Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) with Preparatory Year
Subject and course type
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science and Chemistry
- Undergraduate
- Foundation
Take your first steps to becoming a pharmacist, and build a solid foundation with the Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) with Preparatory Year degree course from ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ.
You are reading:
Build the skills you need to progress into a career in Pharmacy
Apply knowledge to real-life problems and develop practical, technical and communication skills.
This Pharmacy with Preparatory Year course will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to progress onto your journey towards a Pharmacy MPharm degree.
On this course, you will practise your people and diagnostic skills using our:
- Pharmacy simulation suites – consisting of a mock hospital ward, pharmacy dispensing suite and GP surgery
- Patient simulator manikins –&²Ô²ú²õ±è;to administer drugs to and monitor their pulse and breathing
- Pharmacy practice laboratory – including 40 medicine-dispensing stations, a pharmacy counter, consulting area and computers connected to the Pharmacy Manager System (used in many pharmacies)
- State-of the art laboratories – with specialist equipment
The practical sessions on this course have interested me the most. We are put in a pharmacist's shoes for a few hours a week and this enables us to do dispensing. I have done both community and hospital pharmacy placements. These have helped me understand more about the way pharmacies work.
Why choose this course
If you are interested in health issues and the treatment and prevention of disease, our Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) with Preparatory Year degree course provides the ideal preparation for a career as a pharmacist. Throughout this course, you’ll study law, ethics and clinical practice, as well as the role of hospitals, communities, GP practices, care homes and industrial pharmacists in managing the supply of medicines.
Working alongside other future healthcare professionals, you'll talk to patients about their conditions and treatments. Through case studies, you'll learn how chemistry, pharmacology and pharmaceutics affect clinical practice. In Year 5, you'll complete a research-based project, for which you'll receive specialist tuition.
The Clinical Pharmacy module also includes placements in hospitals and community pharmacies. This gives you the chance to apply your academic studies to real situations and experience on-the-job training.
This course has recently been updated in line with the General Pharmaceutical Council's standards for initial education and training for pharmacists, which enables pharmacy graduates to prescribe at the point of registration.
Accreditation
The Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree is fully accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Course content
Preparatory year
Please note, to progress to the MPharmacy programme, you must achieve a minimum average of 70% across the core modules, and pass a progression interview.
Core modules
30 credits
You will develop effective study skills, in the context of pharmacy and the essential scientific and professional skills necessary to allow you to progress to the Pharmacy MPharm. You will have a series of practical and theoretical experiences to develop your skills and knowledge, which will also complement and support the subject content of the other modules within the preparatory year programme.
30 credits
You will develop your abilities in a range of mathematical and statistical techniques which you can then apply within a range of scientific contexts. The module reinforces basic mathematical concepts and is accessible to students with a wide range of previous mathematical experiences. The structure and programme of delivery is specifically designed to support the other modules within the programme so ensuring that you will have developed the necessary skills at the correct time for their application within the other modules.
30 credits
The module covers a wide range of fundamental chemical concepts including: atomic and nuclear structure, bonding and structure, energetics, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, redox reactions and organic chemistry including, isomerism and introduction & reactions of alkanes, haloalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid derivatives. The module allows you to see the application of Chemistry to a number of Science-based disciplines.
30 credits
This module is designed to provide an essential introduction to the biological sciences, through the study of basic biochemistry, the characteristics of life, selected body systems, genetics and evolution. It also introduces some of the relevant tools and techniques used in modern biology.
Year 2
Year 1 of the Pharmacy MPharm introduces the scientific basis of pharmacy, including cell biology, physiology and pharmaceutical and biological chemistry (including the importance of natural products as medicines).
You will gain a foundation in important pharmaceutical dosage forms, formulation and manufacturing processes, physico-chemical aspects of drug stability and regulatory requirements.
You will gain a clear understanding of the profession of pharmacy and the practical and theoretical aspects of dispensing, ethical and legal requirements, responding to symptoms in minor illnesses and counter prescribing.
