A blog by the new Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Lesley Howell, following the official launch of the School this month.
The new School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is now officially open. For me, this is an incredibly exciting moment. It’s not just the launch of a new School, but the next step in a journey that builds on our existing strengths in pharmacology and related fields.
With the creation of the School, we are building one of the most comprehensive suites of clinical programmes within the Russell Group. This gives our students opportunities to learn alongside colleagues in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and the biomedical sciences; experiences that reflect the realities of modern healthcare, where collaboration across professions is essential to improving patient outcomes.
At the heart of the School is our new Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) course. This comes at a crucial time, given the regional shortfall of qualified pharmacists in the North West and the NHS Workforce Plan’s clear call for an expansion in training. By educating and supporting the next generation of pharmacists, we are helping to meet a workforce need that is vital for the future of healthcare both locally and nationally.
Our MPharm takes a different approach. It’s a non-modular, spiral curriculum that integrates the science of pharmacy with practice from day one. Students don’t just learn theory in isolation, they see immediately how it connects to real pharmacy settings, supported by laboratory classes, pharmacy practice sessions, and our brand-new pharmacy suite.
Digital literacy is built in throughout, alongside authentic experiences and assessments that mirror the realities of professional practice. Because the programme is fully integrated, students revisit and deepen their knowledge and skills year after year, growing in confidence and competence as they progress.
Another distinctive feature of the programme is the early and integrated preparation for independent prescribing. With changes in regulation meaning pharmacists will graduate as prescribers from 2026, we’ve designed the curriculum to build these skills in a progressive, supported way. Embedding prescribing from the very start gives students the confidence to make safe, effective clinical decisions and prepares them for the realities of modern practice.
One of our greatest strengths is flexibility. Without the constraints of a rigid modular system, we can adapt the programme quickly, responding to new developments in healthcare, science, and technology, and ensuring our students stay at the cutting edge of the profession.
To support this, we’ve invested in bespoke facilities that bring learning to life. At the centre is our new pharmacy suite in the Life Sciences Building, home to a mock community pharmacy and a fully equipped dispensary. These spaces give students the chance to practise in realistic environments, developing the practical skills and confidence they’ll need from their first day as professionals. We’ve also invested in new laboratories in the Sherrington Building, creating cutting-edge facilities that bring science and practice closer together.
Looking ahead, my vision is for the School to grow into a hub of innovation in both teaching and research. I see us leading the way in areas like digital health, AI and personalised medicine, ensuring our graduates are not only workforce-ready but also future-ready. Just as importantly, I want the School to become a centre for community engagement, working hand in hand with local partners to improve health outcomes across our region.
This is only the beginning. The foundations we’ve laid give us the platform to expand opportunities for students, staff and partners and to make a lasting difference in healthcare education and delivery.
More information
Visit the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences webpages to find out more.
The opening of the School was announced on Thursday, 2 October. Read our news story.