Pharmacy MPharm with preparatory year

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Interview info

Interviews take place each Wednesday until the end of April.

Your interview will be held online using MS Teams, with a member of our pharmacy teaching staff and, in some instances, an observer. It is designed around what is known as values-based recruitment (VBR).

We may ask you questions about:

• what motivated you to consider a career in pharmacy
• why do you wish to study at Brighton
• what subjects you enjoyed the most at school or college
• examples of when you have worked well in a team and individually
• your opinions of health care and science in the wider sense.

We will also ask you to consider and discuss a pharmacy-related scenario. Your responses to the scenario and these questions will allow us to find out if you have the right attributes to successfully engage with and complete the course. All candidates are asked the same set of questions and answers are assessed against a standard framework to ensure a fair interview and selection process. Finally, you will have an opportunity to ask us questions about the course, studying and living and Brighton or anything else you’d like to know.

Find out more about values-based recruitment and the NHS Constitution for England, the core values that underpin the NHS.

Info for international pharmacy students

All international students who graduate with an MPharm from a UK university must apply for a visa in order to work in the UK (ie to undertake their foundation training).

Information on visa options that may be suitable for the foundation training year can be found on th UK Visas and Immigration website. You may want to consider whether applying for Tier 2 or Tier 5 sponsorship may be suitable for your particular circumstances.

Please note, however, that the UK Visas and Immigration website provides the most up-to-date information, and it is possible that there may be changes to visa and/or immigration policy by the time you start your foundation training – particularly in light of the recent government response to the Migration and Advisory Committee Tier 2 report. (See also: 'Sponsor a Tier 2 or 5 worker: guidance for employers'.)

You should be aware that it may not be possible to obtain a visa for the foundation training year, so there is no guarantee you will be able to stay in the UK to complete your training.

For further guidance on visas for the foundation training year, contact our international student advisers. You can also contact the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), either by telephone on 0845 257 2570 or by email at support@rpharms.com.

Why choose an integrated preparatory year? 

This integrated preparatory course is designed for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and qualifications who may not feel ready to begin study at undergraduate level.

This could be for a number of reasons, for example, mature students who have had a break from education and may have vocational experience in addition to academic qualifications.

Students who do not have the subject-appropriate A-levels or equivalent qualifications for the undergraduate course may also benefit.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Preparatory year specially designed to introduce university-level study to students without scientific qualifications or background.
• Accredited by the GPhC.
• 12 weeks of clinical placements across the programme. Placement providers include community pharmacies, GP surgeries, Mental Health Trusts, and Secondary and Tertiary care sectors.  
• Specialist facilities including SimMan 3G patient simulators, image analysis suite, medicine dispensary and genomics/proteomics facility.
• Learning informed by research and clinical practice.
• Inter-professional learning opportunities through our close links with BSMS.
• Guaranteed interview scheme with Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS).

Preparatory year 

During your preparatory year you’ll be introduced to key concepts in biology, chemistry and data handling to prepare you for study at undergraduate level. You’ll also develop your skills in problem solving, analysis and communication.

Modules

• Foundation Biology

  This module introduces the key biological concepts that will inform and underpin your understanding of biological systems and processes. You'll become familiar with the scientific terminology and methodologies needed to study biosciences at undergraduate level, covering topics in human and environmental biology including molecules, cell biology, anatomy, physiology, evolution and ecological processes. 

• Foundation Chemistry

  This module introduces the key concepts in chemistry covering physical, organic and inorganic chemistry enabling you to become familiar with lab work, relevant theories, terminology and practices. You'll be prepared to study science subjects such as biosciences and pharmaceutical sciences at undergraduate level. 

• Data Handling for Sciences

  This module introduces the mathematical, statistical and data handling skills that you need for undergraduate study in biological and chemical sciences, and pharmacy. You'll explore key principles and methods and carry out analysis on a range of information, helping you to develop skills in problem solving, analysis and evaluation within defined criteria. 

• Foundation Study Skills

  This module focuses on study skills needed to study a biological, pharmaceutical or chemistry degree, for example testing by experiment and evaluating the results, and key laboratory techniques and safe practice in the lab. You'll also develop transferable skills like time management, effective essay writing, locating sources of information, and presentation and communication skills.

Year 1

The Fundamentals of Pharmacy modules in year 1 provide you with a solid foundation in the science that supports health, disease and medicines use, and introduce you to biomarkers of health and homeostasis.

Case studies cover subjects such as digestive ailments, skin conditions and minor respiratory conditions. You’ll take part in simulation workshops and spend two weeks on a clinical placement to gain experience of patient care, medicines use and multidisciplinary working.

Modules

• Fundamentals of Pharmacy: From Molecules to Medicine

  In this module, you'll explore the key principles of pharmaceutical sciences, cell biology, microbiology and pharmacology that underpin pharmacy.

• Fundamentals of Pharmacy: The Healthy Human and Healthcare Delivery

  This module introduces you to pharmacy. You'll gain fundamental insights into the clinical use of medicines, including healthcare structure and delivery, clinical decision-making, communication and professionalism. Your learning in this module will support the topics taught in other modules across the course.

• Minor Illness

  This is the first case-based module in the MPharm course. You'll focus on minor illness, such as indigestion, coughs and colds, and explore pharmaceutical science, therapeutics and medicines used to better understand and treat uncomplicated diseases (both infectious and non-infectious). You'll develop decision-making skills, in particular with regards to treatment and advice relating to minor illness and over-the-counter (OTC) medication.

