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PhD Opportunities at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science

About our postgraduate research studies.

The Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (IPS) is an enabling and rich environment for students to undertake their postgraduate research studies. Across the three research groups of Drug Discovery, Medicines Development, and Medicines Use; we have approximately 100 students on 3, 3+1, and 4-year track PhD programmes.

Most of our PhD students are embedded on one site, engendering an environment of engagement (student led seminars, social activities, annual symposium day), interdisciplinary curiosity, and experience of cutting edge and diverse methodology platforms. This results in a unique, strong and exciting research journey.

The research experience of our PhD students can be further strengthened from competitive internal funds to allow you to travel to learn techniques in collaborator labs, or funds for conference participation from the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and the Centre for Doctoral Studies.

• Drug Discovery
• Medicines Development
• Medicines Use

Types of Scholarships

Our PGR student body is international and this is reflected in the diversity of routes by which our students are funded. King's has annual application rounds of certain initiatives such as Medical Research Council- Doctoral Training Programme (MRC-DTP), London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Partnership funded by BBSRC (LIDo-DTP), and the King’s-China Scholarship Council (K-CSC).

Other PGR students may be funded by Industry, foreign government organisations, or self-funded. Some programmes have specific application procedures that must be adhered to and can be found below with particular timelines during the year.

If you need help discussing a research project you have seen advertised, or you need help in devising a research project but are unsure who might be the best person to supervise it, it is best to identify our research staff in Drug Discovery, Medicines Development, and Medicines Use. This will also give you a more detailed understanding of the range of expertise of specific academics and research activity within IPS.

Centre For Pharmaceutical Medicine PhD Studentships

New phd opportunities to start in 2022.

• Understanding emerging models of patient engagement and their impact on the research, development and use of medicines (C. Copeland & G. McClelland)
• Machine learning based algorithms to improve the clinical management and outcomes of patients with cardiovascular disease (M. Alhnan & A. Ferro)
• Appraising the accelerated approval of medicines used for cancer care (S. A. Jones & Y Kamel)
• Developing a case to widen the access to topical onychomycosis therapies and provide personalised treatment (S. A. Jones & G. McClelland)
• Understanding how the regulation of borderline substances influences medicine quality: Vitamin D as a case study (S. A. Jones & C. Naraynassamy)
• Exploring new digital platforms to provide patient information on how to use medicines (M. Alhnan & G. McClelland)
• Theranostic hydrogen sulphide dressings in wound healing (A. Dyson & A. Lockett)
• Exploring Antipsychotic-Associated Pneumonia through host-immune responses (C. Copeland, R. Amison & Paul Rees)

How to apply

King’s Apply

Unless guided by programme specific calls, application is via King's Apply.

Postgraduate Apply - Contact Us

Contact the team if you are applying for Postgraduate courses

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Pharmacy PhD/MRes

• Full-time: Up to 4 years
• Part-time: Up to 8 years for the PhD
• Start date: September 2025
• UK fees: £5,350
• International fees: £28,200 or £32,400 depending on the nature of your project

Research overview

The School of Pharmacy is a world top 5 school two years in a row*. Our teaching, learning materials and student support back this incredible ranking.

Joint 1st place in Research Environment with our colleagues from the Faculty Medicine and Health Sciences **

Joint 4th in the UK for research quality, with 96% of our research assessed as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' **

Join us at the forefront of world-changing research that’s both innovative and relevant, working on new therapeutic targets and treatments that will improve the lives of millions of people.

We work with over 30 leading companies across the healthcare sector, including Boots, Evonik, Mars Petcare UK, Promega, SureScreen Diagnostics, Syngenta, Unilever and Widex A/S.

The school has excellent facilities in:

• molecular biology
• cell culture
• mass spectrometry
• medicinal chemistry (including our 80,000-compound library)
• structural biology
• molecular modelling
• parasitology and formulation
• one of a few 3D OrbiSIMS in academia worldwide
• a high resolution, cryogenic analytical and transfer scanning electron microscope

Research Divisions

All of our postgraduate research students are based in one of our five research divisions:

• Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies
• Biomolecular Science and Medicinal Chemistry
• Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation Division
• Pharmacy Practice and Policy (social science-based research)
• Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies Division

You are strongly encouraged to find a supervisor before you apply. You can approach any member of staff in relation to a research project of your own devising or you can look at our current vacancies .

Further details of academic expertise are available  here .

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 and 2021.

**Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Course content

The School of Pharmacy PhD is typically a 3 to 4 year research project.  It can be undertaken with a significant laboratory based component or can be focused around pharmacy practice and policy . Within the course a PhD student will receive training within their respective  research discipline  by expert leading academics and technical teams.

The course includes compulsory and optional training sessions covering generic research skills (e.g. report writing) and specific skills relevant to your project. You will be asked to give a flash presentation introducing your project to the school in year 1, a poster presentation in year 2, and an oral presentation in year 3. These tasks all help you to develop your communication skills.

The PhD course can also be taken part-time up to 8 years.

The MRes course is 1-year full-time only.

You will be able to identify a potential supervisor for your project by looking at the  divisions  and  group members . You are strongly encouraged to find a supervisor before you apply. You can approach any member of staff in relation to a research project of your own devising or you can look at our  current vacancies.

When you apply for a place, you will be studying for a ‘PhD in Pharmacy’.

Study options:

• Full-time over 3-4 years
• Part-time up to 8 years

The MRes is a one-year research course.

At least two-thirds of your time will be spent on an in-depth research project. You will be able to identify a potential supervisor for your project by looking at the divisions and group members .

You are strongly encouraged to find a supervisor before you apply. You can approach any member of staff in relation to a research project of your own devising or you can look at our current vacancies.

When you apply for a place, you will be studying for a ‘MRes in Pharmacy’.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

Additional information for international students

If your course requires ATAS clearance you will need to obtain an ATAS certificate before you can apply for your visa.

The ATAS certificate is also required before you can register at the University. Further details can be found on the Academic Technology Approval Scheme page.

When applying for the PhD course, you will be studying for a ‘PhD in Pharmacy’.

Please find a potential supervisor before applying. We strongly encourage applicants to contact academic staff about PhD projects. 

We don't need a research proposal for the application form but please indicate the research area you're interested in and the supervisor's name.

Points to cover when discussing your interest in applying for a PhD

• Motivation for doing a PhD
• Your academic record and research experience
• Sources of funding
• Research topic

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

UK applicants

We offer a number of projects each year which are funded by:

• the school and university
• industry partners
• centres of doctoral training (CDTs)
• doctoral training partnerships (DTPs)

Some of the funded projects the school offers are posted on our PhD vacancies page .

These are our CDTs/DTPs at our university that have projects related to pharmacy:

• EPSRC & SFI Centre for Doctoral Training in Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Doctoral Training Programme
• EPSRC CDT in Sustainable Chemistry

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

You will have at least two supervisors who will support you throughout your studies. Your supervisors will hold an annual meeting to discuss expectations of your PhD, and will meet you at least once a month to held you plan your project and monitor your progress.

The school has two Postgraduate Research Tutors, a Disability Liaison Officer and a dedicated Welfare team who can provide additional support.

All students are entitled to 25 days’ annual leave a year, in addition to bank holidays and University closure days.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

Centre for biomolecular sciences.

£40 million has been invested in chemistry and biology labs, giving us the tools to make remarkable advances.

University Park Campus

University Park Campus  covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Boots Science Building

Houses our latest research labs and equipment

See all our research facilities

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

The PhD equips individuals for a variety of careers in both academia and industry. Many graduates find employment within the pharmaceutical sector. We have alumni employed by GSK ,  AstraZeneca ,  Catalant  and  3M  amongst others.

