Pharmacy with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year, MPharm (Hons)

In order to be eligible to apply for Pharmacy, you must be predicted to achieve the following:

A-levels/Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales: BBC-CCD which must include Chemistry and at least one other STEM subject, i.e. Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Psychology. Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge will be considered in lieu of a 3rd A-level 

International Baccalaureate: 24-31 points must include HL Chemistry plus one other STEM subject at Grade 4 or above

BTEC: Typically Merit to Distinction, ideally with a good Chemistry profile

As well as one of the above qualification types all applicants are required to achieve:  

GCSE: English and Mathematics minimum Grade C (Wales and England Pre-2017) or Grade 4 (England Post-2017). 

We accept Swansea University approved equivalent qualifications. 

For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) and no less than 6.0 in each component. Further information can be found at out International Student Pages.

Other UK and International qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis – please contact us to discuss them. 

We also welcome applications from international students who have studied a range of qualifications – please contact us for more information, to find out more about your qualifications please visit our International Student Pages. 

All applicants will need a satisfactory educational reference.

Applicants who meet the entry requirements and selection criteria will be invited to interview, which may take place in person or via telephone/video call. Our Interview Tips explain more about what to expect.

If you are successful at interview, any offer of a place will be conditional upon a satisfactory DBS/police check or equivalent from your home country as well as an occupational health declaration and assessment prior to starting your studies. Further details will be provided if you receive an offer.

Fitness to Practise entry requirements are listed under the Additional Admissions Requirement.

The principle of our MPharm (Hons) Pharmacy with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year degree is to prepare you for future careers as registered Pharmacists. Our approach recognises that Pharmacists are key members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team and our inter-professional education activities reflect this.

The teaching and learning methods employed address the knowledge and competencies required for the varied responsibilities of pharmacists. You will learn through a variety of teaching methods including case-based learning, workshops, laboratory classes, experiential learning, lectures and an independently-led research project. 

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course.

Practical skills sessions, workshops, integrated case studies, and simulated practice experience sessions predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching, and this increases in the third and final years as you spend more time off-campus and on placement.

Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study.  

This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages.

We are working towards accreditation with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The course is provisionally accredited until the programme receives full accreditation.

You can view our Step 45 accreditation report HERE.

Pharmacy students will be taught by a range of world-leading researchers and academic staff based at the Medical School as well as practising pharmacists from a variety of different sectors.

Principal teaching staff for the Pharmacy programme are:

• Head of Pharmacy: Professor Andrew Morris
• MPharm Programme Director and Associate Professor: Dr Amira Guirguis

Drugs and Medicine Teaching Group:

• Head of Pharmacy: Professor Andrew Morris
• Senior Lecturer and Admission Lead: Dr Salvatore Ferla
• Lecturer: Dr Zi Hong Mok
• Lecturer: Dr Michael McKeever
• Lecturer: Dr Gilda Padalino
• Honorary Professor: Professor Neil Hartman

Health, Disease, and Patient Teaching Group:

• Associate Professor: Dr Suresh Mohankumar
• Senior Lecturer: Dr Rhian Thomas
• Senior Lecturer: Dr Melanie Healey
• Lecturer: Dr Giulio Nannetti

Practice of Pharmacy Teaching Group:

• Associate Professor and Programme Director: Dr Amira Guirguis
• Senior Lecturer: Dr Adam Turner
• Associate Professor: Mr Simon Wilkins
• Associate Professor: Mrs Kate Spittle
• Senior Lecturer: Dr Juman Dujaili
• Senior Lecturer: Mr Carwyn Jones
• Senior Lecturer: Dr Georgina Marsh
• Lecturer: Dr Gillian Phua
• Teacher Practitioner: Sophie Croucher
• Teacher Practitioner: Gwenno Williams
• Honorary Professor: Professor Mair Davies

Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government.

Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

• Disclosure and Barring Service check and the cost of vaccinations and/or verification of health records by your GP
• Transport and/or accommodation associated with placements
• Texts and basic clinical examination equipment 
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) i.e. lab coats, safety goggles/spectacles, medical scrubs

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

Your Career as a Pharmacist

As a pharmacist, you will find there are a variety of Healthcare roles available as a valued member of the clinical team. A majority of pharmacists work in Community Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy, or Primary Care, i.e. at a GP Practice or a Local Health Board (or a combination of these). But a Pharmacy Degree and registration as a pharmacist opens possibilities of employment in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, the military, the prison service and many other roles. 

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society have more information on the career paths for Pharmacists. 

