The Student Room Group

Quarter Life Crisis

I don’t want to make a hasty decision. I thought I would see what other people think.

I am currently in my first year at uni, I genuinely really like the course, it is a lot of work and there is definitely parts I don’t like but absolutely more parts I do enjoy than don’t. I also really like my teachers they’re great.

However, I understood the cost before starting uni of course and I briefly thought about this before but the last few weeks I really haven’t been able to shake these thoughts. I am considering leaving and going into a dispenser, technician and eventually accuracy checker instead of continuing at uni to be a pharmacist. In the long run is the money i’m paying out be worth it after paying tax on my salary and taking my student loans. I feel a hospital technician has a very similar role as a pharmacist in community without as much patient facing aspects. I just also feel like the time I actually finish uni i’ll be 24 and basically having to start my life from scratch with a degree of course, where as I could start now and by the time I would have graduated uni already made a career for myself.

I just really don’t know what to do and thought I would get others opinions.

For reference as a newly qualified pharmacist I should be on about 40-50k a year (this is after 5 years of uni and training), vs 30k as a technician which I can start earning almost right away and up to 45k in later years.

It’s hard for me to think about this because i’ve genuinely always wanted to go to uni and be pharmacist but now the last few weeks ive been considering if it really is worth it. I will definitely stick in the pharmacy sector because I love it but don’t know if being a pharmacist is truly worth it after all.

I would also like to add I do understand both roles very well, I just really don’t know what to do. I thought about this before uni but it’s something i’ve always wanted so perused it but now i’m so unsure and freaking out about it!

Reply 1

Original post
by Anonymous
I don’t want to make a hasty decision. I thought I would see what other people think.
I am currently in my first year at uni, I genuinely really like the course, it is a lot of work and there is definitely parts I don’t like but absolutely more parts I do enjoy than don’t. I also really like my teachers they’re great.
However, I understood the cost before starting uni of course and I briefly thought about this before but the last few weeks I really haven’t been able to shake these thoughts. I am considering leaving and going into a dispenser, technician and eventually accuracy checker instead of continuing at uni to be a pharmacist. In the long run is the money i’m paying out be worth it after paying tax on my salary and taking my student loans. I feel a hospital technician has a very similar role as a pharmacist in community without as much patient facing aspects. I just also feel like the time I actually finish uni i’ll be 24 and basically having to start my life from scratch with a degree of course, where as I could start now and by the time I would have graduated uni already made a career for myself.
I just really don’t know what to do and thought I would get others opinions.
For reference as a newly qualified pharmacist I should be on about 40-50k a year (this is after 5 years of uni and training), vs 30k as a technician which I can start earning almost right away and up to 45k in later years.
It’s hard for me to think about this because i’ve genuinely always wanted to go to uni and be pharmacist but now the last few weeks ive been considering if it really is worth it. I will definitely stick in the pharmacy sector because I love it but don’t know if being a pharmacist is truly worth it after all.
I would also like to add I do understand both roles very well, I just really don’t know what to do. I thought about this before uni but it’s something i’ve always wanted so perused it but now i’m so unsure and freaking out about it!

Wouldn't you be bored as a technician?

Reply 2

An MPharm with experience is worth far more than you think. Pharmacy career building will increase your salary and career prospects, and that is never going to happen with a Pharmacy Tech job with a basic salary.

Pharmacist jobs community, GP based etc - pharmacist jobs - NHS Jobs
More Pharmacist jobs - Pharmacist Jobs - January 2026 | JobsMedical

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Academic Pharmacy jobs - Pharmacy Jobs - Apply Online at jobs.ac.uk

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
I don’t want to make a hasty decision. I thought I would see what other people think.
I am currently in my first year at uni, I genuinely really like the course, it is a lot of work and there is definitely parts I don’t like but absolutely more parts I do enjoy than don’t. I also really like my teachers they’re great.
However, I understood the cost before starting uni of course and I briefly thought about this before but the last few weeks I really haven’t been able to shake these thoughts. I am considering leaving and going into a dispenser, technician and eventually accuracy checker instead of continuing at uni to be a pharmacist. In the long run is the money i’m paying out be worth it after paying tax on my salary and taking my student loans. I feel a hospital technician has a very similar role as a pharmacist in community without as much patient facing aspects. I just also feel like the time I actually finish uni i’ll be 24 and basically having to start my life from scratch with a degree of course, where as I could start now and by the time I would have graduated uni already made a career for myself.
I just really don’t know what to do and thought I would get others opinions.
For reference as a newly qualified pharmacist I should be on about 40-50k a year (this is after 5 years of uni and training), vs 30k as a technician which I can start earning almost right away and up to 45k in later years.
It’s hard for me to think about this because i’ve genuinely always wanted to go to uni and be pharmacist but now the last few weeks ive been considering if it really is worth it. I will definitely stick in the pharmacy sector because I love it but don’t know if being a pharmacist is truly worth it after all.
I would also like to add I do understand both roles very well, I just really don’t know what to do. I thought about this before uni but it’s something i’ve always wanted so perused it but now i’m so unsure and freaking out about it!


Hi,

As a fellow pharmacy student, I completely understand your concerns about salary and career progression. It’s true that the financial commitment of university is significant, and it’s normal to weigh that against starting work straight away.

One thing to consider is that as a pharmacist, there is room to specialise in areas like hospital clinical practice, research, or management, and with progression you can access higher pay bands. Beyond salary, being a pharmacist also offers a wide range of career sectors, more autonomy, and the opportunity to take on leadership or specialised patient-facing roles.

It’s also valid to want to start earning sooner, and roles like technician or accuracy checker can still be rewarding and keep you in the pharmacy sector with experience.

It’s important to remember that although the MPharm degree does require time, it is worth it in terms of long-term career opportunities and flexibility.

Ultimately, the choice depends on what feels most important to you, whether you prioritise earlier earning and experience, or investing in a degree to access more opportunities, responsibility, and potential progression.

I’d recommend discussing this with your personal tutor and university careers team before making any decisions.

Hope this helps,

Tayba
Student Rep

Reply 4

The use of pharmacists in future will expand, massively. The role isn't going anywhere and certainly won't be overtaken by AI. The profession itself can be driven in multiple directions I feel.

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