Admissions Policy: Pharmacy MPharm Degree (21 Aug 2007): (UCAS Code: B230 MPharm/Ph)
The MPharm degree is an integrated, full-time 4 year undergraduate programme which leads to a Masters degree.
All prospective applicants should be aware that:
- All applications must come through UCAS, through which formal offers are made.
- Falsification/inaccuracy of application information can lead to rejection of an application or removal of students from the course at any stage. Academic misconduct may also lead to removal of students from the course.
- This communication and advice does NOT constitute a formal offer of a place on the MPharm degree course.
- Since this is a Masters level programme, the workload is higher than that of a similar length Honours BSc degree and some classes have a pass mark standard of 50%.
- Students who fail to make satisfactory progress on the course will be transferred to the B.Sc Hons in Pharmaceutical Studies, a degree which does not lead to qualification as a professional pharmacist.
- All entrants to the programme should be aware that they will be required to make an application for Disclosure Scotland Clearance or equivalent.
- Because the number and quality of applicants varies each year, achieving the grades outlined below cannot be considered as an absolute guarantee for entrance to the course.
Timing of Applications and Entry Requirements
Applications after the publication of School Results: We are always interested to hear from well qualified applicants, regardless of the time of year. Competition for places on the MPharm program is intense and most years we do not go into clearing. Nevertheless, we do maintain a reserve list of strongly qualified applicants in case places unexpectedly become available after the school results have been published. Students who wish to be considered for such places should therefore contact us directly:
Carol Barnett (tel: 0141-548-2863, carol.barnett@strath.ac.uk) or Dr John Connolly (tel: 0141-548-2654, j.g.connolly@strath.ac.uk)
Entry to the M.Pharm. degree (UCAS Code: B230 MPharm/Ph) is highly competitive, hence applicants are expected to obtain at least the required qualifications at the first attempt. Applicants who narrowly fail to achieve these grades at the first sitting would be expected to exceed them in any subsequent attempt to gain entry to the course. School reports will be taken into account.
Justification of Requirement for Specific Subjects: The MPharm degree at Strathclyde is a Masters degree with a strong scientific content. This allows graduates to pursue research based careers if they so wish. However the scientific foundation of Pharmacy is necessary to enable graduates to cope with the continuous change in the practice and information content of the Pharmacy profession. It also underpins the rational approach towards patient care. In particular, a good knowledge of Chemistry is needed for understanding the discovery, origin, actions and metabolism of medicines, and potentially hazardous interactions with other medications. Mathematics is vital in all areas of science, and also in understanding drug uptake, distribution and release from the body. English is a key requirement, as excellent communication skills are as important as any other subject for a pharmacist dealing with the general public and reporting on drug safety. It is therefore essential that students demonstrate that they have these skills before they come on to the course. Other subjects are not accepted as substituting for these core skills. We have no top up courses or summer schools which enable students to improve their grades for entry to Pharmacy, so students must at least obtain the minimal requirements outlined below in order to be considered.
UK and Republic of Ireland (Eire) Qualifications
Scotland SQA:
In order to be considered, all applicants offering Scottish qualifications are expected to obtain passes in the following Higher S.Q.A. subjects:
Chemistry, Maths (with either calculus or statistics), English and one of Physics, Biology, Human Biology, or Geography.
A minimum of 4 B's in the above subjects at the first attempt will always be required. However, as the level of competition varies from year to year, in some years those who have obtained an A in a key science subject and B's or better in the remaining required subjects, will have priority for places. If applicants do not achieve the minimum grades at their first attempt, they would be expected to exceed the minimum requirement in that subject at their second attempt. Applications are also welcomed from pupils attending GOALS schools.
Those applying for entry directly from 5th year should see notes on Offers Policy below.
England and Northern Ireland GCE Advanced Level:
In order to be considered, applicants offering English Qualifications are expected to obtain passes in Chemistry and an additional two science subjects from: - Mathematics, Physics, Geography, or Biology. (Human Biology or Zoology will be accepted in place of Biology).