Graduates are also well positioned to pursue academic research careers as post doctoral research associates, and academics all within the UK and internationally.

87.5% of postgraduates from the School of Pharmacy secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £39,857.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022 . The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

Related courses

Synthetic biology and biotechnology phd/mres, microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry phd/mres, cellular and developmental biology phd/mres, chemistry phd, research excellence framework.

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• Joint 1st place in Research Environment with our colleagues from the Faculty Medicine and Health Sciences in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF 2021). We are joint 4th place in Unit of Assessment 3 with our colleagues from the Faculty Medicine and Health Sciences. This is for both GPA and the percentage of research that is judged to be 'world-leading'. For REF 2021.
• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 01 July 2024 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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Pharmacy - PhD/ MSc by Research

Annual tuition fee for 2024/25: UK: £4,778 International: £27,360

More details

• Visit an Open Day
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• Course details
• Entry Requirements
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Our Pharmacy PhD/MSc by Research in the School of Pharmacy aims to equip graduates with the skills necessary to contribute to a research portfolio encompassing clinical pharmacy, pharamacology, pharmaceutics and medicinal chemistry.

As part of the School of Pharmacy, students will work amongst the very best researchers to produce original and distinctive globally leading research demanded by the expanding role of the pharmacist and pharmaceutical researcher.

Our PhD/MSc by Research program is intended for students who wish to obtain high quality research training that will enable them to conduct independent investigative research.

You can choose from a range of research areas within Pharmacy covering:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Pharmaceutics
• Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery

Find out more about each research theme .

You will work closely with your supervisory team who will help you clarify your project and support your development. Your thesis will represent an original contribution to knowledge and demonstrate independent judgement.

For all you need to know about our staff, news, research areas and the impact of our research visit the  S chool of Pharmacy.

Why study this course?

When you join your programme you will become part of the Graduate School within the College of Medicine and Health giving you access to:

• Supervision from leading academics to support you through your research programme including research techniques and training.
• Training and development courses to enable you to gain research and generic (transferable) training skills
• Opportunities to attend and take part in Research Poster festivals and other postgraduate activities to boost your academic and networking skills
• An allocated academic mentor so you can access pastoral support
• State-of-the art facilities to support a range of teaching, learning and research activity with access to dedicated write up rooms, libraries, and computer facilities.

You will also become part of the wider University of Birmingham postgraduate research community located at Westmere House where you have access to training and skills development, careers and employability advice, wellbeing and counselling services as well as welcome activities and events.

Ask a student mentor

The best people to ask about postgraduate study are the students that have done it. Our mentor scheme enables you to directly contact student mentors with any questions that you have about studying here and will offer help and advice from a student perspective. Please feel free to contact the mentors directly using the question box on their profile page.

PhD and MSc by Research Lab: UK: £4,778 full-time, £2,389 part-time International: £27,360 full-time, £13,680 part-time

PhD full-time Non-Lab: UK: £4,778 International: £21,360

PhD part-time Non-Lab: UK: £2,389 International: £10,680

The above fees are for one year only. If you are studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years.

Find out about our latest vacancies and scholarship opportunities by searching our  Doctoral Researcher Database .

We welcome enquiries from students who have obtained funding and self-funded students looking to conduct research in other areas and encourage prospective doctoral students to  contact our staff  to discuss their intended area of study.

To search for postgraduate research funding opportunities to support your studies at the University of Birmingham use our funding database .

How To Apply

Before you make your application.

When submitting an application for any postgraduate programme, you are also required to submit supporting documentation to accompany your application form. To give your application the best chance of success follow our  step-by-step guide .

Making your application

If you have got everything ready to apply then please go to the 'Apply Now' button at the top of this page. We look forward to receiving your application.

International applicants

We encourage you to apply early, so that you have plenty of time to prepare the necessary travel, study and immigration documents. In some cases, it may be a time-consuming process. You will find further information and guidance for prospective students regarding visas and immigration on our Student Help pages.

After you have submitted your application

Once you've completed your online application and submitted it electronically, it will be checked by staff in the Postgraduate Admissions team before being sent to the College of Medicine and Health for consideration. Selection processes differ depending on the type of application you have made.

If you need any help with you application or have any further queries please contact us:

Email: [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0)121 414 5005

You may wish to register your interest with us to receive regular news and updates on postgraduate life within this Department and the wider University.

• How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page . Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our Standard Requirements

2:1 honours degree in a subject relevant to the research area you applying to.

International Requirements

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below.  Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2022 (full table)  ,  Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2023 .

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2022（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2023 。  

Business School    - MSc programmes (excluding MBA)  

商学院硕士课程（MBA除外）入学要求

School of Computer Science – all MSc programmes 计算机学院硕士课程入学要求

College of Social Sciences – courses listed below 社会科学 学院部分硕士课程入学要求 MA Education  (including all pathways) MSc TESOL Education MSc Public Management MA Global Public Policy MA Social Policy MA Sociology Department of Political Science and International Studies  全部硕士课程 International Development Department  全部硕士课程

  All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please note:

• Borderline cases: We may consider students with lower average score (within 5%) on a case-by-case basis if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 如申请人均分低于相应录取要求（5%以内），但具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，部分课程将有可能单独酌情考虑。
• Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Bachiller, Licenciado, or Título Profesional with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

International Students

Learn more about  international entry requirements  

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries; our  country pages  show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English Language Requirements

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

• by holding an  English language qualification  to the right level
• by taking and successfully completing one of our  English courses for international students

Please note IELTS requirements for Postgraduate Research programmes in the College of Medicine and Health are 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.

If you need help with your English language skills then support is available. 

The English for Academic Purposes Presessional course is for international students who have a conditional offer to study at the University, but who do not currently meet the English language requirements. The course is tailored to your level of English and allows you to meet the English language requirements for your programme without retaking IELTS. The EAP programme runs throughout the year and offers different programme lengths ranging from 42 weeks to 6 weeks. The length of course you need depends on your future course, your existing IELTS score and the English level you need for your university degree.

Find out more about the  English for Academic Purposes Presessional  course.

We offer a diverse range of research areas within School of Pharmacy. To help you identify a supervisor related to your research area you may like to explore the research interests of our academic staff.

Clinical use of medicines in paediatrics, and their development; medicines adherence, pharmaceutical risk; rational prescribing, and the rational use of antibiotics

• Contact: Professor John Marriott  
• Contact: Dr Anthony Cox

Pharmaceutical care and clinical pharmacy, particularly related to symptom control end of life care; educational research and inter-professional education

• Contact: Dr Christine Hirsch

Nanomedicine and drug delivery; the development of soft and hard nanomaterial -based drug delivery systems for cancer therapy and neurodegenerative disorders ; the efficient intracellular delivery and targeting of small molecules (anticancer drugs) and macromolecules (protein and nucleic acid); nanotoxicology of the developed drug delivery systems and other nanoparticles.

• Contact:  Dr Hanene Ali-Boucetta

Pharmaceutical technology; more specifically designing nanosized drug delivery systems and understanding how their physio-chemical properties can impact on their behaviours, fate and toxicity in a physiological environment.

• Contact: Dr Marie-Christine Jones

There are also existing research opportunities within the Institute offering specific topics and projects on which you can complete your PhD. Search our  Doctoral Researcher Database  to find out about our latest vacancies and scholarship opportunities or if you are looking to conduct research in other areas  contact our staff  to discuss your intended area of study.

We have a global reputation for our world leading research and teaching as follows:

• Times 2024: Ranked 15th for Pharmacology & Pharmacy and 19th for Medicine.
• Complete University Guide 2024: Ranked 15th for Pharmacy and 19th for Medicine.
• QS World rankings 2024: 69th for Medicine, and Pharmacy ranked in the top 100. The Life Sciences and Medicine overarching faculty area is ranked 68th in the world.
• Shanghai rankings 2023: 51st – 75th for Clinical Medicine.
• Times Higher Education rankings 2024: 74th for Clinical & Health.

Our employability rates within the College are excellent, with 95% of all surveyed students achieving employment within a year of study.

A high proportion of our postgraduate research students go onto roles such as Research fellow/ postdoctoral researcher, medical writer, scientist/ research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical trial coordinator.

Employers include the NHS Trusts, Cancer Research UK, pharma and biotech companies (including AstraZeneca, Covance, Binding Site, Immunocore, Johnson and Johnson), Medical Communications agencies (e.g. Fishawack, Insight Medical Writing), the Armed Forces and the University of Birmingham.

Career support through Career Network

A PhD is the highest level of academic achievement available and vital for the continued professional development of scientists. Completing a PhD at Birmingham will extend your knowledge base in your chosen subject, as well as enhancing your problem solving and analytical; communication and teaching; and leadership and management skills – all of which are valued across the academic and private sectors. It will also enable you to provide you with the opportunity to develop your network of peers, collaborators and colleagues to support your onward career.

Whatever path you choose to take as a postgraduate researcher, the University offers guidance and support in all aspects of planning your next step. Our resources include:

• Alumni biographies and talks to learn more about their career journey and reflect on the journey you may follow after completing your PhD;
• Resources for writing industry or academic specific applications, CVs and cover letters;
• Up to date information about the PhD labour market;
• Career planning guide;
• Job searching resources both for roles within academia and non-academia;
• Training and skills development workshops for postgraduate researchers;
• Access to the Postgraduate Enterprise Summer School
• Virtual Consultancy Challenge
• 1-1 Business start-up advice

Find out more on our  Careers Network for Postgraduate Researchers web pages .

Our Careers Network offers free online resources, face to face consultation and also runs the Global Careers blog, with posts about having a career abroad and international graduates building a career in the UK. International students are also supported via the Global Careers event series, designed for international students, focusing on country or industry specific job applications and interview skills.

Events in the past have included:

• Hays Asia recruitment event - for offices across China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia
• Global opportunities at Amazon
• Global University Career Development Conference (GUCDC)
• LinkedIn group for international students and alumni from the University of Birmingham to connect
• Online chat events

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Pharmacy MPhil, PhD

Our Pharmacy MPhil and PhD programmes specialise in both laboratory-based and clinical research areas of Pharmacy. We accept both funded and self-funded students.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:

Start date(s):

• September 2024
• January 2025

The School of Pharmacy's focus is on multidisciplinary translational research. We produce work that is relevant to real life. We have scientists and clinicians working together on all aspects of pharmacy, from the bench to the bedside. Our research spans the fundamental understanding and concepts of:

• pharmacology
• pharmaceutical chemistry
• drug delivery and formulation science
• clinical pharmacy

We offer MPhil and PhD supervision in the following research areas:

• The topic examines the discovery and development of new small molecule therapeutics. This considers improved disease selectivity and reduced systemic toxicities, through the use of:
• rational drug design and synthesis
• lead optimisation
• preclinical evaluation in cellular disease model systems.

We explore developments of cancer prodrugs with tumour-specific activation and reduced systemic toxicity. We explore novel therapies for improved treatment of infective diseases including:

• other haemorrhagic fever viruses
• tuberculosis

We explore the molecular mechanisms that generate the symptoms of chronic pain. We look at its translation to strategies for pain control, including opioid treatment.

Investigating hormones to control epithelial ion channel activity and physiological action. We look at the control of sodium channel activity in the distal nephron and consequent hypo and hyper-tension.

Development of new preclinical tools for identification of therapeutics with potential safety liabilities. We look at relevant cell models and systems for the detection of effects on the heart.

Pharmaceutical formulations to deliver active molecules to treat disease. We have active research on:

• intermolecular interactions
• nanoscale pharmaceutics and nanotherapeutics, including dosage form design from intermolecular interactions,
• delivery of biopharmaceuticals.

In particular research focuses on:

• determining strategies for improving drug solubility
• altering materials properties to enable drug delivery and the production of enhanced medicines
• supramolecular Pharmaceutics. In particular, inter/intramolecular interactions and kinetics
• fundamental and translational nanomedicines
• understanding and improving drug delivery via the subcutaneous, inhaled and intravitreal routes

The role of community pharmacies as a central fulcrum to address health inequalities and behaviour change in relation to:

• substance misuse
• sexual health
• obesogenic behaviours

Community pharmacies are the point of contact for patients in the wider primary healthcare team. We test the interactions of this relationship and potential role for pharmacies in the diagnosis of disease. We also explore improvements in public health from this relationship.

The safe and efficient use of medicines in primary and secondary care is central to the role of every pharmacist. Medicines are becoming complex and patients are being given more preventative medicine focused at improving their health. This can pose clear risks and significant potential for complications. Rationalisation of medicine usage:

• crosses care boundaries
• applies both within primary and secondary care

We investigate prescribing habits and the mechanisms to support patients who take complex medicines for long periods.

Medication errors can result in patient injury or death, and are preventable. These errors can occur at the stages of ordering, transcription, dispensing and administration. We conduct studies around key technological advances targeted towards intercepting these errors and improving patient safety. Our research focuses on evaluation of specific health information technology prevention strategies throughout the medication use process. We have a particular emphasis on health information technology. This includes its broader implications for medical care and policy. We also explore the different types and causes of errors that occur during the prescribing process when using electronic systems. We provide national and international recommendations for their improvement.

See our staff research profiles

See a non-exhaustive list of available PhD projects

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our  Academic experience page , which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our  terms and conditions and student complaints information , which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Related courses

Qualifications explained.

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications

A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.

How you'll learn

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Find out more about our postgraduate research student support

Your development

Faculty of medical sciences (fms) researcher development programme .

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

• perform better as a researcher
• boost your career prospects
• broaden your impact
• Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.

You’ll cover:

• techniques for effective research
• methods for better collaborative working
• essential professional standards and requirements
• Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

Find out more about the FMS researcher development programme

Doctoral training and partnerships

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:

• Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:

• they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
• you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
• they’re often interdisciplinary
• your PhD may be funded

If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.

The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:

• Discovery Medicine North - MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership
• EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Molecular Sciences for Medicine (MoSMed)
• Newcastle Liverpool Durham BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership

Your future

Our careers service.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information .

You'll work in the Faculty of Medical Sciences . This is part of our city-centre campus.

The Faculty is also home to:

It is on the same site as Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital. We are one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.

Our facilities include:

• individual research laboratories where students carry out their projects
• a dedicated medical library with a wide range of specialist books and journals
• hi-tech computer clusters and study spaces
• dedicated facilities for a range of key bioscience applications. This includes flow cytometry, bioinformatics, imaging, genomics and proteomics

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year).

We are unable to give an exact fee, this is why the fee is shown as a range. This fee range takes into account your research topic and resource requirements.

Your research topic is unique so it will have unique resource requirements. Resources could include specialist equipment, such as laboratory/workshop access, or technical staff.

If your research involves accessing specialist resources then you're likely to pay a higher fee. You'll discuss the exact nature of your research project with your supervisor(s). You'll find out the fee in your offer letter.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here .

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See  our   searchable postgraduate funding page  for more information.  

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section .

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English language requirements, admissions policy.

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB) Other policies related to admissions

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

• How to apply

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You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages .

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We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

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Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

If you have specific questions about this course, please contact:

Postgraduate Research Coordinator School of Pharmacy Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 82343 Email: [email protected]

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

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You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.

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PhD in Pharmacology

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Primary tabs

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The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under  supervision; and
• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

In addition to the research training provided within the Department, as part of the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences students will have access to courses to widen their experience and to enable them to acquire generic skills.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of pharmacology, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Easter 2024 (Closed)

Michaelmas 2024 (closed), easter 2025, funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Biological Science (Pharmacology) by thesis MPhil
• Biological Sciences (Cell Science) by advanced study MPhil
• Medical Science (Paediatrics) MPhil
• Veterinary Medicine PhD
• Biological Sciences at the Department of Veterinary Medicine PhD

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PhD (School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences)

Suitable for applications.

Apply to study your PhD at the Bradford School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, which encompasses multidisciplinary research in the Centre of Pharmaceutical Engineering Science and is also research active in the following areas:

• Education Innovation Research & Development
• Medicines Development and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Medicines Optimisation
• Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
• Institute of Cancer Therapeutics

Over 80% of outputs  in  Allied Health Professions ,  Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy, Chemistry and Engineering  are rated as Internationally Excellent or World Leading ( REF 2021 ).

We welcome applications for postgraduate research degrees all year round, and will consider alternative starting dates when the timing doesn't fit with our two enrolment intake dates: October and February.

Entry requirements

Faculty research is very important and recruitment of high quality postgraduate research students is a key part of the Faculty of Life Sciences strategic plan.

Selection of PGR students will be subject to successful interview (either in person or by skype or conference call) by the supervisory team and one independent member of academic staff with significant PGR supervisory experience.

See specific entry requirements on the individual project pages .

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we ask for a minimum standard entry requirement of 6.0 IELTS (with sub tests not lower than 5.5).

The certificate must have been gained within two years of the proposed start date.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details . For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page .

What you will study

We aim to train multidisciplinary researchers capable of working as independent investigators and/or academics across the public and private sectors. Each individual team member is encouraged to expand their horizons overarching various aspects of pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice. 

The Faculty of Life Sciences is the largest in the University with an active PGR community. The University strategy is implemented at Faculty level within an institutional PGR Framework and is in line with QAA/RCUK recommendations. Each PGR student is a member of Bradford School of Pharmacy affiliated to a one of our research groups. PGR students are allocated to the supervisory team comprising of the principal investigator of the project and the second supervisor. 

Students are required to undertake training in scientific writing, producing a critical appraisal of research in their field within their first 6 months and additionally have access to Masters (level 7) modules to enhance skills relevant to their project such as for example: separation techniques (HPLC), spectroscopic methods (FTIR, RAMAN), structural crystallography and others.

Throughout the course of study, students are responsible for developing a Personal Development Folder which incorporates monitoring and progression requirements as well as generic and specific training records. 

Students have several opportunities to present their work to their peers within the faculty at regular research seminar series, and at a dedicated Symposium aligned with the Faculty Research Open Day.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2024.

Please see the tuition fees website for the relevant tuition and writing up fees:

• Home students
• International students

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our  scholarships  section.

Available PhD projects

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Career prospects

Many of our graduates find employment as post-doctoral research and development scientists, analytical scientists in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries, research managers, academics, clinical researchers in the NHS and other managed care organisations, in the UK, the EU and overseas. 

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from the  Career and Employability Services , including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and utilise their extensive resources.

Designed specifically for doctoral researchers, there is extensive training and development opportunities included in our unique and flexible  Postgraduate Research Framework . This bespoke offering tailored for research students, provides training opportunities to support your future employability and your development as an independent researcher.

Study support

When you join the University of Bradford you will take part in both a University wide and a faculty based Induction Programme, which is a requirement for all full-time and part-time research students. This will help you understand the academic and social environment here, and give you an introduction to all the services, support and training available to you.

The University induction provides students with information on student support systems, library services and the availability of central training courses covering areas such as general statistics, referencing, IT and communication skills (abstract and report writing, presentation in local research seminars, attendance and presentation on external conferences as well graduate teaching assistant training).

Following this you would also undertake a comprehensive induction programme organised by the Faculty of Life Sciences. Students are supported by Personal Academic Advisors, and we use Training Needs Analysis to determine an individualised programme of generic and discipline specific training.

The institution also subscribes to the Vitae Research Development Framework Planner which all students are encouraged to engage with. Training opportunities are advertised throughout the academic year on the PGR website. The Faculty of Life Sciences offers both scientific generic and specialised training courses in house (ethical considerations, data analysis, personal development and employability) and facilitates attendance at external courses. 

Postdoctoral Researchers follow a career staff development plan including the “Realising Your Research Potential” cohort training programme. This programme has been developed for early career researchers and academics who have the interest and potential to engage in research activity.

Training is aimed to help kick-start their research career by development of the skills needed as well as connecting PDRs to a network of colleagues from across the University including access to the University-wide events currently organised in our annual seminar programme: Costing your Research Grant, Research Ethics Approval Process, European funding - visit by UKRO Representative, Winning Grant Funding, Research Professional Workshop, Knowledge Transfer Partnership Information Session and Yorkshire Innovation Fund Information Session.

How to apply

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Tackle the biggest challenges in biology, medicine and health in a world leading research environment, and prepare for your future career.

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PhD/MPhil Pharmacy Practice / Programme details

Year of entry: 2024

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Programme description

Our PhD/MPhil Pharmacy Practice programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve the practise of pharmacy, the prescribing of medicines to optimise therapy and how patients take their medicines.  There are 3 working centres in Pharmacy Practice which include the Centre for Pharmacy Workforce Studies chaired by Dr Ellen Schafheutle , Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety chaired by Prof Darren Aschroft , and Prescribing and Patient Safety chaired by Dr Penny Lewis.   There is a lot of interplay between the centres so there is maximum impact to the patient and to the research.  We work with patient groups, prescribers, and pharmacists to gather the necessary information to conduct research, but also healthcare databases to maximise the study population size for robust results. We have a diverse skill base including clinical and community pharmacists, biostatisticians, epidemiologist, qualitative specialist researchers and health economists.

A research project is usually supervised by 2 co-supervisors that could be from different types of research backgrounds, but with this combination a unique and blended research experience is gained by the student.  Research projects include pharmacoepidemiology studies, drug utilisation research, regulations, patient and medicines safety, organisational systems, transfer of care and disease specific research. 

Our PhD research projects in Pharmacy Practice for international students primarily involve evaluation of practice and drug policy, pharmacoepidemiology using anonymous data, evaluating practice from already collected data or data collected by a third party or quantitative and qualitative analysis of national clinical data sets. These projects involve clinical knowledge and judgement and gaining skills in database management, analysis of large dataset and thematic analysis. All of these projects do not involve the international professional student having direct contact with NHS patients.  Unfortunately, the NHS regulations on clinical contact with patients (including medical notes) is very strict and reserved for UK registered pharmacists and practitioners.  Therefore a PhD in Clinical Pharmacy is not available to students wanting to attend the University of Manchester for this programme of study.

Special features

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

Teaching and learning

Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

International applicants interested in this research area can also consider our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

Attendance Requirement for Distance Learning Programme

Students must maintain expected virtual presence and communication with their Supervisor in order to remain registered on the programme and follow all online progression milestones as for any PGR student.

Students must attend, in person, the Welcome and Induction activities organised by the Doctoral Academy in September.  As a result, a September start date is preferable.  Students should also attend, in person, the compulsory `Life as a PhD Student' training.

Students are encouraged to consider undertaking additional training offered via the  Doctoral Academy Training Programme.

It is expected that students will spend a  minimum  of one working week (5 days) in attendance at the University (in addition to welcome/induction days).  This may coincide with formal study weeks (ie in NMSW) and will present the opportunity for the student to spend time with their Supervisory team, visit the Library or local research facilities.

Students must participate in the formal Annual Review meeting, ideally in person, but attendance via Skype etc can be considered.

The final oral examination will be held at the University of Manchester.  Only in very  exceptional  circumstances will a student be allowed to undertake the viva remotely.

Scholarships and bursaries

Funded programmes and projects are promoted throughout the year. Funding is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. We also have other internal awards and scholarships for the most outstanding applicants from within the UK and overseas.

For more information on available the types of funding we have available, please visit the  funded programmes  and  funding opportunities  pages.

What our students say

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PhD opportunities

Our research areas.

The academic staff at Reading School of Pharmacy conduct internationally competitive research across a range of research subjects, and these are the areas in which you can conduct your PhD: Applied Health Research, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Physiology and Pharmacology, and Pharmacy Practice.

We offer flexible modes of study designed to fit with your needs. Our PhD is available for study on a full-time basis over three years and part-time over four to six years. Both full-time and part-time variants are available for study in Reading, or at a distance for students who live outside the UK.

Types of doctoral degree

Part-time study

PhD by Distance

Find a PhD opportunity that aligns with your interests and career ambitions. We want to ensure that your time spent with us is as rewarding as possible. To allow you to explore your various options, below is a list of some of the PhD supervision areas that we have available. You can find a more comprehensive list on our  PhD supervisor research areas page .

You can also propose your own project that aligns with our research. Find out more about how to apply for a PhD , and identify and contact a supervisor .

Our research

Work with us

Take the next step.

• How to Apply
• Get a prospectus
• Ask us a question
• Learn about the Doctoral and Researcher College

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Pharmacy (DPharm)

Professional Doctorate

• Apply online
• Making an application
• Fees and finance

A professional doctorate provides a programme of advanced study and research, equally rigorous to the purely research oriented PhD. The taught modules aim to develop practitioners’ skills and knowledge in the key areas of advanced practice needed for career development whilst the research component builds research skills and other transferable skills such as project management, problem solving, information management and academic writing.

Please note: Applications for 2024 are now open. Applications for 2024/25 will close on Thursday 29 August 2024.

Student testimonials

The DPharm utilises the expertise of the postgraduate team at Keele’s School of Pharmacy (CPD4ALL) who have been delivering advanced practice programmes and supporting postgraduate research, scholarship and evaluation since 2007.  The DPharm will provide the opportunity for pharmacists to achieve the highest academic qualification that is directly related to their professional practice and career development.

Within the DPharm programme structure, students may also choose to exit at key points (e.g. Certificate, Diploma or MSc) prior to completing the professional doctorate. This design is intended to provide flexibility for professionals studying whilst working in practice.

Course content

The learning outcomes below describe what you should be able to do if you make full use of the opportunities for learning that are provided to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, and skills. In addition, by completing the Pharmacy Doctorate programme you will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility, leadership and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations in professional environments.

Learning outcomes

• Evaluate and reflect on the core skills that are required for effective communication at an interpersonal and organizational level.
• Critically assimilate the current political challenges in health and social care and the role that culture, power and politics plays when communicating with organizations in this context.
• Critically analyse and appraise the key elements of productive team working, including effective management of workforce conflicts, and how these can inform planned change processes.
• Identify and apply strategies for implementing a change process and for networking across boundaries to build relationships and share information, plans and resources.
• Critically reflect on the key characteristics and skills of an effective leader and how these can be used to implement change in the workplace.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the principles of research and evaluation.
• Critically evaluate the research evidence base to inform the development of practice based/professional research questions.
• Develop an appreciation and knowledge base of quantitative and qualitative paradigms, methodologies and methods and their application to practice based/professional research
• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research methodologies and methods
• Analyse and reflect on the knowledge of the research process and methodologies and how these relate to own proposed research, providing a rationale and justification for choices made.
• Compose and critically debate a justified rationale for the research philosophy underpinning the project.
• Discriminate between and justify different research methodologies and methods underpinning the research project.
• Select and critically discuss the relevant data analysis methods for the proposed project.
• Develop a research proposal for the pilot study that demonstrates the ability to critically and analytically conceptualize the design of the research project.
• Critically analyse and examine the principles of research ethics and governance.
• Conduct a pilot study that shows the ability to implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of individual disciplines.
• Develop or select appropriate research tools that will collect data to meet the aims and objectives of the research questions/hypotheses.
• Demonstrate the intellectual capacity to undertake independent and original doctoral level research.
• Synthesise the relevant literature in order to develop the research question(s) or hypothesis.
• Design and justify an appropriate framework for the proposed research project that effectively integrates empirical focus, context, theory and methodology.
• Confidently and concisely communicates an appropriate ethical strategy for answering the research questions or testing the hypotheses.
• Communicate ideas and arguments effectively orally and in writing in language that is appropriate to doctoral level study.
• Provide a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate achievement of competencies required for advanced practice as described in the competency frameworks relative to your professional practice. 
• Demonstrate that you have developed a comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of a chosen field of your professional practice, through research, enquiry and critical reflection, and created an interpreted new knowledge, principally through the production of a thesis, which is of suitable standard to satisfy the University Criteria on Doctoral work.

Course structure

The modules which form Part 1 of the Doctorate programme are shown below in table 1. All the modules are compulsory core modules and have to be passed to allow you to progress into part 2 of the programme. They total 180 credits, divided into 105 level 7 credits and 75 level 8 credits.

Table 1: Part 1 modules and credit rating

Year 3 onwards forms Part 2 of the Doctorate programme and consists of supervised completion of the research study and its write up to formulate the final thesis for submission and examination via an oral examination (viva voce). This follows the same rules and guidelines as a PhD thesis in terms of examination standard and rules (see  University PGR guidelines and Assessment Guidance ); the only difference being the wordage of the final thesis. The professional doctorate thesis is smaller due to the number of words produced for the assessments completed in Part 1 of the programme. Part 2 of the professional doctorate programme equates to 360 credits at level 8.

Teaching facilities

Students on all routes of the Doctorate programme will undertake all of the taught modules together to facilitate interprofessional learning and development. It will also be an important area of student/peer support as you progress through this stage and allow networking which can be continued into Part 2. The programme will also be delivered and supported by a range of staff from across the Faculty, again to provide a wide experience base on which you can draw to aid your own development.

Part 1-Years 1 and 2

Part 1 is the taught element of the programme where you will achieve the key learning outcomes/competencies required for your specific route on the Pharmacy Doctorate programme, in relation to your area of professional background and your specific research project proposal. Part 1 will conclude with a thesis proposal that will inform your doctoral research for Part 2 (Years 3 onwards) of the programme.

During Part 1, you will study using a variety of learning media and tools, mainly through distance learning at the University, in your home or work place. These will include face-to-face seminar(s) at the beginning of Part 1 as your induction onto the programme, and at various times during the 2-year period of Part 1 to participate in workshops, share progress with other students and staff through group work and presentations, and for formative assessment. There will also be distance learning modules (electronic and paper based) produced by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. These modules have been carefully designed to incorporate activities that will develop your understanding of particular issues and concepts, application of knowledge to practice, and help you to reflect on your current practice. The Advanced Practice Development (APD) portfolio module is a learning and assessment tool that runs through both years of Part 1. You will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide direction and support for the APD module and Year 2 of the programme including the Pilot Study and the Thesis Proposal, which will take to you the progression panel examination that is the final assessment of Part 1.

