Program Overview

Overview of the MPharm Degree Programme

The MPharm degree programme at Queen's University Belfast is designed to enable students to become experts in medicines and ensure their safe and effective use. The programme integrates the chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical sciences with the discovery, design, evaluation, and production of medicines and their clinical application to all areas of practice.

Course Structure

The MPharm degree programme is a four-year full-time course that includes experiential learning placements in primary and secondary care settings. The programme is divided into four levels, each with a range of core modules that cover topics such as pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical sciences, and clinical pharmacology.

Core Modules

• Skills for Pharmacy: This module provides students with the opportunity to gain and develop a range of key skills that are critical to success within their studies and professional practice.
• Physical and Chemical Properties of Drug Molecules: This module introduces students to the foundational physical chemistry and organic chemistry of drug molecules and how their chemical structure influences their properties and behavior.
• Introduction to the Profession and Practice of Pharmacy: This module introduces students to the skills essential for competency as a qualified pharmacist, ensuring that these skills are in place to be built upon and further developed in the professional and practice modules in Levels 2, 3, and 4.
• How the Human Body Works: This module provides students with a basic introduction to basic anatomy, how the body works, how the body regulates itself, and what can go wrong in disease.
• Microbes and Medicines: This module introduces students to the application of microbiology to the pharmaceutical sciences, including the structure, function, nutrition, and metabolism of bacteria, fungi, and viruses relevant to the pharmaceutical sciences.

Level 2 Modules

• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1: This module applies the science of pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and medicinal chemistry to clinical practice, covering a range of clinical therapeutic areas.
• Medicinal Substances: This module focuses on the identification, characterization, and quantitative pharmaceutical analysis of drug substances by a range of analytical techniques.
• Pharmaceutical Technology: This module combines scientific aspects that are critical in the development and manufacture of new drugs, handling of medicines and medical devices.
• Placements and Preparation for Professional Practice 1: This module prepares students for experiential learning and future practice through a focus on development of key professional skills and activities.

Level 3 Modules

• OSCEs for Year 3: This is an assessment-only module that assesses key skills and competencies at the end of Year 3.
• Advanced Delivery of Large and Small Molecules: This module covers advanced drug delivery systems for targeted and controlled release of existing and novel molecules in tissues and cells to optimize clinical benefit.
• Genomic, Personalised and Future Medicines: This module covers the complete sequencing of the human genome and its implementation in genomic and personalized medicine.
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2: This module applies the science of pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and medicinal chemistry to clinical practice, covering a range of clinical therapeutic areas.
• Placements & Preparation for Professional Practice 2: This module prepares students for experiential learning in professional practice in Year 3 with reflection, debrief, and preparation for Year 4 experiential learning.

Level 4 Modules

• OSCEs: This is an assessment-only module that assesses key skills and competencies at the end of Level 4.
• Advanced Practice and Therapeutics: This module covers evidence-based decision-making, prescribing for complex patients, and working as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Research Project: This module involves an individual research project, including project design and implementation, practical/fieldwork, and literature searching and critical review.
• Managing Conditions in the Pharmacy: This module involves demonstrating knowledge and skills to appropriately manage patients with various conditions, including over-the-counter consultations and the implementation of various Pharmacy First (NI) services in a simulated environment.
• Placements and Preparation for Professional Practice: This module prepares students for professional practice to include experiential learning placements, and particularly to embark on their foundation year training.

Admission Criteria

• A-level requirements: AAB including A-level Chemistry and at least one other A-level from Biology, Mathematics, or Physics + GCSE Biology grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC/44 + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H1H1H1H2H2H2 including H1 in Biology and Chemistry + if not offered at Higher Level, Ordinary Level grade O4 in Mathematics and English.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34 points overall including 6,6,5 at Higher Level including Chemistry and at least one of Biology (preferred), Mathematics, or Physics + GCSE Biology grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC/44 + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.
• Graduate: A minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours degree preferably in a relevant subject.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £4,855
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £4,855
• England, Scotland, or Wales (GB): £9,535
• EU Other: £26,600
• International: £26,600

Additional Course Costs

• Enhanced disclosed check with Access NI and/or obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct or equivalent: The student has to cover the costs involved with these checks.
• Laboratory coat: £20
• Branded scrubs: Optional
• Travel to experiential learning placement sites: Up to a maximum of two hours one way, as calculated by an online route planner for car journeys or taking into account the public transport network.

Career Prospects

The MPharm course at Queen's is accredited by the GPhC and the Pharmaceutical Society NI. To become a pharmacist in the UK, you will need to complete five years of initial education (typically a four-year MPharm degree followed by a foundation training year in the UK), pass a joint (common) registration assessment set by the GPhC and Pharmaceutical Society NI, and have your name added to the relevant pharmacist register. Our graduates typically pursue careers in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, general practice, and the pharmaceutical industry. However, career paths in a range of other sectors include academia, scientific publishing, and regulation.