Core modules
30 credits
This module introduces you to the principles of the role of a professional pharmacist and the various responsibilities in providing healthcare. You will explore the principles of health, wellbeing and prescribing attributes. You will gain the knowledge to enable you to respond to symptoms, recognise adverse drug reactions and other interactions. You will also develop communication skills and learn about health promotion.
0 credits
This module is designed to encourage student engagement, develop reflective learning and professionalism as well as assessing the competence and decision-making skills, in various clinical and legal elements of professional practice, of the students who are future pharmacists. This module will introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Navigate including the three Navigate workshops.
30 credits
This module gives an overview of the fundamentals of cell and human physiology. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basic structure and functions of cells, organelles and biomolecules and how these interact with each other to form tissues, organs and organ systems.
You will be introduced to the structure and functions of organ systems in health and selected disease states; the control of homeostasis and the rationale for the use of laboratory investigations and diagnostic tests to diagnose and monitor selected diseases. You will also gain an insight into the pharmacological and non-pharmacological basis of treatment and management of selected cases of altered health to promote healthy living in a patient-centred manner.
30 credits
This module introduces key concepts of medicines' physico-chemical properties and formulation, spanning from synthesis and reactivity of active ingredients to stability and manufacture of commercial products. It provides you with an understanding of essential concepts and physico-chemical principles and techniques in the design and production of various pharmaceutical dosage forms with links to the route of delivery into the body and fundamental concepts relevant to the clinical microbiology of disease-causing organisms and vaccines.
The module examines structure, bonding, stereochemistry, and chemical reactivity of organic molecules of pharmaceutical relevance. The importance of the physical and chemical properties of molecules in determining the activity of a drug is discussed, including an introduction to structure/activity relationships, in terms of anti-inflammatory agents, antimalarials, antivirals, and antibiotics. You will be introduced to spectroscopy as well as in vitro aspects of stability, pharmaceutical analysis, and molecular manipulation.
30 credits
This module reflects the key professional regulations, law and obligations required to become a pharmacist, as dictated by the governing professional body and government legislation. You will be introduced to legal, ethical and inclusive practices related to pharmacy, that are required to go into practice. You will gain the skills that you will need for professional practice such as analysing prescriptions, dispensing relevant products and completing the relevant records. It also ensures you can interpret and apply law and ethics using problem solving, and professional judgement.
Year 3
Year 2 of the Pharmacy MPharm places more emphasis on the role of hospital, community and industrial pharmacists. You will integrate science with practice, learning through case studies how chemistry, pharmacology and pharmaceutics affect clinical practice. You will also learn about conditions that affect the central nervous system, such as depression and those that affect the cardiovascular system such as atrial fibrillation.
Core modules
0 credits
This module is designed to develop your reflective learning, goal setting, and professionalism as well as assessing the competence and decision-making skills, in various clinical and legal elements of professional practice you will need as a future pharmacist.
This module will also introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Explore supported by a designated tutor.
All activities need to be satisfactorily completed (including calculation test and OSCE) for you to complete Level 5 and to be allowed to progress to the MPharm programme.
30 credits
This module provides a foundation to understand the structure and function of the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal system, including the effects of dysfunction on an individual's physical health and mental well-being. You will learn about common neurological, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal disorders, covering their symptoms, underlying pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and treatment side-effects. You will also cover central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract infections, focussing on common bacterial, viral, and fungal sources. You will explore drug development and individual variations to treatment of neurological, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal system disorders, including the development of specialist formulations used in the management of these conditions.
30 credits
This module looks at key reactions for the synthesis of organic drug molecules including issues around the sustainable product of drugs. Your analytical techniques will be extended to include Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy with a particular focus on problem solving, formulation, the mechanistic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry and pharmaceutical analysis.
You will learn about the key importance of regulatory affairs associated with drug development, such as clinical trials, licensing and registration.
30 credits
This module describes the underlying mechanisms of common cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine disease and their treatments. You will learn about the aetiology of cardiovascular and respiratory disease and endocrine dysfunction. You will apply pharmacological, physiological, chemistry and pharmaceutical principles, and evidence-based medicine to effectively diagnose, prevent, delay or manage a disease.