Part 2 (Years 3 onwards)

Once you have successfully completed Part 1 you will undertake your research in Part 2 to produce your doctoral thesis for the professional doctorate which will normally be a minimum of 65,000 words, which will ensure you will be eligible for future potential NHIR funding for clinical lectureship and senior clinical lectureship awards. However this does depend on your research approach and route taken on the professional doctorate. You will have a supervisor who will have been assigned at the start of year 2 of Part 1 who will now be your main point of contact to take your research project forward to completion. As well as receiving personal support from your supervisor there may also be occasional workshops available at Keele to support your progress and group meetings to maintain contact with your fellow student to continue the peer support developed in Part 1 of the programme. There are also additional Keele postgraduate modules that your supervisor may indicate as being valuable learning opportunities for you, which you can access without being required to complete the assignments for (attendance only basis).

Intermediate award

Students who, for any reason, do not to proceed to Year 3 may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate / Diploma in Advanced Practice or given the opportunity to complete modules to achieve the MSc in Advanced Practice award.

Entry requirements

Candidates for the DPharm programme must be pharmacists or pharmacy technicians who are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and working full or part-time in an appropriate organisation where they are permitted to conduct work-based research and evaluation. In addition, candidates must have a:

• Postgraduate Master’s degree in a relevant subject, or
• MPharm, minimum 2:1, and a postgraduate pharmacy diploma, or
• Postgraduate pharmacy diploma and evidence of experience of professional practice research or evaluation (e.g. postgraduate Certificate in Research and Evaluation, published papers), at the discretion of the programme manager* or
• Senior practitioner with evidence of an advanced practice role and/or evidence of experience of pharmacy practice research or evaluation (e.g. postgraduate Certificate in Research and Evaluation, published papers), at the discretion of the programme manager*.

*Candidates unable to provide evidence will normally be able to complete relevant research and advanced practice development modules to be eligible for entry if necessary. In any case, please contact the Programme Manager or Programme Co-ordinator/Administrator for a chat to discuss your options.

International applications may be accepted at the discretion of the programme manager. Please contact us to discuss the suitability of the course for your professional development. Potential overseas candidates should bear in mind that there are compulsory study days requiring attendance at the Keele campus in all years of the programme.

English language proficiency requirement

If English is not your first language, you must either:

Hold a degree from a school where English was the language of instruction

Take the IELTS (average of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all categories)

Please note that IETLS exams must be no more than two years old at the start of the course for which you have applied.

Contact details

Contact: PGR Administrator

Telephone: Please contact us via our email below

Email: [email protected]

Our expertise

The Health Professional Doctorate programme is led by Professor Simon White , who is an experienced academic and has guided and supported doctoral students over a number of years to gain success in their studies. He works alongside a number of equally experienced academics from all the different schools within the faculty to provide the array of routes available to undertake the professional doctorate.

The Faculty has an exceptional research standing with many staff gaining grants from national and international funding bodies and this also facilitates the expertise that can be drawn upon to support the supervision of doctoral students outside of the immediate professional doctorate team.

Course aims

Keele's Professional Doctorate in Pharmacy (DPharm) Programme aims to:

• Enable you to acquire and apply the clinical and professional knowledge base and skills that you have identified as necessary to develop your role as an advanced/consultant level practitioner.
• Enable you to develop and use research skills to become an independent, reflective and competent researcher capable of undertaking doctoral research relevant to your area of professional practice.
• Enable you to conceptualise, design and implement projects for the generation of significant new knowledge and/or understanding.
• Develop your ability to make informed judgments on complex issues in your specialist field and adopt an innovative approach to tackling and solving problems.
• Provide you with a structured learning programme that will enable you to understand and evaluate critically advanced academic work, and that meets your personal professional development needs for career enhancement. 
• Enable you to further develop the self-discipline of private study, self-directed learning and reflective practice that will be continued beyond Keele's Programme in your Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Additional costs

For all programmes you will need regular access to a computer, email and the internet. For courses that required attendance at Keele you will be required to cover the cost of your travel, accommodation and subsistence. Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for our postgraduate programmes.

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Course type

Qualification, university name, doctorate degrees in pharmacy.

50 degrees at 29 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

About Postgraduate Pharmacy

Pharmacy is the science and profession of preparing and dispensing medical drugs. A Doctorate in Pharmacy (PharmD) is a prestigious programme designed for practicing pharmacists seeking to advance their clinical and research skills in pharmacotherapy and the pharmaceutical sciences.

Students can find more than 45 doctorate programmes available in the UK. Candidates for this programme typically require a master’s degree in pharmacy, pharmacology or a related field, along with substantial professional experience. Graduates emerge as highly qualified experts, ready for leadership roles such as clinical pharmacy specialists and consultants, healthcare administrators, research scientists and academic educators.

What to Expect

The PharmD curriculum in the UK is a terminal degree which encompasses a wide range of heavily research-focused topics including clinical pharmacokinetics, drug development, patient-centred and evidence-based practice. It prepares candidates for high-level inquiry and innovation in pharmacy, as well as pharmaceutical technology and laboratory research.

Students engage in extensive clinical training, research projects and coursework, developing skills in clinical decision-making, patient care and pharmaceutical policy. The programme is tailored to the individual’s professional interests and career goals. Assessment includes clinical competencies evaluations and a final dissertation, demonstrating the student’s ability to contribute to the field and encouraging collaboration with healthcare professionals across various fields.

Regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) in the UK, PharmD graduates are positioned at the forefront of pharmacy practice and research, ready to drive innovation and improvement in medication management, healthcare policies and public health outcomes.

Related subjects:

• Doctorate Pharmacy
• Doctorate Audiology
• Doctorate Biomedical Engineering
• Doctorate Cardiovascular Medicine
• Doctorate Child Dentistry
• Doctorate Dental Health Education
• Doctorate Dental Hygiene
• Doctorate Dental Technology
• Doctorate Dentistry
• Doctorate Dermatology
• Doctorate Diagnostic Imaging
• Doctorate Emergency First Aid
• Doctorate Endocrinology
• Doctorate Endodontics
• Doctorate Epidemiology
• Doctorate Forensic Medicine
• Doctorate Gastroenterology
• Doctorate Geriatric Medical Studies
• Doctorate Haematology
• Doctorate Immunology
• Doctorate Medical Radiography
• Doctorate Medical Radiology
• Doctorate Medical Sciences
• Doctorate Medical Statistics
• Doctorate Medical Technology
• Doctorate Neurology
• Doctorate Obstetrics
• Doctorate Oncology
• Doctorate Ophthalmology
• Doctorate Optometry
• Doctorate Orthodontics
• Doctorate Orthopedics
• Doctorate Paramedical Services and Supplementary Medicine
• Doctorate Paramedical Work
• Doctorate Parenting and Carers
• Doctorate Pathology
• Doctorate Pediatrics
• Doctorate People with Disabilities: Skills and Facilities
• Doctorate Periodontics
• Doctorate Personal Health and Fitness
• Doctorate Pharmacology
• Doctorate Prosthetics
• Doctorate Prosthodontics
• Doctorate Psychiatry
• Doctorate Psychoanalysis
• Doctorate Radiotherapy
• Doctorate Respiratory & Chest Diseases
• Doctorate Rheumatology
• Doctorate Sports Medicine
• Doctorate Surgery
• Doctorate Surgery, Medicine and Dentistry
• Doctorate Women's Health

• Course title (A-Z)
• Course title (Z-A)
• Price: high - low
• Price: low - high

Pharmacy MD

Newcastle university.

We have scientists and clinicians working together on all aspects of pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacy. This spans the Read more...

