Pharmacy

The MPharm is a non-modular programme. Year 1 comprises 4 teaching blocks: how the body works, how medicines work, minor ailments, digestion, liver and kidneys. Alongside these teaching blocks you’ll undertake a year-long professional practice teaching block.  

How the body works: An understanding of how the human body functions under normal conditions is essential for all pharmacists. This foundational block introduces the integrated systems that maintain homeostasis, support growth, and enable adaptation to the environment. 

You’ll explore the structure and function of key physiological systems including cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, digestive, endocrine, renal, musculoskeletal, and immune systems and how they work together to maintain health. Emphasis will be placed on cellular processes, organ system interactions, and regulatory mechanisms such as neural and hormonal control. 

Through lectures, labs, and applied case studies, you’ll develop the scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to understand disease processes and pharmacological interventions in later years. This block lays the groundwork for appreciating the complexity of human biology and the vital role pharmacists play in supporting health and wellbeing. 

How medicines work: Understanding how medicines work is at the heart of pharmacy practice. This block provides an integrated exploration of the journey from medicinal chemistry through pharmacology to pharmaceutics, revealing how drugs are designed, interact with the body, and are formulated for safe and effective use. 

You’ll begin by studying medicinal chemistry principles, learning how drug molecules are structured and modified to achieve desired therapeutic effects while minimising adverse effects. Building on this, the pharmacology component will explore drug mechanisms of action, receptor interactions, dose-response relationships, and the impact of drugs on physiological systems. 

Pharmaceutics will focus on the science of drug formulation, delivery, and stability, examining how medicines are prepared, administered, and optimised for patient use. This includes understanding different dosage forms, routes of administration, and factors affecting drug absorption and bioavailability. 

Through lectures, practical labs, and case-based learning, you’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of the scientific foundations behind medicines, and start to develop your research skills, equipping you to contribute confidently to their safe design, selection, and use throughout your pharmacy career. 

Minor ailments: Minor ailments are common, self-limiting conditions that frequently present in community pharmacy and primary care settings. This block will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively assess, advise, and manage minor ailments, empowering patients to safely self-care or seek further medical advice when necessary. 

You’ll explore the clinical features, causes, and treatments of a broad range of minor conditions such as colds and flu, coughs, sore throats, headaches, minor skin conditions, digestive complaints, and musculoskeletal pain. Emphasis will be placed on the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, non-pharmacological interventions, red flags for referral, and the principles of safe supply or medicines. 

Through practical workshops, simulated consultations, and patient-centred case studies, you’ll develop confidence in communication, clinical decision-making, and delivering public health messages. This block highlights the pharmacist’s crucial role as an accessible healthcare professional supporting appropriate self-care, reducing the burden on urgent care services, and improving community health outcomes. 

Digestive system, liver and kidneys: In this block, you’ll consider the pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatic system, and renal system, linking core science to common clinical conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver and kidney diseases. Emphasis will be placed on how dysfunction in these systems impacts pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, with implications for medicines selection, dosing, monitoring, and safety. 

Through case-based learning and practical workshops, you’ll develop skills in interpreting clinical data, advising on medicines regimens and supporting patients in managing conditions. 

Professional practice: This block develops the core professional skills and attitudes essential for safe, effective, and sustainable pharmacy practice including professionalism, pharmacy law and ethics, communication skills, clinical-decision making, prescribing skills and the principles of person-centred care. The block also fosters a commitment to lifelong learning, reflection, and professional development, preparing you to adapt to evolving healthcare challenges and innovations.  

You’ll be introduced to practice-based learning through clinical placements and through case studies, ethical dilemmas, and simulated consultations. You’ll build the knowledge, skills, and professional judgement necessary to deliver high-quality, patient-focused care and contribute confidently to healthcare improvement. 

The MPharm is a non-modular programme. Year 2 comprises 4 teaching blocks: immunity and infection, respiratory system, cardiovascular system (1) and central nervous system (1). Alongside these teaching blocks you’ll undertake a year-long professional practice teaching block.  

Infection and immunity: In this block you’ll explore how the human body protects itself against infection and how pharmacists play a critical role in supporting this defence through the safe and effective use of medicines. You’ll study the mechanisms of infectious disease, and the principles behind immunisation and antimicrobial therapy, reinforced through practical application in a laboratory setting. With a focus on clinical relevance and real-world application, this block will equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand infection pathways, combat antimicrobial resistance, and support patient care in a wide range of healthcare settings. 

