University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
UG PHARMACY 2025
Email:ug.pharmacy@manchester.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)161 529 4563
You are viewing our beta course page.
Pharmacy with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year
- MPharm (H)
- 5 Years
- Full-time
- 21/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Our five-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) with a Preparatory (Foundation) Year prepares you for degree-level study if you do not have the right qualifications for direct entry to the four-year course .
The foundation year will help you adapt to the higher education system and is taught at Xaverian College , which is a short walk from the main campus.
You will still be registered with The University of Manchester, with access to all of our facilities and support systems.
Students are accepted from a wide range of educational backgrounds and each application will be considered individually.
Entry to the four-year MPharm course is automatic on satisfactory completion of the foundation year.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- MPharm (H) • Full-time • 5 Years
Start dates
- 21/09/2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B231
- Institution code:
- M20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Foundation
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Manchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B231
- Institution code:
- M20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level
We require grades CCC - BBC including Chemistry and Maths and/or Biology plus one further rigorous academic subject(excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking). You will also need to meet the widening participation selection criteria detailed on our website.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
We require successful completion of a BTEC National Extended Diploma (science-based only, please note we will not accept Health and Social Care) at grades DDD along with GCSE-level English Language and Mathematics at grade 5.
Applicants must also meet the University’s contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher
For those applicants who meet the widening participation selection criteria detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered) we will consider grades BBBCC to include Chemistry and either Biology or Maths, alongside grade C in Advanced Higher Chemistry.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
AS
We do not accept AS grades in place of A2-level grades.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
We will consider the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (science-based only, please note we will not accept Health and Social Care) at grade DD alongside either Chemistry or Biology A-level at grade C. You will also need to meet the GCSE requirements.
Applicants must also meet the University’s contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
We will consider the BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (science-based only, please note we will not accept Health and Social Care) at Grade D alongside A-level Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics at grades BC. You will also need to meet the GCSE requirements.
Applicants must also meet the University’s c ontextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
We accept the BTEC National Extended Certificate at grade D in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside A-level Chemistry and either A-level Biology or Mathematics at grades BC. You will also need to meet the GCSE requirements.
Applicants must also meet the University’s c ontextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
Scottish Advanced Higher
For those applicants who meet the widening participation selection criteria detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered) we will consider grades BBBCC to include Chemistry and either Biology or Maths, alongside grade C in Advanced Higher Chemistry.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 - 30 points
For UK students who have taken the International Baccalaureate we require 28-30 with grades 5,4,4 in higher level Chemistry, alongside higher level Biology and standard level Mathematics or Higher level Mathematics and standard level Biology.
For this programme of study we will accept: Higher Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation.
Applicants must also meet the University contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered').
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this.
We consider applicants who meet the widening participation selection criteria detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered) and require grades DC-BC in Chemistry and either Biology or Maths, alongside the Welsh Baccalaureate at grade B.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact ug.pharmacy@manchester.ac.uk
Extended Project
A requirement of this programme is that applicants meet the University of Manchester’s contextual admissions requirements. We therefore would not accept this qualification.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects provided you have achieved grades DDC-BCC including Chemistry and either Maths or Biology and one further rigorous academic subject (not General Studies or Critical Thinking).
Applicants must also meet the University’s contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We require at least five GCSEs at minimum grade 5 (B) including English Language and Mathematics. We will accept C+ in the Northern Ireland reformed GCSE.
For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP+ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool, we will allow an overall reduction of 2 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4.
For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP++ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool, we will allow an overall reduction of 4 grades on the full GCSE requirements. Please note, however, that no individual subject should be lower than C/4.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDD
We require successful completion of a Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma (science-based only, please note we will not accept Health and Social Care) at grades DDD along with GCSE-level English Language and Mathematics at grade 5. Applicants must also meet the University’s contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - DD
We will consider the Cambridge Technical Diploma (science-based only, please note we will not accept Health and Social Care) at grade DD alongside either Chemistry or Biology A-level at grade C. You will also need to meet the GCSE requirements. Applicants must also meet the University’s contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
We will consider the Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma (science-based only, please note we will not accept Health and Social Care) at Grade D alongside A-level Chemistry and either Biology or Mathematics at grades BC. You will need to meet the GCSE requirement and also meet the University's contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - D
We accept the Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate at grade D in lieu of the third A-level only. It must be offered alongside A-level Chemistry and either A-level Biology or Mathematics at grades BC. You will also need to meet the University's contextual admissions requirements (widening participation). Further information about the selection criteria is detailed on our application process page (How your application is considered).
T Level
We will only consider the Science T-level pathway for the Pharmacy Foundation Year. We would require a distinction grade overall.
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- To ensure students are of good character as part of the GPhC's fitness to practise requirements, you must complete a self-declaration form at interview and then annually, and submit to a criminal records check during the first year of the MPharm course. You must declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands received at any time before or during your studies, either in this country or in other countries. The criminal records check is an Enhanced Level search by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We will assist you in the completion of these forms. To assess good character, the GPhC Good Character Framework is used.
- Health checks
- Pharmacy is one of the registered healthcare professions, and carries both privileges and responsibilities. You must demonstrate that you are able to exercise those privileges and bear those responsibilities. To join the pharmacy profession at the end of your training, you must abide by the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) Student Code of Conduct and undergo a medical fitness assessment and a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the start of your degree. When the time comes to apply to join the register of pharmacists, you must also make a health declaration and submit to character checks. If you wish to study pharmacy, you should note that your fitness to practice both before and/or during your studies may impair your eligibility to register and practice as a pharmacist.
- Interview
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | 7.0, with no less than 6.5 in any component |
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade 5/B, or;
IELTS 7.0, with no less than 6.5 in any component, or;
An acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page .
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Related courses
At University of Manchester
Like this page