The MPharm course at Lincoln combines the science of medicines and disease with the development of the patient-facing decision-making skills and professional practice required by modern pharmacists.
The course introduces the science underpinning how drugs are developed and produced and how they interact with the body to treat and prevent disease. It includes an understanding of how we evaluate medicines for safety and effectiveness. The patient-facing skills include developing the clinical decision-making and communication skills required to translate and apply the science to optimise treatment for individual patients within the different sectors of pharmacy practice.
Our graduates can progress to their foundation training year, after which they can register as a pharmacist if they meet all of the professional criteria set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
The University of Lincoln's School of Pharmacy has excellent links with local hospitals, community pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, providing opportunities to develop students' clinical learning and skills within a wide range of practices and patient-facing environments throughout the course.
MPharm students will have the opportunity to undertake placements within hospital, community, and primary care; these will be integrated throughout the curriculum to support students' learning and development.
Subject area ranked 2nd for student satisfaction in the UK*
Links with hospitals, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals
General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) accreditation
Learn from pharmaceutical scientists and registered pharmacists
Explore the full life cycle of a patient
Undertake placements throughout
*Guardian University Guide 2025 (out of 42 ranking institutions)
Integrated pharmacy modules are taught each year, and these follow the life cycle of the patient, initially in a healthy state, and then the same modules are studied from the perspective of disease and ill health. In addition to the integrated modules, each year contains a pass/fail experiential learning module (related to placement activity) so that what a student learns is put into practice.
The course is taught within the context of the medical conditions that patients present, and is structured around a typical patient's life cycle. It is supported by case studies and patient-facing activities, which increase in complexity as the course progresses and the patient ages.
Students can learn within the context of the common conditions that present at that stage of life, supported by case studies. These fall within several therapeutic learning threads, that will be revisited and develop as the course progresses, and the complexity of care increases. The course will incorporate important aspects of pharmaceutical care, clinical and professional skills and health promotion integrated with the underlying science of the diseases and of the medicines used.
The course is taught through integrated learning sessions, workshops and tutorials, laboratory and physiology practicals, group tutorials, problem-based learning, placements, and health promotion activities in the community. Students may also have the opportunity to work with patients in our consultation rooms.
The MPharm provides a structured placement programme over all four years in community and hospital pharmacies, GP practices, and a variety of others locations including hospices, critical care, and a mental health trust.
The science (how medicines work and how patients work) and the professional skills (how pharmacists work) are taught in an integrated fashion in the context of the range of common clinical conditions a patient might experience at different stages of the life cycle.
- Immunological and Inflammatory Disease - Infant Allergy, Atopic Eczema
- Infectious Disease - Conjunctivitis, Childhood Infections, Vaccinations
- Cancer - Leukaemia
- Special Topics - Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Drugs, Blood and Anaemia
- Immunological and Inflammatory Disease - Asthma, Hay Fever, Contact Dermatitis
- Infectious Disease - STD
- Cancer - Testicular Cancer, Ovarian Cancer
- Special Topics - Accidents and Emergency, Critical Care
- Degenerative and Genetic Disease - Cystic Fibrosis
- Central Nervous System - Schizophrenia, ADHD, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Epilepsy, Drugs in Sport
- Metabolic and Endocrine Disease - Type 1 Diabetes, Contraception, Fertility, Thyroid
- Immunological and Inflammatory Disease - Inflammatory Bowel Disease, RA, Psoriasis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Infectious Disease - Urinary Tract Infection, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Peptic Ulcer Disease and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease
- Cancer - Breast Cancer, Gastrointestinal Cancer
- Special Topics - Travel, Neonatal Care
- Degenerative and Genetic Disease - Men's Health, Huntington's, Musculoskeletal (OA/Pain), Incontinence
- Central Nervous System - BAD, Anxiety and Depression
- Metabolic and Endocrine Disease - Type 2 Diabetes, Gout, Addison's, Lipid Disorders, Menopause, Liver and Nutritional Diseases
- Vascular Disease - Hypertension, Ischaemic Heart Disease, Stroke, AF
- Infectious Disease - Pneumonia, Influenza
- Cancer - Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer
- Special Topics - Palliative Care
- Degenerative and Genetic Disease - Parkinson's Disease
- Central Nervous System - Insomnia, Alzheimer's
- Metabolic and Endocrine Disease - Osteoporosis
- Vascular Disease - Congestive Heart Failure, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Chronic Kidney Disease.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
Assessment methods include formal examinations, presentations, course tests and laboratory reports. In addition, MPharm students will be assessed by observed structured clinical examinations (OSCES) with patients or actors; case-based discussions and care planning; problem-based learning, and a professional portfolio.
