DPharm Pharmacy
ApplyResearch opportunities
This degree responds to an identified need for more NHS pharmacists to engage in research linked to their professional and practice role in areas where a PhD research programme may not be the most appropriate qualification.
The DPharm fits with all areas of the practice of pharmacy including hospital clinical pharmacy, technical services and community pharmacy practice. The programme aims to develop, strengthen and enhance pharmacy research and help to build the credibility of pharmacy as a research focussed profession.
This course is suitable for pharmacists who already have some research experience and wish to enhance their research skills and experience.
Course structure
The course duration is a minimum of three years full-time or four years of part-time study.
One-third of the course is taught and two-thirds is research-based. The taught classes are:
- Clinical skills
- Research skills including health service skills & protocol design
- Literature review
For full-time students the taught classes will take place in the first year of the course. For part-time students, this will take 18 months. You'll need to successfully complete the taught classes in order to proceed to the research element.
Final assessment
Once you have completed all the taught elements and your research, you'll submit a thesis which will be sent to an external examiner (outwith the University of Strathclyde) and an internal examiner (within Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, who is GPhC registered). You'll be called for an oral exam in which you'll defend your thesis and the work that it contains. The examiners will make the decision on whether you should be awarded the qualification.
Research
Project proposal
On application, you'll be asked to submit your research idea which can then be discussed with a potential supervisor. Alternatively, you can discuss research ideas informally with a potential supervisor before applying.
The DPharm is linked to your professional practice so it's expected that when you apply you'll have a suitable project idea. Staff at the University may have ideas to help you develop your practice.
You'll normally undertake the research at your place of work and it should be related to the role you have as a pharmacist. Areas of research that may be suitable include clinical practice in hospital or community pharmacy, technical services or a combination of both. This is not an exhaustive list and if you are interested in studying for a DPharm and have an idea for research then you should contact Dr Boyter (anne.boyter@strath.ac.uk) for further information.
Your research must be original and at the doctoral level that is suitable for publication in a quality research journal.
As the DPharm is a professional doctorate which is linked to your professional practice any change in job may affect the duration of your studies. If this happens, it should be discussed with your supervisor at the earliest opportunity.
Postgraduate research at the Strathclyde Doctoral School
The Strathclyde Doctoral School provides a vibrant and comprehensive student-centred research and training environment in order to grow and support current and future research talent.
The School encompasses our four faculties and is committed to enriching the student experience, intensifying research outputs and opportunities, and ensuring training is at the highest level. As a postgraduate researcher, you'll automatically become a member of the Strathclyde Doctoral School.
Find out more about the Doctoral School
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.
Please note that postgraduate research entrants may be subject to a small fee during the writing up period
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
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| Funding | Take a look at our funding your postgraduate research web page for funding information. You can also view our scholarships search for further funding opportunities. |
| Research Council studentships (AHRC, BBSRC, ESPRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, STFC) |
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| Travel awards | Postgraduate Research Travel AwardThis award contributes to the costs of conference and international travel for research purposes. The fund is open all year round but you can only make one application during your PhD. Mac Robertson Travel AwardThis is a joint fund between the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow. It provides funding for students studying a PhD, to undertake a course that lasts from two months to a year at a centre of advanced study either in or outside Scotland. It doesn't cover conference travel and applications close in May each year. Finn Randall Travel AwardThis award was created in memory of Finn Randall, an alumnus of the University of Strathclyde and an adventurous traveller. It was established to help a registered student with the cost of a particular travel scheme that's considered to be the most enterprising and relevant to their course of study. It doesn't cover conference attendance or travel for research purposes. Applications close in March each year. |
| Additional costs |
International costsInternational students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.
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Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
Do I pay more fees if I do not complete in 36 months (full-time) or 48 months (part-time)?
If you are still undertaking active research, you may be asked to pay fees if you exceed the minimum duration of study. If you have entered a period of writing up your thesis, you won't require to pay additional fees.
Our research
The Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences is a major research centre in Scotland and is among the UK's top Schools of Pharmacy. We have a wide range of state-of-the-art research facilities and recently benefited from the opening of a new £36m building.
We have strong links with industry. Our researchers work with businesses of all sizes, government, charities, the health sector and the rest of the public sector.
Find out more about our research
Support & development
Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD)
Our PgCert RPD programme aims to ensure you get the most out of your current research activities at Strathclyde and help you prepare for your future career as a researcher.
We'll help you recognise and develop your transferrable skills that'll have a positive impact on your research, now and in the future.
Careers
The University Careers Service can help you with everything from writing your CV to interview preparation.
Student support
From financial advice to our IT facilities, we have a wide range of support for all students here at Strathclyde. Get all the information you need at Strathlife.
Progress through the course
Who makes the decision on whether a student progresses to the research element?
Progress decisions will be made at the joint exam board of the MSc in Clinical Pharmacy and DPharm.
What happens if I am not allowed to progress to research?
If you're not permitted to progress to research, you may be eligible for transfer to and completion of an MPhil in Clinical Pharmacy. This is at the discretion of the exam board.
Can I change from an MSc to a DPharm after I have completed the clinical skills classes?
The MSc in Clinical Pharmacy is a taught postgraduate qualification and therefore transfer between the MSc and the DPharm is not normally permitted. If you have completed an MSc then you may be eligible for credit for prior learning if you apply to the DPharm.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 100 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section
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Entry requirements
Credit for prior learning
This may be awarded on an individual basis at the point of application. Any recognised prior learning must be ratified by the Board of Study. Credit for prior learning may only be awarded in blocks of 60 credits (60, 120 or 180). Only under exceptional circumstances will a student be awarded 180 credits for prior learning.
There may be a reduction in the minimum duration of study if credit is given for prior learning but this will be awarded on an individual basis following application and discussion between the DPharm course organiser and the head of Institute. This must also be ratified by the Faculty of Science Board of Study.
What information is required on the application form?
You'll be asked for information about you, your qualifications, referees, and the area in which you wish to study. There's also space for you to select a preferred supervisor and to give an outline of your proposed area of study. It's acceptable to indicate that you have no preferred supervisor.
What happens to the application form?
Once your educational qualifications have been checked, your application will be circulated to all potential supervisors unless you have specified a supervisor your application. If a supervisor is found and you meet all the entry requirements, including having the funding in place to pay the fees, you'll be offered an unconditional place. You may also be offered a conditional place and in this case the conditions would be specified.
Who can be a supervisor of a DPharm student?
The first supervisor of any student undertaking a DPharm must be an academic member of staff in the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences who is registered with the GPhC. A list of potential first supervisors is available by emailing anne.boyter@strath.ac.uk.
The second supervisor can be any member of academic staff within the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences. Additional supervisors from the NHS may be appointed.
Does application automatically mean that I will get a place?
In common with other research degrees, places on the DPharm course require confirmation of funding and the availability of a suitably qualified supervisor who has the capacity to take on additional research students.
Do I need permission from my senior line managers?
Any application should be discussed with your line manager before it's submitted to the University. It's your responsibility to ensure that you have the support of your line manager.
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Start date: Oct 2022 - Sep 2023
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Start date: Oct 2023 - Sep 2024
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Start date: Oct 2023 - Sep 2024
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences