Pharmacy (+Mpharm)

Program Description: The MPharm degree at Queen's University Belfast is a comprehensive and rigorous program designed to prepare students for a successful career in pharmacy and healthcare. This five-year undergraduate program combines scientific principles with practical skills to equip students with a thorough understanding of the role of pharmacists in promoting health and wellbeing. The curriculum integrates core modules in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and clinical pharmacy, fostering a strong foundation in the scientific aspects of drug development and use. Throughout the course, students gain valuable experience through laboratory work, simulated pharmacy environments, and placements within community and hospital pharmacies. These practical components are essential for developing the competencies required to work effectively in diverse healthcare settings. The program emphasizes patient-centered care, ethical practice, and interprofessional collaboration, ensuring graduates are prepared to meet the evolving needs of healthcare systems. Queen's University Belfast's strong links with industry and healthcare providers provide students with excellent networking opportunities and exposure to real-world challenges. An emphasis on research and innovation encourages students to engage with current developments in pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences. The program is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), which is necessary for registration as a licensed pharmacist in the UK. Students are supported by experienced faculty members dedicated to academic excellence and student development. Graduates of the MPharm program are well-equipped to pursue careers in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, pharmaceutical industry, academia, or further postgraduate studies. The program’s structure and content are designed to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate, ethical, and committed to lifelong learning in the dynamic field of pharmacy.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 4160 Year (EEA)
• EUR 13380 Year (Non-EEA)

England, Scotland and Wales £9,000; EU £3,575; International: £11,500

• English

Course Content

Level 1

All students must take six modules:

One module provides an introduction to pharmaceutical microbiology including aspects of disinfection and sterilisation with a second module providing an introduction to the principles of physical and analytical chemistry of importance in pharmaceutical systems. The third module is split into two parts, the first providing a foundation in the essential skills for the practice of pharmacy whereas the second part provides an introduction to the development of a pharmaceutical product from concept to clinic and the roles of the pharmacist in this process. A chemistry module covers important aspects of organic and bio-organic chemistry including structure determination, chemical reactivity and mechanistic aspects. Finally, two physiology modules cover the principles of general physiology and histology as well as an introduction to systematic patho-physiology.

Level 2

Provides further development of understanding of basic sciences related to pharmacy and an introduction to some professional aspects of handling and interpretation of prescriptions. Six modules are studied: two cover basic principles of drug action and two are concerned with medicinal substances and deal with analytical methods used to determine the relationships between structure and function of drug molecules. Finally, one double module deals with formulation/dispensing of drug products, drug stability and some industrial manufacturing processes.

Levels 3 and 4

The professional and clinical aspects of the final two years of the degree reflect the increasing involvement of pharmacists in discussing patient medication with doctors in general practice and in hospitals. Students also continue to study the pharmaceutical sciences. Both years contain six modules. Topics covered at Level 3 include:

Applied Clinical Pharmacy
Applied Pharmaceutical Analysis: Drug Design and Drug Delivery
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Legislation
Pharmacotherapy
Pharmacy Practice

Topics covered at Level 4 include:
Business, Government and Industry
Infectious Diseases, Treatment and Prevention
Pharmacist Prescribing
Pharmacotherapy
Responding to Symptoms
Social and Behavioural Aspects of Pharmacy

In Level 4, students also carry out a research project.

A feature of this MPharm is an increasing experience of the clinical environment through inclusion of clinical placements each year.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-level AAB in GCE A-levels including Chemistry grade A and at least one other A-level from Biology, Mathematics or Physics + GCSE Biology or Double Award Science + GCSE Mathematics.
  OR
  AAB at A-level + A (AS-level) including A-level Chemistry and at least one other A-level from Biology, Mathematics or Physics + GCSE Biology or Double Award Science + GCSE Mathematics.
  Notes:1. Biology to at least AS preferred.
  2. A maximum of either one Applied A-level or one Applied AS-level will be accepted as part of the 3 A-level plus 1 AS-level combination. However, an Applied A-level will not be acceptable as part of the 3 A-level combination.
• Irish Leaving Certificate A1A1A1B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade A1 in Biology and Chemistry + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.

• Mature Students The same requirements as listed above apply.
• Other Qualifications Contact the Admissions and Access Service for advice.
• International Applicants Slightly different requirements apply.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Queen's University Belfast.

Accreditation

The degree is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) in Great Britain and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, as the relevant regulators.

Following successful completion of the degree, all graduates intending to register to practise as pharmacists are required to complete satisfactorily a one-year period of pre-registration training under conditions approved by the regulator, followed by a registration examination. Pre-registration training may be in GB or NI, with the registration examination of the relevant regulator. Qualified pharmacists may work anywhere in the UK once registered with the relevant regulator, or further afield.