant.

In addition to undertaking either community or hospital placements in year of the course, you benefit from early involvement with continuing professional development (CPD) via reflective entries in a personal e-portfolio.

The course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, laboratory classes, workshops and tutorials. Assessment involves lab reports, written exams, oral presentations, logbooks, portfolios, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and peer assessment.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority. Following a recent course review, enhancements have been made to this course for 2018 entry. Changes are reflected on this page, and in detail in the programme specification linked below.

Foundation year 

During your foundation year you’ll be introduced to key concepts in biology, chemistry and data handling to prepare you for study at undergraduate level. You’ll also develop your skills in problem solving, analysis and communication.

Modules

• Foundation Biology
• Foundation Chemistry
• Data Handling
• Study Skills

Year 1

Your first year consists of 10 cases specifically designed to allow you to gain an understanding of minor ailments and their treatments using medicines that can be purchased from a community pharmacy. Cases cover subjects such as digestive ailments, skin conditions and eye conditions. Your learning will be supported by a placement in a community pharmacy.

Modules

• Integrated Pharmaceutical Knowledge Attributes and Skills 1

  In this module you will bring together the skills, attributes and knowledge learnt across your year 1 cases. The module focuses on your development of appropriate study skills, professionalism, communication skills, pharmaceutical numeracy and aspects of pharmaceutical practice, including reflective practice.

• Introductory Pharmacy 1

  This module will introduce you to pharmacy, including the place of pharmacists in the healthcare system. Underpinning this will be an understanding of fundamental chemical and microbiological principles integrating them into the practice of pharmacy.

• Introductory Pharmacy 2

  In this module you will explore the areas of pharmaceutical sciences: cell biology; pharmacology; and pharmaceutical practice, by studying cases on lung cancer, pain, health during pregnancy and pet medicines.

• Introductory Pharmacy 3

  In this module you will explore the areas of pharmaceutical sciences, therapeutics and pharmaceutical practice with particular emphasis on drug stability, topical formulations, microbial infections and OTC medicines and other products.

Year 2

You will study 12 cases dealing with more complex conditions such as asthma, hypertension, and ischaemic heart disease. You will also learn how to take a drug history and produce a care plan. Learning is supported by three clinical placements.

Modules

• Integrated Pharmaceutical Knowledge, Attributes and Skills 2
• Intermediate Pharmacy 1
• Intermediate Pharmacy 2
• Intermediate Pharmacy 3

Year 3

You will continue to build on your learning through a further 13 cases including endocrinology, immunology and oncology in considering the treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes, autoimmune diseases and breast cancer. Learning is supported by a week-long hospital placement where you work alongside healthcare professionals and interact with patients and carers.

Modules

• Integrated Pharmaceutical Knowledge, Attributes and Skills 3
• Advanced Pharmacy 1
• Advanced Pharmacy 2
• Advanced Pharmacy 3

Final year

You will focus on more complex patients, usually involving multiple pathologies and polypharmacy. There will also be small-group, inter-professional education sessions that simulate real-life clinical scenarios.

You will study two special topics and undertake a research project, and our strong links with a local pharmaceutical company give you the option of studying in an industrial environment.

Modules

• Research Project
• Preparing for Pharmacy Practice

Options*

• Biomedical Implants and Cell-based Strategies
• Medical Genetics
• Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Industrial Manufacturing Processes
• Advances in Biochemical and Clinical Analysis
• Current Topics in Infection
• Psychopharmacology 
• Ion Channel Pharmacology and Physiology
• Specialised Clinical Practice
• Advanced Diabetes Therapies
• Oxidative Stress and Human Disease 
• Pharmacological Aspects of Neuronal Ageing
• Pharmaceutical Care of Surgical Patients
• Global Perspectives on Health and Medicines
• Quality Issues in Complementary Therapies That Utilise Plants
• Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience
• Business Studies for Pharmacists
• Clinical Microbiology in the Post-antimicrobial Era
• Data and Scientific Theories

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Guaranteed interview scheme for medicine 

All of the students on this course who fulfil the eligibility criteria are guaranteed an interview with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) if they want to pursue a degree in medicine.

