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Careers in pharmacy

You could work in a hospital, GP, local pharmacy, hospice, industry research, education and more. Become an expert in medicine such as a:

• prescribing pharmacist
• mental health pharmacist
• drug development scientist
• teacher/lecturer

Our graduates are highly regarded. 94.3% 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 £34,037.*

Foundation Training

After completing the MPharm degree, if you want to become a fully qualified pharmacist you will need to undertake the Foundation Training year. This is a year of salaried training, at the end of which you will sit the General Pharmaceutical Council’s registration assessment. to become a qualified pharmacist. More information can be found on the General Pharmaceutical Council website.  

We host a Foundation Training event every year which is attended by potential employers from a range of sectors, so there’s lots of support available to help you find your ideal Foundation Training place.

NHS Pharmacy Careers

Community pharmacy

Pharmacists are playing a greater role in patient care within thier local community. Some community pharmacists now have prescribing roles and are involved in services such as weight-management counselling.

Alongside patient care, there can also be possibilities on the business side of community pharmacy with the chance to develop financial and managerial skills. Community pharmacists can be self-employed or work within a larger company.

Hospital pharmacy

You could work as part of a healthcare team comprising of, and including doctors, nurses and pharmacists. As part of this team you would offer your expertise to selecting and prescribing treatments for managing patient care.

The role of hospital pharmacist is also developing, as technological advancements are giving pharmacists more time to work with patients on the wards. Hospital pharmacists have opportunities available for career development through management or clinical specialism. Many hospital pharmascists are prescribers and are involved on the wards and within clinics.

Primary care

Primary care pharmacists work in local communities supporting GPs, nurses, community pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. As a primary care pharmacist, you ensure the safe management of medicines and implement national priorities locally to prevent people from becoming ill and help them live healthier lifestyles. Some pharmacists work in GP practices where they manage patients, working alongside GPs to help patients with their medicines.

 

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021. 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.