Pharmacy with Science Foundation Year

Pharmacy is the science and practice of preparing, dispensing and optimising the use of medicines. It sits at the intersection of chemistry, biology, physiology and clinical practice, and it carries direct responsibility for patient safety and therapeutic outcomes. The pharmacist's role has expanded considerably in recent decades, moving from a primarily dispensing function into clinical consultancy, medicines management and the direct care of patients in a range of settings.

At the University of Lincoln, this five-year full-time MPharm programme with a science foundation year includes the additional year to allow students who need to strengthen their scientific foundations to progress smoothly into the full degree.

You will develop a thorough grounding in the pharmaceutical sciences, including pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics and microbiology, alongside the clinical and professional skills that pharmacy practice demands. The programme prepares you to understand how medicines work, how they should be used safely and effectively, and how to communicate with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals about medicines management. The foundation year ensures you have the scientific preparation you need before engaging with the depth and complexity of the subsequent years.

Throughout the programme, you will have the opportunity to learn from academics at the forefront of their fields as well as from practising pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists who bring real clinical experience to your education.

Qualified pharmacists work across a range of settings including community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, general practice and primary care, and the pharmaceutical industry. Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council is required to practise as a pharmacist in the UK, and the MPharm is the qualifying degree. Many pharmacists go on to develop specialist expertise in areas such as oncology, mental health, infectious disease or paediatrics.

Careers in pharmaceutical research and development, regulatory affairs and medicines management are also well-established routes for pharmacy graduates.