The role of the modern pharmacist has expanded greatly in recent years, making it a hugely varied and rewarding profession.

Pharmacists advise on and deliver the latest in cutting-edge treatments and medicines to millions of patients every day. Whether working on the frontline of the NHS as a community pharmacist or on a hospital ward, in research or in industry, pharmacy offers a challenging and patient-focused career path.

This course will help you to develop an understanding of how the body works; the effects of disease; how drugs are made, delivered to and affect the body; and importantly, how to achieve shared decision making with patients that ensures the maximum benefit from medicines with the minimum incidence of side effects.

You will undertake key clinical placements during your four years of study, allowing you to put into practise what you have learned at university and learn from experienced clinicians and practitioners. This course is recognised by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, who recently awarded us seven commendations for the quality of our pharmacy teaching.

You will benefit from excellent teaching and clinical skills facilities, particularly our purpose-built Professional Skills Centre. The fully equipped chemistry and formulation laboratories, in addition to our sterile products manufacturing facility, will also provide you with valuable exposure to the fundamental techniques pharmacists require.

Year 1

• Introduction to Pharmacy
• Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry
• Physical Pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical Biology
• Integrated Physiology

Year 2

• Molecular Pharmacy
• Medicine Design and Manufacture
• Pharmacy Law and Practice
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1
• Biochemistry
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology

Year 3

• Social Pharmacy and Practice
• Sterile Products
• Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Research Methods
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2
• Minor Illness and Health Improvement
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Biotherapeutics

Year 4

• Advances in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Care
• Masters Research Project
• Pharmaceutical Public Health
• Prescribing Science

SQA Higher: AABB to include Chemistry plus 2 further sciences from Maths, Physics or Biology (Human Biology) at Grade B or above. Higher English should be achieved at a minimum of Grade C plus Standard Grade Maths at Credit Level if not at Higher.

GCE A Level: ABB to include Grade B in Chemistry plus one further B pass from Maths, Physics or Biology (Human Biology). GCSE English must be achieved at a minimum of Grade B plus GCSE Maths at Grade B if not at A level.

Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: AAB1B1B2 to include Chemistry plus 2 further sciences from Maths, Physics or Biology (Human Biology) at Grade B1 or above. English must be achieved at a minimum of B3.

IB Diploma: 32, including Grade 6 at Higher Level in four subjects to include Chemistry, English plus one further science from Maths, Physics or Biology.

English Language Qualification: All applicants whose first language is not English are required to have an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score if 7.0 in all elements or an appropriate equivalent.

Alternative Qualifications: Equivalent overseas qualifications, SQA, BTEC, S/NVQs and some Access programmes will be considered. Graduates with a 2:1 or above in an appropriate discipline will be considered for entry.

Additional Information: Applicants should note that the new regulator for the pharmacy profession, the  General Pharmaceutical Council, has introduced Fitness to Practise procedures and ALL pharmacy students are now subject to these regulations. Fitness to Practise regulations apply to all healthcare professional students.

* All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.

Placement 

An important element of the course is the clinical placements, which encourage you to consolidate the practical skills developed early in the course, to reflect on your performance and learn from experienced clinicians.

Find out more about  Health Professions Placements & Professional Links

Professional Accreditation 

Approved by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

If you are a Scottish resident or EU national you are not liable to pay fees and should apply to SAAS for funding.

Students from other parts of the UK should visit the appropriate website:

• England - http://www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk/
• Wales - http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/
• Northern Ireland - http://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/

Scholarships

• Information on Laboratory, Biomedical & Sports Sciences Scholarships

All course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

All full-time undergraduate course applications to Robert Gordon University must be made through UCAS at www.ucas.com/students/apply.

It is important that you keep track of your application process using the UCAS website, as it will update you on whether you have been offered a place from the University. It is also where you should respond to offers and receive confirmation of your place within your chosen course, rather than contacting the institution in the first instance.

Following completion of the course, you will undertake a pre-registration year and will also need to complete a continuous competency and summative assessment to become eligible for membership of the Pharmaceutical Society. Once qualified, you can look forward to a rewarding career in pharmacy, within a wide variety of community, hospital, industrial or research settings.