Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science
- Duration
- MSc 3 years PT, PGDip 2 years PT
- Entry requirements
-
We require an honours degree in pharmacy (minimum Lower Second or equivalent).
- Number of places/applicants
100 places (including 40 for the blended route)
- How to apply
Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | N | N | N | Y |
| PGDip | N | N | N | Y |
Course overview
- Develop clinical, leadership and research skills while working as a pharmacist with our part-time distance learning programme.
- Eligible pharmacists can also include independent prescribing.
- Study at a university ranked 6th in the UK for Pharmacy and Pharmacology (QS Rankings 2024).
- Our course is mapped to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's post-registration foundation and core advanced frameworks.
- Open up a new career, upskill or get more involved in research by completing this course.
- Plan your study schedule around front-line roles and home commitments with the flexibility of an online programme.
Open days
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £3,850 for year 1 and 2, and £4,800 for year 3
International, including EU, students (per annum): £9,800 for year 1 and 2, and £12,400 for year 3 -
PGDip (part-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £3,850
International, including EU, students (per annum): £9,800
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
Students who are classified as 'Overseas' for tuition fee purposes, but who receive funding from the NHS, may be eligible for a tuition fee discount to the same amount paid by 'Home' students.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are fixed for international students, for the course duration at the year of entry).
For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees .
Always contact the department via pgtaught.pharmacy@manchester.ac.uk if you are unsure which fee applies to you.
Additional expenses
All students should be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme.You can find further information in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes .
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 529 4563
- pgtaught.pharmacy@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/pharmacy/masters/
- School/Faculty
-
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require an honours degree in pharmacy (minimum Lower Second or equivalent).
English language
International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. We ask for English language proof from applicants from countries that are not majority English-speaking countries (a list of majority English-speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here ).
- IELTS: 6.5 with at least 6.0 in writing;
- TOEFL: 90 iBT (with at least 21 in writing and speaking).
See further information about requirements for your country .
English language test validity
Relevant work experience
Professional entry qualification
Other entry requirements
As this is an online course, you must have access to a computer with fast and reliable internet connection. You must also have the ability to:
- navigate the Blackboard learning management system to locate teaching and learning materials and to access and submit assessments (with initial basic training);
- work efficiently with Word and PowerPoint;
- use the internet to search websites;
- navigate e-learning programmes;
- download PDF learning materials;
- use video and audio equipment to undertake some assessments.
- download PDF learning materials
- join online meetings, eg, using Zoom or MS Teams
- use video and audio equipment to undertake some assessments
Application and selection
How to apply
Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.
Advice to applicants
Your application form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- two references on letterhead paper or sent from work emails. We do not contact referees directly so please inform them yourself;
- copies of official degree certificates (with translations if not in English) if you have already graduated;
- copies of official university transcripts (with translations if not in English).
How your application is considered
Fitness to practise / health requirements
Deferrals
Course details
Course description
Our MSc/PGDip Clinical Pharmacy course and offers a mix of clinical, applied practice, public health and research units, giving you the knowledge and skills to be an excellent clinical pharmacist.
Our first year (PGCert) offers a strong foundation of clinical skills that you will continue to use throughout your career.
Having complete these core units, you can choose from 12 options in Year 2 (PGDip) to tailor the course to your own interests. This includes clinical topics, public health, health economics, medicines management, education, leadership and research topics.
Eligible pharmacists can also opt for independent prescribing.
If you want to undertake research, you will be supported by one of our leading academic researchers to undertake a small-scale clinical research project to complete the MSc award.
This is a completely online route and allows you to study from home at times convenient to you, which is ideal for international students, shift workers and those based outside the Manchester area. Interactive online learning is supplemented by webinars to enhance your skills in optimising drug therapy and clinical problem-solving.
Aims
This course aims to help you develop:
- advanced knowledge and understanding of the management of a range of acute and chronic conditions;
- skills in medicines optimisation and the ability to communicate with a range of healthcare professionals to promote the appropriate use of medicines;
- skills in the critical evaluation of a range of health services literature;
- non-clinical skills to support wider advanced practice and research objectives.
Special features
Apply your knowledge to work
The content of this course has been written by clinical experts with a focus on workplace application.
Varied unit options
This course can be tailored to meet the needs of your career goals through a range of options in the second year and your choice of research topic for the dissertation in the final year. We offer 12 options in the second year, including paediatrics, mental health, surgery, medicines management and public health.
Develop research skills
You will have the opportunity to conduct master's level research in a top three university for research power in pharmacy within the UK in the national Research Excellence Framework (UoA3 REF 2021).
