Course Structure

Experiential Learning Placements

The experiential learning placements are included as contact/teaching hours to ensure they are counted within the module and they are a mandatory part of the MPharm degree programme, not optional. At the time of writing, we are expecting there will be no placements in Level 1 and up to 12 weeks across Levels 2-4. These placements are expected to occur in primary and secondary care sites. They will be across Northern Ireland.

Introduction

The course integrates the chemical, and biological sciences with the discovery, design,
evaluation and production of medicines and their clinical application to all areas of practice. Importance is also placed on equality, diversity and inclusion, sustainable healthcare, professionalism, and prescribing skills and attributes. A variety of placements and simulated learning with multidisciplinary teams, coupled with other teaching and learning approaches, help students develop the knowledge and skills to be a valued and effective member of the healthcare team.

Level 1

• Introduction to the Profession and Practice of Pharmacy
• Physical and Chemical Properties of Drug Molecules
• Microbes and Medicines
• How the Human Body Works
• Skills for Pharmacy

Level 2

• Placements and Preparation for Professional Practice 1
• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Medicinal Substances
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1
• OSCEs

Level 3

• Placements and Preparation for Professional Practice 2
• Genomic, Personalised and Future Medicines
• Advanced Delivery of Large and Small Molecules
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2
• OSCEs

Level 4

• Placements and Preparation for Professional Practice 3
• Research Project
• Managing Conditions in the Pharmacy
• Advanced Practice and Therapeutics
• OSCEs

Contact Teaching Hours

Medium Group Teaching

12 (hours maximum)
Small to medium group teaching (e.g. tutorials, workshops and practicals): 12 hours per week. Please note: this is an average weekly amount across the teaching semester and will depend on when the placements occur.

Large Group Teaching

8 (hours maximum)
Large Group Teaching (e.g. lectures) 6-8 hours per week Please note: this is an average weekly amount across the teaching semester and will depend on when the placements occur.

Teaching Times

The course is taught across the week from Monday through to Friday. Further information about experiential learning can be found under module information

Learning and Teaching

We are recognised for our excellence in teaching and our international reputation in research. Students are taught by a diverse range of experts, including practising pharmacists from primary and secondary care settings in the UK, and staff who have educational fellowships and educational awards. The School of Pharmacy is one of the top ranked schools of pharmacy in the UK. Moreover, in the QS World University Rankings 2023 (by subject), the School of Pharmacy was ranked in the top 40 Schools of Pharmacy in the world. The results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 show that Queen's Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy has been ranked 4th in the UK according to Times Higher Education. The School engages with external stakeholders for course development and has developed local, national and international relationships with a wide range of external research and education experts. We use contemporary evidence-based teaching, learning, and assessment approaches and course content typically increases in complexity as the course progresses.

Adviser of Studies

Each student will be assigned to an Adviser of Studies for the duration of their MPharm studies. They provide support for students particularly in the context of advice and options relating to academic progression.

E-Learning technologies

Information about teaching, learning, and assessment is often communicated via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences and digital technologies are embedded in the degree programme.

Experiential learning placements

These will occur in primary and secondary care across Northern Ireland and are mandatory, not optional. They should allow you to gain hands-on experience and opportunities for reflection. They should enable you to make connections between theoretical concepts and real-world practice and enhance professional identity.

Induction

We have a formal induction for each year of the MPharm degree programme, although the main focus is on the first year students’ induction to support students as they transition to the course and university life. During the first two weeks of Level 1, there are a number of sessions relating to the development of skills and attributes of being a future healthcare professional. These include academic writing, responsibilities and expectations of being a future healthcare professional (including fitness to practise), professional identity, communication skills, unconscious bias training, first aid, laboratory and digital literacy skills, ways to manage time and where to seek support if required. In addition, during Level 1 studies, students are encouraged to start to develop their lifelong learning skills through the use of personal development planning and reflective portfolios.

Interprofessional learning

The course also includes opportunities to engage in interprofessional learning in all four years of the degree. Pharmacy students engage with nursing and medical students (among other professions) to address real world problems in healthcare. Students are also expected to develop a range of clinical skills and attributes that they will be able to use in multidisciplinary healthcare environments upon registration. This includes having expertise in the safe and effective use of medicines, including in a prescribing context, and being dedicated to person-centred care.

Lectures

These provide information about topics and are often a starting point for further self-directed learning. As the module progresses, information delivered via lectures usually becomes more complex. Our approach may include asynchronous recorded material which typically should be watched prior to interactive sessions on campus.

Peer Mentoring

Students have opportunities to mentor and teach other students during the course.

