PhD/MPhil Pharmacy Practice / Programme details

Year of entry: 2024

Programme description

Our PhD/MPhil Pharmacy Practice programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve the practise of pharmacy, the prescribing of medicines to optimise therapy and how patients take their medicines.  There are 3 working centres in Pharmacy Practice which include the Centre for Pharmacy Workforce Studies chaired by Dr Ellen Schafheutle , Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety chaired by Prof Darren Aschroft , and Prescribing and Patient Safety chaired by Dr Penny Lewis.   There is a lot of interplay between the centres so there is maximum impact to the patient and to the research.  We work with patient groups, prescribers, and pharmacists to gather the necessary information to conduct research, but also healthcare databases to maximise the study population size for robust results. We have a diverse skill base including clinical and community pharmacists, biostatisticians, epidemiologist, qualitative specialist researchers and health economists.

A research project is usually supervised by 2 co-supervisors that could be from different types of research backgrounds, but with this combination a unique and blended research experience is gained by the student.  Research projects include pharmacoepidemiology studies, drug utilisation research, regulations, patient and medicines safety, organisational systems, transfer of care and disease specific research. 

Our PhD research projects in Pharmacy Practice for international students primarily involve evaluation of practice and drug policy, pharmacoepidemiology using anonymous data, evaluating practice from already collected data or data collected by a third party or quantitative and qualitative analysis of national clinical data sets. These projects involve clinical knowledge and judgement and gaining skills in database management, analysis of large dataset and thematic analysis. All of these projects do not involve the international professional student having direct contact with NHS patients.  Unfortunately, the NHS regulations on clinical contact with patients (including medical notes) is very strict and reserved for UK registered pharmacists and practitioners.  Therefore a PhD in Clinical Pharmacy is not available to students wanting to attend the University of Manchester for this programme of study.

Special features

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

Teaching and learning

PhD/MPhil programmes are based on individual research projects that last three to four years (PhD) or one to two years (MPhil), working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

International applicants interested in this research area can also consider our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

Attendance Requirement for Distance Learning Programme

Students must maintain expected virtual presence and communication with their Supervisor in order to remain registered on the programme and follow all online progression milestones as for any PGR student.

Students must attend, in person, the Welcome and Induction activities organised by the Doctoral Academy in September.  As a result, a September start date is preferable.  Students should also attend, in person, the compulsory `Life as a PhD Student' training.

Students are encouraged to consider undertaking additional training offered via the  Doctoral Academy Training Programme.

It is expected that students will spend a  minimum  of one working week (5 days) in attendance at the University (in addition to welcome/induction days).  This may coincide with formal study weeks (ie in NMSW) and will present the opportunity for the student to spend time with their Supervisory team, visit the Library or local research facilities.

Students must participate in the formal Annual Review meeting, ideally in person, but attendance via Skype etc can be considered.

The final oral examination will be held at the University of Manchester.  Only in very  exceptional  circumstances will a student be allowed to undertake the viva remotely.

Scholarships and bursaries

Funded programmes and projects are promoted throughout the year. Funding is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. We also have other internal awards and scholarships for the most outstanding applicants from within the UK and overseas.

For more information on available the types of funding we have available, please visit the  funded programmes  and  funding opportunities  pages.

What our students say

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on the Doctoral Academy Blog and the support available through our Faculty Doctoral Academy.

Facilities

You will have access to a range of  research and learning facilities  across the University and at some of our partner organisations.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk