MPharm Pharmacy with a Foundation Year / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Our five-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) with a Foundation Year prepares you for degree-level study if you do not have the right qualifications for direct entry to the four-year course .

The foundation year will help you adapt to the higher education system and is taught at Xaverian College , which is a short walk from the main campus.

You will still be registered with The University of Manchester, with access to all of our facilities and support systems.

Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and each application will be considered individually.

Entry to the four-year MPharm course is automatic on satisfactory completion of the foundation year.

Additional course information

Visas for the pharmacy foundation training year

All international/EU and EEA students from who are graduating with an MPharm from a British university must apply for a visa to work in the UK, ie to undertake their foundation training.

Further information about the Graduate Immigration Route visa can be found here .

Teaching and learning

Teaching for the foundation year runs from the middle of September to the end of June, a total of 34 weeks including six weeks for revision and examinations. This is four weeks longer than the standard university year to maximise preparation for degree-level study.

Regular laboratory work reinforces some of the subject material and helps to develop practical skills. Study skills and help with the core content are provided through fortnightly tutorials.

In addition to academic tutorial support, you will be allocated a personal tutor (Academic Advisor) for pastoral support. Tutors will be available for one-to-one meetings and will become well-known to students.

Additional academic support will be provided by our foundation team at Manchester and additional pastoral support will be available from the counselling services at Xaverian College and at the University.

Coursework and assessment

You will be assessed through formal examinations (80%) in January and June, and coursework and tests throughout the year.

The coursework assessment in Biology and Chemistry will be mainly based on laboratory work.

Course unit details

The foundation year is a one-year full-time course following a modular structure. All units on the course are compulsory.

Course units in Chemistry and Biology - both of which feature Mathematics - and a specific unit on Orientation to Pharmacy provides appropriate learning opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

The rest of the MPharm degree follows the same structure as the four-year course .

You will study the following units during the foundation year:

  • Cells and Foundation Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Health and Disease
  • 1A Principles of Chemistry
  • 1B Principles of Chemistry
  • 2A Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • 2B Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
  • Orientation to Pharmacy

Course content for year 1

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Foundations of Pharmacy PHAR11001 60 Mandatory
Gastrointestinal system, liver and kidneys PHAR11002 60 Mandatory

Course content for year 2

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Immunity, Infection and Respiratory system PHAR22001 60 Mandatory
Cardiovascular system PHAR22002 60 Mandatory

Course content for year 3

Course units for year 3

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
The Pharmacist (Year 3): Developing Professional Practice PHAR30200 30 Excluded
The Medicine (Year 3) - Drug Development Process 2 PHAR30100 30 Mandatory
The Patient (Year 3): Pathology, Pharmacology &Therapeutics 2 PHAR30300 30 Mandatory
Integrated Research Skills: preparation for 4th year projects and evidence-based practice PHAR30400 20 Mandatory
Yr 3 Integrated Prof Practice PHAR30700 0 Mandatory
Healthcare Leadership PHAR30902 10 Mandatory
Endocrine and musculoskeletal systems PHAR33001 60 Mandatory
Brain and neurotransmission PHAR33002 60 Mandatory

Course content for year 4

Course units for year 4

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences PHAR40101 30 Mandatory
The Pharmacist (Year 4): Preparation for Professional Practice PHAR40202 30 Mandatory
The Patient (Year 4): Preparing for Clinical Practice PHAR40300 30 Mandatory
Integrated Project (Year 4) PHAR40400 30 Mandatory
Yr 4 Integrated Prof Practice PHAR40600 0 Mandatory

What our students say

The Foundation Year made Year 1 of the MPharm easier by offering a head start in learning and the university experience. We had supportive teachers and a tutor who were not just concerned about our academic achievements. Although we spent a lot of time at Xaverian College, we felt very much part of the University, as regular classes were held there.

Valentine Sibanda

Find out more about what it's like to study at Manchester on the  Biology, Medicine and Health Student Blog .

Facilities

You will have access to the University's facilities for undergraduate students during the foundation year.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Support Office