Our highly-regarded Pharmacy course begins with a broad overview of the fundamental pharmaceutical and biological sciences. You will develop more specialised knowledge and skills in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, therapeutics, clinical management and patient-focused clinical skills.
The course lasts four years and you will graduate as a Master of Pharmacy. The MPharm is the only undergraduate qualification in the UK which leads to professional registration as a pharmacist which is a key worker profession.
Why us?
General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) figures show that the University of Sunderland is consistently one of the top-ranking Schools of Pharmacy in the National Registration Assessment. The pass rate in 2019 was 89.82% which is significantly above the national average of 72.33%
Pharmacy has been taught at Sunderland for 100 years and we have a strong reputation as a Pharmacy School that produces successful graduates
This course has 86% Overall Satisfaction (National Student Survey, 2020)
All our pharmacist academics are at the forefront of current practice as they continue to work with regional trusts and pharmacy employers. This means you have direct links to employers and the most up to date clinical teaching
Patient contact is embedded throughout the course alongside placements and interprofessional learning opportunities
Our Pharmacy and Pharmacology courses are ranked 10th in the UK (Guardian University Guide, 2023)
Career ready
Many of our students go on to work in Community Pharmacy, Primary care, Secondary care, and Industrial pharmaceuticals, or progress on to research degrees.
Financial rewards compare favourably with most other professions. Typical starting salaries for pharmacists range from £25,000 - £40,000 depending on sector, location, conditions of employment and experience. Currently, there is virtually no unemployment of qualified pharmacists.
Qualifying as a Pharmacist
On graduation as a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm), you will need to undertake a further year of postgraduate training after the end of the course to become eligible for registration as a pharmacist in the UK. We have never had an MPharm graduate who has not obtained a pre-registration placement and the University will support you in finding a position, however we are unable to guarantee one.
This one-year placement is known as the ‘pre-registration training year’ and involves you working under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist. We offer a support programme during the pre-registration year at Sunderland: Pharmacy pre-registration training programme.
On successful completion of the pre-registration training year, you will be required to pass the national registration assessment set by the General Pharmaceutical Council before you are eligible to start your career as a Pharmacist.
Other career options
Although the MPharm is primarily a route to becoming a pharmacist, it can also open up many other career pathways where expertise in medicines is vital. Examples include pharmaceutical research and working in the Research and Development industry.
