Pharmacy with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year, MPharm (Hons)

Students are required to undertake 120 credits per year throughout each year of their study. Students will undertake modules to embed the basic scientific knowledge required of a scientist, patient-centred learning and the role of a pharmacist as a professional. 

Placements

You will be given placements in a variety of different settings to give you a taste of the options available to you as a graduate. You will even get the chance to visit a hospital pharmacy during the Foundation Year. The settings for placements throughout the rest of the course include, but are not limited to: hospitals, community pharmacies and GP practices. Our 'Extending Horizons' placements will be offered in a variety of other healthcare sectors, prison pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry and with other allied healthcare professions. 

For students entering their 3rd year there will be a limited number of overseas research projects available in Semester 2.

In order to be eligible to apply for Pharmacy, you must be predicted to achieve the following:

A-levels/Welsh Baccalaureate: BBC-CCD which must include Chemistry and at least one other STEM subject, i.e. Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Psychology. Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge will be considered in lieu of a 3rd A-level 

International Baccalaureate: 24-31 points must include HL Chemistry plus one other STEM subject at Grade 4 or above

BTEC: Typically Merit to Distinction, ideally with a good Chemistry profile

As well as one of the above qualification types all applicants are required:  

GCSE: English and Mathematics minimum Grade C (Wales and England Pre-2017) or Grade 4 (England Post-2017). 

We accept Swansea University approved equivalent qualifications. 

For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) and no less than 6.0 in each component. Further information can be found at out International Student Pages.

Other UK and International qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis – please contact us to discuss them.  
We also welcome applications from international students who have studied a range of qualifications – please contact us for more information, to find out more about your qualifications please visit our International Student Pages. 

The principle of our MPharm (Hons) Pharmacy with a Foundation Year degree is to prepare you for future careers as registered pharmacists. Our approach recognises that Pharmacists are key members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team and our inter-professional education activities reflect this.

The teaching and learning methods employed address the knowledge and competencies required for the varied responsibilities of pharmacists. You will learn through a variety of teaching methods including case-based learning, workshops, laboratory classes, experiential learning, lectures and an independently-led research project. 

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students.

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. 

 Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study.  

This course offers some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

At least 80 credits

You can study 80 credits or more of this course through the medium of Welsh. Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• A Welsh-speaking Academic Mentor.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages.

We are working towards accreditation with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The course is provisionally accredited until the programme receives full accreditation. 

Pharmacy students will be taught by a range of world-leading researchers and academic staff based at the Medical School as well as practising pharmacists from a variety of different sectors.

Principal teaching staff for the Pharmacy programme are:

Head of Pharmacy: Professor Andrew Morris

Programme Director and Associate Professor: Dr Amira Guirguis

Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice: Dr Adam Turner

Admissions Lead and Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry: Dr. Salvatore Ferla

Associate Professor: Mr Simon Wilkins

Associate Professor:  Prof Suresh Mohankumar

Senior Lecturer:  Dr Rhian Thomas

Lecturer:  Dr Zi Hong Mok

Lecturer:  Dr Giulio Nannetti

Teacher Practitioner:  Sophie Croucher 

Teacher Practitioner: Gwenno Wiliams

Honorary Professor: Professor Mair Davies

Honorary Professor: Professor Neil Hartman

Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government.

Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

• Disclosure and Barring Service check and the cost of vaccinations and/or verification of health records by your GP
• Transport and/or accommodation associated with placements
• Texts and basic clinical examination equipment 
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) i.e. lab coats, safety goggles/spectacles, medical scrubs

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Student Life Officers:

Our Student Life Officers focus on student support and identifying students who may need to be referred on to services both within and outside of the University, and working with these students to put a plan in place to manage their welfare.  These officers are trained to deal with all types of pastoral issues right through to recognising signs of domestic abuse or hate crimes.

Medical School Information Office:

Our team of administrators and student information co-ordinators are on hand to support with your academic queries and signpost you to additional services where required. 

The MPharm programme will be academically rigorous, but you will be allocated an Academic Mentor who will provide support and is dedicated to helping you succeed in your studies and future career in the profession of pharmacy.

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement, you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme without a semester or year abroad.

International summer programmes are open to students from all colleges. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

The Swansea MPharm degree is likely to have a small number of semester-long overseas research projects, but in addition to these you can also consider an international summer programme run by the University. These programmes are open to all our undergraduate students and include culture and study tours, volunteering programmes and internships across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Europe and Canada. Programmes are typically 2 – 6 weeks long and funding is available. See our Summer Programmes for further information. 

We are now recruiting for 2021 entry, to find out more about Pharmacy with a Foundation Year at Swansea, book on one of our Undergraduate Open Days. 

Book an Undergraduate Open Day 

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Fitness to Practise: 

Pharmacy is a registered healthcare profession and carries both privileges and responsibilities. As such, Fitness to Practise procedures are in place to ensure that pharmacists (and Pharmacy students) have the skills, knowledge, character and health necessary to do their job safely and effectively. 

The GPhC has published Standards for Pharmacy Professionals, which Pharmacy students must adhere to if they wish to ultimately register as a Pharmacist. 

You will need to complete a Fitness to Practise self-declaration form as part of the application process. This form includes a written declaration of any health or conduct issues, e.g. medical conditions, criminal convictions, that you may have. If you have any concerns at all regarding Fitness to Practise procedures we encourage you to contact us so that we can provide advice. 

If you are offered a place to study you will also need:  

• A Disclosure and Barring Service check (or equivalent, if you are an International student, e.g. certificate of good conduct from your country’s police force / Home Office). 
• An Occupational Health check, which may include the need for confirmation of immunity and/or administration of vaccinations. 

If you suspect that you have any allergies, e.g. latex, peanuts, drugs/medicines, please discuss with the Occupational Health Department before applying. 

Pharmacy Experience 

Some pharmacy work experience will be useful, but not essential. It will, however, help you gain more insight into the profession that you intend to join.  

Swansea University is an equal opportunities institution and actively encourages applications from persons of all abilities. For Pharmacy, each application is assessed on an individual basis, on the candidate’s ability to fulfil the learning outcomes and skills and competencies required to complete the MPharm programme and as required by the GPhC. 

It is essential that all applicants are able to complete the full Pharmacy curriculum, and when considering applicants with disabilities, medical conditions or other specific needs, the School follows the GPhC standards described in their document ‘Future pharmacists; Standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists’ (this can be accessed on the GPhC website). The University carefully monitors the selection process, in order to ensure that no applicants are disadvantaged. 

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is the regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises. 

MPharm degree holders need to undertake further steps before they are able to register as a pharmacist with the GPhC. These steps include a 1-year period of pre-registration training and the successful completion of the registration assessment. Further details about registration as a pharmacist can be found on the Registration section of the GPhC’s website. 

The GPhC will also carry out its own health, good character and identity checks before registering a graduate as a pharmacist. These checks relate to registration and are additional to checks made by universities and employers. The GPhC may not register a graduate if a check is failed, even if they have passed previous checks. 

The GPhC is not able to offer prospective registration advice. A graduate can appeal against a registration refusal and that appeals must be made to the GPhC’s Appeals Committee.