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.
You will work under the supervision of Dr Fraser J Scott to investigate an aspect of Science Education Research. This will likely be on a topic involving the overlap of Science and Mathematics education, but the specific topic is open for discussion.
You will work under the supervision of Dr Fraser J Scott to develop Strathclyde Minor Groove Binders as anti-infective agents. Experimental work will include organic chemistry, but also biochemical (enzyme assays), biophysical (UV-vis, NMR) and biology (in vitro activity) aspects.
The aim of this project is to address the challenge of directly detecting disease biomarker panels in serum featuring target species whose relative concentrations span many orders of magnitude.
Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, Ageing, Machine Learning
Immunology, infection, diabetes, mast cells, autoimmunity, obesity Cellular Basis of Disease
The student will have the opportunity to learn a wide range of multidisciplinary techniques: synthesis and characterization of the nanomedicines, cell culture, in vitro analysis techniques (cytotoxicity assay, confocal microscopy) and in vivo analysis
Molecular Biology Microbiology Genomics Antibiotic Resistance Gene Regulation Transcription Chemical Biology Medicinal Chemistry
Advanced manufacturing (Daniel Markl), Drug Delivery (Health and Wellbeing – Z Rattray)
Leishmaniasis is a serious health threat. Current there is no clinical vaccine. This project will build on pervious studies to develop a recombinant protein vaccine to protects against leishmaniasis.
Microbiology and Industrial Biotechnology; Streptomyces; Antimicrobial resistance; natural product biosynthesis
Marine microbial chemistry Actinomycetes Marine natural products Specialized metabolism Comparative metabolomics Antibiotic Discovery
Drug utilisation research; adherence; clinical effectiveness; Antimicrobial Resistance; antimicrobial stewardship; Health Service Research
Neuroscience, immunology, multiple sclerosis
Materials & Manufacture. High-pressure; co-crystals; polymorphism, diffraction, spectroscopy.
Helminth, parasite, drug therapy Cellular Basis of Disease
Inflammation, microbiome, helminths, mast cells, immunology, cytokines, costimulation Cellular Basis of Disease
Advanced manufacturing (Y Perrie); Drug Delivery (Health and Wellbeing – Y Perrie, Z Rattray); Particle Characterization (Measurement and Enabling Technologies, Z Rattray)
Advanced manufacturing (D Markl), Drug Delivery (Health and Wellbeing – Z Rattray)
Cellular Basis of Disease (Health and Wellbeing- Z and N Rattray), Metabolomics (Health and Wellbeing, Measurement and enabling sciences- N Rattray), Drug Delivery (Health and Wellbeing – Z Rattray)
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Diabetes Cell Biology
Materials & Manufacture. High-pressure; co-crystals; polymorphism, diffraction, spectroscopy
Leishmaniasis is a serious health threat. We have preliminary data to show that light can have anti-leishmanial activity and the aim of this project is to design a medicinal device that can be used to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Leishmaniasis is a serious health threat. Diagnosis can be completed using different techniques but the gold standard is identifying parasites in stained samples from infected individuals. In this project we will look at using machine learning in parasite diagnosis
Neuroscience immunology neurodegenerative diseases
Protein kinase, Leishmania, signal transduction, protein-protein interaction. Cellular Basis of Disease/Cancer and Inflammatory Disease
Protein kinase, Leishmania, signal transduction, protein-protein interaction. Cellular Basis of Disease/Cancer and Inflammatory Disease
Cellular Basis of Disease: Neurodegeneration, Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics
Drug and stem cell delivery using biopolymers
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Cell Biology
Neuroscience & Mental Health MKP-2, synaptic vesicles, neurotransmitter, synaptic transmission
Neuroscience & Mental Health proteinase-activated receptor 2, Alzheimer’s disease, β-amyloid cytokines, major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression
Research group: Neuroscience & Mental Health Key words: proteinase-activated receptor 2, inflammation, cytokines, major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression.
The project will explore novel strategies to study cardiac cellular metabolism using isolated primary adult cardiac cells and the use of spheroids.
CLXL12, cancer, Nuclear factor kappa B, signalling, molecular. Cellular Basis of disease/Drug discovery
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Cardiovascular physiology and biology, pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular function, right coronary artery perfusion, right ventricular ischemia
Cardiovascular disease Diabetes Obesity Membrane transport Membrane trafficking
Parasitic worm; immunomodulation; inflammation; anti-inflammatory drug development
cardiotoxicity, cancer drugs, safety pharmacology, cardiac hypertrophy, metabolomics Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Research Group
This cross disciplinary PhD project will explore physical modifications of the protein biopolymer silk that will be 3D printed into higher order structures. These modifications are aimed at maximising the function of silk to ultimately enhance the performance of silk to serve as tissue matrix for stem cells.
Take advantage of recent machine learning frameworks to accelerate the solution of fluid flow problems. Therefore, shortening the design-test-build-refine methodology cycle and allowing for the generation of tailored manufacturing equipment designs.
Building on promising results already obtained, the proposed project aims to develop novel tumour-targeted nanomedicines and to evaluate their targeting and therapeutic efficacy on cancers. Key objectives are: the preparation and characterisation of novel tumour-targeting delivery systems; the evaluation of the tumour delivery and therapeutic efficacy of these systems in vitro and in vivo
This four-year PhD project - a collaboration between Strathclyde and GlaxoSmithKline - is an excellent opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at the interface of pharmaceutical manufacturing and data science with the aim of accelerating the development of the next generation of medicines.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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
All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.
Please note that PGR entrants may be subject to a small fee during the writing up period
| Scotland | £4,500 |
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| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £4,500 |
| International | £20,650 |
| Funding | Funding for the DPharm can be sought from a variety of sources including NES (Pharmacy), charities, funding councils, or your employer. The University does not have funding to support your studies. Proof of funding for the duration of your studies will be required before you start the DPharm. If you can't find what you're looking for, try our scholarship search instead. |
| 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 or an MRes, 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 |
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Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.
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.
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
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.
The University Careers Service can help you with everything from writing your CV to interview preparation.
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 decisions will be made at the joint exam board of the MSc in Clinical Pharmacy, MRes in Clinical Pharmacy and DPharm.
If you are not permitted to progress to research, you may be eligible for transfer to and completion of an MRes (Master of Research) in Clinical Pharmacy. This is at the discretion of the exam board.
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.
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
Download our step-by-step guide on how to submit your application.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
