Overview
At the University of Bradford we’ve been teaching pharmacy since 1927, and are experts in preparing students for the world of clinical practice.
Our innovative and award winning degree programme, delivered predominately by Team-Based Learning (TBL), has been designed by pharmacists, educators, students and employers to ensure that you will graduate not only with the necessary knowledge and skills of a pharmacy graduate, but also with the confidence, communication, team-working, and problem-solving skills needed to secure employment. Our classes simulate the workplace and you will work in small teams to solve real-world problems, many of which are brought into the classroom from pharmacy practice by our team of pharmacist teacher-practitioners.
On graduation you will then need to successfully complete a 1-year pre-registration period in order to become a qualified pharmacist. Alternatively you can choose our unique 5-year Mpharm programme, which enables you to undertake your pre-registration training as part of the programme. This means you will leave us as a qualified pharmacist, pending successful completion of the GPhC registration exam.
Whichever one you choose, you can be assured that our MPharm programmes have been specially designed so that you leave us fully prepared for contemporary pharmacy practice, and with the skills and confidence to succeed and achieve your full potential in your future employment.
Professional accreditation
Entry to the profession of pharmacy is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Both our MPharm programmes were accredited for the maximum period of six years by the GPhC in 2018.
Rankings
We are ranked in the top 250 universities in the world for Pharmacy & Pharmacology in the 2019 QS World University Rankings by subject.
Entry requirements
Typical offer – 128 UCAS tariff points.
We take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application. It’s not just about your grades; we take the time to understand your personal circumstances and make decisions based on your potential to thrive at university and beyond.
A levels
Chemistry or Biology and one other Science subject (Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry or Psychology) required at minimum AB. General Studies or Critical Thinking is not accepted.
Students offering A-levels should complete them within a 3-year time frame to be eligible for entry onto this programme.
Please note that where a science A-level is taken, the University will require applicants to pass the practical element (for A-levels awarded from August 2017 onwards).
BTEC Extended Diploma
For applicants who have taken the new BTEC Extended Diploma assessed by written examinations and coursework: DDD. Applied Science with a minimum of four Chemistry or Biology units at Distinction.
For applicants who have taken the BTEC Extended Diploma assessed by coursework only: DDD. Applied Science with minimum of four Chemistry or Biology units at Distinction AND either A-level Chemistry or A-Level Biology at grade B.
Applicants on Access Programmes
128 UCAS tariff points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma – Science subject required. Must include a minimum of 12 credits of Chemistry at Distinction and 12 credits at Distinction in one other Science subject.
International Baccalaureate requirements
128 UCAS tariff points to include either HL Chemistry or Biology at Grade 6, 1 other HL Science subject at Grade 6 and a third HL subject at Grade 5. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths and English Language and Literature A or English B.
Plus minimum of
Five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4, including English Language, Maths (note: GCSE English Language and Maths equivalences will not be accepted) and two sciences (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Combined Science).
Those applying with Access courses are only required to have GCSE English Language and Maths at grade C or grade 4.
Additional entry requirements
As part of the selection process, we interview short-listed candidates prior to making offers. All places are offered subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and health check.
Applicants who do not hold the specified A-Level subjects may be considered for the Clinical Sciences Foundation Year with a view to entering year one of the MPharm the following year. Entry onto the MPharm would be conditional on assessment performance at the end of the foundation year. Entry onto the MPharm is normally subject to passing all modules at first attempt and achieving a minimum of 60% in the chemistry module and an overall average of 65% or higher. Students that do not achieve this standard, but who pass the foundation year, would transfer to another programme within the Faculty of Life Sciences (e.g. BSc Chemistry, BSc Biomedical Science, BSc Clinical Sciences). Please note that you would be nominated and supported as a potential future pharmacy student and as such this route does not permit transfer to study medicine at the University of Leeds.
English language requirements
Minimum IELTS at 6.5 or the equivalent.
If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course.
CIFS entry requirement
If you are an International student and do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto this course you may be interested in our Certificate of International Foundation Studies
80 UCAS points or equivalent (see individual country pages for details) plus Maths and 2 Science qualifications equivalent to GCSE Grade C. UKVI approved IELTS of 5.5 overall with no sub-test less than 5.0. In addition applicants will need to succeed in the selection/interview process for the degree programme.
CIFS modules to be taken
Students study the four core modules plus:
- Foundation in Human Biology
- Foundation in Chemistry
Progression requirements for degree programme
An overall average of at least 65% and at least 60% in Foundation in Chemistry and at least 50% in English Language for Specific Academic Purposes with additional sub-test requirements.
Please note: Pharmacy has additional entry requirements of a disclosure and barring service check and a health check
Course Content
This innovative programme is devised with advice from leading pharmacists, employers and other key stakeholders to achieve the patient-centred outcomes needed by pharmacists in practice.
Our aim is to have an engaging curriculum which will create a capable pharmacist practitioner. The curriculum places emphasis on health problems and pharmacy interventions in the community setting. There is strong integration between basic sciences and their application to practice and there are opportunities for early patient contact and for relevant inter-professional learning.
All module information is for 2019 entry, and is subject to change.
First year
Core
Developing Professional Practice 1 (PHA4007-C)
Molecules to Systems (PHA4008-C)
Lifecycle of a Medicine (PHA4009-C)
Medicines and Health (PHA4010-C)
Second year
Core
Developing Professional Practice 2 (PHA5013-C)
Pharmacy Science and Practice 1 (PHA5014-R)
Third year
Core
Developing Professional Practice 3 (PHA6019-C)
Pharmacy Science and Practice 2 (PHA6020-R)
Final year
Core
Developing Professional Practice 4 (PHA7056-B)
Pharmacy Special Studies (PHA7057-B)
Patient Safety and Decision Making (PHA7058-B)
Patient Centred Care (PHA7059-E)
Career support
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
Career prospects
A career in pharmacy allows you to work in a variety of different sectors such as community, hospital, industry, primary care, GP Practice, academia.
Employment statistics
97% of our 2017 four-year Pharmacy graduates found employment or went on to further study within six months of graduating.*
100% of our 2017 five-year Pharmacy graduates found employment or went on to further study within six months of graduating.*
Salary expectations
The average starting salary for our 2017 four-year Pharmacy graduates (n.b: pre-registration) was £18,823.*
The average starting salary for our 2017 five-year Pharmacy graduates (n.b: registered pharmacist) was £31,201.*
*These DLHE statistics are derived from annually published data by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), based on those UK domiciled graduates who are available for employment or further study and whose destinations are known.
Learning and assessment
Our award-winning Pharmacy programme has been designed by nationally acclaimed pharmacy educational experts with input from pharmacy employers, patients and our alumni.
The programme is predominantly taught using an innovative and active learning method called Team-Based Learning (TBL).
In TBL classes you will actively practice applying your knowledge to solve real-world pharmacy problems through team discussion and class debate facilitated by our expert academic staff.
TBL develops your confidence, your problem-solving skills, and the communication and team skills necessary for employment in pharmacy.
Study support
Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally.
We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment.
Our support services include:
- Personal tutors
- Disability services
- Counselling services
- MyBradford student support centres
- The Students’ Union
- Chaplaincy and faith advisers
- An on-campus nursery
- Halls wardens
We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus.
Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills.
Research
Research expertise at the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences includes drug design, formulation, drug delivery, clinical trials, neuroscience and natural products.