Pharmacy

Year 1

The emphasis is on science relevant to pharmacy and the skills required for professional practice. An insight is provided into the profession of pharmacy covering the drug journey from discovery to pharmaceutical care and prescribing. Numeracy is developed through pharmaceutical calculations and an understanding of reflective practice.

Year 2

The science is applied through study of drug and medicine design, plus understanding of the evidence & clinical basis for medicine use / supply within a professional / legal framework. Patient safety, decision-making, critical thinking and interpretation / evaluation of experimental data, is developed during the consultation skills aspects.

Year 3

Further development of Clinical Therapeutics is integrated with a strong science base to emphasise quality assurance, and you will conduct a short problem-based learning project. Professional practice will be developed through simulation and placements, where you will apply the principles for the improvement of health outcomes.

Year 4

Integration of science into practice is through individual problem-based learning and the development of skills of supervision of others. Reflective practice is embedded to support the transition to pre-registration training demonstrating a range of required professional skills and competencies.

Student stories

Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:

Learning Methods

Teaching and learning activities include an appropriate mix of small and large group teaching, individual and experiential learning, as well as problem-based approaches. Your individual practical skills in the Sciences will be developed as teaching design fosters your interpersonal and other professional skills. Professional experiences including interaction with patients and other Healthcare Professionals will allow you to develop your skills.

Extensive use is made of e-learning for delivery, directed and private study. The variety in approach means that the teaching and learning strategy provides you with a responsive environment to encompass your individual needs and learning style, yet also encourage group interaction.

Activity Summary

How long is an MPharm in Pharmacy?

The MPharm Pharmacy course can be successfully completed in 4 years. To become a registered Pharmacist in the UK, you must successfully complete a foundation training year in practice after graduating.

Year 4

• Lectures - 120 students per group, 5 hours per week
• Seminars - 120 students per group, 3 hours per week
• Tutorial - 30 students per group, 2 hours per week
• Practical class or workshop - 30 students per group, 9 hours per week
• Placement / Work Based Learning - individual placements, 12 through the year

Independent Study

You will take responsibility for your own learning. You will read widely from the provided reading lists, conduct your own research and meet with your peers to undertake allocated group work, complete tutorial assignments and work on assessments. Together with teaching activities and independent study this should equate to approximately 40 hours-per-week.

Staff Delivering on This Course

The MPharm course is delivered by a team of highly-qualified professionals who are experts in the various fields of Clinical and Professional Sciences, Pharmacy Practice, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and includes a number of GPhC Registered Pharmacists. Teacher-practitioners and a number of visiting Healthcare Professionals, including practicing Pharmacists are involved in the delivery of specialist elements along with e-tutors who provide online support and clinical expertise.

Our staff feature in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 4 written exams of 2 hours each
• 2 reports
• 1 portfolio
• 1 set exercise
• 1 oral assessment
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 2

• 6 written exams of 2 hours each
• 1 report
• 1 portfolio
• 2 set exercises
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 3

• 3 written exams of 2 hours each
• 3 written assignments, including essays and reports
• 1 portfolio
• 1 OSCE
• 1 practical test

Year 4

• 3 written exams of 2 hours each
• 1 written assignment
• 1 portfolio
• 1 practical test
• 1 oral assessment
• 1 OSCE

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

More than 200 hours of the course is spent on Practical Experiential Learning (EL) Placements. This includes compulsory and optional placements. RGU is responsible for allocating students to the compulsory EL placements.

EL placements are supported by National funding, and we work closely with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Pharmacy and placement providers across Scotland to support students before, during and after EL placements. 

NES Pharmacy supports the quality assurance, financial management and governance of EL placements. Find out more: 

If you are placed in a location that is harder to reach from your home or term-time accommodation, financial support with accommodation, travel and subsistence is available.

You may also source your own optional summer placements but support is provided via the School and Careers service. 

Job Prospects

As a Pharmacist you will have wide and varied career options.

Is Pharmacy a good career choice?

• You may focus on a clinical career and progress as a hospital Pharmacist or work in a community pharmacy.
• You may train and register as a non-medical Prescriber, follow a management career route either within the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry or a community pharmacy company.
• Some of our graduates return to academia to teach and carry out research.
• You could follow a career in a more unusual area such as veterinary pharmacy, regulation, the military or health journalism.

Additional postgraduate qualifications could allow you to become an advanced practitioner in an area of specialist practice. Whatever route you choose the challenges are enjoyable and the rewards are high.

What is needed for a Pharmacy course?

Standard Entry Requirements

• SQA Higher: ABBB to include Chemistry plus one further science from Biology/Human Biology, Maths, Physics or Psychology.  English and Maths must be achieved at National 5 grade C if not held at Higher.
• GCE A Level: BBC to include Chemistry plus one further science from Biology, Maths, Physics or Psychology at grade B or above. English and Maths must be achieved at GCSE grade 4/C or above, if not held at A Level.
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H2H2H3  to include Chemistry plus one further science from Biology, Human Biology, Maths, Physics or Psychology at H2 or above. English and Maths must be achieved at grade O3 or above if not held at Higher level.
• IB Diploma: 29 to include Higher Level Chemistry at grade 5, plus one further science from Maths, Biology, Human Biology, Physics or Psychology at Higher Level grade 5. English  (or a written subject requiring the use of English) and Maths are required at Standard Level grade 4 if not held at Higher Level.

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

• SQA Higher: BBBC to include Chemistry at B plus one further science from Biology/Human Biology, Maths, Physics or Psychology.  English and Maths should be achieved at National 5 grade C if not held at Higher

Additional Information

Applicants should note that the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Standards for Pharmacy Professionals applies to pharmacy students throughout their journey towards registration and practice. Offers of a place on the MPharm course are subject to compliance with these standards and a satisfactory Good Health and Good Character declaration.

Home UK students will be required to obtain Protecting Vulnerable Groups clearance. EU or overseas students will need to obtain their country’s equivalent (such as police verification of good conduct) prior to commencing the MPharm at Robert Gordon University.

Applicants to the course will be required to attend a one-to-one interview, which will focus on discussing their views on pharmacy-related scenarios.

Please note, we do not normally accept applicants who have previously enrolled on a Pharmacy MPharm degree in the UK and high performing applicants who evidence such prior studies will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the school.

Additionally, recognition of prior learning (RPL) where credits for previous modules which were completed elsewhere are not viable for transfer in this programme. All applicants begin at stage 1.

International Students

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 6.0, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

Additional Costs

• £50 Travel
• £30 Materials
• £55 Specialist Clothing

Several organisations award bursaries to Pharmacy students. These are advertised to students annually: