In Malaysia, choosing between an MPharm (Master of Pharmacy) and a BPharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) is an important decision for aspiring pharmacists.
Both programmes share several similarities but also have unique aspects that cater to different career goals and educational preferences.
This article highlights the common features of the MPharm and BPharm programmes and explains their unique advantages, helping you make an informed choice and guiding you towards the best educational path for your career in the healthcare industry.
Types of pharmacy courses
Pharmacy education in Malaysia offers several pathways, each catering to different career goals and academic interests. The primary types include:
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BPharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy): Focuses on the science and practice of pharmacy and drug therapy, with multiple modules contributing to a specific number of credits.
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MPharm (Master of Pharmacy): Offers case-based learning with real-life examples integrating fundamental science and clinical use of medicines.
Also read: Is pharmacy a good career: Insights and future trends
What is BPharm?
At the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM), the BPharm (Hons) is a 4-year degree programme. It integrates therapeutic themes or disease states through "Drug, Medicine and Patient" (DMP) modules, equipping students with foundational knowledge in pharmaceutical sciences such as pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmaceutics.
Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce as pharmacists, working in community pharmacies, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry.
BPharm (Hons) programme at the UNM typically takes four years to complete, in which students spend all 4 years on the Malaysia campus for their studies.
What is MPharm?
At UNM, the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) is a 4-year degree programme, with students spending the first two years at our Malaysia campus before transferring to our UK campus for the final two years. The curriculum is largely case-based, integrating fundamental science with the clinical application of medicines through real-life examples.
The MPharm at UNM is also a 4-year programme, with students spending the first two years at the Malaysia campus and the final two years at the UK campus. The curriculum also consist of "Drug, Medicine and Patient" (DMP) modules, integrating fundamental science with clinical applications mainly towards UK based practice.
While sometimes considered a postgraduate degree, the MPharm at UNM is an undergraduate programme designed for advanced clinical practice and specialised roles within the pharmacy profession.
What is the difference between MPharm and BPharm?
Unique Features of BPharm
Entirely Malaysia-Based: The BPharm (Hons) programme is conducted entirely at the Malaysia campus, making it a more convenient and cost-effective option for students who prefer to study locally.
Professional Practice: Emphasises professional practice in Malaysian health care setting and patient care skills across various therapeutic themes, providing a holistic education in pharmacy without the need for international transfer.
Unique Features of MPharm
International Exposure: The MPharm (Hons) programme offers a unique 2+2 structure, where students spend the first two years at the Malaysia campus and the final two years at the UK campus. This international exposure enhances global understanding and provides a diverse learning experience.
UK Accreditation: The MPharm programme is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (UK) and fully recognised by the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia, ensuring a globally recognized qualification.
What are the similarities between MPharm and BPharm?
Quality Education: Both programmes offer a high standard of education aligned with UK standards, ensuring a rigorous and comprehensive learning experience.
Four-Year Duration: Each programme spans four years, providing an in-depth study of pharmaceutical sciences and practical skills.
Core Curriculum: Both MPharm and BPharm cover essential pharmaceutical subjects, including Chemistry, biology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and clinical pharmacy, ensuring a solid foundation in the field.The curriculum integrates therapeutic themes through "Drug, Medicine and Patient" (DMP) modules, focusing on comprehensive education in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical applications.
Professional Placements: Students in both programmes have access to professional placements in diverse settings such as hospitals, community pharmacies, and the pharmaceutical industry. These placements enhance employability and provide practical experience.
Hands-On Training: Both programmes utilize the "Simulated Pharmacy Suite" to give students hands-on experience in professional interactions and skill development.
Career Opportunities: Graduates of both programmes can pursue careers as pharmacists in various settings, including hospitals, community pharmacies, and the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, both qualifications open doors to specialised roles such as clinical pharmacists, research scientists, and academic positions.
Curriculum
The MPharm (Hons) programme at UNM spans four years, with the first two years at the Malaysia campus focusing on foundational and therapeutic modules. Students then transfer to the UK campus for advanced studies and a significant research project in the final two years.
The curriculum is highly case-based, integrating fundamental science with clinical application, and includes patient interaction and leadership training through simulated pharmacy practices. The modules cover subjects like:
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Fundamentals of pharmacy
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Human life cycle
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Dermatology
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Infections
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Digestive system, Endocrine system, cardiovascular system, renal system, respiratory system, central nervous system
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Cancers
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Pain
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Prescribing competencies and practice
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Research project
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Advancing therapies
The BPharm (Hons) programme integrates therapeutic themes through a series of "Drug, Medicine and Patient" (DMP) modules, providing a comprehensive education in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical applications without the need for transfer. This programme also emphasises hands-on laboratory experience and case-based learning. The modules cover subjects like:
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Essential skills for pharmacists
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Dyspepsia
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Bacterial and fungal infections
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Cardiovascular system
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Allergy, asthma and immune diseases
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Gastrointestinal and liver disorders
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Central nervous system disorders
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Cancers
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Research project
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Integrated pharmaceutical and patient care
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Community pharmacy placement
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Industrial pharmacy placement
Both BPharm and MPharm use "Simulated Pharmacy Suite” to gain hands-on experience in diverse professional interactions and to develop practical skills.
Both programmes require specific grades in equivalent international qualifications and foundational courses, reflecting their respective entry standards and academic expectations.
Both the MPharm and BPharm degree programmes at UNM span four years. However, the MPharm includes a transfer component, where students study the first two years at the Malaysia campus before completing the final two years at the UK campus. The BPharm programme is entirely conducted at the Malaysia campus.
