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Pharmacy Courses UK: Complete Guide to Study Pharmacy in UK for International Students

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Fiona
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The pharmacy industry is witnessing a strong growth, and offering a great job exposure on the global level, students are keen to take up pharmacy courses. There are different countries, and UK tops the list in terms of leading nations in the pharma industry. Modules under pharmacy courses UK typically cover pharmacology, biology and physiology, chemistry, pharmaceutics, and economics. 

There are more than 30 universities offering pharmacy courses UK, covering all aspects of the industry through the syllabus. The best part of choosing UK universities for pharmacy is students’ get to learn complete insight of the industry. Through the practical process of teaching, students will learn about medicine preparation, chemistry of drugs, and the overall pharma industry. This article presents you with complete details on top universities, eligibility, scholarships, and others if planning to study pharmacy in UK.

Table of Contents

Why Study Pharmacy Courses UK?

Over the years, pharmacy courses in UK for international students have been refined according to the changing faces of the industry.  Universities follow certain teaching methods including lectures, practical, significant teamwork, and other educational advances, all of which are intended to help international students, including those from abroad, achieve academically and enjoy their study. Other reasons to study pharmacy in UK are-

  1. Top Ranking Universities

Pharmacy courses in UK offered by universities rank top due to high-quality education and learning infrastructure. Students will gain a better understanding through practical knowledge.

  1. Good Job Scope

The 5th and 6th largest pharmaceutical firms in the world, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca, have their headquarters in UK. There are many more such pharma companies in UK offering better job scope for fresh graduates in Pharmacy.

  1. Exposure to Practical World

Top universities for pharmacy in UK offer practical learning exposure to students. Throughout the course, students will understand the role of pharmacist, patient safety and insight of public health. In other words, students are prepared for the real pharmacy world.

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Top Universities for Pharmacy in UK

Students who are keen to enter the pharmacy industry, there are some best universities in UK for pharmacy offering undergraduate, master’s or even higher studies. You can look for the best universities through College Finder for masters in Pharmacy or for any other level of courses, these universities offer great learning experience and employment opportunities. Listed below are best pharmacy universities in UK-

  1. Ulster University
  2. Cardiff University
  3. Queen Mary, University of London
  4. University of Liverpool
  5. University of Glasgow

Let check more details: 

1. Ulster University

It is one of the top universities for pharmacy in UK, Ulster University offers quality education. With the support of acceptable scientific components (pharmaceutical sciences) and adequate professional practice skills, the pharmacy program is intended to provide academically demanding and vocationally pertinent pharmacy education. Furthermore, students get practical training under the guidance of pharma industry experts.  

Type

Private

QS University Ranking 2023

601-650

Programs Offered

Master of Chemistry and Science (MSci) Hons-  Pharmaceutical Bioscience- 4 year

Master of Pharmacy (MPharm)- 4 years

MSc in Pharmaceutical Science- 1 year

Program Fees (Annually)

Approx

Master- GBP 15,970- 16922 (INR 15,30,731.70- 16,00,000)

2. Cardiff University

The pharma course at Cardiff University includes the full spectrum of basic, applied, translational, and clinical research. It includes the production, use, and discovery of drugs and therapies for a variety of illnesses, such as cancer, infections, musculoskeletal disorders, etc. Students will be completely assimilated into the academic and research community. International students will also get complete resources, encouragement, and a chance to make a difference in the field of your chosen research and advance knowledge.

Type

Private

QS University Ranking 2023

166

Programs Offered

Master in Pharma (MPharma)- 4 years

Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy- 1year

Master of Science (MSc) in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics- 1 year

MSc in Clinical Research- 1 year

Program Fees (Annually)

Approx

Master-GBP 22,336.88 (INR 21, 41,000)

PGDP- GBP 4880 (INR 46,1393)

MPharma- GBP 9,000 (INR 86,26,54.06)

3. Queen Mary, University of London

The pharmacy curriculum at Queen Mary, University of London provides a thorough overview of the pharma industry while placing a heavy emphasis on acquiring practical laboratory experience and employable skills. Through the course, students will learn about the pharmacology of medications, how they are developed through trials, and the manufacturing process. The focus of instruction is synthetic organic chemistry, and you'll also get a solid foundation in spectroscopy, and inorganic chemistry.

