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Course overview

The Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) is a 4-year degree programme, with students studying the first two years at our Malaysia campus, before transferring to the UK campus. Current students have co-designed our teaching to shape the future of your lessons. We integrate science knowledge, professional practice, drug prescribing and patient skills across therapeutic themes. For each topic, you will have the opportunity to appreciate drug, medicine and patient from different perspectives. You will learn how to assess, speak to and treat a patient. Role-play with simulated patients and professional practice consultants in our very own Professional Development Suite will allow you to develop your communication and clinical skills. You will be trained on diagnostics in addition to patient assessment right from year 1. You will also gain clinical interaction experience through placements in the community and hospital pharmacies.  

Why choose this course?

  • Aimed at students who desire to become a registered pharmacist with a worldwide recognition
  • Accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia (PBM)
  • Opportunity to study in both Malaysia and UK for a unique educational experience, combining diverse cultural perspectives with world-class learning environments
  • Our identical teaching standards and curriculum in both campuses allow students to experience the same academic excellence regardless of location.
  • Placements in community and hospital pharmacies throughout the course in both Malaysia and the UK.
  • Professionally focussed person-centred course with independent prescribing integrated into the curriculum, preparing you to become a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber in the UK.

Modules

Core modules

  • Fundamentals of Pharmacy
  • Human Life Cycle
  • Digestive System

Throughout the course, you will be completing professional competency and medicine pathway activities. 

Core modules

  • Infections 1 and 2 
  • Dermatology 
  • Autoimmune and Allergy 
  • Respiratory 
  • Cardiovascular 
  • Endocrine 
  • Renal

Core modules

  • Cancers
  • Pain
  • Central Nervous System
  • Prescribing Competencies and Practice
  • Research Project

Core modules

  • Advancing therapies, practice and care 1 and 2

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

A level ABB, including Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Mathematics.
IB Diploma 30 points, with grades of 6, 5, 5 at Higher Level, including Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Mathematics.
STPM ABB, including Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Mathematics, excluding Pengajian Am.
UEC 3 As, including Biology and Chemistry, plus grade B3 in Advanced Mathematics and Physics, excluding Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese Language.
Australian Year 12 ATAR 89. Applicants are required to meet specific grade standards in Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Mathematics, aligned with A Level subject requirements. To fulfil these A Level standards, specific grade equivalents in the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE) are required.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 81% average based on 6 subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Mathematics. Applicants must also meet specific grade requirements for subjects required at A Level: 81% for a B and 85% for an A.

Canadian Secondary School Diplomas from other provinces are acceptable and will be assessed based on the University’s requirements.
Gaokao (NCEE) and Senior High School Diploma (China) 75% average in the Gaokao, with 80% in one subject and 75% in two other subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Mathematics. Additionally, a minimum of 75% overall in the Senior High School Diploma, with 75% in Biology, Chemistry, and either Mathematics or Physics.

Gaokao scores are converted from 750 to a percentage scale.
Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE) / Indian School Certificate (CISCE) - Class XII 84% average from the best four subjects, including 90% in one subject and 80% in two other subjects, with required subjects including Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Mathematics. Excludes local language, Environmental Education, General Studies, and Physical Education.
Advance Placement (AP) 5, 4, 4, including AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and either AP Physics or AP Calculus.
Diploma - Local Institutions Entry to Year 2 is not permitted. Entry to Year 1 will be considered on a case-by-case basis, typically requiring a minimum GPA of 3.50 out of 4.0 in a Diploma in Pharmacy, Diploma in Health Sciences, or an equivalent qualification. Applicants must have achieved good grades (equivalent to at least a grade B) in Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Mathematics. The Diploma must be of 2.5 years' duration and must be fully completed at a single institution.
Foundation - Local Institutions Acceptance is at the School’s discretion, requiring a GPA of 3.50 out of 4.0 and good grades (equivalent to at least a grade B) in Biology, Chemistry, and either Physics or Mathematics. The programme must be a one-year foundation programme completed at a single accredited institution.
Nottingham's Foundation Programme Successful completion is required, with an overall minimum average of 70%, including at least 70% in all Biology and Chemistry modules, and at least 60% in Mathematics. All progressing Foundation candidates into the Master of Pharmacy (Honours) programme are also required to meet the English language requirement as stipulated by the School of Pharmacy at the Malaysia Campus.

 

All applicants with a Matriculation, Foundation, or Diploma qualification must have obtained 5 Bs, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and either Mathematics or Additional Mathematics, in their SPM, GCSE, IGCSE, High School Diploma, or an equivalent qualification.    

This list is not exhaustive, and we accept a wide range of qualifications. Eligibility will be fully determined upon the submission of a completed application.

IELTS (Academic)

 7.0 (with no less than 6.0 in each element) 

TOEFL (iBT)

100 (minimum 19 in Writing and Listening, 20 in Reading and 22 in Speaking)

PTE (Academic)

 76 (with no less than 65 in each element)

GCE A Level English Language or English Literature

 Grade B

GCE AS Level English Language or English Literature

 Grade B

SPM

 CEFR level C1

GCSE O-Level

 Grade B / 6

IGCSE (first language)

 Grade B / 6

IGCSE (second language)

 Grade A / 7

IB English A1 or A2 (Standard or Higher Level)

 5 points

IB English B (Higher Level)

 5 points

IB English B (Standard Level)

 6 points

OSSD English (ENG3U/ENG4U) (No fast-track route):

 81%

CBSE/CISCE Class XII or Class X:

 80% overall (confirmation of English as the medium of instruction required)

 

  • IELTS (Academic), TOEFL iBT, and PTE (Academic) test results must be less than two years old.
  • IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
  • IELTS Academic Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and PTE Academic Online are not accepted.
  • MUET results are valid for five years from the release date.
  • OSSD English (ENG3U/ENG4U) with the required grades will only be accepted if applicants have completed all 30 credits from standard OSSD courses, not through credit exemptions. Fast-track routes are not accepted.
  • CBSE/CISCE Class XII or Class X English with the required grades will only be accepted if applicants provide a confirmation letter stating that English was the medium of instruction throughout schooling from Class X to Class XII.