• 24 months Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 48 months Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD Postgraduate Research in Pharmacy

University of east anglia uea.

We are a top tier, research-led university and are committed to making a substantial impact on the global challenges facing society. Our Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Molecular Pharmacology PhD

University of glasgow.

Around a third of all currently approved drugs target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), making these receptors the most successful drug Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Pharmacy PhD

University of nottingham.

The School of Pharmacy is a world top 5 school two years in a row. Our teaching, learning materials and student support back this Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
• 8 years Part time degree

PhD, Mphil Pharmacy & biomedical sciences

University of strathclyde.

Research opportunities You can study an MPhil over the course of one year. A PhD takes three years. MPhil & PhD You can study any option in Read more...

Pharmacy - PhD

University of kent.

Our research programme in Pharmacy gives you the integrated, broad-based research training needed to exploit current advances in Read more...

PhD Postgraduate research in Pharmacy

University of wolverhampton.

PhD students at The School of Pharmacy are supervised by academics who are leading experts in their particular area of expertise. At Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 8 years Part time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)

Pharmacy and Pharmacology PhD

University of bath.

Our department is one of the UK’s leading research hubs in pharmaceutical science, whose output is consistently ranked among the very best Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,800 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,400 per year (UK)

School of Pharmacy MPhil/PhD

Ucl (university college london).

Students work in several core research areas understanding the underlying basis of challenging human diseases; identification of new drugs Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,035 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £3,015 per year (UK)

PhD Postgraduate research opportunities in Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences

Liverpool john moores university.

Excellent research opportunities await at LJMU's School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, enabling you to work at the forefront of Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences PhDs (Distance Learning)

University of portsmouth.

If you're looking to take your skills into postgraduate research, our research degree programmes can help you achieve your ambitions. Our Read more...

• 6 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,393 per year (UK)
• 3 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

University of Brighton

As a Pharmacy PhD student at the University of Brighton, you will be a member of our specialist Medicines Optimisation Research and Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,796 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,398 per year (UK)

University of Birmingham

Our Pharmacy PhD/MSc by Research in the School of Pharmacy aims to equip graduates with the skills necessary to contribute to a research Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,778 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,389 per year (UK)

Pharmacy, PhD

Swansea university.

Our Pharmacy PhD programme is available on a full-time or part-time basis, over 3 or 6 years. Modern Healthcare is delivered by an Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,800 per year (UK)
• 36 months Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 72 months Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Molecular Pharmacology iPhD

• 5 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)

Pharmacology and Drug Discovery PhD

Your research degree is bespoke at the University of Nottingham, and allows you to choose your own area of interest to research, under Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)

Pharmacy (Pharmacology and Physiology) - PhD

Medicine, pharmacy and biomedical sciences md.

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Pharmacy (Health Services Research) - PhD

1-20 of 50 courses

Course type:

• Distance learning Doctorate
• Full time Doctorate
• Part time Doctorate

Qualification:

Universities:.

• Cardiff University
• Medway School of Pharmacy
• King's College London, University of London
• University of Reading
• Ulster University
• University of Sunderland
• University of Lincoln
• University of Oxford
• Keele University
• University of Bradford
• University of Manchester
• University of Liverpool
• Queen's University Belfast
• University of Cambridge
• St. George’s University, Grenada (with partner campus in Newcastle, UK)

Related Subjects:

UCL School of Pharmacy

UCL School of Pharmacy Doctoral Training Programme

A PhD at the UCL School of Pharmacy will allow you to pursue original research and make a distinct and significant contribution to your field.

 We are committed to the quality and relevance of the research supervision we offer and, as an MPhil/PhD candidate, you could work with academics at the cutting edge of scholarship in pharmacy, pharmaceutics and biomedical sciences.

Furthermore, as a research student, you will be an integral part of our collaborative and thriving research community.

What to expect on the programme

Our PhD Training Programme includes short courses that are specifically designed for the needs of our students. In addition to lectures and workshops on generic skills, this programme includes the School of Pharmacy's Expert Lectures in which we teach basic and advanced experimental techniques.

PhD students are required to attend the PhD Research Days, which take place twice a year, (April and September). To foster further our students’ academic development, we offer additional faculty funds, which can assist them with the costs of conferences, international collaborations and other research activities.

The School supports the Postgraduate Society (PGS) which organises social networking, career workshops and seminars for the staff and students. The Presidents of the Society are elected annually.

Students have ample opportunities to practice networking with their peer group both within the School and within the wider UCL community. UCL School of Pharmacy welcomes applications from UK, EU and international students.

There are two application schedules every year: 1st January to  31st March (for September entry) and 1st August to   31st October (for April entry) .

• Apply online
• Studentships and funding
• UCL Postgraduate Funding Opportunities
• Accommodation
• Living in London
• International students
• UCL Doctoral School
• UCL School of Pharmacy PhD Handbook 

Current PhD projects for self-funded students

Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)207 753 5831

Register your interest

Register your interest in studying at UCL and receive important information about open days, applications, and more.

Find out about funding available to students including loans, scholarships and bursaries for specific subject areas.

• UCL Graduate School – fees and funding
• UCL scholarships and funding

Further Information

You can find out more about what a Pharmacy degree can do for you by visiting the following pages.

• NHS Pharmacy Careers page
• Pharmacy Schools Council

• PhD in Pharmacy

What does a PhD in Pharmacy Involve?

A PhD in Pharmacy can involve a wide range of subject areas to specialise in. These may include new drug discovery, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutics, pharmacology and microbiology (to name a few examples).

How long does it take to get a PhD in Pharmacy?

As a full-time doctoral student in the UK, it should take you 3 years to earn a PhD Pharmacy. If you’re studying for a part-time PhD, expect to need about 6 years to complete your research thesis. As is the norm in postgraduate research, you’re likely to register first as an MPhil student, with an upgrade viva at the half-way point leading you to fully enrolling as a PhD student. Postgraduate research programmes are designed on the basis of independent learning and development. As a doctoral student it’s ultimately your responsibility to maintain a focus on time management (with the support of your university supervisor) to ensure that you complete your postgraduate research in good time.

Browse PhDs in Pharmacy

A next-generation genetic technology to identify biotechnologically-valuable enzymes and transporters, development of fluorescent organic molecules for application in super-resolution imaging techniques, ubiquitin-dependent signalling pathways in ageing, speciation in facultatively sexual species, energy dissipation in human soft tissue during impacts, what are the typical entry requirements for a pharmacy phd programme.

In the UK, you should expect most universities to ask for a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree or the equivalent grade from an institution outside of the UK. The degree will need to have been in a field that’s relevant to Pharmacy. You may still be eligible to apply if you have a grade lower than a 2:1, if you also hold a Master’s degree. If English is not your first language, then the University will ask for evidence of your English language proficiency. Usually this is a minimum IELTS test score of 6.5 for research programmes however this may be higher from one university to another.

How much does a Pharmacy PhD cost?

In a UK university, UK based postgraduate research students should expect to incur annual tuition fees in the region of £4,500/year. With a full-time PhD lasting 3 years, this equates to £13,500 in fees. This is on the basis that you’re studying full time; part time students should expect to pay lower fees, with some variability between institutions about how this is calculated. For international students (including now EU students), the annual tuition fee costs around £23,500/year, equating to £70,500 over the span of 3 years. As with all PhDs, potential students will need to consider living costs and any bench fees that may be expected by their particular project or graduate school.

What can you do with a PhD in Pharmacy?

