Pharmacy

Pharmacy is the science and practice of medicines, encompassing the discovery, formulation, dispensing, and management of drugs and their therapeutic use in patients. Pharmacists play a central role in healthcare, working at the interface between the pharmaceutical sciences and patient care, ensuring that medicines are used safely, effectively, and appropriately. The profession is evolving rapidly, with clinical pharmacists taking on increasingly direct patient-facing roles in GP surgeries, hospitals, and care homes, and the demand for qualified pharmacists remains strong.

At the University of Keele, this four-year full-time degree is a patient-centred, evidence-based programme that combines innovative learning approaches, including augmented reality, with extensive opportunities to develop and practise clinical skills. You will develop knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences, including drug chemistry, pharmacology, and formulation, alongside clinical skills in patient assessment, medicines optimisation, and the management of specific conditions. On successful completion of the degree, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

A typical entry tariff of 136 points applies.

Pharmacists work across a wide range of settings. Many enter community pharmacy, working in high street pharmacies providing dispensing and clinical advice services. Others pursue hospital pharmacy, where they work as part of the multidisciplinary clinical team managing complex patients and optimising drug regimens.

Primary care pharmacy is a rapidly growing area, with clinical pharmacists embedded in GP practices. Pharmaceutical industry careers in research and development, regulatory affairs, and medical affairs are also natural destinations. Postgraduate study or advanced clinical training is available for those wishing to specialise.