Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) with Preparatory Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Kingston University London

Program Overview

Kingston’s MPharm Pharmacy (Hons) with Preparatory Year is a five-year, GPhC-accredited pathway designed for students who need a foundation year before entering the full MPharm. It’s ideal if you’re passionate about becoming a pharmacist but need to strengthen your science background first — combining academic support with clinical preparation from the very start.

Curriculum structure

Year 0 (Preparatory Year)
You’ll study Fundamentals of Human Biology, Chemistry for Life Sciences, and Professional Practice and Communication, building the scientific and academic skills needed for success in pharmacy. This year also introduces you to the pharmacist’s role and prepares you for the transition into Year 1 of the MPharm.

Year 1
You’ll explore Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Delivery, Wellbeing and Health, and Pharmacy Law, Ethics and Practice. You’ll begin developing clinical skills through simulated patient interactions and learn how medicines are designed, dispensed, and regulated.

Year 2
Modules include Drug Design, Delivery and Quality Control, Cardiorespiratory and Endocrine, and Clinical Skills 1. You’ll study conditions like depression and atrial fibrillation, and apply your learning in hospital, community, and industrial pharmacy settings.

Year 3
You’ll deepen your understanding of disease states such as cancer, diabetes, mental health, and liver disease through modules like Neurology, Mental Health and Cardiovascular and Infection, Immunology, Haematology and Cancer. Interprofessional learning and patient interaction are central to this year.

Year 4
You’ll complete a Research Project and study Clinical Skills and Leadership and Integrated and Holistic Therapeutics. You’ll also take part in 20 placement and interprofessional activity days, mostly in hospital and community pharmacies, preparing for the GPhC Foundation Training Year.

Focus areas

Pharmaceutical chemistry, clinical pharmacy, prescribing, public health, drug delivery, patient safety

Learning outcomes

Design and dispense medicines; prescribe safely; manage complex patients; apply pharmaceutical science to clinical care; meet GPhC registration standards

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Fully accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Reputation (employability rankings)

Delivered jointly with St George’s, University of London
Access to state-of-the-art simulation suites, hospital ward mock-ups, and Pharmacy Manager System
Strong placement record in community and hospital pharmacies

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Kingston’s MPharm Pharmacy (Hons) with Preparatory Year gives you hands-on experience from the very start — blending foundational science with clinical simulations, placements, and digital tools that mirror real pharmacy practice. You’ll train in purpose-built facilities, work with simulated patients, and gradually build the confidence and skills needed for professional registration.

Here’s how experiential learning is embedded throughout the program:

Pharmacy Simulation Suites: Includes a mock hospital ward, dispensary, and GP surgery where you’ll practise prescription reviews, patient counselling, and emergency scenarios.
Patient simulator manikin: Used for diagnostic training and clinical decision-making in realistic care environments.
Digital prescribing tools: You’ll use the Pharmacy Manager System for dispensing, stock control, and prescription analysis — just like in NHS settings.
Clinical placements: You’ll complete 20 placement and interprofessional activity days in hospital and community pharmacies, applying your skills in real patient care.
Group projects and public health campaigns: You’ll collaborate with peers to design and deliver health promotion initiatives, gaining experience in communication and leadership.
Interprofessional learning: Delivered jointly with St George’s, University of London, allowing you to work alongside medical, nursing, and allied health students.
Kingston University Library and e-resources: Full access to clinical guidelines, pharmacy journals, and specialist pharmaceutical databases to support your learning and placements.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Kingston’s MPharm Pharmacy (Hons) with Preparatory Year are fully qualified to enter the GPhC Foundation Training Year and register as pharmacists, with strong outcomes across clinical, community, and regulatory roles. Typical career paths include hospital pharmacist, community pharmacist, clinical trials coordinator, and regulatory affairs officer, with opportunities in both NHS and private sector organisations.

Here’s how Kingston supports your future progression:

Careers and Employability Service: Offers pharmacy-specific support including CV and interview workshops, career mentoring, and access to the Kingston Career Hub for placements and graduate roles.
Graduate outcomes: The program is designed to meet GPhC standards and prepare students for prescribing, medicines optimisation, and leadership roles in pharmacy practice.
Industry and NHS partnerships: Delivered jointly with St George’s, University of London, and supported by placement links with Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, community pharmacies, and local GP practices.
Accreditation value: Fully accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) — ensuring eligibility for the Foundation Training Year and long-term professional recognition.
Salary potential: Newly qualified pharmacists in the UK typically earn between £32,000–£37,000, with scope for progression into specialist, prescribing, or management roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MPharm and registering as a pharmacist, students can pursue advanced qualifications such as Independent Prescribing, MSc in Clinical Pharmacy, or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Kingston also offers postgraduate research opportunities through its Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, supporting careers in drug development, health policy, and academic teaching.