About
Studying at Aston Pharmacy School will help you to develop the skills, knowledge and outlook required to become an outstanding pharmacist. You'll experience work-based learning through our extensive network of industry partners; develop your skills in dedicated specialist facilities, and benefit from the experience and insight of our expert teaching staff.
With our roots stretching back to the establishment of the Birmingham Pharmaceutical Institution in 1847, and strong links with the NHS and healthcare industry, Aston is the ideal place to learn about this fascinating, and ever-changing profession.
Accreditation
Our Pharmacy MPharm degree is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), which is one of the key requirements to practice as a pharmacist in the UK. The most recent accreditation at Aston University took place in May 2019 and the MPharm programme was re-accredited for six years, the maximum period possible.
Integrated placements and interprofessional learning
You will benefit from extensive patient contact throughout the course. Both within the University, and through a series of professional experiences in different workplace environments such as hospitals, community pharmacies, GP surgeries and primary care settings. We also have a strong focus on interprofessional practice and collaborative care, offering opportunities for you to learn with, from and about other healthcare specialities.
International students and post-study work visa
Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students. Students from over 120 different countries choose to study with us every year. Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it's also a great place to live.
For international students who are interested in completing their Pre-registration year in the UK, you can find more information about visa requirements here.
Graduate Immigration Route
Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Find out more information about the Graduate Immigration Route.
Course outline
As the only Pharmacy School in the UK to hold a prestigious Regius Chair in Pharmacy, studying at Aston means you'll be learning in the best possible environment to have an outstanding career that changes and improves many lives.
We have a long-standing track record of teaching excellence, student satisfaction and graduate prospects, and at Aston, you'll be provided with the opportunities, experience and expertise needed to prepare for your pre-registration training year and successful future career as a pharmacist.
You'll have access to our student support team and personal tutor who are there to help you through your studies, supporting your personal and professional development. In addition, you will have a great peer support network through the highly active and student-led Aston Pharmacy Association.
Our open and inclusive curriculum structure allows you to see how the material you learn throughout the course is connected.
You'll study twelve integrated themes, within three broad areas of study:
- The Professional
- The Medicine
- The Patient
Four themes focusing on the safe and effective delivery of healthcare and supporting you in the development of your professional identity as a pharmacist. Themes include:
- Personal professional development
- Population and public health
- Delivery of care
- Fundamentals of practice
Four themes focusing on how medicines are discovered, formulated and used in practice, including the latest developments in individualised medicines. Themes include:
- Drugs to market
- Enteral drug delivery
- Parenteral drug delivery
- Personalisation of pharmaceuticals
Four themes focusing on the care of patients, covering a wide range of both individual and multiple clinical conditions. Themes include:
- Inflammation and immunity
- Musculoskeletal and central nervous system
- Cardiovascular, respiratory and renal
- Gastrointestinal and endocrine
Running throughout each of these themes are three key central learning threads:
- Patient-centred care
- Deliberative practice
- Collaborative practice, via inter-professional learning with other healthcare professionals and students, such as those from the Schools of Medicine, Optometry and Audiology.