Pharmacy courses

Pharmacy offers rewarding careers in the public and private sectors, but no matter where you want to practise, becoming a pharmacist starts with getting the right qualifications

Pharmacists specialise in medicines and their use, and their work often overlaps with careers in healthcare. Typically, they find work as community pharmacists in independent or chain shops on the high street, or as hospital pharmacists. They can also work in doctor's surgeries, for pharmaceutical companies or in academia in university departments.

If you want to become a pharmacist, you will need specific, accredited qualifications to become registered. The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) regulates the profession.

Master of pharmacy (MPharm)

To become a community or hospital pharmacist, the first step is to complete a MPharm degree, which is accredited by the GPhC. These are Masters-level courses that combine undergraduate and postgraduate studies into one programme.

These programmes usually take four years to complete. Entry into the profession without an MPharm degree or with only a HND is not possible. Multiple institutions offer MPharm courses, to check which programs are accredited, see GPhC accredited MPharm degrees.

Accredited universities include:

• Aston University
• Cardiff University
• Durham University
• Kingston University London
• Liverpool John Moores University
• Newcastle University
• Robert Gordon University
• Queens University Belfast
• University of Bradford
• University of Central Lancashire
• University College London
• University of East Anglia
• University of Nottingham
• University of Strathclyde
• University of Sussex
• University of Ulster.

To get onto the four-year MPharm at Newcastle University, you will need AAB at A-level. During your first year, you will study the Fundamentals of Pharmacy, which covers the integration of science and practice. In your second year, you will learn about Pharmaceutical Care, including pathology, patients, and professionalism.

'We operate an integrated curriculum where material is arranged around body systems. For example, at stage two students will be taught about the cardiovascular system, including normal and diseased physiology and all the therapeutic interventions for treatment,' explains Dr Mark Ashton, senior lecturer in medicinal chemistry at Newcastle University.

The third year focuses on Applied Pharmaceutical Interventions, covering design, delivery, and decision-making. During your final year, you will study two modules, one of which you will choose. The other module focuses on Targeted Therapeutics, including optimisation, critique, and responsibility.

'Experiential learning is such an important part of the curriculum at Newcastle, and we are proud to have been at the forefront of developments in this area. Across all four stages of our degree, our students get to learn in a range of different clinical environments, including hospital, community, and primary care. For example, we have a partnership with a local GP alliance. Our students work with nurses and GPs via a community health bus delivering important public health programmes across the city,' adds Dr Ashton.

The tuition fees for UK students in 2024/25 are £9,250.

Learn more about what funding options are available.

The MPharm at Aston University lasts for four years and requires ABB at A-level, including chemistry and one other science subject. The course covers 12 integrated themes divided into three broad areas of study: The Professional, The Medicine, and The Patient. The assessment methods for the course include written exams, coursework, presentations, clinical simulations, and laboratory assessments. In 2024/25, tuition fees for UK students are set at £9,250.

If you opt for the four-year course, you'll need to complete a one-year foundation period, which may also be called pre-registration training. This is necessary before registering with the GPhC and starting your career as a pharmacist.

However, courses like the five-year MPharm at Kingston University London include this foundation year as part of their programme.

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Online pharmacy training

If you are interested in working in pharmacy but don't have a recognised pharmacy degree, there are alternative courses available. These courses can prepare you to work as a pharmacy technician or in a support role within a pharmacy.

Buttercups is a GPhC-accredited training provider that offers pharmacy technician training. Their pharmacy technician courses are available to study  online and cover a range of topics, including:

• Pharmacy Technician Training Programme
• Vaccination Training
• Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician Course
• Support Staff Course for Dispensing Assistants
• Support Staff Course for Medicines Counter Assistants
• Support Staff Course for Pharmacy Stock Management
• Pharmacy Support Worker Course.

Pharmacy apprenticeships

You can't become a registered pharmacist by completing an apprenticeship, but an alternative route is to work as a pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician, depending on which apprenticeship you take.

The National Pharmacy Association has two apprenticeship programmes - a Level 2 pharmacy support worker and a Level 3 pharmacy technician apprenticeship.

For those interested in additional options, Buttercups provides two different apprenticeships:

• Pharmacy Technician (integrated) Apprenticeship
• Pharmacy Services Assistant Apprenticeship.

Additionally, individual NHS trusts, offer their pharmacy support apprenticeships, covering both intermediate (Level 2) and advanced (Level 3) training.

Learn more about what an apprenticeship involves and find out how to apply for an apprenticeship.

Careers in pharmacy

Pharmacists have a range of career options and can find work in various settings such as hospitals, GP practices, care homes, offices, and factories.

'There are an increasing number of career paths open to pharmacists outside of hospital and community pharmacy, including in primary care. Pharmacists can work alongside GPs and nurses to help patients manage their medicines, but can also now prescribe medicines. In addition, pharmacists can often work for commissioning units where they are involved in developing services for local populations,' explains Dr Ashton.

Pursuing a PhD is another option that can lead to teaching opportunities in higher education. If you have pharmacy qualifications but don't want to work in the field anymore, you can use your transferable skills to switch to other healthcare settings.

'Following completion of a PhD in pharmacy, academia offers the opportunity to work in both fundamental science and clinical settings, or combine work in both areas. There is also the opportunity to join the pharmaceutical industry and work in areas like patient safety, clinical trials, business development and pharmaceutics,' explains Dr Ashton.

You could consider a career change to medical writing, education and training, or research. You can even become a dietician or physician associate by retraining, as your science-based MPharm degree will meet the entry requirements.

If you're interested in working in the pharmaceutical industry, you can apply for a science graduate scheme at a major pharmaceutical company like AstraZeneca or GSK.

Find out more

• Gain an insight into the science and pharmaceuticals sector.
• Learn more about 10 alternative science careers.
• Discover careers in pharmaceuticals from the ABPI.