Phamacist guidance!!
Hey guys!
I’m currently doing my GCSEs this year, and after A-Levels, I want to go into the pharmacy field. For A-Levels, I’ve chosen Biology, Chemistry, and Maths (although I’m thinking about changing Maths to something else, maybe Sociology or Psychology). I just wanted to ask about the route to becoming a pharmacist and what happens after A-Levels. I just want to make sure I understand the process properly!
Thankyou
I’m currently doing my GCSEs this year, and after A-Levels, I want to go into the pharmacy field. For A-Levels, I’ve chosen Biology, Chemistry, and Maths (although I’m thinking about changing Maths to something else, maybe Sociology or Psychology). I just wanted to ask about the route to becoming a pharmacist and what happens after A-Levels. I just want to make sure I understand the process properly!
Thankyou
Reply 1
Original post
by xo_aayatHey guys!
I’m currently doing my GCSEs this year, and after A-Levels, I want to go into the pharmacy field. For A-Levels, I’ve chosen Biology, Chemistry, and Maths (although I’m thinking about changing Maths to something else, maybe Sociology or Psychology). I just wanted to ask about the route to becoming a pharmacist and what happens after A-Levels. I just want to make sure I understand the process properly!
Thankyou
I’m currently doing my GCSEs this year, and after A-Levels, I want to go into the pharmacy field. For A-Levels, I’ve chosen Biology, Chemistry, and Maths (although I’m thinking about changing Maths to something else, maybe Sociology or Psychology). I just wanted to ask about the route to becoming a pharmacist and what happens after A-Levels. I just want to make sure I understand the process properly!
Thankyou
Hi,
For A-levels I’d recommend choosing Biology, Chemistry, and a third subject that isn’t General Studies and that you enjoy. I personally did Biology, Chemistry, and Sociology, and found it to be a good combination that worked well for me.
After A-levels, the typical route to becoming a pharmacist is to apply for a four-year MPharm degree at university. During the course, you’ll study a mix of science, clinical practice, and pharmacy law, and you’ll complete placements in hospitals, community pharmacies, and primary care to gain hands-on experience. Once you graduate, you’ll need to complete a one-year pre-registration training placement under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist. As we now qualify as independent prescribers, you also choose which area you’d like to specialise in for your prescribing. After this, you take the GPhC registration exam, and once you pass, you can register as a pharmacist and start practicing professionally.
Hope this helps, please do let me know if you have any other questions.
Tayba
Student Rep
Reply 2
Hi there,
It's great that you're thinking ahead about your career path and seeking guidance early. That’s a really positive step!
Your chosen A-Levels in Biology and Chemistry are excellent and essential subjects for pursuing pharmacy at university. Definitely check university requirements and decide based on that.
The typical route to becoming a pharmacist in the UK is:
Complete A-Levels with strong grades in required subjects.
Study an accredited Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree (4 years).
Complete a pre-registration training year in a community, hospital, or combined setting.
Pass the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration assessment to qualify as a pharmacist.
I’d recommend looking at the entry requirements on university websites. You could also explore work experience or shadowing opportunities in a pharmacy — this can give you valuable insight into the profession.
You're already on the right track by planning ahead. Keep researching and asking questions
Good luck,
Malak
It's great that you're thinking ahead about your career path and seeking guidance early. That’s a really positive step!
Your chosen A-Levels in Biology and Chemistry are excellent and essential subjects for pursuing pharmacy at university. Definitely check university requirements and decide based on that.
The typical route to becoming a pharmacist in the UK is:
Complete A-Levels with strong grades in required subjects.
Study an accredited Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree (4 years).
Complete a pre-registration training year in a community, hospital, or combined setting.
Pass the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration assessment to qualify as a pharmacist.
I’d recommend looking at the entry requirements on university websites. You could also explore work experience or shadowing opportunities in a pharmacy — this can give you valuable insight into the profession.
You're already on the right track by planning ahead. Keep researching and asking questions
Good luck,
Malak
Reply 3
Hi there 😊
It is great that you're thinking about what you want to study at university already!
So majority pharmacy schools in the UK require chemistry and biology is a great complement and is highly recommended. For your third option, I would advise picking something you enjoy and you'll do well in.