Through integrated learning, including microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and patient-centred case studies, you’ll develop a holistic understanding of how infection and immunity intersect in pharmacy practice, from advising on vaccinations to supporting infection control strategies and reviewing antimicrobial prescriptions. 

Respiratory system: In this block, the pathophysiology of common respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, and infections, and the critical role pharmacists play in optimising respiratory care are studied. You’ll study the pharmacological basis and clinical use of key respiratory medicines and develop skills in advising patients such as correct inhaler technique, adherence, and lifestyle support. Through case-based learning, clinical scenarios, and practical workshops, you’ll apply scientific knowledge to real-life situations, enhancing your ability to contribute meaningfully to the multidisciplinary management of respiratory conditions. 

This block will also highlight public health priorities, such as smoking cessation, and the impact of environmental factors on respiratory health, preparing you to act as a medicines expert and health advocate within your future pharmacy practice. 

Cardiovascular system (1): In this block, you’ll explore the cardiovascular system in health and disease, with a focus on common conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and arrhythmias. 

You’ll learn how to recognise the early signs and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, interpret clinical data such as blood pressure, lipid profiles, and ECGs, and apply this knowledge to support patients in preventing disease progression and avoiding complications such as a heart attack or stroke. The pharmacological basis and clinical use of key cardiovascular medicines will be explored. 

Through patient case studies, practical workshops, and simulated consultations, you’ll develop the confidence to support patients with long-term cardiovascular conditions, address adherence and lifestyle factors, and work as part of the healthcare team to reduce cardiovascular risk. 

This block builds the foundation for understanding more complex cardiovascular diseases later in the programme, while reinforcing the pharmacist’s role in promoting public health and delivering safe, effective, person-centred care. 

Central nervous system (1):  In this block, you’ll explore the pharmacology and clinical use of medicines used to manage common conditions affecting mental wellbeing and comfort. You’ll consider the impact of these conditions on patients’ daily lives, and how pharmacists can offer evidence-based support, lifestyle advice, and referral where needed. Through patient scenarios, prescribing decision-making, and communication skills development, you’ll learn how to offer effective, person-centred care while recognising the importance of safety, stigma, and medicines misuse.   

This block prepares you to confidently support patients with common central nervous system conditions and contributes to the foundations needed for managing more complex neurological and psychiatric disorders later in the programme. 

Professional practice: Building on year 1, in year 2 you’ll continue to develop your knowledge of professional pharmacy practice and skills. You’ll keep building your skills including patient counselling, consultation skills, prescribing decision-making skills and the principles of evidenced-based medicine and critical appraisal through case-based scenarios. You’ll undertake clinical placements as part of this teaching block. These periods of learning in practice will enable you apply your knowledge and skills in both simulated and real-world environments, preparing you for future professional practice. 

The MPharm is a non-modular programme. Year 3 comprises 4 teaching blocks: women and men’s health, endocrine and musculoskeletal systems, cardiovascular system (2) and central nervous system (2). Alongside these teaching blocks you’ll undertake a year-long professional practice teaching block.  

Women and Men’s Health: You’ll study the reproductive and genitourinary systems, covering contraception, menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and endometriosis, while also exploring the safe and effective use of medicines during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and gender transition. You’ll also explore conditions that affect different populations in distinct or disproportionate ways, such as breast, prostate, testicular and skin cancers, as well as liver disease. The block will also address urgent public health priorities, substance misuse for performance enhancement, and the growing importance of mental health care. 

You’ll engage with case-based learning, simulations, and interprofessional scenarios to develop the knowledge and confidence to support patients at different stages of life. This includes managing medicine switches, navigating complex consultations, and addressing health inequalities. 

By the end of this block, you’ll be equipped to provide holistic, person-centred care that recognises biological, psychological, and social factors influencing health, enabling you to support patients in culturally sensitive, ethical, and impactful ways across community, primary and secondary care settings. 

Endocrine and musculoskeletal systems: In this block, you’ll explore the pathophysiology of the endocrine and musculoskeletal systems, with a focus on conditions including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hyper- and hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. You’ll examine the pharmacological management of these conditions and develop the skills to optimise treatment through effective medicines selection, monitoring, and patient education. 