30 credits
This module will further develop diagnostic and consultation skills. It will introduce you to varied consultation models to manage a structured and inclusive consultation. Through simulated and experiential learning opportunities, you will learn how to assimilate and evaluate resources, pathology data, guidance and patient factors to make diagnostic and prescribing decisions. The module includes a portfolio of clinical and physical skills assessments and basic first aid. You will have placement opportunities to practise your consultation, clinical assessment skills and work within a team. You will evidence your skills and competencies gained by completing an e-portfolio. This module will also introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Explore supported by a designated tutor.
Year 4
Year 3 of the Pharmacy MPharm focuses on body systems and disease states. Examples of study include: the role of the liver in health and disease; cancer – its causes, the science behind its treatment and the clinical management of cancer patients; and diabetes – its public health impact and management. You will have opportunities to learn alongside other future healthcare professionals, and talk to patients about their conditions and treatment.
Core modules
0 credits
This module is designed to develop your reflective learning, self-confidence and professionalism as well as assessing the competence and decision-making skills, in various clinical and legal elements of professional practice, for your role as a future pharmacist.
All activities need to be satisfactorily completed (including calculation test and OSCE) for you to complete Level 6 and to be allowed to continue progressing on the MPharm programme.
30 credits
This module will deal with physiology and pathology of the eye and endocrine and reproductive systems and inflammatory processes and how they can be affected by, or cause disease. The chemistry of the drugs which affect the endocrine, the eye and reproductive systems and those used to treat inflammatory disease and their relevant structure activity relationships will be covered together with the various formulations used to ensure optimal drug delivery in these areas. You will use a series of patient centred case studies to link the scientific content and the application of pharmaceutical care to treat and manage patients, in a variety of settings from disease prevention, managing risks, disease identification, responding to symptoms in the community pharmacy, prescribing and dispensing, through to the management of hospitalised patients.
30 credits
This module will enhance your diagnostic and consultations skills including selection of appropriate assessments and examinations to confirm a diagnosis, treatment selection and ongoing monitoring. You will be introduced to clinical reasoning and shared decision models to enable you to conduct a person-centred consultation. Through simulated and experiential learning opportunities, you will learn how to assimilate and evaluate resources, pathology data and guidance to reach effective and safe prescribing decisions. Through case-based scenarios, you will learn how to manage medical complications and emergencies and patients with co-morbidities. You will evidence the skills and competencies you have gained by completing an e-portfolio. This module will also introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Apply.
30 credits
This module will examine the physiology and pathology of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, the chemistry of relevant drugs, formulations and structure-activity relationships. This includes the more complex elements of assessing, diagnosing and treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders and prescribing and optimising treatment for mental health.
30 credits
This module will develop your knowledge of the immune system in health and disease including the use of vaccines, management, prevention and control of infections and the rational use of anti-infective agents. You will explore cancer as a disease, including the management of common cancers and oncological emergencies. The mechanisms of action and practical applications of chemotherapy are described together with novel drug targeting and palliative care. You will also learn about blood cell disorders and their management.
Year 5
A major element of Year 4 of the Pharmacy MPharm is the research-based project. You will develop your research skills. A problem-based approach is used for advanced teaching in areas such as pharmaceutical technology and biotechnology. Professional practice topics include advanced prescription analysis, risk management and drug interventions, as well as the wider role of the pharmacist in pharmaceutical care and public health. Students run themed health campaigns directly to the public and also virtually via social media. A total of 20 placement and inter-professional activity days, mostly in hospital or community pharmacies, are spread throughout the year to further develop your professional and leadership skills.
Core modules
30 credits
You will undertake a substantial piece of original research, clinical audit or service evaluation that requires the collection of data and subsequent analysis of that data.
By completing a mini-research project, you will learn about the types and principles of research methods, methods used for literature reviews, study design methods, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and research ethics, and demonstrate your presentation skills.
