MPharm Pharmacy with a Foundation Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Master of Pharmacy
- UCAS Course Code
- 8B23
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 5 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Our Pharmacy with a Foundation Year degree program is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and is a five-year course that prepares students for university-level study in pharmacy. The course is specifically designed for those who do not have the required qualifications for direct entry onto the four-year MPharm course. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes required to become modern pharmacists. From the first day of the course, students will engage in placements and simulations, working alongside healthcare practitioners and patients to gain practical experience. The learning environment is supportive and enjoyable, with a focus on maximizing students' potential. Our graduates are a testament to the employability prospects of our degree. The course is designed to provide students with the necessary foundation to pursue a rewarding career in pharmacy.
The Foundation Year of our five-year Pharmacy course has been specifically designed to prepare you for further study on our MPharm degree. The course focuses on equipping you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the MPharm program.
During the Foundation Year, you will develop a strong foundation in mathematics, biology, and chemistry. In addition, you will undertake a bespoke Pharmacy skills module, designed to give you an introduction to the teaching methods used throughout the MPharm program. You will also gain an understanding of the underlying principles of medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical formulation, and pharmacy practice.
Overall, the Foundation Year is an excellent opportunity to build your knowledge and skills and prepare yourself for the challenges of the MPharm degree.
Our MPharm degree programme has a global reputation for exceptional, innovative teaching, backed by world-class research. You’ll focus on clinical skills development and practical experience to develop your professional attributes and competencies. You will benefit from the support of our friendly staff, who are leading researchers and practitioners. Furthermore, your learning will be integrated with placements from the very beginning of this four-year course. Whatever your focus, your course will reflect the most up-to-date developments in pharmaceutical science and the most recent advances in clinical practice.
This course is intended for UK and EU students who wish to later register as a Pharmacist in the UK following a 12-month period of foundation training undertaken after graduation. If you wish to register as a pharmacist overseas, we recommend you check this course is acceptable for this purpose in that country.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
In your final year, you’ll carry out a project, giving you the chance to gain a greater insight into a specialist subject area. You can choose to undertake it at an English-speaking provider. We currently have arrangements with pharmacy schools in Germany, France, Spain, and Vietnam.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our Pharmacy with a Foundation Year course follows a well-structured programme to ensure students are fully equipped for their future studies. During the Foundation Year, students will focus on developing fundamental skills in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and pharmacy. Successful completion of this year will enable students to move on to the four-year MPharm degree.
The MPharm degree is delivered over four years and is designed to cover topics in an integrated way, centred around different diseases and clinical topics. Throughout the course, students will gain valuable experience in patient-facing situations and participate in placements. Additionally, some parts of the learning will be undertaken alongside other healthcare professionals, which provides an authentic workplace experience.
Overall, our course offers a carefully structured and well-rounded education that prepares students for a fulfilling career in pharmacy.
For information on subsequent years, please see the full MPharm Pharmacy course.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Our course is designed to help you excel in the professional role of a pharmacist. We combine a variety of teaching methods to ensure you get the most out of your learning experience.
We believe in promoting active learning, and our course has a significant proportion of workshops, practical, and simulations. These activities are designed to help you apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios and deliver benefits to patients and the public.
Our course also emphasises working in small groups to solve problems and as part of a team, so you can recognise your strengths and weaknesses and receive the necessary support to develop into a competent healthcare professional.
We provide ample opportunities for you to practice the skills you will need as a working pharmacist, such as the production of a professional portfolio, counselling patients, and preparing pharmaceutical care plans. We teach these skills in context, so you can see how they apply in a professional setting.
Overall, our course provides a comprehensive and practical education that prepares you for a fulfilling career as a pharmacist.
Independent study
Our course is designed to allow you to reflect on your experiences and maximise your potential. We provide opportunities for you to research, test, and apply your knowledge in your own time, supported by tasks and activities delivered through our virtual learning environment.
We believe that reflecting on your experiences is an essential part of the learning process, and our course is structured to give you space to do so. Our virtual learning environment provides a range of resources to help you reflect on your learning and progress, and to support you in achieving your goals.
Through these activities, you will develop the skills necessary to succeed in your studies and as a future pharmacist. We aim to provide a supportive environment that will help you reach your full potential and succeed in your career.
Assessment
We employ a range of innovative assessment methods based on the procedures you will use as a qualified Pharmacist, including portfolio-based assessments and observations of clinical practice.
We carefully select our assessment methods in order to:
Optimise your learning and development
Develop professionalism
Develop clinical decision-making skills
Prepare you for professional and scientific practice
Support for assessment is central to our ethos. This is achieved through provision of:
Mock assessments and feedback for exams
Feedback on first drafts of course assignments
Drop-in sessions to provide time to support students throughout the degree
Here are some examples of ways we assess you:
Short answer and multiple-choice tests
Essays and laboratory reports
Pharmaceutical care plans
Clinical observations
Professional development portfolios
Oral and poster presentations
Scientific paper writing
Staff and peer assessment
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- CCC. A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism. Any subject is acceptable.
- BTEC
- Extended Diploma: MMM. Excludes Uniformed Services. See below for accepted subjects and combinations.
- Contextual Offer
A Level – CDD
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma – MMP
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Scottish Highers
- BBCCC.
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- DDD. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 6 subjects at H4.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
- International Baccalaureate
- 28 points.
- GCSE
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
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- Interviews
Interviews will be held virtually with a member of academic staff from the School of Pharmacy. Please note that we do not disclose interview questions. Typically, we will look for you to demonstrate a good understanding of the course, your approaches to decision making, effective teamwork, effective communication, and a desire to help others. The selection process is designed to help us choose students with the appropriate skills and attitudes to become excellent pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
Applicants can only be interviewed once per cycle. If unsuccessful at interview applicants cannot reapply until the following academic cycle.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
This course is open to UK applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
Extended Diploma: MMM.
Diploma: MM plus C at A-Level.
Extended Certificate: M plus CC at A-Level.
We welcome applications from students with non-traditional academic backgrounds. If you have been out of study for the last three years and you do not have the entry grades for our three-year degree, we will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference to gain a holistic view of your suitability for the course. You will still need to meet our GCSE English Language and Mathematics requirements.
Applicants submitting UCAS applications that meet or are predicted to meet our requirements will be invited to an interview. We will be in touch prior to the interview to arrange a suitable time.
Preparing For Pharmacy
Applying to study Pharmacy can be daunting, especially without any experience of university or pharmacy in the family to draw upon.Preparing for Pharmacy supports Year 12 /Level 3 Year 1 students on their path to studying Pharmacy through participation in a range of free activities.
Programme Conditions
Offers to successful applicants will be subject to a successful interview, a satisfactory occupational health check, including evidence of appropriate immunisations and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). As part of the selection process, successful applicants will be asked to complete the Pharmacy Schools Council Excluded Database form. UK Pharmacy students are also required to sign up to a national Code of Conduct for Pharmacy Students.
Placements
Where a course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, or are taking a combination of qualifications, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
After completing your MPharm degree, you’ll need to complete a 12-month structured foundation training period and assessment, leading to registration as a Pharmacist with the GPhC.
Career prospects for Pharmacists are excellent. In many areas of the UK there is a shortage of Pharmacists, presenting exciting employment opportunities for you in community, primary care, hospital and the pharmaceutical industry when you graduate.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Hospital pharmacy
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Community pharmacy
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Primary care and GP practices
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Pharmaceutical industry
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Research
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Education
Discover more on our Careers webpages.