Personal Development Planning

This is important to encourage students to engage in independent learning, including during the experiential learning placements.

Personal tutor

Each student will be assigned a personal tutor for the duration of their MPharm studies. They act as a first point of contact for students with academic or personal issues that they may require guidance and/or support with.

Practicals

You will have opportunities to develop technical skills in our teaching laboratories and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts through the modules you study.

Self-directed study

This is an essential part of life as a Queen's student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out. Being able to identify your learning needs and becoming an independent learner is very important for a future healthcare professional as practice can rapidly evolve and change. You will have a professional responsibility to keep up-to-date.

Simulated learning

The simulated pharmacy in the School of Pharmacy and Faculty simulation facilities allow students to practise in a safe environment with simulated patients and peers. These facilities collectively replicate a community pharmacy, GP practices, a patient's home and hospital environment at the highest level.

Supervised Research Projects

In final year, you will have an opportunity to complete an individual research project under the supervision of academic staff. This helps you develop various skills including critical thinking and research skills. It usually involves the development of a research protocol, the collection and analysis of data, drawing comparisons with other studies in the field, and presenting this in the form of a research paper.

Workshops/seminars

A significant amount of teaching is carried out in smaller or medium sized groups (typically 25-40 students). These sessions are designed to explore, in more depth, the information that has been presented in the lectures or to replace a lecture. This provides students with the opportunity to engage closely with academic staff or other experts who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of their peers.

Assessment

Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

• The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning outcomes of each module. Many modules are assessed through a combination of coursework (will could encompass laboratory reports, class tests, role plays, oral presentations, observing and assessing students undertaking tasks such as physical examination skills), OSCEs and written examinations. However, some are coursework only and others are examination only. Details of how each module is assessed, including the weighting of the individual elements, are provided in Canvas (the virtual learning environment). The experiential learning placements will include completion of various activities, with further details about this provided during the MPharm course.

Feedback

As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module coordinators, practice supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
• Face to face verbal comments, either as part of scheduled classes or through meetings with members of staff
• Practice Supervisor feedback during the experiential learning placements and employer comments.
• Online or emailed comments, including via Discussion Boards or Canvas announcements
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture,
  seminar, tutorial or workshop.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
• After observations by staff (or peers) during practical classes or other professional activities
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
• Once you have reviewed your feedback, you should implement it on subsequent pieces of work or activities to improve your academic performance.

Modules

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4

Entrance requirements

All applicants

New Standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists were published in 2021 by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). One important point is that the new Standards stipulate that "all admissions and selection processes must include an interactive component, to assess applicants' values and professional suitability". Therefore shortlisted applicants (including international applicants) must complete an interview.

More detail is provided in the Admissions Policy Statement for Pharmacy which can be accessed from the link below under Selection Criteria. It is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.

A level requirements

AAB including A-level Chemistry and at least one other A-level from Biology, Mathematics or Physics + GCSE Biology grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC/44 + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.

Note: Biology to at least AS preferred. Please note that only one Mathematics subject will be counted at A-level. A-level Critical Thinking and General Studies are not acceptable.

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process. More detail is provided in the Admissions Policy Statement for Pharmacy which can be accessed from the link below.

Irish Leaving Certificate

H1H1H1H2H2H2 including H1 in Biology and Chemistry + if not offered at Higher Level, Ordinary Level grade O4 in Mathematics and English.

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process. More detail is provided in the Admissions Policy Statement for Pharmacy which can be accessed from the link below.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

34 points overall including 6,6,5 at Higher Level including Chemistry and at least one of Biology (preferred), Mathematics or Physics + GCSE Biology grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC/44 + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4.

If not offered at IB Higher Level or GCSE then IB Standard Level grade 4 in Biology and Mathematics would be required.

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process. More detail is provided in the Admissions Policy Statement for Pharmacy which can be accessed from the link below.

Graduate

A minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours degree preferably in a relevant subject.

Those with an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a non-relevant subject may be considered if they have the appropriate science background at GCSE and A-level.

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process. More detail is provided in the Admissions Policy Statement for Pharmacy which can be accessed from the link below.

Access Course

Not considered

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

Not considered

Further information

1. As a result of current legislative requirements any offer made will be conditional on a satisfactory criminal history check (Access NI Enhanced Disclosure Check). To enable the University to request this check you will be required to provide some personal information which will be treated in the strictest of confidence and in line with Data Protection Principles. The current cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Check is £33. At the time of printing changes are due to be implemented and relevant procedures and/or costs may change. Applicants will be advised of the relevant requirements at the appropriate time. For international students, a Certificate of Good Conduct or equivalent will be required in lieu of an Access NI check.