Teaching and learning
The course uses a range of teaching and learning approaches, including:
- the Blackboard learning management system;
- e-lectures, podcasts and webinars;
- online discussion forums and wikis;
- e-journals.
All students will benefit from:
- shared learning content online, including evening webinars;
- content mapped against the RPS Post-registration Foundation and Core Advanced Pharmacist curricula;
- access to materials to pursue RPS recognition;
- access to academic staff and clinical teachers;
- an educational supervisor.
Coursework and assessment
We use a range of assessments that allow you to demonstrate your clinical knowledge and skills in medicines optimisation and critical analysis.
Formative and summative assessments vary according to the units you choose, but may include:
- online quizzes and exams;
- participation in online discussion boards;
- patient-specific case studies and care plans
- oral case presentations;
- professional development and clinical portfolios;
- business case, new drug report or teaching portfolio;
- research protocol.
To progress to subsequent years and for an award in Clinical Pharmacy, you must achieve an overall mark of 50% in each course unit you study.
Course content for year 1
You will study four core units to build your clinical, problem-solving and critical appraisal skills.
- Foundations of Clinical Pharmacy
- Medicines Optimisation and Therapeutics 1
- Medicines Optimisation and Therapeutics 2
- Evidence Based Practice
Course content for year 2
You will choose four optional units from the following:
- Education and Training
- Economic Evaluation in Healthcare
- Leadership and Management
- Medicines Management
- Mental Health
- Paediatrics
- Pharmacy Public Health
- Practical Statistics for Population Health
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Specialist Medicines Optimisation and Therapeutics
- Surgery
Eligible pharmacists can apply to take Independent Prescribing in place of two second-year options. Please refer to the Independent Prescribing course webpage for details.
Course content for year 3
Course unit details
The course consists of four compulsory course units in Year 1, four optional course units from a choice of 11 in Year 2, and a research project in Year 3.
You can mix and match units in year 2 to graduate with a degree that suits your career ambitions:
- PGCert/PGDip Clinical Pharmacy: Four compulsory Year 1 course units plus any four optional year 2 course units.
- PGDip Clinical Pharmacy with Independent Prescribing: Four compulsory Year 1 course units plus any two optional year 2 course units and the 30-credit level 7 Independent Prescribing course.
To progress into research through the MSc year (Year 3), take any of the above pathways but you must choose Research Methods as an optional unit.
You can choose to undertake the Independent Prescribing course in either Semester 1 or Semester 2 of Year 2. If you wish to study for your Independent Prescribing qualification as part of this course, you must meet the entrance requirements and be successful in your application for a place before you can undertake these units. See the Independent Prescribing page for more information.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines Optimisation & Therapeutics 1 | PHAR60411 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Pharmacy Research Dissertation | PHAR62230 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Foundations of Clinical Pharmacy | PHAR63001 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Evidence Based Practice | PHAR63002 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Medicines Optimisation and Therapeutics 2 | PHAR63012 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Education and Training | PHAR60431 | 15 | Optional |
| Surgery | PHAR62252 | 15 | Optional |
| Leadership and Management | PHAR62262 | 15 | Optional |
| Specialist Medicines Optimisation and Therapeutics | PHAR63021 | 15 | Optional |
| Mental Health | PHAR63031 | 15 | Optional |
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Facilities
The course is delivered online, so you will not be required to come to campus. However, our staff use a range of facilities to deliver high-quality online learning experiences. Of course, you are welcome to come to Manchester and enjoy access to the varied resources and facilities on campus .
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .
CPD opportunities
These are delivered in the same method used on the full course. After completing two CPD units you will be invited to apply for a postgraduate qualification (Certificate, Diploma or Masters). If you apply for a postgraduate qualification after completion of CPD units you must complete the relevant core units.
If you take a stand-alone CPD unit you must re-apply if you want to undertake a postgraduate qualification within three years of starting your first CPD unit. You then have up to five years to complete the qualification.
Careers
Career opportunities
This postgraduate qualification will allow you to develop your chosen career path within the pharmacy profession by providing advanced clinical knowledge, problem-solving skills and a critical awareness of the role of pharmacy services within the wider healthcare system.
Optional specialist units allow you to directly align your learning with your career aspirations.
The course develops pharmacists into individuals who can improve patient care by demonstrating leadership and enhanced clinical skills, who are sought-after by employers.
Research is actively promoted and further study to PhD level is possible for successful candidates.
Associated organisations
Many specialist and expert pharmacists contribute to the teaching to create a truly contemporary and progressive course.