Masters in Pharmacy UK: The United Kingdom is an excellent destination to study pharmacy. The UK continues to be a world leader in medical research, development, and optimisation, as well as in health care and drug consumption. Universities in the United Kingdom have concentrated this knowledge and creativity, and you will be taught by the best professors. According to data published by Oxford Economics on 26th Feb 2024, the pharmacy industry in 2023 contributed around GBP 13 billion annually to the economy of the UK. Pharmacy education in the UK equips students with the knowledge and abilities necessary to excel in a variety of pharmacy careers, including community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, industry, research, and postgraduate study. Get to know everything about pursuing a Master in Pharmacy (MPharma) in the UK!
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Name of the Course | MPharm or MSc in Pharmacy |
Duration | 1-4 years |
Annual Course Fee | GBP 15,500- GBP 35,000 |
Average Salary | 40,000 GBP (Annually) |
Job Profile | Pharmacist, Pharmacy Manager, Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Hospital Pharmacy Technician, etc. |
Top Recruiters | Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Bayer, Roche, etc. |
What is a Master’s in Pharmacy?
Master’s in Pharmacy in the UK is a one-year program that offers knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences and drug development, offering transferable skills and hands-on experience. Some universities offer it as part of an undergraduate-postgraduate integrated course to study in the UK. The course is a combination of theoretical teaching with practical experience to prepare professionals for work in various healthcare settings like hospitals, etc.
In the UK, MPharm programs are accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council, which maintains and proves its high standards. The subject specialisations can be – cell signalling, cardiovascular pharmacology, drug discovery, and the future design and administration of medicines.
Why Study a Master in Pharmacy in the UK?
According to QS World Rankings of 2024, there were nearly 44 Universities that appeared in the UK for the subject Pharmacy and Pharmacology. Studying MPharm in the UK can be an appealing opportunity for international students because of many reasons:
- Students learn from industry experts like pharmacists and senior professionals, gaining real insights into the field.
- The program offers research training from globally recognized researchers.
- The program is internationally accredited.
- UK universities have advanced infrastructure and facilities for improved learning and research.
Top Universities for Masters in Pharmacy in UK
Institution | QS World University Rankings, 2025 | Course & Tenure | Annual Course Fees in GBP |
University of Oxford | 03 | MSc in Pharmacology (One year) | 36,250 |
University College London (UCL) | 09 | MSc in Pharmaceutics (One year) | 37,500 |
King’s College London | 40 | MSc in Clinical Pharmacology (One year) | 33,258 |
University of Glasgow | 78 | MSc in Clinical Pharmacology (One year) | 31,860 |
University of Birmingham | 80 | Pharmacy –MSc by Research (One year) | 27,360 |
University of Nottingham | 108 | Drug Discovery MSc (One year) | 32,400 |
University of Aberdeen | 236 | MSc in Clinical Pharmacology (One year) | 27,000 |
University of Strathclyde | 281 | MSc in Advanced Pharmacology (One year) | 27,500 |
Aston University | 423 | Pharmaceutical Science, MSc Course (One year) | 20,700 |
Coventry University | 526 | Pharmacology and Drug Discovery, MSc Course (One year) | 18,600 |
Also Read – Top Colleges & Universities in UK
Admission Procedure for Masters in Pharmacy in UK
The admission process for MPharm in the UK varies depending on the university. However, most programs require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. Some programs may also require applicants to have relevant experience.
Eligibility Requirements
To study in the UK, you must achieve the following minimum requirements when applying for an MPharma at any UK university. Please keep in mind that admittance requirements vary for each university in the United Kingdom.
- Must have a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, biology, pharmacology, chemistry, or a similar field, usually with at least a 2:1 honours degree with a minimum of 70%.
- Depending on whether you want to be a technician, assistant, or pharmacist, different qualifications are required, however arithmetic, English, and chemistry are generally essential.
- The minimum prerequisites for the International Baccalaureate are 60-65 per cent.AAB is a common requirement for A-level students.
- You also need good English language skills, with scores of at least 6.5 in IELTS or 92 in TOEFL iBT, or a score of 75% in your 12th grade from a recognized board like CBSE/ICSE.
- Some schools might also need you to have 18 months of work experience in a healthcare setting.
Also Read – Masters in UK: Top Universities, Fees, Ranking, Eligibility
Documents Required
The general documents required are –
- Transcripts of your previous courses
- Photocopy of your passport
- Detailed resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation
- IELTS, TOEFL, scores.
- Other important certificates and transcripts
- UK Student Visa
Admission Process
After you have decided on the college that meets your interests, the following step is the application process. Universities in the United Kingdom use either UCAS for admission or you can directly apply via the university portal.
- UCAS – All the applicants interested in pursuing an MPharm in the UK have to register via UCAS. https://www.ucas.com (UCAS) is an admission service which is used to apply at various UK universities
- After you register with UCAS, you will receive one unique username and password.
- You need to choose your course from the various available universities that offer a postgraduate in pharmacy.
- Students then will have to fill out the application form through the UCAS system. The application form will ask for details like :
The course of your choice |
Your personal details |
Educational qualifications |
Personal statement |
References (if any) |
- After completing your application, you will have to submit the form. Students can also track the progress of their application through the UCAS track.
Career Scope of Masters in Pharmacy in the UK
Completing a Master of Science in Pharmacy in the UK can be a great start for a career in the pharmaceutical industry. This qualification shows potential employers that you have the practical research experience needed for their organisation. Some popular job roles and professions after completing a Master’s in Pharmacy in the UK include:
Job Roles | Average Salary (in GBP) |
Quality Control Supervisor | 26,757 |
Quality Control Technician | 29,177 |
Laboratory Analyst | 23,835 |
Lecturer in Science | 46,817 |
Pharmaceutical Research Scientist | 29,669 |
Clinical Trials Coordinator | 31,809 |
Drug Safety Specialist | 33,444 |
Medical Sales Rep | 43,750 |
Pharmacist | 36,348 |
Retail Pharmacist | 43,852 |
Clinical Pharmacist | 38,946 |
Pharmacy Manager | 49,286 |
FAQs
To study for a master’s in Pharmacy in the UK, you must meet the eligibility criteria like having a bachelor’s degree in the field of biology, chemistry, pharmacology, etc.
Yes, you can study Master in Pharmacy in the UK without IELTS, provided, you must be exempted by the General Pharmaceutical Council from an IELTS qualification.
The average salary after a Master’s in Pharmacy in the UK depends on your field. According to a report, a pharmacist has an average salary of GBP 36,348 per year.
The fee for a Master’s in Pharmacy in the UK for international students varies by university, location and subject of interest and can range between GBP 18,000 to GBP 37,500.
Hence, if you have decided to study MPharm in UK then the career prospects are immense. Needless to say, with scores of top-rated universities and courses available, you might get confused with the admission process. Worry not, your study abroad experts we are here! You can take the assistance of experts at Leverage Edu who will help you in completing the application formalities with ease!