Course contact details
UG PHARMACY 2025
Email:ug.pharmacy@manchester.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)161 529 4563
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
Pharmacy with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year
- Master of Pharmacy (with Honours)
- 5 Years
- Full-Time
- 21 September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Our five-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year prepares you for degree-level study, if you have obtained lower grades at A-level (or equivalent) due to factors outside your control, and therefore meet the University's contextual data policy for direct entry to the four-year course .
The preparatory (foundation) year will help you adapt to the higher education system and is taught at Xaverian College , which is a short walk from the main campus.
You will still be registered with The University of Manchester, with access to all of our facilities and support systems.
Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and each application will be considered individually.
Entry to the four-year MPharm course is automatic on satisfactory completion of the preparatory (foundation) year.
This course is designed for applicants who live and study inside the UK, and therefore we do not consider international applicants.
Modules
Assessment method
You will be assessed through formal examinations (80%) in January and June, and coursework and tests throughout the year.
The coursework assessment in Biology and Chemistry will be mainly based on laboratory work.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- Master of Pharmacy (with Honours) • Full-Time • 5 Years
Start dates
- 21 September 2027
Apply by
13 January 2027
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B231
- Institution code:
- M20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Points of Entry:
- Foundation
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Manchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
13 January 2027
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B231
- Institution code:
- M20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelCCC-BBC
BBC - CCC including Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics, plus one further rigorous academic subject. You will also need to meet the University's contextual admissions (widening participation) selection criteria detailed on our application process page under 'how your application is considered'.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.
Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.
Typical Contextual Offer: BBC - CCC including Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics, plus one further rigorous academic subject. You will also need to meet the University's contextual admissions (widening participation) selection criteria detailed on our application process page under 'how your application is considered'.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.
Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.
Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.
Typical Contextual Offer: BBC - CCC including Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics, plus one further rigorous academic subject. You will also need to meet the University's contextual admissions (widening participation) selection criteria detailed on our application process page under 'how your application is considered'.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.
Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.
T Level
We will only consider the Science T-level pathway for the Pharmacy Preparatory (Foundation) Year. We would require a distinction grade overall. Contextual offers do not currently apply to applicants offering T-Level qualifications.
Applicants meeting our contextual admissions criteria will not be made a reduced offer.
Applicants meeting our contextual admissions criteria will not be made a reduced offer.
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish Higher
For those applicants who meet the widening participation selection criteria detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered) we will consider grades BBBCC to include Chemistry and either Biology or Maths, alongside grade C in Advanced Higher Chemistry.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
AS
We do not accept AS grades in place of A2-level grades.
Access to HE DiplomaNot accepted
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy. We require at least five GCSEs; four at minimum grade 5/B including English Language, with Mathematics at 6/B. We will accept C+ in the Northern Ireland reformed GCSE. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.
For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP+ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool , we will allow an overall reduction of 2 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4 and mathematics no lower than 5/B.
For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP++ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool , we will allow an overall reduction of 4 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4 and mathematics no lower than 5/B.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.
For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP+ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool , we will allow an overall reduction of 2 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4 and mathematics no lower than 5/B.
For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP++ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool , we will allow an overall reduction of 4 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4 and mathematics no lower than 5/B.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.
Scottish Advanced Higher
For those applicants who meet the widening participation selection criteria detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered) we will consider grades BBBCC to include Chemistry and either Biology or Maths, alongside grade C in Advanced Higher Chemistry.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DD
We consider the National Diploma for entry provided it is in a science-based subject (note: we do not accept Health and Social Care). Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades DD alongside either A-level Chemistry or A-level Biology at grade C.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Extended Project
A requirement of this programme is that applicants meet the University of Manchester’s contextual admissions requirements. We therefore would not accept this qualification.
OCR Cambridge Technical DiplomaDD
We consider the Technical Diploma for entry provided it is in a science-based subject (note: we do not accept Health and Social Care). Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades DD alongside either A-level Chemistry or A-level Biology at grade C.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme28-30
28 - 30 points overall. 5,4,4 in higher level Chemistry, alongside higher level Biology and standard level Mathematics or Higher level Mathematics and standard level Biology. Please note this is only for UK students who have taken the International Baccalaureate.
