• Question: what qualifications do you need to get into pharamcy?

    Asked by anon-384829 on 21 Feb 2024.
    • Photo: Emma Weir

      Emma Weir answered on 21 Feb 2024:


      At Cardiff University where I work you need AAB-ABB at A-level. Two of these need to be sciences (biology or chemistry for the first one, and biology, chemistry, maths or physics for the second one) and you have to pass any practical exams.

      In terms of GCSEs:
      – English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade B/6
      – three GCSEs at grade B/6 including Biology, Chemistry, and Maths, or equivalent qualifications (subject and grade). Double science may be accepted in place of separate sciences.

      This is likely to be similar for most UK universities but you can check any of their websites 😊

      https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/course/pharmacy-mpharm

    • Photo: Michael Schubert

      Michael Schubert answered on 26 Feb 2024:


      Where I live, the pathway works like this:

      1. You graduate from high school. It’s best if you’ve studied biology, chemistry, and maths, but you don’t have to have done all of them.

      2. You take the prerequisite classes at university. The classes you need to start your pharmacy degree include English, some specific types of chemistry and biology, maths, statistics, biochemistry, and microbiology.

      3. You take a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

      4. You take a board exam to qualify as a pharmacist and a jurisprudence training model to learn about legal and ethical considerations.

      5. You have some structured training (where you are supervised by more experienced pharmacists) that has to be completed. At this point, you’re already working as a pharmacist, but you can’t work by yourself. It’s a bit like having a learner’s licence; you can drive the car, but not alone!

      6. After you finish that structured training, you can register as a fully qualified pharmacist and work on your own.

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