
- UCAS course code
- B230
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description

Our four-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) course will give you the knowledge and practical skills you need to enter the pharmacy profession.
We integrate science and practice throughout the course, giving you a sound understanding of how to apply your knowledge to solve clinical problems. You will also learn from practising pharmacists and pharmacist prescribers throughout your studies and gain workplace experience in a range of settings and different sectors of pharmacy practice.
you will develop your consultation, clinical decision-making, professional and leadership skills in order to work effectively with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals and to adapt to the challenges and developments that may occur during your career.
Our MPharm degree is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Upon successful completion of the course, you will need to undertake a foundation training year, take the GPhC's common registration assessment and meet fitness to practise requirements before becoming a fully-fledged pharmacist.
Additional course information
Visas for the pharmacy foundation training year
All international/EU and EEA students 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 year.
Further information about the Graduate Immigration Route visa can be found here .
Teaching and learning
We use an enquiry-based learning (EBL) approach to provide you with important skills that will help you become an independent, motivated and confident learner. You will benefit from a variety of teaching and learning activities throughout our MPharm course, including EBL workshops, core concepts lectures, tutorials, practical classes, group assignments, interactive online learning and a research project.
You will also go on an extensive range of placements as part of the course. Find out more about these and the other ways you will learn on the Teaching and Learning page .
Coursework and assessment
Your knowledge, understanding and practical skills will be assessed through a variety of methods, including examinations, assignment reports, portfolios, staff observations and testimonials, group work, peer assessment and oral or alternative-format presentations.
End of semester examinations include a multiple choice question paper, calculations paper, integrated case-based papers, and web-based learning programmes.
Report writing skills are assessed throughout the course, and your practical, consultation and clinical skills are continuously assessed during classes and placements.
The final degree mark is based on the results of assessments in all four years of the course, including the Year 4 research project.
Course unit details
You will take integrated course units throughout the four-year MPharm course, each developing your knowledge and understanding, practical and clinical skills and professional attributes.
Course units are organised by body systems, which increase in complexity year on year. Within each body system block, you will develop your learning in medicines design, disease management, professional skills and clinical practice.
The taught content of the course is common to all students, however each student has their own unique learning journey, experienced through our enquiry-based learning approach, extensive range of placements, inter-professional events and a master's level research project in Year 4.
Every six weeks, throughout the course you will have the opportunity to attend organised placements which take place in NHS hospitals, community pharmacies and GP surgeries. Your placements will take place in Greater Manchester each year of the course. There may be an additional opportunity to attend an organised placement within the pharmaceutical industry.
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.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/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.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/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.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
The Medicine (Year 3) - Drug Development Process 2 | PHAR30100 | 30 | Mandatory |
The Pharmacist (Year 3): Developing Professional Practice | PHAR30200 | 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 |
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.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/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 guidance and support I received helped me towards my dream of becoming a pharmacist in Canada. My time in Manchester was an amazing adventure.
Eric Huynh
Find out more about what it's like to study at Manchester on the Biology, Medicine and Health Student Blog .
Facilities

You will learn in a range of pharmacy facilities throughout the course.
You will also have access to the University's other facilities for undergraduate students .
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants from the Disability Support Office