[Fizzee]

Do you need any work experience before applying to university to study MPharm?

[Noémie]

It certainly wouldn't hurt.

[Fizzee]

I mean is it compulsary? Would they still accept you even if you don't have experience?

[alexh]

I got an offer having done one days WE at a hospital and saying I hoped to do more over easter. I think they just want to know you are enthusiastic and/or definatly want to do pharmacy. I think? x

[petzneo]

I would, becuase its very easy to get some...and it really will help at interview!

[satisverborum2003]

Yep, a work experience is good, especially to put in your personal statement or discuss over the interview. Also, from experience, it's quite easy to get. Just approach your local pharmacies and ask them if you can do some shadowing.

[Danielle89]

I did about a months work experience going in 1 day a week for a few hours. It's good to show enthusiasm, though still possible to get in without it as a guy in my year did. He did drop out though, possibly because he just sort of matched his grades to a degree as if that was the hardest part over with.

[Gregorian IV]

If you don't do it, you really don;t have a good idea of what you are letting yourself in for and what all the learning is worth at the end of the day. I've got people in my year who havent done any but do still get by and really enjoy, but I also had people, like Danielle, who dropped out. All the people who did drop out did not do any experience in a pharmacy before (and i think they were all medicine or dentistry rejects too). Lol it made me laugh one time though when i was talking about co-codamol and she didnt have a clue what it was - she thought it was similar to cocaine lol! And she never did any experience before

But in your interview, the interviewer will be able to tell by the language and words and basic knowledge of OTC drugs that you have and are obviously quite passionate about the subject. That's is what they really like to see. It's not about getting the right answers, it is just proving to them that you are the right person for this course and work experience is a good way of doing this.

[Gregorian IV]

O Fizzee alexh, High 5 for being Yorkshire Lass'!! Woo

[Irrelevance]

Originally Posted by Fizzee

I mean is it compulsary? Would they still accept you even if you don't have experience?

Really really helps. It's not hard to get some work experience sorted and because it isn't difficult, i imagine a lot of other applicants have it, so you'd already be at a disadvantage on paper. Especially as some people have parents as Pharmacists and are already in the know, so it helps

That, and in interview you'll get asked about drugs, as Gregorian said, if you know what you're talking about, the interviewer will be able to tell

[petzneo]

Oh and its a good way of getting a job at a pharmacy, during uni...as you have some sort of experience, other than being a pharmacy student!

[Fizzee]

Ok thanks, i will apply soon!

[Mustard-man]

Originally Posted by Fizzee

I mean is it compulsary? Would they still accept you even if you don't have experience?

No, it's not compulsory. Although competition for Pharmacy places is increasing, it wouldn't hurt if you could get a placement to put you ahead a little. I was able to get full offers without any work experience (mentioned on my PS) at all.