Two versions of the scheme are available: the first allows you to transfer after year 1, and the second allows you to transfer after your final year. Both require you to take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) in the year you apply.

Entry requirements (after year 1)

• GCSE grade B or equivalent in maths and English
• If English is not your first language, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with at least 7.0 in all sections
• AAA at A-level, all obtained in one sitting (both chemistry and biology need to be passed at A-level with grade A; neither General Studies nor Critical Thinking are acceptable)
• If you took the International Baccalaureate, 36 overall with grade 6 in Higher level chemistry and biology
• Excellent term 1 class attendance record
• A 70% average for term 1 modules

Entry requirements (after the final year)

• GCSE grade B or equivalent in maths and English
• If English is not your first language, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with at least 7.0 in all sections
• At least an upper second class degree
• A 70% average for year 3 modules

You also need to:

• take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) in your year of application
• make a UCAS application to BSMS by 15 October in your year of application
• show evidence of healthcare-related work experience in your UCAS personal statement and
• have an excellent record of class attendance (80%) and assignment submission by deadline (if applying after final year).

Facilities

Your learning is supported by access to specialist facilities.

• High field NMR
• Time-of-flight high resolution and ion-trap ESI-mass spectrometry
• UV/Vis, near infra-red, mid infra-red, Raman spectrophotometry
• Fluorimetry
• HPLC
• GLC
• Particle size and zeta potential
• Rheometry; Differential scanning calorimetry
• UV/Vis plate readers
• Tablet press
• Dosage form evaluation equipment including dissolution, disintegration apparatus
• Twin stage and multistage liquid impingers
• Texture analysis

Specialist pharmacology equipment

• Ultracentrifuge
• Autoclaves
• Electrophysiology equipment
• Microscopy suite including electron, confocal and atomic force microscopy
• Tissue culture suite
• Histology facilities
• Clinical Skills Laboratory with simulated patient mannequins (SimMan) and clinical dummies (Resusci Anne)

Staff profile

Elaine Sharp

Senior lecturer in pharmacy practice

"My background is in clinical pharmacy practice. I worked as an NHS hospital pharmacist for many years and during that time specialised in both paediatrics and medicines information. I recently became a full-time lecturer here at the University of Brighton, but I still retain a small clinical commitment with one of the local hospitals.

"On the MPharm degree I teach on various cases including those that involve paediatric patients and legal and ethical issues around medicinal products and medicines supply and also on clinical topics such as gastroenterology and diabetes.

"I have been able to bring my clinical and professional experience to my teaching and research. The fact that the school has such close links with practice means you can learn about very relevant and real-life aspects of medicines use and patient care."

Information for international students

All international students from outside the European Economic Area who graduate with an MPharm from a UK university must apply for a visa in order to work in the UK (ie to undertake their pre-registration training).

Information on visa options that may be suitable for the pre-registration training year can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website. You may want to consider whether applying for Tier 2 or Tier 5 sponsorship may be suitable for your particular circumstances.

Please note, however, that the UK Visas and Immigration website provides the most up-to-date information, and it is possible that there may be changes to visa and/or immigration policy by the time you start your pre-registration training – particularly in light of the recent government response to the Migration and Advisory Committee Tier 2 report. (See also: 'Sponsor a Tier 2 or 5 worker: guidance for employers'.)

You should be aware that it may not be possible to obtain a visa for the pre-registration year, so there is no guarantee you will be able to stay in the UK to complete your training.

For further guidance on visas for the pre-registration year, please contact our international student advisers. You can also contact the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), either by telephone on 0845 257 2570 or by email at support@rpharms.com.

International requirements

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Why choose an integrated foundation year? 

This integrated, preparatory course is suitable for applicants with a wide range of backgrounds and qualifications who, for a variety of reasons, may not feel ready to begin study at undergraduate level. 

This may apply to mature students who have had a break from education and may have vocational experience in addition to academic qualifications.

Students who do not have the subject-appropriate A-levels or equivalent qualifications for the undergraduate course may also benefit.

Course fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map