Would you like to be an expert on medicines and how to use them effectively? Pharmacists prepare, dispense and give advice about medicines and drugs, working in community pharmacies, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry and university research posts. This four-year course involves in-depth study of pharmaceutical chemistry and medical science with hands-on-learning - either on placement or in simulated patient situations. You need to have an aptitude for sciences, particularly chemistry, and enjoy communicating with the public.
Here's a guide to what to expect from the application process - also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.
January application
October application
Personal statement
Portfolio
Interview
Entry test
Work experience
Audition
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Although there have been some concerns expressed about whether opportunities have kept pace with a subject that has rapidly increased in popularity, unemployment rates for pharmacy grads are ultra-low and over 95% of working pharmacy graduates had jobs as pharmacists (mostly as retail pharmacists) six months after they left their courses; telling you that these are degrees in demand.
A degree in pharmacy will help you to develop a range of subject-specific skills including an understanding of the principles, design and manufacture of medicines; the law and ethics of the supply of medicines and knowledge of pharmaceutical analysis. Transferable skills a pharmacy graduate will develop include communication, data evaluation and commercial awareness. Pharmacists are usually employed in pharmacy stores, either as a part of retail chains, or (less common than in the past) as their own business, for hospitals, for medical practices, and in the pharmaceutical industry.