Type

Private

QS University Ranking 2023

125

Programs Offered

BSc in Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics - 3 years

Master of Science (MSci) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry- 1 year

Program Fees (Annually)

Approx

BSc GBP- 18,000 (1701860)

MSci- 25,150 (INR 24,10,638.83)

4. University of Liverpool

A wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses under pharmacy are available at the University of Liverpool. You will gain practical experience under the assistance of professionals. The course will further provide you an advantage while applying for jobs in the pharma industry. At the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Foundation Training School, you will get the education, training, and experiences you need to succeed in your career of pharma.

Type

Public

QS University Ranking 2023

190

Programs Offered

BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science- 4 years

MSc in Clinical Pharmacy for Primary Care and Community Pharmacy - 1 year

MSc in Clinical Pharmacy for Secondary and Tertiary Care- 1 year

PhD in Pharmacy and Bio-molecular Sciences- 4-5 years

Program Fees (Annually)

Approx

BSc- GBP 24,200 (INR 2319580.91)

MSc- GBP 16692.67 (INR 16,00,000)

PhD- GBP 25,950 (INR 24,87,319.19)

5. University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow is a top pharmacy university in UK, students in between the third and final years of the degree, can pursue pharmacology as an MSci, which includes an additional placement year. During this year, students will typically do research in industry or a research centre in the UK or abroad. Students are not guaranteed a spot on a specific choice, and the final-year optional courses that are offered each year are subject to change.

Type

Public

QS University Ranking 2023

81

Programs Offered

BSc in Pharmacology- 4 years

MSci in Pharmacology-5 year

PhD- Molecular Pharmacology- 3-4 years

Program Fee (Annually)

Approx

MSci-GBP 23500 (INR 22,52,485.59)

BSc- GBP 9175 (INR 87,94,27.88)

PhD- 23,950 (INR 22,64,419.58)

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Course Curriculum of Pharmacy Courses in UK

To study pharmacy in UK for international students, the course curriculum covers all major areas of the pharmacy. In order to provide accessible education in pharma, pharmacy colleges in UK lay a major emphasis on different areas. These include gaining information, developing skills, attitudes, and values required to work in collaboration with patients and other healthcare professionals. Some of the subjects covered are:

  1. Fundamentals of Pharmacy
  2. Management of Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease
  3. Immunity, Inflammation and Infection
  4. Neurology and Mental Health
  5. Oncology and Palliative Care

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Eligibility Criteria & Admission Requirements by Best Universities in UK for Pharmacy

Universities offering pharmacy courses in UK for international students demand for certain eligibility criteria as a part of the admission process.

  • Educational Qualification
  • English Language Proficiency Test Scores
  • ACT/SAT Scores 
  • GRE or GMAT Test Scores
  • Work Experience
  • UK Student Visa
  • Additional Requirements

Let us get into details:

  1. Educational Qualification

For Bachelors

You need to provide a qualifying certificate of 12th grade from any registered educational institution with 60-70%. Science, physics and chemistry subjects are preferred.

 For Masters

Students must graduate in BPharma and relevant courses with 50-60-% and 2.3 CGPA score. Also 3-4 years of work experience will work.

 For PhD

Students must carry bachelors and masters course passing certificates with good scores in microbiology, pharmacy, chemistry and biochemistry. Also, students need to provide 3.6/4.0 GPA scores.

  1. English Language Proficiency Test Scores

Students while applying at best universities for pharmacy in UK need to submit the score of English Language Proficiency test. However, the score may differ according to the university.

  1. ACT/SAT Scores

Many of the top universities in UK for masters in pharmacy demand for ACT/SAT scores. In general, a score of 30 or more in ACT and 400 or above in SAT is preferred for admission.

  1. GRE or GMAT Test Scores

There are some pharmacy colleges in UK that demand for GMAT/GRE scores. However, the score may differ. The average score required are: 

  1. Work Experience

Irrespective of the level of course you are pursuing, work experience isn't completely mandatory. However, top universities in UK for masters in Pharmacy demand having 3-4 years of work experience can be an added advantage.