Two common career paths taken by Pharmacy PhDs are to continue into post-doctoral research roles , followed by lectureships and even professorships. The second route that many take is to develop their careers within the pharmaceutical industry. This may in itself involve further research, such as involvement in clinical trials. PhD graduates may become involved in regulation or perhaps move out of the field into areas such as medical writing and publishing. As a PhD holder you’ll have developed many valuable transferable skills in addition to your academic skills, including excellent communication skills, making you attractive to many recruiters.

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

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We have 7 Pharmacy (fully funded) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Pharmacy (fully funded) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Self-regulating, self-cleaning biomaterials, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

PhD in Cyber-Physical Systems for Medicine Development and Manufacturing

Competition funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Investigation of novel protease-antiprotease imbalances associated with cystic fibrosis and the effect of CFTR correction.

Selective targeting of furin for the treatment of fibrotic lung disease., epsrc centre for doctoral training in aerosol science, funded phd programme (european/uk students only).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. It is available to citizens of a number of European countries (including the UK). In most cases this will include all EU nationals. However full funding may not be available to all applicants and you should read the full programme details for further information.

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training

EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training conduct research and training in priority areas funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Potential PhD topics are usually defined in advance. Students may receive additional training and development opportunities as part of their programme.

Shared decision making and psychosis – whose voice counts in the conversations about stopping or reducing antipsychotic medication

The development of new antiviral agents targeting hiv-1.

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Research that Matters PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

IN THE PAST 10 YEARS

FROM HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS

Training Tomorrow's Leaders

Pharmaceutical science is the lifeblood of health care. Ready to conduct cutting-edge research? Develop drugs for the treatment of human diseases? Study how the human body reacts to medicine? Then pharmaceutical sciences is for you. 

UKCOP's Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program is dedicated to a holistic, student-centric training model that provides our students with instruction, guidance, and mentorship in 3 domains:  Breadth (across pharmaceutical sciences disciplines), Career (focused on real-world skills and experiences, driven by individual student goals), and Scientific Depth (project-based research to achieve expertise and rigor). 

Our Guiding Principles

We train students to become rigorous scientists, focused on drugs and drug therapy, who are well-rounded problem solvers poised to lead in academia, healthcare, industry and society.

• We recruit the best and brightest students who will become critical thinkers empowered to impact society
• We educate using an integrated training system
• We are One Program in pharmaceutical sciences with thematic tracks
• Our program is student-centric and harnesses our unique strengths
• We strive to maximize programmatic relevance in a changing environment

Learn more about the principles that guide the design and execution of our program:

UK Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program Guiding Principles Document

Publication in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

Feola DJ, Black EP, McNamara PJ, and Romanelli F.  Development of guiding principles for a new era in graduate education.   American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education .  2019 Mar;83(2):7422.  doi: 10.5688/ajpe7422

Our PhD Program

Scientific tracks.

Medicinal, Bioorganic & Computational Chemistry

Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Engineering

Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics

Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics

Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy

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PhD student was drunk when he fell and died while scaling fence in Pasir Panjang

SINGAPORE – A PhD student from Britain, who was in Singapore on a research attachment programme with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), died when he fell 3m from a fence in Zehnder Road.

According to a coroner’s inquest held in Durham, in northern England, Mr John William Richmond had consumed a large amount of alcohol the night before the incident on April 13, 2023.

CCTV footage showed him trying to scale the fence near 13A Zehnder Road, in Pasir Panjang, twice.

The fence collapsed on his second attempt, and the 24-year-old fell into a concrete storm ditch, where he was found by workmen the next day and pronounced dead by paramedics.

The incident was first reported by The Northern Echo in May 2023. The British daily said Mr Richmond’s body was flown home to Durham and identified by an uncle.

The Crook Coroners’ Court, in Durham, held an inquest between May 24, 2023 and July 25, 2024.

According to assistant coroner Leslie Hamilton, the University of Manchester student died from a blunt head injury.

A report from the court, sent to The Straits Times on Aug 28, showed that Mr Richmond was living in a condominium in Choa Chu Kang at the time of the incident.

On April 12, he spent the evening with friends, where a large amount of alcohol was consumed.

CCTV footage then showed him trying to climb the fence in the early hours of April 13, and fell into the concrete storm ditch on his second attempt. The report said he did not move after the fall.

Checks by ST showed that there is a large drain next to a 2m-tall fence opposite a landed property in Zehnder Road.

The fence, which sits on a raised concrete platform, surrounds the Buona Vista Gardens condominium.

The coroner’s report did not mention if Mr Richmond was alone at the time of the incident.

A post-mortem confirmed extensive fractures to the back of the skull, and Dr Hamilton ruled the death an accident while under the influence of alcohol.

A spokesperson for A*Star said Mr Richmond was attached to the agency’s Bioinformatics Institute in October 2022 under its research attachment programme, where he was involved in biomedical sciences (therapeutics) research. 

As part of the attachment programme, PhD students from overseas universities spend between one and two years at A*Star research institutes under the joint supervision of the agency’s researchers and faculty members of their home universities.

Said the A*Star spokesperson: “A*Star was very sorry to learn of Mr Richmond’s death and immediately engaged with his family, coordinated the handling and shipment of his personal effects, and extended support to his colleagues and housemates in Singapore.”

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Update on Independent Prescribing in Community Pharmacy Pathfinder Programme

Classification: Official Publication reference: PRN01515

• chief executive officers
• chief pharmacists
• directors of medicines and pharmacy
• medical directors
• heads of primary care
• regional directors of public health and primary care
• regional senior pharmacy integration leads
• regional medical directors
• regional chief pharmacists

Dear colleagues,

From September 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists will be independent prescribers on the day of their registration.

This presents an opportunity for NHS England to commission clinical services from community pharmacies incorporating independent prescribing, as the new workforce enters the profession.

In anticipation of this, as well as funding access to independent prescriber training, we are running the Independent Prescribing in Community Pharmacy Pathfinder Programme, enabling community pharmacist prescribers in ‘pathfinder’ sites to deliver prescribing models as part of integrated primary care clinical services.

Following an expression of interest to be part of the programme, 210 ‘pathfinder’ sites were chosen to deliver proposed prescribing models and pathways which fall into 3 broad categories:

1. Existing community pharmacy commissioned services; for example:

• acute minor illness
• contraception

2. Long term conditions; for example:

• prescribing for cardiovascular disease (statins, anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation)
• prescribing for respiratory disease (inhaler optimisation, rescue therapy)

3. Novel services; for example, a small number of ICBs proposed services such as:

• de-prescribing (reducing over prescribing for patients on repeat prescriptions for multiple medicines)
• reviewing antidepressants
• menopause services

Since then, we have been working with ICBs to develop their clinical pathways and create local governance frameworks.

We have also been working to nationally procure a clinical system which will allow community pharmacists to generate prescriptions via the NHS Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).

We are pleased to inform you that we can now start to roll out this system (CLEO SOLO from Cleo Systems) to pathfinder sites so they can start delivering their clinical services.

We have notified ICB community pharmacy leads of this development and will be working with them regarding the next steps of the CLEO SOLO rollout, including a series of webinars with ICBs.

As commissioners of the service, ICBs are asked to provide support and leadership to pathfinder sites over the course of the programme (to March 2025).

In June 2024, we transferred funding to ICBs to support project management, clinical supervision and local evaluation.

Our evaluation partners (University of Manchester and ICF International) are working with regions, ICBs and the national team to ensure there is a robust independent evaluation from the programme.

This will help us develop a framework which will support the commissioning of independent prescribing as part of clinical services in community pharmacy in the future.

Many thanks for your ongoing support and we look forward to working with you as the programme develops.

Yours sincerely,

Ali Sparke , Director for Dentistry, Community Pharmacy and Optometry, NHS England David Webb , Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, NHS England