Intro

As a student on this course you will study new developments in the areas of pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice and have the opportunity to develop a programme of work that meets your individual needs.

When you have completed the course, you will be able to undertake pre-registration training and apply for the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration exam with the aim of becoming a UK registered pharmacist.

For the MSc award, research projects run from June to September following completion of the PGDip modules. For more information about our PGDip only qualification, visit the course page.

The PGDip is accredited by the GPhC as an Overseas Pharmacists’ Assessment Programme (OSPAP).

The course includes experiential visits to community and hospital pharmacies to help you build practical experience in healthcare.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year

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Applying for 2021

This course is closed for 2021 applications. Online applications will open for 2022 in October.

Course content

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.

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Areas of study

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 Pharmacy and Biomolecular 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
Applied Therapeutics
Clinical Drug Delivery
Advanced Professional Studies
Health Promotion for Pharmacists
Novel Medicinal Products: A Clinical Perspective
Pharmaceutical Skills
Research Project

How this course is delivered

Our approach
We want you to spend as much time on campus as possible. From semester 1 of the academic year which starts in September, every student will have some face-to-face, on-campus learning in their timetable. Your timetable is being designed to make sure that you can make the most out of your time on campus, and all of the usual campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more – will be open. Your timetable will be available in My Studies from late September.

Teaching on your course
In semester 1 timetabled teaching will take place on campus. Your on-campus learning will be supplemented with additional online activities and content.

Any other learning opportunities taking place off campus, such as field work, will be informed by the government guidance in operation at that time. We are not currently planning to run this kind of activity outside the UK in semester 1 of the 2021–2022 academic year. 

COVID-19
Like all universities we will be following government guidance and will be monitoring the pandemic very closely with our local Director of Public Health. Should a worsening of the pandemic occur and Public Health advice require us to make changes, we have robust plans in place for students to continue their studies remotely and for additional safety measures to be introduced on campus.

Careers

On completion of the course you will be able to undertake pre-registration training and apply for the General Pharmaceutical Council registration examination, which will allow you to become a UK-registered pharmacist.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2021. They should be used as a general guide.

Degree and experience
Applicants must have the following qualifications and/or experience:

an overseas degree in pharmacy normally with a 2:1 or above (or equivalent)
satisfactory adjudication of qualifications by the General Pharmaceutical Council
achievement of 40% or above in the online pharmaceutical calculations admission test

Applicants should have graduated in the last six years, or have a portfolio of evidence demonstrating continuing practice and training in pharmacy.

Applicants who have already been awarded a PGDip Pharmacy (OSPAP) from the University of Brighton are eligible for up to 120 credits accredited prior learning against this award. Those with equivalent qualifications wanting to apply for advanced standing will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants who have failed an OSPAP award from an alternative provider are ineligible.

English language requirements
IELTS (Academic) Level 7.0 or above in each parameter at one sitting. If you have been exempted by the General Pharmaceutical Council from an IELTS qualification you will not be required to have IELTS for an application to this course. Check this link for possible General Pharmaceutical Council exemptions. For exemptions under evidence types 1 and 2 in this guide, IELTS may still be needed if you need a student visa for study.

If we make you an offer
Once you've accepted your offer, to fulfil professional requirements, you will be expected to provide evidence of the following:

satisfactory DBS disclosure, and an overseas police check for international applicants
satisfactory health declaration/clearance.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 16,380 GBP

International (full-time)16,380 GBP

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.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. 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. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences are listed here.

All students are provided with a laboratory coat, safety glasses and log book.
A budget to cover laboratory consumables and equipment for your final year project is included in the fees for all students.
Access to key subject journals and subject specific databases is provided, as well as a site licence for industry-standard chemical drawing software.
Essential instruction booklets (laboratory handbooks) are provided, as is project poster printing and thesis binding. However, you should budget for books, printing and stationery for personal study.
The school provides some financial support for social activities via the student societies and holds a free annual graduation party.
Optional placements and day trips may include additional costs but this will vary depending on location of the placement.
For our ecology and conservation courses there are compulsory field trips for which you should budget up to £200. There are also optional field trips for which you may choose to budget up to £2,700. You may also need to buy appropriate clothing for outdoor use.
DBS checks for MPharm students are included in the fee.
Costs for MPharm placement travel is reimbursed up to a specified amount depending on location of placement.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships, as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

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 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.

Location

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus. Subjects taught here include architecture, business, computing, construction, engineering, geography, product design, law, journalism, media and pharmacy.

On campus you will find professional-standard facilities including a flight simulator, trading room, design and digital media suites and specialist research laboratories, alongside the library, student centre, fitness facilities and Students' Union. There are excellent public transport links.

The Big Build

The Big Build is a major transformation of our Moulsecoomb campus, planned with sustainability, inclusivity and community in mind.

By the start of the autumn term in 2021, we expect our landmark new academic building and over 800 new, affordable, student bedrooms to be ready. The project will also provide new Students' Union and fitness facilities, an accessible pedestrian bridge, new green and social spaces, much improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, and better links to public transport. Find out more about the Big Build.

Next door to our campus, the new Preston Barracks development will provide a variety of new shops, cafes and workshop space.

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Still looking for halls? Contact our accommodation team for the latest advice on halls availability in Brighton.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Moulsecoomb Place, Mithras halls and Varley Park. All halls are self-catered.
- Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
- Moulsecoomb Place halls are all self-catered and are located right on campus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.