In essence, the BPharm programme can be seen as the foundational DNA of the MPharm. Both programmes share core elements of pharmaceutical education and practical training. However, the MPharm builds on this foundation by offering advanced clinical practice opportunities and international exposure through its unique structure.
Job opportunities & career prospects upon graduation
Graduates of both programmes can work as pharmacists in various settings such as government and private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in Malaysia.
They can also pursue specialised roles like clinical pharmacists, research scientists, or academic positions. Additional career paths include pharmacy research, veterinary pharmacy, regulatory pharmacy, drug discovery, and medicine manufacture.
In addition the MPharm graduates can get an opportunity to explore their pharmacy career in the UK setting right after their 4 years + 1 Year foundational training .
Cost
MPharm programmes, particularly those with international study components, can be more expensive due to higher tuition fees and additional living costs.
At UNM, the BPharm costs RM53,000 per year, while the MPharm costs RM55,000 per year, with fees of GBP28,600/year for years 3 and 4 in the UK.
The MPharm 2+2 programme at the University of Nottingham is comparatively less expensive than completing all four years in the UK.
Salary
The average salary for a pharmacist holder in Malaysia is around RM 60,361 per year, according to Payscale.Salaries vary depending on qualifications, experience, skill sets and employment type.
Graduates from the University of Nottingham continue to be among the most sought-after by the UK’s top employers based on the Graduate Market report. The University of Nottingham has also been named one of the strongest in the country for work placements.
Placement
Both BPharm and MPharm programmes include placement opportunities in various pharmacy settings. These placements enhance employability and professional development.
UNM’s Careers Advisory Service (CAS) provides resources and guidance for career planning, assisting with job and course applications, and connecting students with work experience placements and prospective employers.
The School of Pharmacy also maintains strong connections with alumni and employers, facilitating experiential learning and career opportunities.
Where to study pharmacy in Malaysia?
Students seeking to enrol in a pharmacy course can consider the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Ranked in the top 20 in the UK based on the QS World University Rankings, UNM caters to a diverse student population and boasts one of the highest graduate employment rates in Malaysia.
UNM provides an education that meets UK standards, right in the heart of Malaysia. This ensures that students receive the same high-quality education and training as their counterparts in the UK, with the added benefit of studying in a diverse and vibrant Malaysian environment.
Students seeking to enrol in a pharmacy course can consider the University of Nottingham Malaysia. Ranked top 20 in the UK, based on the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) caters to a diverse student population of over 4,000 students from 74 countries across 18 academic departments.
BPharm programme in Malaysia
At UNM, the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) Honours degree programme spans 4 years and is provisionally accredited by the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia.
The programme’s curriculum integrates professional practice, patient care skills across therapeutic themes and experiential learning from the pharmaceutical industry, community pharmacies, and hospitals.
MPharm programme in Malaysia
UNM offers a 4-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) Honours degree programme. The first two years of the MPharm are completed at the Malaysia campus, followed by the final two years at the University of Nottingham's UK campus.
The MPharm programme is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (UK). In fact, it is the first 2+2 Pharmacy programme to be fully recognised by the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia. The curriculum integrates fundamental science and clinical aspects of pharmacy, with a focus on case-based learning and patient-facing experiences.
Conclusion
Choosing between MPharm and BPharm requires careful consideration of your career goals, financial situation, and personal preferences. Both degrees offer unique advantages and opportunities, and the right choice will ultimately depend on what you hope to achieve in your pharmacy career.
For more information, visit the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s website or contact the admissions office.
What is the difference between MPharm and BPharm?
Unique Features of BPharm
Entirely Malaysia-Based: The BPharm (Hons) programme is conducted entirely at the Malaysia campus, making it a more convenient and cost-effective option for students who prefer to study locally.
Professional Practice: Emphasises professional practice in Malaysian health care setting and patient care skills across various therapeutic themes, providing a holistic education in pharmacy without the need for international transfer.
Unique Features of MPharm
International Exposure: The MPharm (Hons) programme offers a unique 2+2 structure, where students spend the first two years at the Malaysia campus and the final two years at the UK campus. This international exposure enhances global understanding and provides a diverse learning experience.
UK Accreditation: The MPharm programme is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (UK) and fully recognised by the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia, ensuring a globally recognized qualification.
What are the similarities between MPharm and BPharm?
Quality Education: Both programmes offer a high standard of education aligned with UK standards, ensuring a rigorous and comprehensive learning experience.
Four-Year Duration: Each programme spans four years, providing an in-depth study of pharmaceutical sciences and practical skills.
Core Curriculum: Both MPharm and BPharm cover essential pharmaceutical subjects, including Chemistry, biology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and clinical pharmacy, ensuring a solid foundation in the field.The curriculum integrates therapeutic themes through "Drug, Medicine and Patient" (DMP) modules, focusing on comprehensive education in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical applications.
Professional Placements: Students in both programmes have access to professional placements in diverse settings such as hospitals, community pharmacies, and the pharmaceutical industry. These placements enhance employability and provide practical experience.
Hands-On Training: Both programmes utilize the "Simulated Pharmacy Suite" to give students hands-on experience in professional interactions and skill development.
Career Opportunities: Graduates of both programmes can pursue careers as pharmacists in various settings, including hospitals, community pharmacies, and the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, both qualifications open doors to specialised roles such as clinical pharmacists, research scientists, and academic positions.
Posted on 5th August 2024