0 credits
This module will develop your reflective learning and professionalism as well as assessing the competence and decision-making skills, in various clinical and legal elements of professional practice needed for your role as a future pharmacist.
60 credits
This module will incorporate the business and financial aspects of pharmacy. It will enable you to work within a team to demonstrate leadership and mentoring skills. Through simulated exercises, you will assess local public health needs, inequalities, priorities to recommend a service or run a campaign while understanding resources limitations, while considering risk management, risk mitigation and quality improvement. You will demonstrate effective consultation and prescribing skills, while considering resources and legal and ethical frameworks.
30 credits
This module is designed to integrate advanced clinical and scientific concepts as they relate to patient care. Using complex patient cases with multiple comorbidities as the basis for group discussions, you will learn how to apply your clinical skills and scientific knowledge to provide the most appropriate recommendations.
Future Skills and career opportunities
To become a pharmacist you need to:
- Achieve an accredited four-year degree in pharmacy, like this one
- Complete a year of pre-registration foundation training in approved pharmaceutical establishments
- Pass the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) professional registration exam
This course's accreditation means that after graduation you can:
- Progress to register for your pre-registration foundation training
- Go on to become a pharmacist in Great Britain after carrying out your pre-registration foundation training and passing the GPhC registration exam
A number of other healthcare-related jobs will also be open to you.
Fitness to Practise
Annual self-declarations will be required during the MPharm course. New conduct issues may be referred to the pharmacy department Fitness to Practise (FtP) Committee for consideration.
The Department of Pharmacy at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ is part of the Excluded Students Database. The Excluded Students Database runs between Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Veterinary Schools Councils, and General Medical Council in order to verify the applicant FtP. This is used only for FtP purposes in order to protect patients and the public, and to prevent fraudulent applications.
Boost your career
Embedded within this and throughout the whole Kingston experience is our Future Skills programme. The programme was developed to respond to the ever-evolving demands from modern day employment.
Future Skills will help you obtain the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability, and learn how to apply these skills in different scenarios. You’ll also learn how to articulate to employers how being able to do so gives you the edge.
At ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching includes lectures, workshops, tutorials, seminars and practical classes, backed up by computer-assisted learning, problem-based learning and self-directed study. A unique feature of the course is that a significant component of teaching is by scientists and clinicians at the medical school at St George's, University of London. As well as being taught by practising pharmacists, doctors and pharmaceutical scientists you will also work with hospital and community pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. You will also have contact and learn from patients.
Assessment includes module (not modular) exams, coursework and practical assessments including professional and clinical skills.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 27% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 43% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 62% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 4: 44% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 31%; practical 20%; exams 49%
- Year 2: Coursework 27%; practical 30%; exams 44%
- Year 3: Coursework 17%; practical 38%; exams 45%
- Year 4: Coursework 55%; practical 40%; exams 5%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 150 students and lecture sizes are normally 90-150. However this can vary by module and academic year.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| £9,535* | |
| Foundation Year: | £9,535 |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £18,800 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £19,600 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £20,400 |
| Year 4 (2028/29): | £21,200 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
Please visit the Fees and Funding page for more information.
* If your course involves a foundation year, the fee for that year for Home (UK) students will be £9,535 in 2025/26. The fees shown above apply for Year 1 of the degree from 2025/26 onwards (fees may rise in line with inflation for future academic years).
For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
The University will pay for your application to be processed, but you’ll need to subscribe to the Update Service for £16 per year. This allows universities and potential employers to view any changes to your DBS.
Specific courses may require uniforms, specialty clothing, or specific equipment like lab coats and safety shoes. ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will supply you with a lab coat and safety goggles at the start of the year.
Some courses may require professional memberships.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
I chose pharmacy at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ due to the placements it offers, and the University's location by the River Thames and proximity to the centre of London. Coming from Greece, I was able to build my personality and independence as well as meet students from different backgrounds. This multicultural experience gave me the chance to create new friendships that will last for life.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