2. The degree is subject to the University’s regulations on Fitness to Practise.

3. Any offer to study within the Pharmacy degree programme at QUB will be conditional on confirmation that the student does not appear on the Excluded Students Database. The Excluded Students Database is a national database which records those who have previously been excluded from professional programmes, on fitness to practise grounds. It is used only for proper fitness to practise purposes to protect patients and the public, and to prevent fraudulent applications. Normally students who have previously been excluded from professional programmes will not be made an offer.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

How we choose our students

In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.

This is the Admissions Policy Statement for Pharmacy for 2025 entry.

Download "How we choose our students" PDF

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

Please Select Your Country/Region Please Select Your Country/Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bolivia Bosnia And Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Cambodia Cameroon Canada Chile China Mainland Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Ecuador Egypt Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong (SAR) Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lebanon Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Macau (SAR) Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Malta Mauritius Mexico Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Palestine Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka St Vincent And The Grenadines Sudan Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uruguay USA Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

Career Prospects

Introduction

The MPharm course at Queen’s is accredited by the GPhC and the Pharmaceutical Society
NI. To become a pharmacist in the UK, you will need to complete five years of initial education (typically a four year MPharm degree followed by a foundation training year in the UK), pass a joint (common) registration assessment set by the GPhC and Pharmaceutical Society NI,
and have your name added to the relevant pharmacist register. Some universities may offer integrated 5-year degrees but Queen’s University Belfast does not. Our MPharm degree is a 4-year degree programme which must be successfully completed prior to starting the foundation training year within the UK.

The foundation training year in Northern Ireland (which is separate from the Queen’s University Belfast MPharm programme) is currently undergoing changes in light of the 2021 Standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists.

Our graduates typically pursue careers in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, general practice and the pharmaceutical industry. However, career paths in a range of other sectors include academia, scientific publishing, and regulation. Further information regarding careers in pharmacy may be obtained from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Pharmacy Forum NI.

To develop and deliver the MPharm course, we engage with external stakeholders including multinational and independent pharmacy employers, the Department of Health NI, the Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development, GP Federations, patient groups and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry.

Prizes and Awards

A number of employers and professional bodies, among others, sponsor prizes on an annual basis for top performing students. However, these are subject to change for 2025-26 entry.

Information about awards is provided in the QUB ‘Scholarships and Awards Regulations Handbook’ which is available at: https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/AcademicStudentAffairs/AcademicAffairs/ScholarshipsandAwards/ScholarshipsandAwardsHandbook/

Therefore while we can confirm that there will be a range of prizes available including prizes linked to the experiential learning placements we cannot provide exact details at the time of writing without further input from current or future sponsors

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£4,855
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£4,855
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£9,535
EU Other 3	£25,300
International	£25,300

¹EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

Additional course costs

All students entering this programme are required to undergo an enhanced disclosed check with Access NI and/or obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct or equivalent. The student has to cover the costs involved with these checks.

Year 1 students are required to buy a laboratory coat at a cost of £20 and students will have the option, at a specified time of the year only, to purchase branded scrubs.

Students will be expected to travel to an experiential learning placement site up to a maximum of two hours one way, as calculated by an online route planner for car journeys or taking into account the public transport network. It is the student's responsibility to make the necessary travel, accommodation and dependent care arrangements in relation to attending an experiential learning placement and to cover the cost of these aspects. Students will also have purchase clothes which meet the stipulated dress code.

However, the School of Pharmacy, or the Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development (NICPLD), will endeavour to allocate placements close to a student's home or study address, where possible. Furthermore, and in the context of the mandatory experiential learning placements, the expectation is that students abide by the requirements of the workplace, among other requirements outlined by the School of Pharmacy and University. If students do not, they may not be allowed to undertake the placement, which will subsequently affect the ability to pass the module and progress.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

How to Apply

1. How to Apply

Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at:
www.ucas.com/apply

2. When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in September 2025 from early September 2024.

Advisory closing date: 29 January 2025 (18:00).  

Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code for Queen’s is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at:
www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

3. Terms and Conditions

After an offer is made this will be notified to applicants through UCAS. Confirmation will be emailed by the Admissions and Access Service and this communication will also include Terms and Conditions which applicants should read carefully in advance of replying to their offer(s) on UCAS Track.
www.qub.ac.uk/Study/TermsandConditions

4. International (Non- EU) Students

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) STUDENTS

Applying through UCAS
Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 29 January 2025 (18:00).

Applying through agents and partners
The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 29 January 2025 (18:00). Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.
www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/

Download Undergraduate Prospectus