Pharmacy

If you're passionate about healthcare and would like to become an expert on the safe and effective use of medicines, then our MPharm course is for you.

The University of Reading enjoys international recognition for its expertise in many health and biomedical-related areas that make essential contributions to the degree course. It is one of the UK's top universities for pharmacy and pharmacology (ranked 10th in the Daily Mail University Guide 2024).

Pharmacists are frontline healthcare professionals who are experts in the safe and effective use of medicines. They work with patients to help them get the most out of their medicines, and also provide advice for medical and nursing staff. They are usually employed within hospital and community pharmacies, but some are also employed by commercial organisations.

An MPharm is the only degree that will allow you to register as a qualified pharmacist, following a year of foundation year training. The University of Reading enjoys international recognition for its expertise in many health- and biomedical-related areas that make essential contributions to the degree course.

This course will set you on the path to a career as a qualified pharmacist. On average, our students earn an annual salary of £46,000 five years after graduating, and the University of Reading ranks 4th in the UK for graduate salary for Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy.*

This degree is accredited by the pharmacy regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council, and has been designed to reflect the changing roles of pharmacists.

We use diverse and integrated teaching methods that combine science with practice, and use research-led case studies in our teaching, the range of teaching methods allow you to reach your full learning potential. 88% of our students agreed that staff in the Department of Pharmacy are good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2022).

Purpose-built facilities and modern technologies allow an exciting and challenging curriculum to be delivered in an innovative way, integrating theory and practice throughout the course, and equipping you with the knowledge and skills for your future career in this rapidly developing profession. For example, in our Clinical Skills Suite you will develop the skills required to effectively contribute to the multidisciplinary care of patients. We also use professional dispensing software and real medicines in order to build up your experience of key processes and handling medicinal products. 

You will also benefit from lectures in business and leadership, run by the award-winning Henley Business School.

Additionally, you will develop your research skills throughout the course, and spend part of your final year working alongside internationally recognised researchers. Past topics have included molecular pharmacology, medical technology, pharmacy practice, and drug synthesis, analysis and formulation.

*Based on The Telegraph, August 2024, analysis of DfE data on the earnings of first degree graduates after five years from English Higher Education Institutions.