Pharmacy Degrees

Course content 

The modules available on a pharmacy course will cover a wide range of disciplines such as chemistry, human biology, physiology, pharmacology, and pharmaceuticals. Students can expect to gain an extensive knowledge about the prescription drugs that they will be working with, the nature of common medical conditions that they may be dealing with and the ways in which they can advise and care for patients and help patients to care for themselves at home.  

Pharmacy students may study a course that specialises in a specific area of pharmacy or have the opportunity to choose a specialisation through elective modules.  

It is also possible that pharmacy students will need to study some modules that are more practical, especially when working with patients or organising pharmaceuticals. It is common that an internship or work experience placement will be required as part of the course during these modules. 

Entry requirements 

The specific entry requirements for a pharmacy course will vary depending on the university, the course, and the country you are studying in. 

In the UK, a basic knowledge of maths and English at GCSE level is required for any demanding university degree. Chemistry is the most highly sought-after A Level qualification that universities look for in prospective pharmacy students. Other desirable subjects include the other sciences: biology or physics, and maths.  

Other countries tend to be similar in their prioritisation of high grades in chemistry and requirements of passing grades in maths and English, or the equivalent. Language qualifications may also be important for those looking to study or work abroad. Many universities will have minimum language requirements for non-native speakers. 

Course structure and assessment methods 

Pharmacy degrees are typically taught using a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical exercises. Most universities offer a work placement at some point during your studies. 

Assessment is based on theoretical and practical examinations and coursework. Exams may be traditional paper tests or observations while in a work environment. 

Pharmacy specialisations 

Many pharmacy students choose to study the subject more generally to get the most out of their education and give themselves a wider range of career options after graduation. However, many pharmacy courses offer students the option to specialise in any of the following disciplines: 

• Clinical Pharmacy – deals with medication for patients with a wide range of conditions in a hospital or medical care facility 

• Cardiology Pharmacy – deals with medication specifically for cardiology patients 

• Oncology Pharmacy – deals with specialist medication used to treat patients with various forms of cancer. They are able to advise their patients on how to use the medications properly and help with elements of their care. 

• Tropical Disease Pharmacy – deals with specialist medication used to treat patients with a variety of tropical diseases. Most pharmacists won’t encounter many situations where they will have to work with these kinds of medications and so a specialist knowledge is highly beneficial. 

• Geriatric Pharmacy – focuses on the care and medication of elderly patients with some of the more common conditions associated with old age. They may work in a geriatric care setting so that they are able to closely monitor their patient's medication and help to provide them with the necessary care. 

• Paediatric Pharmacy – focuses on the care and medication of child patients with a variety of conditions. They will generally work within a paediatric hospital setting. 

• Veterinary Pharmacy – some pharmacy students may choose to specialise in the care of animal patients instead of human patients. This means that they will be working with a very different range of medications and will need to provide different kinds of care and advise.

Career options 

A pharmacy degree will allow students to pursue a wide range of career options. These include: 

• Community pharmacist – a pharmacist who works at a pharmacy within the community. They will be dealing with a wide range of patients who live locally and organise prescribed medications for a wide range of conditions. 

• Hospital pharmacist – a pharmacist who works at a hospital. They aid patients who are currently being treated at the hospital and are able to receive and respond to a doctor’s prescription much faster, as needed. 

• Medical researcher – conducts research into a certain group of medications or the medications used to treat a specific condition. They may be involved in the development and testing of new medications and medical technologies. 

• Toxicologist – explores the adverse effects of medications on people and the environment. This allows them to provide patients with information on how best to use and store their medications and provide doctors and pharmacists with knowledge of how certain medications interact with each other within the body. 

• Pharmacologist – studies the effects of different medications in the body and considers how they interact with each other to ensure that patients get the best care possible. 

• Higher education lecturer – teaches students about pharmacy and pharmacology, usually while conducting their own research on the topic.