Admissions Policy: Pharmacy MPharm Degree: (UCAS Code: B230 MPharm)
The MPharm degree is an integrated, full-time four-year undergraduate programme which leads to a Masters degree.
All prospective applicants should be aware that:
- This advice and any other informal communications do NOT constitute a formal offer of a place on the MPharm degree course
- All applications must come through UCAS, through which the only formal offers are made
- Falsification/ inaccuracy or omission of relevant information during the application process can lead to rejection of an application or removal of students from the course at any stage. Academic misconduct may also lead to removal of students from the course
- Since this is a Masters level programme, the workload is higher than that of a similar length Honours BSc degree and some classes may have a pass mark standard of 50%
- Students who fail to make satisfactory progress on the course will be transferred to one of our BSc Hons in Biomedical Sciences, a degree which does not lead to qualification as a professional pharmacist
- Admissions procedures comply with the data protection policies of the University
- Role of General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC): following successful completion of the MPharm programme, students will need to continue their professional training and pass an examination to become eligible for registration with GPhC. The GPhC will carry out its own independent health and good character checks before registration. The GPhC may refuse to register a student if such a check is failed even if they have passed their previous checks. An applicant can appeal against registration refusal by the GPhC by submitting an appeal to the GPhC Appeals Committee. The GPhC will not offer prospective registration advice
- MPharm graduates are not guaranteed a pre-registration training place
Timing of Applications
All applications submitted will be considered in competition with each other and selection decisions communicated as quickly as possible to prospective applicants. It is hoped that all decisions will have been communicated to UCAS by March. Applicants should not be concerned if they have not received communications regarding the outcome of their applications before this time. It is therefore not necessary to contact us regarding progress of your application before the end of March.
Justification of Requirement for Specific Subjects
The MPharm degree at Strathclyde is a Masters degree with a strong scientific content. This allows graduates to pursue research based careers if they so wish. However the scientific foundation of Pharmacy is necessary to enable graduates to cope with the continuous change in the practice and information content of the Pharmacy profession. It also underpins the rational approach towards patient care. In particular, a good knowledge of Chemistry is needed for understanding the discovery, origin, actions and metabolism of medicines, and potentially hazardous interactions with other medications.
Maths is vital in all areas of science, and also in understanding drug uptake, distribution and release from the body. English is a key requirement, as excellent written and verbal communication skills are as important for a pharmacist in dealing with the general public, checking the accuracy of prescriptions, in continuing professional development and in reporting on drug safety. It is therefore essential that students demonstrate that they have these skills before they come on to the course. Other subjects are not accepted as substituting for these core skills.
Since each annual round of applications is a separate competition for places, the minimum entry standards may vary slightly from year to year depending upon the level of competition.
Offers Policy:
Criteria considered: The most important considerations for entry into the MPharm degree are the exam results. If scientific and communication skills are not strong then students will struggle on the course and may at some point in their professional careers put patients at risk. This could compromise their fitness to practice as Pharmacists. We also pay attention to the school report and the grades predicted by schools for their students. The personal statement is considered, but carries less weight than these other criteria.
Demonstrated enthusiasm for Pharmacy is also useful from the applicant's point of view (for instance, some work experience in a Pharmacy). Such experience helps students know that the MPharm degree is the right course for them personally and helps ensure successful completion of the degree course. However lack of, or very limited, exposure to the work of a Pharmacist should not deter applicants. This is because in some areas gaining access to work experience can be difficult.
The most important thing is to show good scientific ability and communication skills through good exam results. Without the necessary exam grades, these other criteria will not suffice.
Applicants must complete situational judgement tests within an interview. Interviews will be online and held before the end of May 2024.
Unconditional offers
These will be issued only where an applicant is already a holder of good passes in A-level or Advanced Higher Chemistry and Biology.
Likely to receive conditional offers
Conditional offers are most likely to be made to those who have not yet taken their exams.
Please note that since we require evidence of competence in particular subjects, a poor performance in any of the required subjects is likely to lead to a rejection of the application. For this reason also, it is not possible to use an 'A' pass in a different subject to compensate for a lower than acceptable mark in one of the required subjects.
Offer conditions
All offers of a place on the MPharm programme are subject to criminal history checks and compliance with the University Fitness to Practice regulations and health disclosure. Applicants are required to be registered with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme or other national equivalent.
Please note that you will not be able to proceed on the MPharm without this registration. Home UK students will be given details of how to obtain this registration on the first day of their MPharm course. EU or overseas students will need to obtain their country's equivalent of the above registration (such as police verification of good conduct) prior to coming to Glasgow to start the course.
Details of the undergraduate Code of Conduct, University Fitness to Practice regulations and Health Disclosure will also be made available on the first day.
If an applicant feels there may be a problem with any of the above requirements then they can contact the University in advance of arrival. The University has the right to withdraw an offer or existing place should any of responses to the above requirements be unsatisfactory.