• A-levels: ABB, including Biology or Chemistry plus one other science, from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. General Studies, Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking or Global Perspectives not accepted.
• GCSE: English Language and Maths at grade 6/B. Science subjects must be held at grade 6/B (single subjects, dependent on those taken at A-level or both grades of Combined/Double Science). 
• International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points overall including three higher level subjects at grades 6, 6, 5. Higher Level subjects required are Biology or Chemistry, plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. Must include a minimum of grade 4 in HL Mathematics or 5 in SL Mathematics Analysis & Approaches or SL6 in Mathematics Application and Interpretation if minimum of grade 6/B not held in Maths GCSE. Plus, grade 5 in English A or 6 in English B if minimum of grade 6/B not held in GCSE English Language. 
• BTEC Nationals: D*DD in either Applied Science or Biomedical Science.
• Access to HE: Pass Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Distinction. The following specialisms will be considered on a case-by-case basis with a full list of unit titles and credit values - Pharmacy and Bio-Medical Sciences, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences or Medicine. Access to HE course must have at least 15 level 3 credits in Chemistry or Biology and 15 credits in another Maths or science subject in order to be considered. Please contact the Admissions Team with the full details of your Access to HE Diploma for eligibility.
• Graduate applicants: Applicants achieving 2:1 or above, in a science related degree may apply for the programme.
• Armed Forces into Allied Health: Please contact our Admissions Tutors for an advisory consultation. Get more information about the Higher Education Pathway for Armed Forces (HEPAF).

Contextual Offers: These offers will be made where University of Leicester criteria are met. The same GCSE requirements as above will be required, and A-level subjects studied, but A-level grades will be reduced to BBB.

You will be expected to show academic attainment at the required entry level within 3 years of the course proposed start date.

Application stage

Apply through UCAS or directly using the information below.

• Course title: Master of Pharmacy (MPharm)
• UCAS course code: B230
• University code: L34
• Duration: 4 years full time

Please refer to the UCAS website for further information on deadlines and the application process.

Selection process

In line with the National Health Service Constitution, we use an NHS values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care. When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited for an online selection process. This process comprises of a group activity, a situational judgement test (SJT) and an interview. Further information on the selection process will be sent to shortlisted candidates with the invitation.

Health requirements

All students who receive an offer to study our healthcare programmes are subject to Occupational Health clearance. This is to ensure that you are fit for all aspects of the course, and to protect the public who may be affected by your placement activities.

As an MPharm student, you must comply with any Department of Health, General Pharmaceutical Council or University guidelines on immunisations, vaccinations, and screening required to protect you and your patients during the course of your work. This also includes compliance with any health and safety requirements stipulated by these organisations such as the wearing of facemasks etc.

In order to undertake placement activities, you will be required to be vaccinated for some infectious diseases. Placement providers may specifically request certain vaccinations. Without these, we cannot guarantee all of the placement hours required for successful completion of the course. In addition, our service users involved in teaching can request that students involved in this face-to-face experience be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

During your course, you will be given the opportunity to be screened and given any relevant vaccinations at no cost to you. Without appropriate immunity or vaccinations, your place on the course may be at risk. If you receive an offer, you will be required to complete and submit an Occupational Health Questionnaire Form.

Criminal Records Check (DBS)

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 does not apply and all convictions, including those which are spent, must be disclosed. This is in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. As part of the course entry requirements, you must provide the university with an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. 

• Read our DBS policy (PDF, 148kb)

Overseas students

Offers are subject to you providing a Certificate of Good Standing or Good Conduct Letter from your embassy or local police force, which should be no more than 6 months old prior to starting the course. This must specifically include confirmation that there is no known reason that you cannot work with vulnerable adults and children.

If you have studied in the UK for a minimum of 12 months prior to starting the course we will not require the Good Conduct Letter but will require a satisfactory ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ (DBS) check (as required for home students) upon arrival.

For both home and international students, an offer to study this course at the University of Leicester is subject to satisfactory occupational Health clearance and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before the first placement. The university will bear the cost for this and will provide successful applicants with details of how to obtain their DBS certificate prior to the start of the course.

Specific learning difficulties and disabilities

Candidates with specific learning difficulties or disabilities are welcome to apply and will be considered according to the University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2023-2028. The MPharm programme team may be able to make reasonable adjustments for such candidates, including at interview. However, it must ensure that all candidates will be able meet the core learning outcomes and competencies of the programme, and in addition be able to practise as a pharmacist on completion of the course. Initial scoring of the UCAS form and selection process will be undertaken separately to any subsequent Occupational Health assessment. If you have a declared additional learning need or disability, please inform the MPharm admissions team as soon as possible when you receive your interview invitation so that we can discuss reasonable adjustments. However, a satisfactory Occupational Health assessment may be a conditional part of any subsequent offer to determine if reasonable adjustment can be made.

Fitness to Practice (FtP)

The MPharm programme requires students to undertake clinical practice with patients, clients or service users and is linked to professional registration. As such healthcare programmes including the MPharm are governed by the UofL College of Life Sciences Fitness to Practise Regulations and students will be subject to the procedures for dealing with student-related FtP issues which include both conduct and health. 

Students will also be expected to comply with GPhC FtP regulations and be aware of the implications of FtP issues for their ongoing registration on the programme. For further information please visit GPhC guidance on managing fitness to practise concerns in pharmacy education and training.

Age requirement

You must be at least 18 years old when you start the course. If you are not yet 18 you can still apply but you will need to defer your entry by a year if your 18th birthday will be after the start of the course.

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Accreditation

We are working towards accreditation with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The course is provisionally accredited until the programme receives full accreditation. 

English Language Requirements

IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent). If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.