Then when you're in Y13, you submit your application on UCAS (university application website) and you get to pick up to 5 pharmacy schools. Then hopefully you'll get offered an interview and then offered a place to study at a university. You will spend 4 years studying the MPharm degree and once in your 4th year, you have to do Oriel (an situational judgement and numeracy exam) to get a foundation year programme. You will then complete a year in the sector you have chosen which is also known as a pre-reg year. After working for a year, you'll be able to sit the GPhC exam which allows you to qualify as a registered pharmacist.
When looking a universities, I would say look at the type of campus vs city, course structure, assessment, social life etc.
You've put yourself in a great position so best of luck!
University of Bath
It is great that you're thinking about what you want to study at university already!
So majority pharmacy schools in the UK require chemistry and biology is a great complement and is highly recommended. For your third option, I would advise picking something you enjoy and you'll do well in.
Then when you're in Y13, you submit your application on UCAS (university application website) and you get to pick up to 5 pharmacy schools. Then hopefully you'll get offered an interview and then offered a place to study at a university. You will spend 4 years studying the MPharm degree and once in your 4th year, you have to do Oriel (an situational judgement and numeracy exam) to get a foundation year programme. You will then complete a year in the sector you have chosen which is also known as a pre-reg year. After working for a year, you'll be able to sit the GPhC exam which allows you to qualify as a registered pharmacist.
When looking a universities, I would say look at the type of campus vs city, course structure, assessment, social life etc.
You've put yourself in a great position so best of luck!
University of Bath
Reply 4
Original post
by xo_aayatHey guys!
I’m currently doing my GCSEs this year, and after A-Levels, I want to go into the pharmacy field. For A-Levels, I’ve chosen Biology, Chemistry, and Maths (although I’m thinking about changing Maths to something else, maybe Sociology or Psychology). I just wanted to ask about the route to becoming a pharmacist and what happens after A-Levels. I just want to make sure I understand the process properly!
Thankyou
I’m currently doing my GCSEs this year, and after A-Levels, I want to go into the pharmacy field. For A-Levels, I’ve chosen Biology, Chemistry, and Maths (although I’m thinking about changing Maths to something else, maybe Sociology or Psychology). I just wanted to ask about the route to becoming a pharmacist and what happens after A-Levels. I just want to make sure I understand the process properly!
Thankyou
HI, you're in a good position to become a pharmacist in the future!
You'll need to do a GPhC accredited course (4 years) at University and your current choice of subjects meets the subject requirements unis want. Usually, they ask for Chemistry and another science (Biology/Maths/Physics) with an A/B in Chemistry.
You'll then do a year of foundation training followed by a registration examination. Once you pass the test, you become a GPA C registered pharmacy pharmacist!
Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions
Reply 5
Original post
by xo_aayatHey guys!
I’m currently doing my GCSEs this year, and after A-Levels, I want to go into the pharmacy field. For A-Levels, I’ve chosen Biology, Chemistry, and Maths (although I’m thinking about changing Maths to something else, maybe Sociology or Psychology). I just wanted to ask about the route to becoming a pharmacist and what happens after A-Levels. I just want to make sure I understand the process properly!
Thankyou
I’m currently doing my GCSEs this year, and after A-Levels, I want to go into the pharmacy field. For A-Levels, I’ve chosen Biology, Chemistry, and Maths (although I’m thinking about changing Maths to something else, maybe Sociology or Psychology). I just wanted to ask about the route to becoming a pharmacist and what happens after A-Levels. I just want to make sure I understand the process properly!
Thankyou
A-Levels:
•
Most pharmacy courses want **Chemistry
Reply 6
Original post
by BadbunniesfrIf you want to become a pharmacist in the UK, here’s the usual route:
A-Levels:
A-Levels:
•
Most pharmacy courses want **Chemistry
Just to give you a heads up, if you’re going to copy and paste answers from ChatGPT or other AI you must tag or identify them as such. Gracias.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Alevel philosophy help
- law: equitable estoppel
- LJMU PGCE Placements
- Assistant on scholarship
- guidance
- anyone going to UE MALAGA , CEU SAN PABLO for dentistry
- Uclan Dental therapy interview
- Looking for affordable/pro bono support for a university academic appeal
- Compliance Caseworker
- a level english lit aqa b extract q??
- MMU student Accomodations
- Preparing an academic appeal
- Children of former EEA migrant workers
- University of Brighton named UKs most LGBTQ+ friendly university
- Help with Harvard referencing
- Film studies gcse paper help
- Graphic design 2025
- Need help with the BTEC business unit 8 recruitment and selection processes
- Portfolio
- Trainee Clinical Coder - Assessment day help
Latest
Trending
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
