Alternative qualifications
We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.
Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma Applied Science DDD
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma Applied Science (Biomedical Science) DDD
- Other applications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science content has been studied
We will consider the following:
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD + A level grade A
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D + A level grades AB
- The required A levels for mixed BTEC and A level grade profiles depends on the science content studied in the BTEC
Applications are assessed on an individual basis. Where an offer is made, our standard requirements are:
- Access to HE Diploma 30 graded Level 3 credits at Distinction (including 15 credits from acceptable chemistry units* plus 15 credits from maths, biology or physics units), plus 15 graded Level 3 credits at Merit
* Organic chemistry is an essential Access to HE Diploma unit.
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.
RQF BTEC Nationals
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma Applied Science DDD
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma Applied Science (Biomedical Science) DDD
Other applications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science content has been studied. We will consider the following:
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD + A level grade A
- RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D + A level grades AB
The required A levels for mixed BTEC and A level grade profiles depends on the science content studied in the BTEC.
Access to HE Diploma
Applications are assessed on an individual basis. Where an offer is made, our standard requirements are:
- Access to HE Diploma 30 graded Level 3 credits at Distinction (including 15 credits from acceptable chemistry units* plus 15 credits from maths, biology or physics units), plus 15 graded Level 3 credits at Merit
* Organic chemistry is an essential Access to HE Diploma unit.
Contextual offers
We recognise the potential of talented students from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement at school or college. These offers are usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Re-sits and previously achieved results
For A levels, these must be no lower than grades BCC. Similarly, for the International Baccalaureate (IB) these must be no lower than 544. For any other qualifications these will be reviewed on a case basis. These minimum grades also apply if you are looking to take an alternative qualification such as a foundation year or Access to HE.
Please note if you have received Centre/Teacher assessed grades in 2020 or 2021, you will not be required to meet this resit policy.
We will consider all extenuating circumstances that might have affected performance and will do this on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further support on this.
Interviews
We initially shortlist based on your UCAS application and grades. The next step is an interview. We use a multi-mini interview (MMI) format. The MMI is a series of short interviews, each around five minutes that explore and engage your communication skills, interest in pharmacy and scenario based discussion on ethics and professional values and general understanding of how medicines work. It is an interactive process that gives you further insight into being a pharmacist. Further information about the interview process is on our website.
Age requirement
You must be at least 18 years old by the end of the calendar year you start your MPharm degree to meet the requirements of the placements within your course.
Standards for pharmacy professionals
Pharmacy is one of the registered healthcare professions and carries both privileges and responsibilities. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally at all times. The Standards for Pharmacy Professionals apply to all pharmacy students from the first day of the course to the day of graduation and applies both on and off campus.
The school has fitness to practise procedures in place for pharmacy students and you will be given more information about these when you join the course.
The Standards for Pharmacy Professionals and the requirement for fitness to practise procedures are issued by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). However, you should note that the GPhC is not an adjudicator or appeal body, and will not be able to offer prospective registration advice.
The GPhC is the final decision maker in relation to an individual's eligibility to:
- enter pharmacist Foundation training
- register as a pharmacist
The GPhC reserves the right to set aside a school's fitness to practise decision, if there are grounds for doing so, when making either of these decisions.
The GPhC has its own requirements for registration as a pharmacist, including making its own health and good character checks. It also has its own fitness to practise procedures for registered pharmacists. The GPhC can refuse to register a student as a Foundation or pharmacist if a check is failed, even if previous checks have been passed.
As a member of the Pharmacy Schools Council, the school makes use of the Excluded Students Database to identify applicants who have been excluded from a professional degree programme on grounds of fitness to practice. Applications from applicants who appear on the Database will be considered on an individual basis.
Health questionnaire
When you accept your offer, the school will send out a health questionnaire with further instructions before you join us. You do not need to do anything else regarding a health check before this time.
Character checks
UK-based applicants will be asked to complete and return a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) application form. It will be sent to you when you meet your offer with instructions on how to complete it.
Non-UK based applicants will be required to provide us with a Certificate of Good Conduct and Character. This will need to be requested from a formal authority like the police, or the Foreign Affairs Department or equivalent. It should include any information on any criminal convictions that you have, or simply confirm that you don't have any.
We encourage students to discuss any problems or concerns with us as soon as possible so that we can support and advise you appropriately. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the above, then please contact us.
Notes for applicants
We are looking for strong academic qualifications as well as a commitment to a career as a healthcare professional. Your personal statement is your opportunity to make yourself stand out from the crowd. We want to know what interests you about being a healthcare professional so it is worth reflecting on any related reading that you have done, any work experience and/or any extracurricular activities that you do. For additional information regarding writing your personal statement, please see the UCAS website.
Entry to our MPharm is always into year one, with no exceptions.
We do not accept lower grade A levels alongside an incomplete or partial degree.
We welcome applications from candidates who would like to defer entry until the following academic year.
For candidates who are re-sitting a full year, the standard offer will remain as AAB.
Foundation progression options
If you don't meet our entry requirements there is the option to study the science foundation programme. If you successfully pass the year, you can progress to the Master of Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences courses. There is a course for UK students and one for EU/international students.
Mature students
At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.