These will address the professional requirement that students are assessed on their ability to understand knowledge, place it in context, can demonstrate they have the skills to apply the knowledge in a simulated environment and in practice.
The School teaching staff includes a mixture of pharmaceutical scientists and registered pharmacists. Local teacher-practitioners will also be involved in MPharm teaching and placement supervision. Students will have the opportunity to learn through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, which will be supported by workshops, tutorials, seminars, computer-based learning, and practical classes. In addition students can learn through patient-based learning, problem-based case studies and problem-based practical classes, interprofessional learning, and individual research projects.
Patient-based Learning
MPharm Students can work with patients throughout the course to develop their communication, consultation, and clinical skills such as care planning and clinical decision-making. This will be taught through placements, within our clinical skills unit, and by engaging in health related outreach projects with the student body of the University and wider community. Costs relating to placements are outlined in the Placements section.
Problem-based Learning
Students will have the chance to work in smaller groups to evaluate specific problems relating to pharmaceutical sciences or clinical care under the guidance of a tutor to learn about a subject through problem-solving.
Interprofessional Learning
MPharm students can work together with students of other disciplines such as nursing and social care to foster the development of good working relationships and shared care and gain an appreciation that pharmacists are an important part of a healthcare team.
Students have access to the Maltby Suite, a dedicated pharmacy teaching suite combining a flexible teaching and learning area, a mock pharmacy and drug store, a medicines suite, and six consultation rooms.
The Joseph Banks Laboratories provide cutting-edge facilities for students and staff in studying Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science. Students have access to scientific laboratories and specialist equipment to support their studies.
The School of Pharmacy has excellent links with local hospitals, community pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, providing opportunities to develop students' clinical learning and skills within a wide range of practices and patient-facing environments throughout the course.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is the regulator for pharmacy in Great Britain. It is the accrediting body for pharmacy education and sets the standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists. The MPharm degree course at the University of Lincoln has received full accreditation. Our graduates can progress to their foundation training year, after which they can register as a pharmacist if they meet all of the professional criteria set by the GPhC.
Please note that as the MPharm is a professional degree. All students studying on an MPharm degree, must abide by the GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals. Students studying to enter the pharmacy profession must abide by these standards at all times and demonstrate professional conduct in the same way as they will be expected to once they qualify as a registered pharmacist.
MPharm students will have the opportunity to undertake placements within hospital, community, and primary care. These will be integrated throughout the curriculum to support your learning and development. As part of the placement programme, financial support will be available to help cover the cost of travel to placements. Outside of this, you will be required to cover your own transport, accommodation, and general living costs.
The School of Pharmacy at Lincoln has a close bond with the hospitals in Lincolnshire, the Co-operative pharmacies, and many other health trusts, which provides a wide range of placement opportunities and professional development.
Faatimah Patel
MPharm Pharmacy
Pharmacy graduates may go on to work in a range of clinical environments, including hospitals, primary care and community pharmacies, and as non-medical prescribers. Other opportunities also exist in a variety of research and development roles within the pharmaceutical industry, and in academia in the UK and abroad.
136 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A Levels to include a minimum of 40 points in Biology or Chemistry plus a minimum of 40 points in a second Science subject. Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Applied Science, Maths or Further Maths are accepted. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Extended Project qualifications are not accepted.
A Levels: AAB, to include a minimum grade B in Biology or Chemistry plus a minimum grade B in a second Science subject. Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Applied Science, Maths or Further Maths are accepted. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Extended Project qualifications are not accepted.
International Baccalaureate: 34 points overall to include Higher Level grade 5 in Biology or Chemistry and Higher Level grade 5 in a second Science subject. (Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, are accepted).
GCSEs: Minimum of five GCSEs to include a grade 6 in Maths, a grade 4 in English and Science and two further GCSE's grade at 4 or above. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.
Additional requirements:
- Successful performance at an interview.
- Satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
When you choose Pharmacy in your UCAS application, you will be asked an additional question regarding criminal convictions. Here you must declare all spent and unspent criminal convictions including (but not limited to) cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar and details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices, penalty notices for disorder, ASBOs or VOOs.
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Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
In addition to meeting the academic requirements, overseas students will also be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element. Please visit our English language requirements page for a full list of the English qualifications we accept.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
The University of Lincoln offer a dedicated support service for overseas students. If you have any questions about your qualifications, or would like assistance in submitting your application, please contact us at
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/contactus/
For applicants who do not meet our standard entry requirements, our Science Foundation Year can provide an alternative route of entry onto our full degree programmes:
All MPharm Pharmacy applicants will be required to attend an interview. This is a condition for making applicants an offer. Applicants will receive an invitation to attend an interview via UCAS Track. Alternative arrangements will be considered for applicants who cannot attend.
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