• Clinical and Professional Skills 1

  This module brings together everything you have learned in year 1 – skills, attributes and knowledge – and helps prepare you for clinical placements in later years of the course. You'll work on developing your basic clinical and communications skills, pharmaceutical numeracy and aspects of professionalism including reflective practice in simulated and clinical settings. You'll be introduced to basic physical assessment and prescriptions review, and will be trained in key Entrustable Professional Activities.

Year 2

The second year theme is illness and disease. Most of the material covered in this year relates to common, serious diseases or conditions including ischaemic heart disease, diabetes and asthma. Case studies deal with more complex conditions like cardiovascular, endocrine and immunity, and infectious disease and global health.

You’ll have another two-week clinical placement and attend simulation workshops focusing on patient communication and data retrieval, diagnostic skills, medicines supply and patient counselling.

Modules

• Cardiovascular and Related Systems

  This module brings together pharmaceutical sciences, therapeutics and medicine use enabling you to understand scientific evidence and to make appropriate professional and therapeutic decisions. You'll explore the pathology of the cardiovascular, hepatic and renal systems, alongside the cellular processes involved in drug pharmacokinetics.

• Endocrine and Immunity

  In this module you'll explore conditions related to the endocrine and immune systems and their treatments. Case studies will illustrate your studies, bringing the topics to life.

• Infectious Disease and Global Health

  On this module you will examine major conditions caused by microorganisms. You'll gain an insight into the microbiology, pathology and immunology of infectious disease and the role of the pharmacist in both treating and preventing these disorders from a national and international perspective. 

• Clinical and Professional Skills 2

  In year two Clinical and Professional Skills focuses on developing key skills, especially physical assessment and prescribing skills, numeracy and clinical problem-solving, in relation to cases that you’ve studied in years 1 and 2. You’ll continue to work on Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), and develop other skills that are crucial for pharmacists like consultation and communication skills. Reflecting on your practice is an important part of this module.

Year 3

Year three themes are co-morbidity, complex disease and treatments.

You’ll go on a four-week long clinical placement and study case-based modules that are delivered in a series, each over two weeks. The case studies cover neurological disorders and mental health, molecular and genomic medicine, and managing complex patients. You’ll also attend around 20 two-hour simulations workshops throughout the year.

Modules

• Neurological Disorders and Mental Health

  In this module you'll study clinical cases in the fields of clinical neuroscience and psychiatry. Integrated studies in clinical pharmacology, formulation science and medicines use will enable you to assess the needs of neurological and psychiatric patients, critically appraise evidence and decide on safe and effective treatment and monitoring. 

• Molecular and Genomic Medicine

  This module will provide in-depth insights into fundamental therapeutics and pharmaceutical sciences, enabling you to further develop your knowledge of these fields. You'll explore cancers and autoimmune diseases with complex care requirements, alongside examining personalised medicine with reference to a wide range of other medical conditions.

• Managing Complex Patients

  On this module you'll develop an in-depth understanding of the approach to treating complex patients, for example, complex diseases, patient histories or medicines and combinations. Building on your knowledge of patients with single conditions from year 2, you'll explore real-life case studies and also consider complex cases related to other modules in year 3 such as neurodegeneration, oncology, autoimmune diseases and epilepsy.

• Clinical and Professional Skills 3

  In year 3 Clinical and Professional Skills focuses on developing your clinical and communication skills, pharmaceutical numeracy and aspects of professionalism including reflective practice. You’ll develop enhanced assessment and prescribing skills whilst working on your resilience and adaptability. This will all contribute to your portfolio of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA).

Final year

The final year is comprised of two modules: the Research Project, and the final Clinical and Professional Skills 4 module. The theme for the final year is multi-morbidity and ageing. You’ll focus on complex care involving patients with multiple chronic and acute conditions, who may be prescribed several different medications, especially older people.

You’ll go on a four-week placement and have around 20 two-hour simulation workshops. You’ll continue to study the theme of transfer through care settings, and prescribing, diagnostic and decision-making that was introduced in year 3.

You’ll carry out a substantial research project based on an area that interests you, working with an academic who is a recognised expert in the field.

Modules

• Pharmacy Research Project

  The research project is your opportunity to plan and organise a programme of research. First, you'll explore research methodologies, health and safety regulations, ethics and a variety of research methodologies. Then you'll choose a topic to research in depth, collecting and analysing the data, and discussing your findings in the context of existing knowledge.

• Clinical and Professional Studies 4

  In your final year Clinical and Professional Skills focuses on clinical decision-making in complex patient groups, for example patients with multiple pathologies, and multiple drug therapies. You’ll take part in practical activities, lectures and tutorials, both in simulated and clinical environments, to enhance your professional and pharmaceutical skills in communication, physical assessment, prescribing, leadership and delivery of pharmaceutical care. You will also an opportunity to critically evaluate the issues facing the NHS.

Staff profile

Dr Jon Mabley, course leader

My research team seeks to increase the understanding of the underlying pathological mechanisms of disease focusing on Type 1 and 2 diabetes and diabetic complications of the cardiovascular and hepatic systems. We also research medicines optimisation investigating cellular mechanisms of drug-induced complications.

I teach on a wide variety of courses including the Masters courses in Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Brighton while also delivering material to medical students at the Brighton & Sussex Medical School. My lecture material is developed from first principals coupled with interactive questions and supported by online video lecture material. In addition I run experimental practical sessions in the laboratory setting with students obtaining a hands on experience of concepts covered in traditional lectures.

Course fees

Fee information for this course for 2025 entry will be updated here no later than December 2024.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2024–25.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Brighton Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more...
• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf) for more on University of Brighton tuition fees.

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