Masters degrees in Pharmacy allow postgraduates to learn the skills to prepare and dispense pharmaceutical drugs and prescription medications. They also include instruction in the principles of medicinal chemistry, drug behaviour and mixing.
Related subjects include Pharmacology, Community Pharmacy and Global Pharmacy. Entry requirements typically include an appropriate undergraduate degree such as Medicine or Biology.
This MSc is an advanced-level programme offered by UCL School of Pharmacy together with several local hospitals or teaching hospitals within London. It is designed for overseas pharmacists who wish to develop the clinical expertise and leadership skills needed to deliver enhanced pharmacy services adapted to their home countries.
Pharmacists will develop clinical pharmacy skills, inquisitive and enquiring approaches to practice and pharmaceutical care delivery, critical thinking and appraisal skills, transferable skills for pharmaceutical care services in new settings and environments, and an international perspective on healthcare systems and health needs of different populations worldwide.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops, case tutorials and small-group work. Assessment is through written examination, coursework, resesarch projects and oral presentations.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Clinical Pharmacy, International Practice and Policy MSc
Graduates of this programme usually return to their home countries to work in governnment ministries, hospitals and universities, or pursue a PhD in the UK or overseas.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The programme is centred on the health priorities of the World Health Organisation, which includes diabetes, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Approximately half of the programme is delivered through taught modules at the UCL School of Pharmacy with the remaining time spent gaining clinical and research experience at hospitals in the London area under the tutelage of clinical pharmacy specialists.
Students develop new learning styles as they progress through the programme. This makes for a stimulating and challenging year where self-development is central.
This programme has drawn international students from approximately 40 countries worldwide.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: School of Pharmacy
87% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Management offers practitioners working within pharmacy the opportunity to gain a unique qualification in pharmacy management, and thereby an opportunity for career development through the management route, either within secondary care or community pharmacy environments.
This diploma will advance the development of pharmacy practitioners in areas of personal and personnel management, marketing principles, and financial management within a framework of self-reflection and self-development. On successful completion of the course, students should have improved management, marketing and financial skills, which will benefit the practitioner, the employer and the community as a whole by the professional development of the pharmacist and other relevant pharmacy staff.
This course is undergoing academic revalidation during 2016/17, and the course content/ modules are subject to change. for the most up to date information, please contact [email protected]
This programme is designed specifically for those working within pharmacy, to provide a distinct and unique qualification gained from the study of all aspects of pharmacy business management. In order to widen access and participation, the course will be offered as a distance-learning course, allowing practitioners to allocate their time more readily within the demands of their employment.
The use of a variety of quality management systems and techniques encompassing a range of recognised transformational, behavioural and personal development practices is a novel approach to management training and education. These techniques allow flexibility for individuals to use methods most suitable to their personal learning styles. They will assist the pharmacist/student to manage and positively influence all spheres of their potential influence, from other healthcare professionals, to patients, from political spheres to suppliers; and to identify opportunities where others will only assess risk. Completion of the programme will enable the pharmacist/student to consistently achieve the results that they want for themselves, their business, their services and their personal progression.
This is a fully online, part-time, distance learning programme.
PgDip: two academic years for completion
PgCert exit award may be offered after one academic year
Many people working within pharmacy take on a management role to some extent which has not been supported by their undergraduate training. This programme will support those working within pharmacy to the Agenda for Change Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) who wish to progress and require a postgraduate diploma in addition to their undergraduate degree to do so. This programme will also support those employed within the pharmacy retail sector in community pharmacies who wish to proceed along a management career pathway. Currently most of the postgraduate diplomas that are available are clinical in nature; this programme will provide for those who have chosen a career pathway other than the clinical route e.g. patient-services, medicines information, management.
The course develops students’ understanding of how pharmacy can impact global health. Students are provided with a foundation in the complex determinants of health and the global burden and management of disease.
The curriculum then focuses on the twin strands of pharmaceuticals and pharmacists, and their role in improving global health, with a particular emphasis on addressing health inequities. The course brings together experts from many disciplines to deliver a vibrant and stimulating programme.
The Global Pharmacy course is suitable for anyone interested in taking a multidisciplinary approach to how pharmacy and global health are related.
This course is particularly relevant for pharmacists, those working in the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical policy makers, as well as others interested in how global health and pharmacy intersect.
This course equips students to apply their specialist knowledge and skills to make a unique contribution to improving global health through pharmacy.
The course has a particular focus on overcoming health inequities: the avoidable differences in health globally. Graduates will have the skills to work as global pharmacy practitioners, policy makers, consultants or researchers, with international health and development agencies or in global health-related aspects of the pharmaceutical industry.
PGCert
PGDip
MSc
As a student on this course you will study new developments in the areas of pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice and have the opportunity to develop a programme of work that meets your individual needs.
When you have completed the course, you will be able to undertake pre-registration training and apply for the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration exam with the aim of becoming a UK-registered pharmacist.
