Potential pharmacy applicant

Current pharmacy students, what A Levels alongside chemistry did you do to get into pharmacy. Also what interested you into pursuing pharmacy and how are you finding it?

Reply 1

University of Bath

Official Rep

Hi there 😊

I am a current third year pharmacy student at the University of Bath and it's great to hear your considering about pursuing pharmacy. I did biology, chemistry and maths for A-levels but each university does have their own grade requirements. I know they all require chemistry, and biology is helpful but not always compulsory. When deciding A-levels, choose subjects you'll enjoy and think you can do great in!

I chose pharmacy because I enjoy being able to apply my scientific knowledge into patients and for me pharmacy was the career that had a great balance. I also liked the different pathways and careers I could go down with the degree. I have so far found it really interesting and better than my initial thoughts as I have been able to go on placements and put my skills into real life settings. I have also really enjoyed learning specific topics that are relevant that I can use in practice. If it is possible try to get some experience in the pharmacy world and see if you can envision yourself there. I won't lie there is a lot of content that has to be covered and the contact hours compared to other courses is higher but being able to use this information even just on placement has really helped.

I hope this has answered your questions and if you have any more feel free to ask!

University of Bath

Reply 2

m.ayr3s

I am currently in my first year and I did a BTEC extended diploma in applied science, most of the people in my class did chemistry and biology and then (from most common to least) was psychology, maths, physics, and economics (only a handful of people ive spoken to did economics though and i think it’s dependant on the uni if they would accept it), there’s also quite a few people in my class that also did BTEC however less unis accept them for pharmacy

Reply 3

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Original post

by xx.s4ha

Current pharmacy students, what A Levels alongside chemistry did you do to get into pharmacy. Also what interested you into pursuing pharmacy and how are you finding it?

Hi,

I’m a third-year pharmacy student and studied A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, and Sociology. I’ve always been fascinated by medicines and how they work to help people. The pandemic really made me realise how vital pharmacists are on the front lines of healthcare, which inspired me to pursue this career.

Pharmacy offers a lot of different career paths from hospital, GP, community, pharmaceutical industry to research and regulatory roles. The work-life balance can be good, especially compared to other healthcare professions, and the career is constantly evolving with new treatments, technology, and approaches to patient care.

Hope this helps, please do let me know if you have any further questions :smile:

Tayba
Student Rep

Reply 4

LSBU

Official Rep

Original post

by xx.s4ha

Current pharmacy students, what A Levels alongside chemistry did you do to get into pharmacy. Also what interested you into pursuing pharmacy and how are you finding it?

Hi there, this is a great question and one we get asked a lot.

For entry onto our Pharmaceutical Science BSc (Hons, Chemistry is essential and must be taken alongside a second STEM subject. Many of our current students studied subjects such as Biology, Maths or Physics alongside Chemistry at A level, as these subjects align well with the scientific content of the course and help build a strong foundation for topics like pharmacology, biochemistry and drug development. What matters most is that your subjects allow you to meet the 112 UCAS tariff points and include Chemistry plus another STEM subject.

We also welcome students who come through alternative routes such as BTECs, Access to HE Diplomas, or T Levels, as long as they include sufficient Chemistry content. In addition, we require GCSE Maths and Biology at grades 9–4 (or equivalent), as these are important for understanding the course material.

In terms of what draws students to Pharmaceutical Science, many are interested in how medicines are developed, tested and used to improve patient care. Others are motivated by the strong links to healthcare, research and industry, or by keeping future options open across science-based careers. Students often tell us they enjoy the balance between theory and practical laboratory work, although they do find the course challenging due to its scientific depth — especially in the early stages where Chemistry plays a significant role.

If you’re unsure whether your subject combination or qualifications would be suitable, we’re always happy to talk through your individual circumstances. We review applications holistically and can consider previous skills, knowledge and experience, as well as any extenuating circumstances. If you’re missing required qualifications in English or Maths, we also offer upskilling routes through our partner college, South Bank College.

I’d really encourage you to reach out to us directly or attend an open day to speak with staff and students, as that can give you a clearer picture of both the entry requirements and what studying Pharmaceutical Science is like in practice. You are always welcome to explore LSBU a bit more and get a real feel for what student life is like here. We have a Southwark open day: Saturday 7th February 2026 where you can hear more about our courses and support. If you would prefer to see the campus in person you can book a tour https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days on a day that suits you and get a sense of the spaces you would be studying in. You can also chat to our current students https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat to hear honest experiences and get answers to any course questions you might have. LSBU Admissions Ambassador

Reply 5

NachoChes

Original post

by xx.s4ha

Current pharmacy students, what A Levels alongside chemistry did you do to get into pharmacy. Also what interested you into pursuing pharmacy and how are you finding it?

Hey!
I really enjoyed chem in y12 so i kinda was looking for some related degrees and i ended up choosing pharmacy!
I did chem phys and maths at a level, and to be extremely honest looking back I should have had a vrief look over bio during the summer but other than that it isnt too bad!
It definitely can be stressful but I think with the right balance you'll be great!!
Honestly feel free to ask absolutely anything, I'm here! :smile:

Reply 6

Mr7759820

Pharmacy is amazing. It’s a very enjoyable course.

I’d say chemistry is a must if you are interested in pharmacy along with biology

The third A level Just choose something less demanding and a bit easier as the above two are very demanding

Would recommend it though definitely