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This is the first of a series of non-credit bearing modules throughout the MPharm programme. This module focusses on the development of essential professional and prescribing skills required of a practicing pharmacist. A variety of practical and clinical competencies, including communication and consultation skills will be assessed through short-timed practical assessments and signoff through in-practice observations by practitioners during placements as part of their portfolio. Students will be introduced to essential numeracy skills required in clinical practice and their competency in these will be confirmed through an online test.

Personal tutors will support their students to reflect on their learning journey and personal wellbeing both within timetabled sessions and extra-curricular activities throughout the year to develop their own professional learning objectives within the portfolio.

This module provides an introduction to how scientific knowledge and clinical skills integrate into the practice of pharmacy. Biological sciences are introduced through sessions on topics such as cell biology and microbiology, alongside basic anatomy and physiology. You will establish an understanding of the safe and legal use of medicines through an introduction to pharmacy law and practice. Interactive sessions on basic core communication skills, psychosocial science, and ethics will start you on the journey of becoming a person-centred healthcare professional with an awareness of the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusivity in practice.

This module helps you integrate an understanding of biological sciences as applied to the skin, eyes, ears, and nose with the safe and appropriate use of medicines for these systems. You will study normal physiological structure and function, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiological principles, and the recognition of common disorders encountered in clinical practice. You’ll also learn about the challenges of formulating medication for application to these areas, applying physicochemical principles to develop products like creams, ointments, lotions, drops, and transdermal patches.

Practical laboratory skills sessions will support you in developing accurate working practices, confident numeracy skills, and attention to detail.

This module focuses on the formulation and development of safe and effective oral dosage forms. You’ll integrate and apply knowledge from the physical and biological sciences to the work of a practicing pharmacist. Key knowledge and skills are taught through a series of interconnected practical sessions where you’ll develop products, evaluate their suitability as medicines, and consider their use in practice.

You will be introduced to pharmacokinetics and drug modes of action and encouraged to take a holistic view of medicines, considering how pharmacists can ensure their safe use for individual patients. Concepts like quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and global challenges in ensuring access to medicines in line with the UN SDGs are also explored.

This module focuses on developing a holistic understanding of the gastrointestinal system, associated conditions, and nutrition. You will gain an overview of the principles of physiology and therapeutics associated with the gastrointestinal system and the effective absorption and metabolism of nutrients. You’ll learn about conditions commonly encountered in primary care and how to support patients in managing their symptoms safely at home.

You’ll also gain an understanding of how to differentiate between conditions and identify more serious diseases requiring referral to a GP or secondary care. This module explores scientific, social, and behavioural factors influencing nutrition, examining the impact of obesity, malnutrition, and nutrient deficiencies on health and medicines use.

This is the second of a series of non-credit bearing modules throughout the MPharm programme. It continues your development of essential professional skills and competencies required of a practicing pharmacist. Practical and clinical competencies, including communication and consultation skills, will be assessed through short-timed practical assessments and signed off through in-practice observations by practitioners during placements. You will continue to develop numeracy skills required in clinical practice, and your competency in these will be confirmed through a written assessment.

This module outlines the immune and inflammatory responses in health and disease. The aim is to help you understand the pathophysiology of a range of inflammatory and infective conditions in patients with other chronic medical conditions. You’ll explore how bacteria, viruses, and fungi cause disease, how the immune system works to fight infection, and the potential consequences of a defective immune system. You’ll also learn how immunisation can help control infectious disease.

Introductory microbiology and sterile products laboratory practical classes will give you hands-on experience with drug development and formulation, particularly of parenteral dosage forms in the context of treating infection and inflammation.

This module adopts a patient-centred approach to learning about cardiovascular and respiratory function and disease. You’ll be introduced to patients with more than one health condition. Learning will centre on clinical case studies, ensuring that underpinning scientific knowledge remains patient-focused and considers social and personal preferences for care or treatment.

You’ll explore the physiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, focusing on the cellular and molecular targets for drugs used in treating these conditions. Pharmacological principles, medicinal chemistry, and the physicochemical properties of drugs used for respiratory patients are also covered. Evidence-based national guidelines will provide a framework for informing patient choice.

This module builds on earlier learning to help you understand the appropriate diagnosis and management of inflammatory and infective conditions. You’ll explore drug action and resistance, including concepts like antimicrobial spectrum of activity, drug design and mechanisms of action, selective toxicity, and mechanisms of drug resistance.

Adjunctive therapies, lifestyle modifications, infection control, and antibiotic resistance will also be considered alongside drug treatment. You’ll develop consultation skills for improving patient outcomes and explore challenges such as ensuring equal access to inclusive healthcare for diverse local and global populations, with reference to HIV/AIDS and immunisation.