  1. UK Student Visa

To apply for a UK study visa, international students need to have the acceptance letter from the applied university. The average processing time for a UK study visa is 3 weeks, though during busy periods it may take longer.

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Documents Required for Admission in Top Pharmacy University in UK

To pursue admission in any of the UK universities for pharmacy, students need to be ready with documents for the submission purpose. Some of these are:

  1. Statement of Purpose
  2. Letter of Recommendation
  3. Official Transcripts
  4. Updated Resume/CV
  5. Academic Documents
  6. A valid passport is compulsory
  7. Financial Support Proof
  8. GRE/GMAT score

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Admission Process in Best Pharmacy Universities in UK

To complete the admission process, you need to have all the required documents. Below are the steps to follow for admission process:

  1. Check the official university website to see if you match the eligibility requirements for your desired program.
  2. Take a look at the important documents and permits that you need to submit along with your application.
  3. Complete the online application form and pay the application cost.
  4. After submitting your application, you can log in to the admission portal.
  5. Meanwhile, you can gather all of the documents needed to apply for a UK study permit.
  6. If you meet the required needs, the university invites you for the entrance exam.
  7. The cut-off for the entrance exam is determined by the college administration. If an applicant performs well on the entrance exam and meets the cut-off, the next step is processed.
  8. Once the university accepts documents and scores, you can get an acceptance letter from the applied university
  9. After receiving an acceptance letter you can apply for the UK study visa.

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 Cost of Studying in UK Universities For Pharmacy

Studying abroad can be costly for students who plan to attend UK universities. On the other hand, a good budget plan might assist you in better managing your living costs.

1. Program Fees

Participation in the best pharmacy universities in UK depends on the program's length, the cost of the study varies considerably.

  • MSci-GBP 23500 (INR 22,52,485.59)
  • BSc- GBP 9175 (INR 87,94,27.88)
  • PhD- 23,950 (INR 22,64,419.58)

2. Cost of Living

The cost of living in UK depends on the lifestyle and where you live. There are different cities in UK where you can stay. In UK, the average monthly cost of living, excluding education costs, can be around GBP 650 (INR 62,302.79).

Facilities

Cost Per Month

Accommodation

GBP 830 (INR 79555.87)

Food

GBP 50 (INR 4792.52)

Transportation

GBP 32 (INR 2576.27)

Study Materials

GBP 1000 (INR 95850.45) yearly

 

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Scholarships for Pharmacy Courses in UK

To study in the best university for pharmacy UK, you will need enough funds. The best is to seek a scholarship from the respective university that will cover your study and living cost.

Scholarships

Amount/ Benefits 

Chevening Scholarship

GBP 22,000 (INR 2080051)

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship

GBP 233 (INR 22029) per month

GREAT Scholarships

GBP 10,000 (INR 95,85,04.51)

Apprenticeship Fees

GBP 25,115.92 (INR 24,13,312.45)

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Job After Pharmacy Courses in UK

To practise in the UK, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Pharmacy graduates have employment options outside of working as community or hospital pharmacists, including in academia, the pharmaceutical sector, and regulatory organisations. In the UK, a pharmacist normally puts in 37.5 to 40 hours per week.

Job Roles

Average Annual Pay

Pharmacist

GBP 1,29000 (INR 12,36,47,08.13)

Pharmacy Manager

GBP 1,91,000 (INR 18,30,74,36.07)

Pharmaceutical Sales Manager

GBP 1,79,000 (INR 17,15,7230.66)

Clinical Pharmacist

GBP 1,33,000 (INR 12748109.93)

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With some good pharmacy colleges in UK, students have good options of learning and completing their pharmacy course. Universities offer great insight and opportunities to study pharmacy in UK for international students. If you are looking forward to more information, connect with Yocket Professionals who will assist you in pursuing the course.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Pharmacy Courses UK

How long do pharmacy courses in UK take?

Is UK the right option to study Pharmacy?

Is Pharmacy a hard subject in UK?

What are the job options after Pharmacy in UK?

What is the average annual package of a Pharmacist in UK?

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