For this programme of study we will accept: Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered').
For this programme of study we will accept: Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered').
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DDD
We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a science-based subject (note: we do not accept Health and Social Care). Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades DDD.
Applicants must also meet the University’s contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Applicants must also meet the University’s contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in a science-based subject (note: we do not accept Health and Social Care). Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with grade D alongside A-level Chemistry and either A-level Biology or A-level Mathematics at grades BC.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended DiplomaDDD
We consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a science-based subject (note: we do not accept Health and Social Care). Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Diploma with grades DDD.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)D
We consider the National Extended Certificate for entry in lieu of the third A-level only. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate at grade D, alongside A-level Chemistry and either A-level Biology or A-level Mathematics at grades BC.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry provided it is in a science-based subject (note: we do not accept Health and Social Care). Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grade D alongside A-level Chemistry and either A-level Biology or A-level Mathematics at grades BC.
You will need to meet the University's contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
You will need to meet the University's contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended CertificateD
We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry in lieu of the third A-level only. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate alongside A-level Chemistry and either A-level Biology or A-level Mathematics at grades BC. You will also need to meet the University's contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this.
We consider applicants who meet the widening participation selection criteria detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered) and require grades DC-BC in Chemistry and either Biology or Maths, alongside the Welsh Baccalaureate at grade B.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact ug.pharmacy@manchester.ac.uk
We consider applicants who meet the widening participation selection criteria detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered) and require grades DC-BC in Chemistry and either Biology or Maths, alongside the Welsh Baccalaureate at grade B.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact ug.pharmacy@manchester.ac.uk
We do not accept a foundation year programme for entry onto this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
- To ensure students are of good character as part of the GPhC's fitness to practise requirements, you must complete a self-declaration form at interview and then annually and submit to a criminal records check during the first year of the MPharm course. You must declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands received at any time before or during your studies, either in this country or in other countries. The criminal records check is an Enhanced Level search by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We will assist you in the completion of these forms. To assess good character, the GPhC Good Character Framework is used.
- Health Checks
- Pharmacy is one of the registered healthcare professions and carries both privileges and responsibilities. You must demonstrate that you are able to exercise those privileges and bear those responsibilities. To join the pharmacy profession at the end of your training, you must abide by the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) Student Code of Conduct and undergo a medical fitness assessment and a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the start of your degree. When the time comes to apply to join the register of pharmacists, you must also make a health declaration and submit to character checks. If you wish to study pharmacy, you should note that your fitness to practise both before and/or during your studies may impair your eligibility to register and practice as a pharmacist.
- Interview
- Interviews will be scheduled via Zoom and will be conducted one-to-one with an academic member of staff. The interviews will be timetabled for 20 minutes, and this will allow you to ask any questions you might have about the Foundation course. We will ensure that you are given plenty of notice about the interview and, if necessary, we will be happy to reschedule if the date/time is inconvenient. Please note that the interview is an essential part of the application process. Those who fail to attend, without prior explanation, will have their application withdrawn. Applicants being considered for interview will receive a decision through UCAS Track and will be sent more information on the interview via email. Events for offer holders Following the interviews, our intention is to arrange on-campus offer holder events (from March 2026) to give you the opportunity to visit the University of Manchester campus, meet our staff and current students, and see the facilities in the Stopford Building.
English language requirements
All applicants to the University (from the UK) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency The minimum English Language requirement for this course is: GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade 5/B.
International entry requirements
The University welcomes applications from appropriately qualified candidates across the world. We value global talent and are proud to receive applications from a wide range of educational systems and national backgrounds.
Because international qualifications vary widely, it is not possible for us to list entry information for every country on this page. If your country is not listed below, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to assist you: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/contact-international-team/ https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/country-specific-information/
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Historical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
The tuition fees for 2027 are yet to be confirmed.
Related courses
At University of Manchester
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