In this module, you’ll work with patients who have complex cardiovascular disease and explore the renal and hepatic systems. These patients will often have co-morbidities, requiring you to apply science to clinical practice, explore complex pharmacokinetics, and utilise evidence-based medicine, professional judgement, and person-centred care.

You’ll study the function of the renal and hepatic systems, the impact on patients when these systems fail, and how this affects the use of medicines. The pharmacological principles and medicinal chemistry of prescribed drugs will be explored, alongside their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), pharmacokinetics, and adverse drug reactions.

Professional Portfolio 3 is the third of a series of non-credit bearing modules throughout the MPharm programme. It continues your development of essential professional skills and competencies required of a practicing pharmacist. Practical and clinical competencies, including communication and consultation skills, will be assessed through short-timed practical assessments and signed off through in-practice observations by practitioners during placements. You’ll continue to develop more complex numeracy skills required in clinical practice, and your competency in these will be confirmed through a written assessment.

This module provides essential knowledge on the function of the central nervous system (CNS) and the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and physicochemical properties of medicines targeting it. You’ll learn through collaborative teaching by expert scientists and specialist clinical practitioners to integrate and apply this knowledge in a clinical context.

National guidelines for managing CNS conditions will help you understand how therapeutic knowledge is used in practice. Within this framework, you’ll explore individualised therapeutic choices, ensuring patient acceptability and preference are considered. Relevant legal frameworks, such as the Mental Capacity Act and consent, will also be explored.

This module demonstrates how biomarkers, physiological tests, and point-of-care testing can support diagnosis, influence treatment choices, and monitor disease and treatment progression. You’ll learn about novel biopharmaceuticals, including their design and therapeutic use for conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

You’ll develop data interpretation skills, enabling you to assess the validity and reliability of published data from sources like clinical audits, trials, and meta-analyses.

This module covers the function of the endocrine system and the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and physicochemical properties of medicines targeting it. Collaborative teaching by expert scientists and clinical practitioners will help you integrate and apply this knowledge in a clinical context.

You’ll study therapeutic areas like menstrual issues, contraception, menopause, erectile dysfunction, and prostate health. The importance of consent, confidentiality, and Fraser competence will be emphasised to ensure you provide safe, inclusive, and ethical person-centred care.

This module introduces precision medicine and explores the factors influencing therapy personalisation for complex patients. You’ll study novel therapeutics and the application of genomics, with a focus on cancer. Topics include mechanisms of disease proliferation, cancer types, therapeutic options, and holistic cancer care, such as complementary and herbal therapies.

You’ll also learn about the principles of palliative and end-of-life care, with an emphasis on effective communication in challenging situations to empower patients in their decision-making.

Professional Portfolio 4 is the last in the series of non-credit bearing modules throughout the MPharm programme. This module finalises your development of essential professional skills and competencies required of a practicing pharmacist. Practical and clinical competencies, including communication and consultation skills, will be assessed through short-timed practical assessments and signed off through in-practice observations by practitioners during placements. You’ll continue to develop advanced numeracy skills required in clinical practice, with your competency confirmed through a written assessment.

This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project directly related to pharmacy. It builds on your knowledge of research methods and aims to enhance your skills of intellectual enquiry, time and project management, and independent study in preparation for professional practice.

The module fosters a practical understanding of how research techniques and enquiry methods can interpret and generate new knowledge in pharmaceutical science and practice. You’ll demonstrate independent thought, creativity, and rigour in applying your knowledge.

This module advances your clinical expertise, including the application of diagnostic skills and prescribing confidence, with a focus on communication techniques that enable shared decision-making in health. You’ll learn to recognise the needs of diverse and complex patients and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team to provide person-centred care.

This module equips you with the opportunity to develop personal leadership and management skills and behaviours. You’ll explore the structure of the NHS and the financial dynamics of the health service, identifying how pharmacy can contribute to financial planning within healthcare organisations. You’ll also learn about the concept of preparing bids for NHS services.

This module consolidates your clinical knowledge as a future pharmacist independent prescriber. You’ll learn to carry out appropriate diagnostic techniques, determine the most suitable courses of action, and monitor patients effectively.

You’ll develop advanced skills in clinical decision-making, including differential diagnosis, clinical examination, reasoning, and the ability to handle complex cases. The module builds on anatomy, physiology, and evidence-based therapeutics covered throughout the programme, enhancing your professional competence and confidence as a prescriber.

You’ll also collaborate with other health and social care students and practitioners to build a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.