A minimum of 3 B's in the above subjects at the first attempt will always be required. However, as the level of competition varies from year to year, in some years those who have obtained an A in a key science subject and B's or better in the remaining required subjects will have priority for places.
Mathematics is strongly preferred as one of the additional science subjects, and students currently making subject choices are encouraged to include it. If it is not offered, then a good AS level in Mathematics in addition to the other subjects is very strongly preferred.
Applicants who have already embarked upon their A-level course and have only chosen two science subjects (one of which must be Chemistry) will also be considered.
All applicants must have achieved GCSE at Grades A to B, or equivalent qualifications, in English Language.
Pharmacy Technicians:
Applications are welcomed from Pharmacy technicians with a minimum of 2 years work experience. They should have either an NC in Pharmaceutical Sciences, or S/NVQ Level 3. They must also have SQA Higher passes at Grade B in Chemistry, English and Maths. Technicians from other regions in the UK or Ireland with qualifications of a similar standard may also apply.
HND in Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences:
Candidates must have exceptional grades throughout their course work. Scottish candidates will also be required to obtain a pass at B in Higher Chemistry, or Maths, or both depending upon the nature of their HND qualifications, as well as English. Applicants from other regions in the UK or Ireland will be expected to achieve a similar standard of qualification.
Republic of Ireland (Eire)
Five Higher Leaving Certificate (Hons) passes at A grade including Chemistry, English, Mathematics, and either Physics or Biology.
Graduate Entry:
Graduates with a good (2.1 or better) Honours degree in a relevant subject, and with a good school record, may be considered. Candidates must also satisfy the standard English and Mathematical requirements. The complete academic record for each case for entry will be considered on an individual basis. A good performance at university level in chemistry and mathematics courses is required. All applications must be made through UCAS (www.ucas.co.uk). Successful degree qualified applicants will automatically be considered for second year entry, however this cannot be guaranteed, as the number of places available in second year is not completely predictable before enrollment.
Please note: Partial and ordinary pass degrees are not acceptable. Also we do NOT accept transfers from any other degree course. Instead, all applicants meet the entry standards outlined above.
SWAP West:
A very restricted number of places are available for qualified applicants who have successfully completed the SWAP "Access to Medical Studies" course offered by Stow College in Glasgow. However this is essentially a conversion course for mature and well-qualified applicants who do not have the right mix of subjects for entry to the MPharm degree. It is not an alternative route of entry for those who have not performed well in previous science examinations.
Europe and Worldwide Qualifications:
The United Kingdom Board Agency (UKBA) have announced changes to the immigration system due to be implemented in Spring 2009. Details have not yet been finalised, but information on this can be found here.
Some of the changes will have additional financial implications and a deposit to secure your place along with evidence of sufficient maintenance funds may be required to assist you in gaining a visa.
English Language Requirements:
Candidates should possess one of the following in English Language:
SPM/119 -min grade C4
O-level -Credit (Grade A or B)
TOEFL = 600 (including the Test of Written English) or TOEFL 250 (computer based test).
IELTS - average 7.0 (individual band score not less than 6).
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English - Grade A
Cambridge Certificate in Proficiency in English - Grade A or B
International Baccalaureate
One grade 7 and two at grade 6 at Higher Level at first sitting for Chemistry, Mathematics and either Physics or Biology included in an overall total of not less than 36.
