Pharmacology and Pharmacy

You can certainly apply to study pharmacy after gaining a pharmacology degree and I know people who have done this, but you would still have to complete the full 4 years of the pharmacy programme after and some unis will still require certain A level (or equivalent) grades. The people I know who did this didn't realise until they were quite a way through their pharmacology degree that they wanted to be a pharmacist. If you know now that it's what you want to do, I think it would be a waste doing 2 full degrees.
Some universities will allow you to take pharmacology, and if you obtain a certain grade (usually over 60% of 65%) in the first year, you can then transfer over to do pharmacy (though again you'd have to do the full 4 year pharmacy course) so that could be an option.
What are your grades? This year it's likely there will be some unis going into clearing and if you're only slightly below the requirements you may get a place through clearing.
Or you could apply to do pharmacy with a preparatory year where grade requirements are lower.

Reply 2

MPharm is offered at many different Unis and with a range of A level requirements, and with a Foundation year at many of those Unis. You will be able to find a course somewhere that you can apply for, and it doesnt matter where you train for Pharmacy - all MPharm degrees are accredited by the GPhC, all cover the same syllabus, and all qualify you as a Pharmacist.

Reply 3

OP

Hi, thanks for your reply. My predicted grades are currently Distinction(equivalent to an A), a C and a D(this was the grade that hindered me from applying to Pharm) and although I meet the UCAS Tariff point for some unis my grades are a mix as the lowest grade for a preparatory year is CCC. I also applied for dental technology so I was saying if I don’t get an offer from there (hope I do) and get from pharmacology then I’ll take pharmacology. I know I can do better with my grades if I take another exam and I have another set of mocks coming up in Feb but I don’t know if I will be able to use the Feb grades for clearing. Also if I end up doing pharmacology and decide to transfer will I still need to show my A level grades or will they consider me based on my pharmacology first year progress

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 4

What is your predicted Chemistry grade?

You dont use 'predicted grades for Clearing' - this is for when you have your actual grades in August and Unis re trying to fill any remaining spaces. You still have time to raise your grades - how badly do you want to do Pharmacy? If you really put the work in your can get higher grades that your school has predicted - its up to you.

Reply 5

OP

Original post by McGinger

What is your predicted Chemistry grade?
You dont use 'predicted grades for Clearing' - this is for when you have your actual grades in August and Unis re trying to fill any remaining spaces. You still have time to raise your grades - how badly do you want to do Pharmacy? If you really put the work in your can get higher grades that your school has predicted - its up to you.

Okk, thank you. I was just wondering because clearing starts on the 5th of July and I don’t get my A level grades till towards the end of August. I will put in the work. I just hope Pharmacy is part of the clearing options for a Uni close to me

Reply 6

Original post by Chibabyyy

Okk, thank you. I was just wondering because clearing starts on the 5th of July and I don’t get my A level grades till towards the end of August. I will put in the work. I just hope Pharmacy is part of the clearing options for a Uni close to me

Early Clearing is for mainly Overseas applicants getting their grades earlier than August.
It has no bearing on August Clearing.

Reply 7

DrJo1982

Original post by Chibabyyy

Hi, thanks for your reply. My predicted grades are currently Distinction(equivalent to an A), a C and a D(this was the grade that hindered me from applying to Pharm) and although I meet the UCAS Tariff point for some unis my grades are a mix as the lowest grade for a preparatory year is CCC. I also applied for dental technology so I was saying if I don’t get an offer from there (hope I do) and get from pharmacology then I’ll take pharmacology. I know I can do better with my grades if I take another exam and I have another set of mocks coming up in Feb but I don’t know if I will be able to use the Feb grades for clearing. Also if I end up doing pharmacology and decide to transfer will I still need to show my A level grades or will they consider me based on my pharmacology first year progress

If you get a place on a pharmacology course that allows transfers after year 1, your progress on the 1st year of pharmacology will override your A-level grades so to speak.
But as McGinger says, if you're sure you can do better you'll be able to apply through clearing based on the actual grades you get. Just put everything into increasing those

Reply 8

I would advise against starting any degree in the hope of transferring to another subject - a transfer to MPharm is not very likely because the structure of most MPharm courses (including early placements) and the need to complete the entire course from Year 1 usually makes this impossible, even if there were any spaces.

Reply 9

OP

Original post by McGinger

I would advise against starting any degree in the hope of transferring to another subject - a transfer to MPharm is not very likely because the structure of most MPharm courses (including early placements) and the need to complete the entire course from Year 1 usually makes this impossible, even if there were any spaces.

Ok, thank you very much for your reply

Reply 10

OP