PhD/MPhil Pharmacy Practice / Entry requirements

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

For applicants whose first language is not English, or if you have not studied recently in the UK, you must provide evidence of how you meet the English Language requirement.

We mainly accept IELTS or TOEFL tests. Please note IELTS and TOEFL are only valid for two years. 

We require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall or TOEFL (iBT) 90. Each component of the English test should meet the minimum requirement of IELTS 5.5 in all components, TOEFL (iBT 22). For the  writing component , we expect you to have achieved a minimum of 6.0 (IELTS).

The English language requirements are slightly higher for applicants wishing to undertake the Distance Learning programme.  We require a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with a score of 6.5 or above in each component.

If your IELTS or TOEFL expires before the start of your programme, you will need to take another official English test before we can issue you with a CAS for your visa application. This is a requirement of UKVI.

For more information about English language tests see  English language requirements .

Please contact us at  admissions.doctoralacademy@manchester.ac.uk  for further information.

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements, including English language, see  entry requirements from your country .

Postgraduate Research Study by Distance Learning

In addition to meeting the standard entry requirements, applicants wishing to study through Distance Learning will need to meet some additional requirements.  If these requirements cannot be met, the Doctoral Academy reserves the right to reject any requests for Distance Learning, but this will not be associated with the academic assessment of an applicant (ie an academic offer for standard attendance can still be considered).

The Distance Learning PhD maximises flexibility and decreases the need for travel and actual presence on campus.  It does not decrease the time and commitment required for serious and successful PGR study.  Distance Learning students must prove that they have the time, commitment, language ability and facilities available needed to work remotely.  

As part of their application, students should demonstrate that they have:

• 2.5 days per week minimum study time (part-time students) or full-time hours (full-time students)
• Access to study sites and research participants
• If seconded from employment to undertake the programme - written approval and support from employer for study time
• Adherence to University and home environment ethics and research governance procedures
• Consistent computer and IT access
• Broadband connection: minimum downstream 2 Mb, upstream 256k
• up-to-date Windows/Mac software
• Webcam and microphone

Applicants should submit an online application form in the usual way, selecting Distance Learning as the form of study.  Applicants will then be asked to complete the `DL proforma' which asks for further confirmation of meeting the above requirements, outlining the reasons for wishing to undertake the programme by DL and plans for attending the University as explained in the Teaching and Learning section of the Programme details page.