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Personal Tutor: 

You will be assigned a Personal Tutor from the core Pharmacy academic team in the Medical School.  

Personal Tutors are your first point of contact while studying at the Medical School and can provide assistance and guidance on a range of issues that may affect your wellbeing, attendance and educational progress. Personal Tutors may also help with your personal development planning and career advice. Your Tutor may also direct you to Welfare and other support services as appropriate. 

Student Life Officers:

Our Student Life Officers focus on student support and identifying students who may need to be referred on to services both within and outside of the University, and working with these students to put a plan in place to manage their welfare.  These officers are trained to deal with all types of pastoral issues right through to recognising signs of domestic abuse or hate crimes.

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement, you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme without a semester or year abroad.

International summer programmes are open to students from all schools. Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as China, Zambia, South Korea, Japan, Canada and across Europe. For more information about programmes and eligibility visit our Summer Abroad webpages.

We are now recruiting for 2024 entry, to find out more about Pharmacy with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year at Swansea, book on one of our Undergraduate Open Days. 

Book an Undergraduate Open Day 

Applicants who meet the entry requirements and selection criteria will be invited to interview, which may take place in person or via telephone/video call. Our Interview Tips explain more about what to expect.  

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Changes to the Initial Education and Training of Pharmacists :

The profession of pharmacy is going through an exciting period of change. New standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists published by the General Pharmaceutical Council – the regulatory body for pharmacy – will ensure that pharmacists are ready to independently prescribe from the point of registration. Pharmacy undergraduate education and the foundation training year will need to adapt to meet these new standards and this will inevitably see the MPharm structure change to incorporate more clinical training.  

Fitness to Practise: 

Pharmacy is a registered healthcare profession and carries both privileges and responsibilities. As such, Fitness to Practise procedures are in place to ensure that pharmacists (and Pharmacy students) have the skills, knowledge, character and health necessary to do their job safely and effectively. 

The GPhC has published Standards for Pharmacy Professionals, which Pharmacy students must adhere to if they wish to ultimately register as a Pharmacist. 

You will need to complete a Fitness to Practise self-declaration form as part of the application process. This form includes a written declaration of any health or conduct issues, e.g. medical conditions, criminal convictions, that you may have. If you have any concerns at all regarding Fitness to Practise procedures we encourage you to contact us so that we can provide advice. 

If you are offered a place to study you will also need:  

• A Disclosure and Barring Service check (or equivalent, if you are an International student, e.g. certificate of good conduct from your country’s police force / Home Office). 
• An Occupational Health check, which may include the need for confirmation of immunity and/or administration of vaccinations. 

If you suspect that you have any allergies, e.g. latex, peanuts, drugs/medicines, please discuss with the Occupational Health Department before applying. 

All applications for Pharmacy with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year at Swansea University Medical School will be considered on their own merit and suitable eligible applicants will be invited to attend an online interview. 

The interview process will be conducted by a member of our academic staff (one-to-one interview). Applicants will be asked different questions to cover areas of competency which will feel make a good Pharmacist. This includes problem solving, ethics, knowledge of the profession, numeracy and communication skills. 

Pharmacy Experience 

Some pharmacy work experience will be useful, but not essential. Such experience will, however, help you with the admissions interview and help you decide whether Pharmacy is a career you wish to pursue.  

Swansea University is an equal opportunities institution and actively encourages applications from persons of all abilities. For Pharmacy, each application is assessed on an individual basis, on the candidate’s ability to fulfil the learning outcomes and skills and competencies required to complete the MPharm programme and as required by the GPhC. 

It is essential that all applicants are able to complete the full Pharmacy curriculum, and when considering applicants with disabilities, medical conditions or other specific needs, the School follows the GPhC standards described in their document ‘Future pharmacists; Standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists’ (this can be accessed on the GPhC website). The University carefully monitors the selection process, in order to ensure that no applicants are disadvantaged. 

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is the regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises. 

MPharm degree holders need to undertake further steps before they are able to register as a pharmacist with the GPhC. These steps include a 1-year period of foundation training and the successful completion of the registration assessment. Further details about registration as a pharmacist can be found on the Registration section of the GPhC’s website. 

The GPhC will also carry out its own health, good character and identity checks before registering a graduate as a pharmacist. These checks relate to registration and are additional to checks made by universities and employers. The GPhC may not register a graduate if a check is failed, even if they have passed previous checks. 

The GPhC is not able to offer prospective registration advice. A graduate can appeal against a registration refusal and that appeals must be made to the GPhC’s Appeals Committee.