Pharmacy
Entry requirements
Personal Statement
In your personal statement you will need to show your enthusiasm and interest in pharmacy. Besides demonstrating that you have the ability and motivation to succeed academically we will expect to see evidence of your understanding of the role of a pharmacist. Tell us about any volunteering and/or paid employment experience that is relevant; reflect on what you have learnt from these experiences and show us how you intend to apply this knowledge to your future study. We will want to see that you can express yourself fluently and articulately and do make sure that you check for grammar and spelling errors before you submit your form. Only applicants who at least meet our academic requirements and demonstrate in their personal statement their commitment to pharmacy will be invited for an interview. If you have applied to study medicine and your personal statement reflects this you are unlikely to be shortlisted for Pharmacy. However if you find at a later stage that you have not been made an offer for medicine, please contact Admissions for advice.
A Levels
Typical Offer: AAB
- in exceptional circumstances we may make a slightly lower offer.
Essential:
- A2 level Chemistry plus one other Science or Mathematics subject is essential
- General Studies is excluded
- A-levels in languages which are intended for non-native speakers are not normally acceptable when taken by native speakers of that language
- GCSE English Language and Mathematics grade C or above or an equivalent qualification is essential
Access to HE Diploma
We welcome applications from students studying the following Access courses:
- Access to HE Diploma (Science)
- Access to HE Diploma (Science and Engineering)
Like all applicants, your personal statement will be expected to demonstrate evidence of your understanding of the role of a pharmacist, including your reflections on relevant work experience.
If your application indicates that you have the potential to meet our academic requirements and demonstrates a commitment to pharmacy, you will be invited to attend an interview day. As part of the day, you will be required to participate in a 20-30 minute academic interview: you may be asked about your reasons for choosing pharmacy as a career, your work experience, organic pharmaceutical chemistry and asked to complete simple pharmaceutical calculations. Organic chemistry is a fundamental part of the Pharmacy programme and it is essential that we assess your understanding of this area in order to ascertain your suitability for the course. We strongly recommend that you develop your understanding of this area in preparation for interview.
Typical offer:
Pass the Access to HE Diploma (in Science or Science and Engineering), with at least 39 credits achieved from units awarded at Merit or Distinction, including at least 33 credits achieved from units awarded at Distinction. This must include at least 33 credits achieved from science or maths units, of which at least 12 credits must be from chemistry units awarded at Distinction. Applicants must also achieve GCSE equivalence in English and maths, if equivalent qualifications have not already been achieved.
BTEC
BTEC Science Diploma is acceptable alongside Chemistry A level at grade A. You will need to achieve a distinction grade in all units from this qualification.
Essential:
GCSE English Language grade C or above
Cambridge Pre-U
Typical Offer: D3, D3, M2
Essential:
- Principal Subjects must include Chemistry and one other science or mathematics subject.
Diplomas
Currently, Advanced Diplomas are not accepted as entry qualifications onto this programme.
European Baccalaureate
Typical Offer: 75% overall with 80% in Maths. Chemistry and Biology
Further requirements
You will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). If the results of this check show that you have a criminal conviction, caution, reprimand or warning which is deemed unacceptable under the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's (RPSGB) Fitness to Practice policy then you will be required to withdraw from your course.
Medical Declaration: You will be required to provide us with a written declaration of any medical conditions or disabilities.
International students will be required to produce a "certificate of good conduct" letter. See the DBS website for further information.
International Baccalaureate
Typical Offer: 36 points, Higher Level 6 in 3 subjects to include Chemistry and one other Science/Mathematics subject.
International Students
We accept a wide range of non-UK qualifications as entry either to our Foundation Year or directly on to the first year of our undergraduate programmes. For further information please visit our International Study pages.
English Language Qualifications:
We normally require all applicants whose first language is not English to provide evidence of English language proficiency and we may ask you to take an English language test.
The minimum requirement for Pharmacy programmes is: IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in each component. Applicants should submit their results by 31st July. For a list of other English language qualifications we accept please go to the English Language Entry Requirements web page.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Typical Offer: Obtain AAABBB at Higher level in 6 subjects from the Irish Leaving Certificate
Essential:
- an A1 in Chemistry and a second science subject, plus an A1 in one further subject
- minimum B1 in English. (English needs to be at least at ILC ordinary level C or above)
Scottish Highers
Typical Offer: AAABB, to include two Advanced Highers at AA in Chemistry and one other science/mathematics subject. The remaining ABB Highers need to be in three other subjects.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Candidates offering the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma which includes suitable A levels are likely to be made an alternative offer of AAB or ABB plus the Welsh Baccalaureate Core. Please see the A level entry for subject combination details.