Foundation progression options

The Nottingham's Foundation Programme  is a 1-year pre-university course that prepares students for direct progression to UNM’s undergraduate degrees. It builds a strong academic foundation while enhancing language, critical thinking, and study skills. Students can also explore elective modules tailored to their chosen degree pathway.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Practical classes
  • Supervision
  • Placements

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework
  • Examinations
  • Presentation
  • Research project
  • Practical write-ups
  • Oral exam

Applying

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for undergraduate courses.

How to apply

Fees

ResidencyFees
Malaysian studentsRM60,000
International studentsRM70,000

Where you will learn

Malaysia Campus

Semenyih Campus is 48km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and just 45 minutes’ drive from the famous city centre with its iconic Petronas Twin Towers. On arrival, you are immersed in the green jungle backdrop that Malaysia provides with wildlife, sunshine and campus lake.

The campus is home to our business, education, science and engineering schools, which sit alongside a sports centre, library and student accommodation. The University has everything a modern day student could wish for with the added bonus of being located in central Asia allowing you to travel further afield in your free time.

Public transport is plentiful with free shuttle services operating on some routes. Taxi/Grab services in Malaysia are very reasonable and used widely by the student community.

Careers

Foundation training in employment (previously Pre-registration)

To complete your training and qualify as a registered, practising pharmacist you will need to complete the new GPhC Foundation training programme. This replaces the pre-registration placement year and has been designed as a universal programme to evidence skills across five key areas of professional practice, communication and collaborative working, leadership and management, education and research.

It brings pharmacists more in line with other healthcare professionals like medics and dentists. At the end of the year, you'll sit the General Pharmaceutical Council’s exam to become a qualified pharmacist. For the first time this also includes registration to become a Prescribing Pharmacist.

Our progressive and responsive course and teaching will help prepare you for the next stages in your training and career. Targeted support is given by a highly experienced specialised team of academic and professional staff, many of whom are involved in shaping and advising the pharmacy profession at a national level. We also have the MPharm Pharmacy (with Integrated Pre registration Scheme) course. This is the same as the MPharm course but includes equivalent training to the Foundation year as part of the course, and hence directly supported by and managed by the University.

Being a professional pharmacist

You could work as a pharmacist in the community, at a GP surgery or in a hospital. On the course, you'll experience the different types of pharmacy work so you can see what you enjoy the most.

Industrial pharmacy

If you are interested in the research and development of new drugs, you may consider industrial pharmacy. Industrial pharmacists work with scientists in other areas to discover safe and effective drugs.

Other roles

Your skills can be used in roles such as:

  • pharmacy research
  • veterinary pharmacy
  • regulatory pharmacy
  • drug discovery
  • medicines manufacture

The University has an established Careers Advisory Service (CAS) that provides students with essential resources and guidance for career choices offering many opportunities to develop the skills needed to plan and manage your future. Our Careers Advisory Service will work with you to improve and maximise your employability skills as well as providing essential resources and guidance that will assist you with job/course applications. They will facilitate searches for appropriate work experience placements and connect you to a wide range of prospective employers or training opportunities.

In order to register as a pharmacist, you must first undertake a pre-registration year. At the School of Pharmacy we have a pre-registration fair every year which is attended by potential employers from all sectors. Support is provided by both the school and the Careers and Employability Service to help you secure a pre-registration place.

In addition, the School of Pharmacy provides guidance and maintains good connections with both our alumni and prospective employers to facilitate experiential learning and explore career and training opportunities.

98.8% of undergraduates from the School of Pharmacy secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £31,702.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Nottingham’s MPharm degree is a full-time, 4 year programme.

Although MPharm is sometimes considered a postgraduate degree, it is an undergraduate degree at UNM. The Pharmacy MPharm degree is suitable for students who have a strong foundation in Biology and Chemistry and want to become registered healthcare professionals.

Students need a minimum of an ABB in biology, chemistry and physics/mathematics in their A Level or STPM, or its equivalent. You must also meet the English language proficiency requirements.

Some typical core modules include Fundamentals of Pharmacy, Digestive System, Autoimmune and Allergy, Infections 1 and 2, Dermatology, Prescribing Competencies and Practice, and Advancing Therapies, Practice and Care 1 and 2. There is also a research project in Year 3 and throughout the course, professional competency and medicine pathway activities are to be completed.

Graduates can pursue careers as pharmacists in hospitals, community pharmacies, and other healthcare settings. They can work in research and development, pharmaceutical manufacturing or in regulatory bodies. Moreover, they can also choose to pursue further education, for instance, in clinical pharmacy or pharmacy management.

Yes, international students are welcome to apply for the Pharmacy MPharm degree at UNM. Do refer to the universities admission requirements for international students for more information.

MPharm students will be assessed through a combination of coursework, exams, practical assessments, presentations and research projects.

Yes, we may consider transferring credits from another institution towards our programme; however, it is subject to approval. For more details, contact our admissions office for more information on our transfer credit policy.

This content was last updated on 21 January 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.