For the MSc award, research projects run from June to September following completion of the PGDip modules. For more information about our PGDip-only qualification, visit the relevant course page.
The PGDip is accredited by the GPhC as an Overseas Pharmacists’ Assessment Programme (OSPAP).
The course includes experiential visits to community and hospital pharmacies to help you build practical experience in healthcare.
There are seven diploma modules run over two semesters: one independent study and six university-based modules. The independent study module is supported by specifically written module materials and staff-led tutorial sessions. The remaining six modules involve a mixture of lectures and skills-based workshops and are run over two days per week at the university.
Although attendance for the diploma modules is only required at the university for two days a week, attendance for the MSc project from June to August requires attendance five days a week.
Studies focus on new developments in the areas of pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice. In addition, you explore pharmacy law and ethics, contemporary pharmacy issues and UK healthcare provision. There is also an opportunity for you to develop a programme of work that suits your individual requirements.
You choose your topic for the research project from the range of research interests in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences. Current research areas in the school include work with paediatric medicine, patient mood and health outcomes, the role of empathy in consultation skills, and patients’ and pharmacists’ knowledge of and attitudes towards counterfeit drugs.
Modules
On completion of the course you will be able to undertake pre-registration training and apply for the General Pharmaceutical Council registration examination, which will allow you to become a UK-registered pharmacist.
This MSc course is for pharmacy graduates who want to gain experience of clinical pharmacy practice in the UK as well as a postgraduate qualification.
As a student on this course, you will study new developments in the areas of clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice and spend time in our clinical skills laboratory.
Workshops make extensive use of patient simulation technology known as SimMan 3G, which allows for realistic and challenging scenario-based learning to help with the development of critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills.
You will also have the chance to undertake a placement in a clinical setting to maximise your practical experience and interact with other healthcare professionals and patients.
The Extended Masters (EMA) gives international applicants the opportunity to take an intensive English language course before starting their degree. Successful completion of the EMA allows you to progress automatically to the MSc.
This is a 12-month, full-time course with a combination of seven modules run over two semesters, one independent study module and six university-based modules.
The independent study module is supported by specifically written module materials and staff-led tutorial sessions. The remaining six modules involve a mixture of lectures, skills-based workshops and research-based activity.
You will need to complete a research project and will have a supervisor to support you.
Modules
Options
Applied Therapeutics is a distance-learning module supported by a workbook, tutorials and a clinical placement, giving you an in-depth understanding of the therapeutic process by examining the major diseases that affect the population. It uses evidence-based practice to assist in rational drug therapy, taking patient factors and economic considerations into account.
Pharmaceutical Skills is a year-long module that gives you the necessary skills to practise pharmacy. These skills include those in communication, record keeping, numeracy, teamwork, literature searching and evaluating, dispensing, and diagnostic and patient management.
The Special Topic varies according to your interests. Example topics include diabetes, oxidative stress, human disease and the pharmaceutical care of surgical patients.
The Project module is the largest of the course. It mainly involves independent study, requiring you to collect and analyse your own data and report on your findings, but you will also have a project supervisor who will support and guide you throughout the academic year.
The types of project vary and some may require ethical approval before they begin. Examples of projects that the course leader has supervised include:
All Clinical Pharmacy students have access to our SimMan 3G, a highly advanced patient simulator that allows you to monitor vital signs, detect numerous signs of disease and assess clinical response to drug treatment in real time.
The simulator can be programmed to exhibit the symptoms of specific medical conditions, so you can apply your theoretical knowledge to a variety of practical scenarios. This will help you to be more confident when faced with similar real-life situations.
You will graduate with enhanced career opportunities and a deeper understanding of research methodology, which may be appropriate for further study of a PhD. The course is beneficial to students who have had a career break and want to get back into the workplace, or who want a career change to a role more focused in clinical pharmacy.
Take your career to the next level with the UK's number 1 School of Pharmacy (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016)
The MSc in Advanced Pharmacy Practice, is a programme is designed for hospital-based pharmacists in Northern Ireland who wish to progress to Advanced Practitioner level (AfC Band 8a).
The course aims to support the development of advanced pharmacy practice in the student's chosen field of expertise. In addition, MSc students receive training in research methods and are required to undertake a service evaluation/development project.
With the MSc in Advanced Pharmacy Practice, year one & two modules include:
- Advanced Therapeutics in Respiratory Disease,
- Cardiovascular Disease,
- Diabetes and Infectious Disease
- Clinical Management Planning
- Disease Management
- Prescribing and Monitoring
- Professional Aspects of Prescribing
Tear three modules:
- Advanced Practice Development
- Research Methodology
- Service Research and Development
The role of the pharmacist in the Health Service is expanding to improve patient care and access to medicines. Agenda for Change (AfC) and the associated NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) aim to support the career development of health service staff and the provision of effective patient care. This Masters/PG Diploma programme in Advanced Pharmacy Practice enhances the opportunities for hospital-based pharmacists in Northern Ireland to progress their career to Advanced Practitioner level.