Through interactive workshops, patient scenarios, and clinical reasoning exercises, you’ll learn how to interpret key clinical data, identify red flags, and support patients to self-manage their conditions safely and confidently. You’ll also consider the pharmacist’s role in preventing complications, supporting lifestyle changes, and delivering services such as diabetes reviews and insulin counselling. 

This block prepares you to play an active role in endocrine and musculoskeletal care across a variety of pharmacy settings, ensuring patients receive personalised, evidence-based support to live well with long-term conditions. 

Cardiovascular system (2): In this block, you’ll build on foundational cardiovascular knowledge to explore the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of complex cardiovascular disease. 

You’ll study the mechanisms and clinical consequences of myocardial infarctions and heart failure, the pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies used in acute and chronic care, and the pharmacist’s vital role in improving outcomes and experience for these patients. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of key medicines and how to tailor therapy based on clinical guidelines, comorbidities, and individual patient needs. 

Using realistic case scenarios, discharge planning exercises, and multidisciplinary perspectives, you’ll learn to identify and respond to red flags, optimise medicines regimens, manage polypharmacy, and support safe transitions across interfaces of care for example, from hospital to community. The importance of patient education, adherence support, and lifestyle modification will also be emphasised. 

By the end of this block, you’ll be equipped with the clinical reasoning, communication skills, and professional judgement needed to contribute confidently to the care of patients with complex cardiovascular disease across a range of pharmacy settings. 

Central nervous system (2): In this block, you’ll deepen your understanding of the central nervous system (CNS) pathophysiology and the pharmacological strategies used to manage chronic neurological and psychiatric disorders. You’ll explore the mechanisms and clinical use of key medication as well as the importance of medicines monitoring, side effect management, and individualised treatment planning. 

Through clinical case studies, ethical discussions, and simulated consultations, you’ll consider the broader implications of complex CNS conditions including safeguarding, capacity and consent, polypharmacy, and the importance of building trust with patients and carers. You’ll develop confidence in supporting adherence, managing medicines in vulnerable groups, and working collaboratively within mental health and neurology teams. 

This block will equip you with the skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the care of people living with complex CNS disorders supporting safe, compassionate, and evidence-based practice across a wide range of healthcare settings. 

Professional practice: In year 3 you’ll continue to strengthen your knowledge of professional pharmacy practice and skills gained in years 1 and 2. You’ll enhance your approach to providing person-centred care by advancing your consultation and prescribing decision-making skills. Through case-based scenarios, you’ll apply the principles of evidence-based medicine and critical appraisal to ensure the safe and optimal use of medicines. You’ll continue your period of learning in practice with simulation and clinical placements. Gaining experience with different patient groups, carers and other healthcare professionals across varied healthcare settings will help to inform your plans for Foundation Training year, following graduation.  

The MPharm is a non-modular programme. In Year 4 you’ll complete advanced therapeutics, advancing prescribing practice and professional practice teaching blocks. You’ll also undertake a research project.  

Advanced Therapeutics: In this teaching block you’ll build on your foundational pharmacology and clinical skills to prepare you for high-level, real-world decision-making in patient care. You’ll learn to manage complex cases, optimise medicines use, and personalise treatments based on the latest evidence and research. You’ll examine how genomics, biomarkers, and patient-specific data influence therapeutic decisions and future medicine development 

Advancing Prescribing Practice: This teaching block will prepare you for the transition into your Foundation Training year and beyond as a safe, skilled, and confident prescriber-ready graduate. The focus is on developing your ability to assess patients, make clinical decisions, and prescribe appropriately within a multidisciplinary team. 

Research Project: This teaching block is your opportunity to explore a real-world question or problem in pharmacy through supervised, independent investigation. Undertaking a research project builds your ability to think critically, analyse evidence, and contribute to innovation in medicines and healthcare. 

Professional practice: In Year 4 you’ll bring together your knowledge, skills and experience and the cultivation of professional values and behaviours in readiness for your Foundation Training Year as a prescriber-ready trainee pharmacist. You’ll have developed the competence and confidence to deliver high-quality, person-centred care across a range of evolving healthcare settings. In this teaching block you’ll undertake your final period of learning in practice. Through simulation and clinical placements, you’ll consolidate your learning and pharmacist professional attributes in real-world settings in preparation for your Foundation Training year and future pharmacy career.