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Bardford Mpharm

Is anyone currently studying in Bradford? How are you finding the course and the overall studying experience there? Also, if you’ve been through the admissions process, could you share some of the interview questions you were asked or any tips for preparation?

Is it a 4 year or 5 year course

Reply 1

Original post
by aaminah789
Is anyone currently studying in Bradford? How are you finding the course and the overall studying experience there? Also, if you’ve been through the admissions process, could you share some of the interview questions you were asked or any tips for preparation?

Is it a 4 year or 5 year course

It's a 5-year course:

https://www.bradford.ac.uk/courses/ug/pharmacy-mpharm/?gad_source=1

Reply 2

Original post
by aaminah789
Is anyone currently studying in Bradford? How are you finding the course and the overall studying experience there? Also, if you’ve been through the admissions process, could you share some of the interview questions you were asked or any tips for preparation?
Is it a 4 year or 5 year course

Hey just starting my 2nd year. I really enjoy the team based learning structure. The uni offers the 4 year course which I'm currently on or the 5 year sandwich course.
Original post
by aaminah789
Is anyone currently studying in Bradford? How are you finding the course and the overall studying experience there? Also, if you’ve been through the admissions process, could you share some of the interview questions you were asked or any tips for preparation?
Is it a 4 year or 5 year course
Hi,
I studied Pharmacy at Bradford on the 5-year course (where we are able to complete our 12-month pre-registration placement as two 6-month placements in different sectors). I am from the cohort that started the degree just before the change in curriculum that incorporates prescribing practice, so my Year 1 was somewhat different from the new curriculum's Year 1 (which is more clinical). However, it is safe to say that first year is always more of an introduction to the basics in chemistry, biology, law, ethics, and practice (e.g., you’ll spend more time in labs, studying types of microorganisms, introduction to pharmacology, introduction to prescribing practice, and the legalities surrounding medication supply and your responsibilities as a pharmacist).
I particularly enjoyed second year, as the curriculum became more clinical. We had a unit per body system (nine in total), with each being taught by a specialist in the area and pharmacists. Second year focused on the main conditions dealt with in both primary and secondary care, including diagnosis, risk factors, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management, and a sufficient amount of pharmacology (so that you are not 'memorising' guidelines, but understanding why they exist, so that as a future pharmacist you are able to think outside the box when advising about treatment - or possibly prescribing it yourself!)
Third year built on what was covered in second year, with more clinical application. As you might know, teaching in Bradford revolves around TBL, where units that are released as reading packs, followed by a mini test to assess your understanding, application exercises where you apply the knowledge as a team within your assigned group (which remains the same throughout the year), and then an end-of-year written exam and an OSCE.
In third year, you decide on your research project for the final year, where you submit a project proposal and present it.
In fourth year, you cover more specialist and advanced topics such as acute medicine, paediatrics, parenteral administration, vaccination, and pharmacogenomics. You will also revisit learning from first year about law and ethics.
I have genuinely enjoyed the course, as it is very hands-on and clinically focused. Other assessments include an annual calculations exam to prepare you for pharmaceutical calculations (and also for the GPhC exam). Calculations teaching, especially in fourth year, is particularly strong at Bradford compared to other universities, as they cover a wide range of topics and question styles. This means there is no repetitive practice and it provides good preparation for the registration exam.
Aside from traditional clinical placements (e.g., two days in hospital, five days in primary care, and five days in community pharmacy), we also have interprofessional learning. This involves meeting students from other clinical courses (students from the following courses: physician associates, medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and clinical sciences) to work together on application exercises.
I hope this has given you a good insight into the course. Please let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to know.
Thanks, Bradford Student Rep

Hi,
There is the option to do the traditional 4-year course too. I believe that the 5-year course will no longer be an option from next year (https://www.bradford.ac.uk/courses/ug/pharmacy-mpharm/) - previously, the 5-year course allowed us to spend time in different sectors, but due to the new changes in undergraduate training and incorporation of prescribing training, it is best to do it in one full year (where you can still have placement providers that offer cross-sector training: community pharmacy, GP and hospital), this is so that your Designated Prescribing Practitioner (and are of prescribing) remains the same when you are completing your Trainee Pharmacist Portfolio.
Hope this helps!

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