Pharmacy with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year

Modern healthcare is delivered by an interdisciplinary team and increasingly, pharmacists are delivering enhanced and new clinical services across healthcare settings, including as prescribers. Our Pharmacy degree recognises these new and advanced roles and integrates sciences and practice to prepare students to meet the challenges of the changing face of pharmacy.

During your four-year integrated Master’s degree (MPharm) in Pharmacy, you will follow a curriculum designed to reflect the way pharmacists approach patients and how patients present to pharmacists. We combine fundamental and complex scientific principles with how they are applied to give you a clear understanding of the practice of pharmacy.

Together with a strong focus on clinical and communication skills and digital technology, you will develop the academic, practical, and personal qualities to practice pharmacy competently and with confidence.

Pharmacy at Swansea University builds on the strengths of the Medical School by adopting an interdisciplinary approach to teaching. We recognise that pharmacists work alongside other healthcare professions in a clinical setting, therefore education and training should reflect this. You will benefit from our experience and expertise in clinical and life science, research, training and practice, helping you to develop your pharmaceutical practice, science and knowledge.

It is these strengths and the recognition of the need for scientific rigour and understanding, coupled with a strong focus on patient care and outcomes, that allow the Medical School to develop high-quality healthcare professionals to meet the needs of employers and patients alike.

Throughout your course, you will have a high level of structured clinical contact, lecture and lab-based teaching. We teach across 8 broad themes which have been adapted from the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC's) Indicative Curriculum:

• Pharmaceutics

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry

• Pharmacology and Therapeutics

• Cellular and Molecular Bioscience

• Human Biology

• Clinical Pharmacy

• Pharmacy Practice

• Pharmacy Employment Opportunities

These themes are intertwined to reflect how scientific principles integrate with modern pharmaceutical care, while elements of prescribing practice form the building blocks of all years of the degree.

The Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you will need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your MPharm.

In Year 0, you will typically study areas including: Cells & Systems; Chemistry of Life; Scientific Skills: Lab to Literature; Molecular & Cellular Biology; Foundations in Pharmacy; Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Health, Disease and Patient; Drugs & Medicines; Practice of Pharmacy; Pharmacist as a Professional.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Patient-Centred Learning; Pharmacist as a Professional.

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Patient Centred Learning; Pharmacist as a Professional; New Knowledge.

In Year 4, you will typically study areas including: Emerging Therapies and Complex Patients; Preparation for Practice & Prescribing; Pharmacist as a Professional.

The teaching and learning methods employed address the knowledge and competencies required for the varied responsibilities of Pharmacists. You will learn through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, case-based learning, workshops, laboratory classes, experiential learning and an independently-led research project. Assessments will include Laboratory practicals, written exams, oral presentations, written assignments, and clinical skills assessments. The range of assessment methods is chosen to develop and demonstrate a range of skills transferable to the modern healthcare environment including reflection, oral and written communication, confidence and competence.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• General Pharmaceutical Council