IMU/Malaysia:
One of the following with chemistry and any other two from physics, biology, or mathematics:
A-lev/STPM: B+, B+, B+
SAM: see http://www.ssabsa.sa.edu.au/sam/malaysia.htm
Australian Matric:
70% aggregate (not less than 65% in chem) or TER 80
Canadian Pre-university (CPM):
75% aggregate in 6 subjects (not less than 70% in chem)
Unified Exam certificate (UEC):
B3 B3 B4
Monash U. Foundn Year (MUFY):
75% aggregate
Indian Pre-university:
Not less than 75% in three sciences and average of not less than 80%
Local Matriculation:
BBC/cGPA of not less than 3.0
Diploma (ITM):
Science or Microbiology, cGPA of not less than 3.0
American High School Diploma:
cGPA of not less than 2.7 (chemistry and one other science must be AP with Advanced Placement courses)
Applicants with other qualifications should consult Dr. John G Connolly: MPharm@strath.ac.uk
Offers Policy:
Age: We welcome applications from candidates of all ages. However, since this is a professional degree which deals with confidential patient material at an early stage, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain prefers entrants to the degree programme to be aged 18 or over. We therefore prefer candidates who will be aged 18 at some point in the first year of the programme. Unless applicants from 5th year are predicted to obtain at least the minimum qualifications, their applications may be rejected for direct entry after 5th year. However, those who have performed particularly well in 5th year may be accepted onto the programme. Nevertheless, we usually advise those who have achieved the minimum requirements in 5th year to take Advanced Highers, (for instance Chemistry and Maths or Biology). Students with Advanced Higher Chemistry appear to cope more easily with the first few years of the programme. Another option is to work for a year in a Pharmacy. Students with work experience in a Pharmacy tend to do better in the Pharmacy Practice exams later on in the degree programme. Alternatively students may wish to do volunteer work for a year.
Criteria considered: The most important considerations for entry into the MPharm degree are the examination results. If scientific and communication skills are not strong then students will struggle on the course and may at some point in their professional careers put patients at risk. This could compromise their fitness to practice as Pharmacists. We also pay attention to the school report and the grades predicted by schools for their students. The personal statement is considered, but carries less weight than these other criteria.
Demonstrated enthusiasm for Pharmacy is also useful from the applicant's point of view (for instance, some work experience in a Pharmacy). Such experience helps students know that the MPharm degree is the right course for them personally and helps ensure successful completion of the degree course. However lack of, or very limited, exposure to the work of a Pharmacist should not deter applicants. The most important thing is to show good scientific ability and communication skills through good examination results. Without the necessary examination grades, these other criteria will not suffice. For example, an applicant who obtains a D in any of the core subjects, Chemistry, Mathematics and English, is unlikely to receive an offer and should retake the subject to improve their grade.
Currently, we do not interview candidates for the MPharm degree course.
Unconditional offers:-
As stated earlier, because the number and quality of applicants varies each year, achieving the grades outlined above cannot be considered as an absolute guarantee for entrance to the course. However, we do hope to be able to make unconditional offers to those students who obtain the above entry requirements at the first attempt once the UCAS application has been received.
Likely to receive conditional offers:-
Conditional offers are most likely to be made to those who have not yet taken their exams, have not taken the right mix of subjects the first time around, or who have just missed the mark in one of the required subjects.
Please note that since we require evidence of competence in particular subjects, a poor performance in any of the required subjects is likely to lead to a rejection of the application. For this reason also, it is not possible to use an 'A' pass in a different subject to compensate for a lower than acceptable mark in one of the required subjects.
Order of preference: (1 is most likely to receive a conditional offer).
- Those who are predicted to obtain good grades but have not taken examinations in any or all of the required subjects.
- Those who have obtained the required or better grades in their science subjects, but have just missed the required standard in English (eg C).
- Those who have obtained the necessary or better grades in Maths, English and Chemistry, but have just missed the required grade in the additional science subject (Biology, Physics or Geography).
- Those who have just missed obtaining the necessary grades in Chemistry or Maths are less favoured than the above candidates as these are core scientific skills required for the course. Less likely to obtain a conditional offer:- Because of the competition for places, those who have missed the mark in two or more subjects are much less likely to be made a conditional offer. They should perhaps consider other degree courses. However if a student is still determined to do Pharmacy, they should aim to obtain an A at Higher Level, or a B at Advanced Higher level, in their second attempt at the subjects in which they did not meet the entry criteria. Places are not always available in clearing, but once applicants have these grades in their possession, they will be in a better position to apply for entry in the following year. Candidates can also apply after obtaining a 2:1, or better, Honours degree in an appropriate subject.