Pharmacy vs Biochemistry vs Chemistry

I'm a year 12 student studying biology, chemistry and history. I was planning on doing aChemistry degree but after a recent open day I've also become interested in Biochem and Pharmacy. I've heard there's not much work available after a biochem degree, so maybe Pharmacy is the best option.

If anyone's applied to any of these courses / studying them at the moment could you give me some advice? Also, would I need work experience to apply for Pharmacy?

Thank you :smile:

Reply 1

UoN Students

Official Rep

Original post by Emily0713

I'm a year 12 student studying biology, chemistry and history. I was planning on doing aChemistry degree but after a recent open day I've also become interested in Biochem and Pharmacy. I've heard there's not much work available after a biochem degree, so maybe Pharmacy is the best option.
If anyone's applied to any of these courses / studying them at the moment could you give me some advice? Also, would I need work experience to apply for Pharmacy?
Thank you :smile:

Hello @Emily07131!

My names Dom, and I’m currently a Pharmacy student at the University of Nottingham!

In regards to pharmacy at the university, chemistry is a key component that is studied a lot, in terms of the creation of the drugs to how they interact with the body in different ways. It’s studied throughout the 4 years of the degree and has particular emphasis in the final year where on my course we research future medicines and have to synthesis our own!

Biochemistry is a good degree too, however isn’t a vocational degree like pharmacy is. So a job is very easy to find after a pharmacy degree especially after having a foundation year after the degree to become a registered pharmacy, where you get to experience exactly what sector (community, hospital, Gp).suits you best.

In terms of work experience is not a requirement to apply to pharmacy, however having some understanding of what the degree/ job entails would help in your interview, but again is absolutely not necessary.

If you have any other questions shoot them my way and I’ll be happy to answer.

Dom :smile:

Reply 2

Emily0713

Original post by UoN Students

Hello @Emily07131!
My names Dom, and I’m currently a Pharmacy student at the University of Nottingham!
In regards to pharmacy at the university, chemistry is a key component that is studied a lot, in terms of the creation of the drugs to how they interact with the body in different ways. It’s studied throughout the 4 years of the degree and has particular emphasis in the final year where on my course we research future medicines and have to synthesis our own!
Biochemistry is a good degree too, however isn’t a vocational degree like pharmacy is. So a job is very easy to find after a pharmacy degree especially after having a foundation year after the degree to become a registered pharmacy, where you get to experience exactly what sector (community, hospital, Gp).suits you best.
In terms of work experience is not a requirement to apply to pharmacy, however having some understanding of what the degree/ job entails would help in your interview, but again is absolutely not necessary.
If you have any other questions shoot them my way and I’ll be happy to answer.
Dom :smile:

Thank you this is really useful!

Have you found there's much lab work involved in Pharmacy or is it more theory based?

Reply 3

PharmacyCat

Original post by Emily0713

Thank you this is really useful!
Have you found there's much lab work involved in Pharmacy or is it more theory based?

Hi! I'm a pharmacy student at Keele university. In the course, you have a lot of lab work in 1st and 2nd year, whereas 3rd and 4th year are more clinical, focused on diagnosing and treating patients. After you graduate, a lot of the work is patient-focused if you work in a GP, community pharmacy or in the hospital. However, there are still chances to work in research, education, or the pharmaceutical industry (but these are harder to come by). So you should take that into consideration when deciding!

Reply 4

McGinger

Its also worth having a look at Pharmacology - Choosing between Pharmacy and Pharmacology (bath.ac.uk)

Reply 5

UoN Students

Official Rep

Original post by Emily0713

Thank you this is really useful!
Have you found there's much lab work involved in Pharmacy or is it more theory based?

Hi @Emily0713!

Here at Nottingham, you have a lot of lab time in first year, making creams and ointments, then as the years go on the lab time tends to decrease as placements and content take up most of the time, however lab time is still present at least once a semester in my experience. In the later years you might have a chance to use the aseptic lab room to make some eye drops. But most of the time the degree is theory based.

Is experience in the lab what you're looking for in your degree? As something like Pharmaceutical sciences might be better suited, as long as you like your chemistry!

Many thanks,
Dom :smile: