Struggling to pick between Mpharm or Radiography

I’m really struggling to choose between MPharm and Diagnostic Radiography, and time for 2026 applications is running out. I love being intellectually challenged — both courses tie into my interests in biology and chemistry, and they’re clinical, which is a big plus for me.

My main concerns are time, pay, stability, future opportunities, and meeting grade requirements. I want to stay in London, and while I meet the entry grades for radiography (ABB in A-levels, 2024, I sat for exams privately in October so I have my results, I took a gap year and now I want to attend sept 2026), I fall short for most MPharm courses.

With Diagnostic Radiography, I could later do a master’s to become a perfusionist or sonographer — both in high demand and well-paid, with good flexibility. I’ve shadowed an ultrasound tech for a day at a cardiac clinic, and I’ve also had first-hand exposure to imaging through my own health experiences (echo, chest X-ray, etc.), which gave me a good feel for the field.

As for MPharm, I’m drawn to the clinical and biological side of drug development rather than heavy chemistry. I’d prefer hospital pharmacy over community and like the idea of contributing to new treatments or clinical trials. I’ve even considered combining it later with stem cell research or tissue engineering. The main downside is the pay relative to how demanding the role is, and I don’t yet have any pharmacy-related experience.

In London, I could likely meet requirements for Kingston (and maybe UCL), while City and LSBU are solid options for Radiography.

At this point, I’m not sure whether to apply for both courses on UCAS (which will also be a whole other issue affecting my personal statement) or focus on just one. Any advice from people who’ve studied or worked in either field would really help.

One word...Radioography!!! 🙂

DR doesn't involve chemistry but the degree does includes some physics.
Do you have any public-facing work/volunteering experience as unis want to see that you are comfortable dealing with the general public? The experience doesn't have to be in healthcare so working in a supermarket, charity shop, cafe, care home, special needs school, etc. would be fine.
Only you can decide which course and career will suit you more. Applying for two different courses isn't recommended as you won't be able to write a convincing PS. The only way to get around this is to call the unis you would apply to and ask if they would accept a separate PS for their course.
And time isn't running out - you have until 14 January equal consideration deadline to get your application submitted.

Not sure you’ve got the pay right here? A trainee sonographer (you mentioned additional masters) starts at band 6 and then when qualified, band 7 pay.
A newly qualified pharmacist (MPharm is obviously integrated masters so no need for additional year) starts at band 6. I am a pharmacist myself and took this pathway - in my experience people usually stay here 1-2 years max then move to band 7 pretty quick.
Not sure what to advise…I never enjoyed the day-to-day of either hospital or community pharmacy (there are other options), it suits some but not me - I’m back studying dentistry now!!

DR doesn't involve chemistry but the degree does includes some physics.
Do you have any public-facing work/volunteering experience as unis want to see that you are comfortable dealing with the general public? The experience doesn't have to be in healthcare so working in a supermarket, charity shop, cafe, care home, special needs school, etc. would be fine.
Only you can decide which course and career will suit you more. Applying for two different courses isn't recommended as you won't be able to write a convincing PS. The only way to get around this is to call the unis you would apply to and ask if they would accept a separate PS for their course.
And time isn't running out - you have until 14 January equal consideration deadline to get your application submitted.

I’m really struggling to choose between MPharm and Diagnostic Radiography, and time for 2026 applications is running out. I love being intellectually challenged — both courses tie into my interests in biology and chemistry, and they’re clinical, which is a big plus for me.
My main concerns are time, pay, stability, future opportunities, and meeting grade requirements. I want to stay in London, and while I meet the entry grades for radiography (ABB in A-levels, 2024, I sat for exams privately in October so I have my results, I took a gap year and now I want to attend sept 2026), I fall short for most MPharm courses.
With Diagnostic Radiography, I could later do a master’s to become a perfusionist or sonographer — both in high demand and well-paid, with good flexibility. I’ve shadowed an ultrasound tech for a day at a cardiac clinic, and I’ve also had first-hand exposure to imaging through my own health experiences (echo, chest X-ray, etc.), which gave me a good feel for the field.
As for MPharm, I’m drawn to the clinical and biological side of drug development rather than heavy chemistry. I’d prefer hospital pharmacy over community and like the idea of contributing to new treatments or clinical trials. I’ve even considered combining it later with stem cell research or tissue engineering. The main downside is the pay relative to how demanding the role is, and I don’t yet have any pharmacy-related experience.
In London, I could likely meet requirements for Kingston (and maybe UCL), while City and LSBU are solid options for Radiography.
At this point, I’m not sure whether to apply for both courses on UCAS (which will also be a whole other issue affecting my personal statement) or focus on just one. Any advice from people who’ve studied or worked in either field would really help.

Also I wanted to ask if the work experinece I have is sufficient. It is pretty hard to get work experinece in radiography especially due to the current difficulties in the NHS. I did get to shadow an ultrasound specialist at a cardiac clinic briefly and we discussed alot and ahe also showed me real images and the machine itself. My other experinece was at the hospital where I was a patient receiving a chest xray and echo I got to spend a few moments with actual diagnostic radiographer and see the different machines CT, Xray, MRI as well as talk to them about the job. I also completed an online virtual work experinece through UCAS. I plan to supplement my application further with volunteering, webinars and books, maybe attend an event too.

As an applications advisor would you say that this is a strong application or should I look for an in person week long work experience kind of thing? Both experineces were very informal I would say. My teachers always, always insisted upon getting the best work experience for university applications.

I’m really struggling to choose between MPharm and Diagnostic Radiography, and time for 2026 applications is running out. I love being intellectually challenged — both courses tie into my interests in biology and chemistry, and they’re clinical, which is a big plus for me.
My main concerns are time, pay, stability, future opportunities, and meeting grade requirements. I want to stay in London, and while I meet the entry grades for radiography (ABB in A-levels, 2024, I sat for exams privately in October so I have my results, I took a gap year and now I want to attend sept 2026), I fall short for most MPharm courses.
With Diagnostic Radiography, I could later do a master’s to become a perfusionist or sonographer — both in high demand and well-paid, with good flexibility. I’ve shadowed an ultrasound tech for a day at a cardiac clinic, and I’ve also had first-hand exposure to imaging through my own health experiences (echo, chest X-ray, etc.), which gave me a good feel for the field.
As for MPharm, I’m drawn to the clinical and biological side of drug development rather than heavy chemistry. I’d prefer hospital pharmacy over community and like the idea of contributing to new treatments or clinical trials. I’ve even considered combining it later with stem cell research or tissue engineering. The main downside is the pay relative to how demanding the role is, and I don’t yet have any pharmacy-related experience.
In London, I could likely meet requirements for Kingston (and maybe UCL), while City and LSBU are solid options for Radiography.
At this point, I’m not sure whether to apply for both courses on UCAS (which will also be a whole other issue affecting my personal statement) or focus on just one. Any advice from people who’ve studied or worked in either field would really help.

Sounds like you are unaware that DR used to be a 2 year HND diploma a few decades ago. DRs are just Radiography technicians that operate x-ray machinery. The A level grades that DR now asks for is very hard to justify, and students aiming for CCC or higher would be better off looking at other options, including Pharmacy. Pharmacy is a million times the course that DR is, more challenging, more prestigious, and more difficult to get a place for. It is a no brainer to go for Pharmacy, particularly if you enjoy organic chemistry. I would go as far as to say that Pharmacy is the most interesting course of all the medical / pharmaceutical sciences, including Medicine. Medicine is more prestigious as a career, but Pharmacy is a brilliant course.

I think you are unaware of the career opportunities a DR degree can lead to. DR involves far more than operating X-ray machinery and there are opportunities for career development in many different specialisms, for example nuclear radiography and image-guided surgery. The grade requirements for the degree (on average BBB) are more than justified.

I’m really struggling to choose between MPharm and Diagnostic Radiography, and time for 2026 applications is running out. I love being intellectually challenged — both courses tie into my interests in biology and chemistry, and they’re clinical, which is a big plus for me.
My main concerns are time, pay, stability, future opportunities, and meeting grade requirements. I want to stay in London, and while I meet the entry grades for radiography (ABB in A-levels, 2024, I sat for exams privately in October so I have my results, I took a gap year and now I want to attend sept 2026), I fall short for most MPharm courses.
With Diagnostic Radiography, I could later do a master’s to become a perfusionist or sonographer — both in high demand and well-paid, with good flexibility. I’ve shadowed an ultrasound tech for a day at a cardiac clinic, and I’ve also had first-hand exposure to imaging through my own health experiences (echo, chest X-ray, etc.), which gave me a good feel for the field.
As for MPharm, I’m drawn to the clinical and biological side of drug development rather than heavy chemistry. I’d prefer hospital pharmacy over community and like the idea of contributing to new treatments or clinical trials. I’ve even considered combining it later with stem cell research or tissue engineering. The main downside is the pay relative to how demanding the role is, and I don’t yet have any pharmacy-related experience.
In London, I could likely meet requirements for Kingston (and maybe UCL), while City and LSBU are solid options for Radiography.
At this point, I’m not sure whether to apply for both courses on UCAS (which will also be a whole other issue affecting my personal statement) or focus on just one. Any advice from people who’ve studied or worked in either field would really help.

Sounds like you are unaware that DR used to be a 2 year HND diploma a few decades ago. DRs are just Radiography technicians that operate x-ray machinery. The A level grades that DR now asks for is very hard to justify, and students aiming for CCC or higher would be better off looking at other options, including Pharmacy. Pharmacy is a million times the course that DR is, more challenging, more prestigious, and more difficult to get a place for. It is a no brainer to go for Pharmacy, particularly if you enjoy organic chemistry. I would go as far as to say that Pharmacy is the most interesting course of all the medical / pharmaceutical sciences, including Medicine. Medicine is more prestigious as a career, but Pharmacy is a brilliant course.

I am afraid what you are posting is nonsensical. There is no 'prestige' in medicine whatsoever and I'd never advise anyone to be entering any profession merely because they think it will affect how others perceive them. People choosing careers on this basis are going to find themselves extremely hard done by come the end of it because it simply doesn't exist in reality. The reality is that the average member of the public does not understand what these roles involve and posts such as yours illustrate this very point precisely.
Radiographers do not just 'operate x-ray machinery', I don't know how you came to this conclusion. Radiography is a heck of a lot more complex than that. I suppose by that same token pharmacists 'just hand out drugs'?
None of these courses can be compared. I wouldn't ever compare medicine to pharmacy, a pharmacist cannot do a doctor's job, nor could I ever do the job of a pharmacist: they are two distinct and very different disciplines. In the same vein, not even the most senior radiologist in the land would be able to operate a modern CT scanner properly.

I’m really struggling to choose between MPharm and Diagnostic Radiography, and time for 2026 applications is running out. I love being intellectually challenged — both courses tie into my interests in biology and chemistry, and they’re clinical, which is a big plus for me.
My main concerns are time, pay, stability, future opportunities, and meeting grade requirements. I want to stay in London, and while I meet the entry grades for radiography (ABB in A-levels, 2024, I sat for exams privately in October so I have my results, I took a gap year and now I want to attend sept 2026), I fall short for most MPharm courses.
With Diagnostic Radiography, I could later do a master’s to become a perfusionist or sonographer — both in high demand and well-paid, with good flexibility. I’ve shadowed an ultrasound tech for a day at a cardiac clinic, and I’ve also had first-hand exposure to imaging through my own health experiences (echo, chest X-ray, etc.), which gave me a good feel for the field.
As for MPharm, I’m drawn to the clinical and biological side of drug development rather than heavy chemistry. I’d prefer hospital pharmacy over community and like the idea of contributing to new treatments or clinical trials. I’ve even considered combining it later with stem cell research or tissue engineering. The main downside is the pay relative to how demanding the role is, and I don’t yet have any pharmacy-related experience.
In London, I could likely meet requirements for Kingston (and maybe UCL), while City and LSBU are solid options for Radiography.
At this point, I’m not sure whether to apply for both courses on UCAS (which will also be a whole other issue affecting my personal statement) or focus on just one. Any advice from people who’ve studied or worked in either field would really help.