Studying pharmacy abroad especially in the UK is always expensive for international students. This is because the UK has some of the best pharmacy schools worldwide. However, among these colleges in the UK, you can get some of the cheapest pharmacy schools that offer quality education.
Do you aspire to acquire a degree in pharmacy in the UK at an affordable rate? Get in here to see the cheapest colleges in the UK that offer pharmacy education.
The first pharmaceutical colleges in Great Britain were founded at the beginning of the 19th century. In 1960, the duration for pharmacy extended from four years to five years.
Many schools in the UK offer graduate courses in pharmacy that lead to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in pharmacy. Those that wish to go into research, manufacturing, and in the field of academics go for these advanced courses.
However, before one can practice as a professional pharmacist in the UK, the person must graduate from a recognized college of pharmacy, meet specific requirements for experience, and pass an examination conducted by a board of pharmacy appointed by the government.
Why study in the UK?
International students go to the United Kingdom for studies because of so many reasons. The most important reason why you should consider the UK for studies are as follows:
Firstly, UK higher education and qualifications have a remarkable international reputation and the UK degree is globally by international universities, top employers and government bodies, creating a huge number of chances to get placed with leading companies.
Secondly, many countries like to follow the UK’s education system, as its quality is considered the best in the world.
Thirdly, most institutions in the UK offer merit-based scholarships and funding opportunities to international students to aid their studies and the cost of living. For you to apply, you must first gain acceptance to the course of study.
Additionally, several undergraduate courses in the UK take three years to complete. This means that as the duration is shorter, it will cost you lesser money while you’ll have a quicker graduation.
Finally, graduates of UK universities are seen as the best all over the world. This makes employers who desire high-quality graduates with specific skill sets to hire them. UK graduates are recognized by employers, universities, and governments worldwide.
Which are the Top Cheapest Schools for Pharmacy in the UK?
The list of the cheapest pharmacy schools in the UK was made based on tuition fees, acceptance rate, number of programs, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review.
These cheapest colleges for pharmacy in the UK offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Hence, the top cheapest schools for pharmacy in the UK include:
#1. University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde is a public research university in Glasgow, Scotland that was established in 1796 as the Andersonian Institute. This institution is the second-oldest university in Glasgow, Scotland.
Here, students participate in real-life activities during term breaks where they utilize their skills and knowledge. The school’s curriculum is always inline with the most actual needs and challenges of pharmacy all over the world.
At the undergraduate level, students at Strathclyde University complete
- Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Practice (MSc)
- Clinical Pharmacy (MSc)
- Pharmacy (MPharm)
- Pharmacy Practice (MSc)
The 2018 QS World University Rankings put the university between 51-100 for the best Pharmacy school in the world.
In addition, the 2019 Complete University Guide ranked Strathclyde 1st on the list of the best schools for Pharmacology and Pharmacy in the UK.
However, Strathclyde University which is among the cheapest pharmacy schools in the UK has an acceptance rate of 42%.
The university is accredited by the Privy Council.
Tuition fee: Local tuition (1,820 GBP) and Domestic tuition (9,000 GBP).
Address: 16 Richmond St, Glasgow G1 1XQ, United Kingdom
#2. The University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university in Nottingham, UK that was established as University College Nottingham in 1881.
At the undergraduate level at Nottingham, pharmacy students take the following courses:
- A Four-year MPharm
- Five-year MPharm with integrated pre-registration year
- Four-year MSci in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a year in industry
However, at the graduate level, students complete the following courses in pharmacy:
- Ph.D. in Pharmacy
- MScs in Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Master of Research (MRes) in Pharmacy
On the other hand, the 2019 Complete University Guide rankings put Nottingham 2nd for Pharmacology & Pharmacy in the UK. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework which examines the quality of research in UK higher education institutions put Nottingham on 26th position by GPA and 8th for research power.
Nottingham University which is among the cheapest schools for pharmacy in the UK has an acceptance rate of 11% and a student-faculty ratio of 16:1.
The University of Nottingham holds accreditation from the Privy Council.
Tuition fees: 9,250 GBP
Address: Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
#3. University of Robert Gordon
Robert Gordon University (RGU) is a public university in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland that was founded in 1992.
The university awards degrees in varieties of disciplines from BA/BSc to Ph.D., primarily in professional, technical, health and artistic disciplines. It has 11 schools which are all in the Garthdee campus.
However, the school of Pharmacy at RGU molds students to be professionals in the field. The courses which students at Robert Gordon take while completing the pharmacy degree include:
- Advanced Pharmacy Practice (PgCert/PgDip/MSc)
- Analytical Science – Drug Analysis and Toxicology (MSc)
- The Analytical Science – Environmental Analysis (MSc)
- Analytical Science – Food Analysis, Authenticity, and Safety (MSc)
- Clinical Pharmacy Practice (PgCert/PgDip/MSc)
- Clinical Pharmacy Service Development (MSc)
- Pharmacist Independent Prescribing (Practice Certificate)
- Pharmacy (MPharm)
RGU which is one of the top cheapest pharmacy schools in the UK has an acceptance rate of 22%.
Robert Gordon University holds accreditation from the Privy Council.
Tuition fees: Domestic (5,000 GBP) and International (9,500 GBP)
Address: Garthdee House, Garthdee Rd, Aberdeen AB10 7AQ, United Kingdom
#4. University of Ulster
The University of Ulster is a multi-campus public university in Northern Ireland that was established in 1865 as Magee College.
UU’ s department of Pharmacy offers the following:
The Times Higher Education ranks UU among the top 150 institutions in the world.
Being among the top cheapest schools in the UK for pharmacy, tuition fees at Ulster University include local (3,925 GBP) and international (12,890 GBP).
Ulster University holds accreditation from the Privy Council.
#5. Queen’s Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The university offers over 300-degree programs in 15 schools across 3 faculties.
However, the study options which the school of pharmacy at Queen Belfast offers include:
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (BSc)
- Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSc)
- Pharmacy (MPharm)
- MSc Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Practice
- Advanced Pharmacy Practice (MSc / PgDip)
- Pharmacy (Ph.D.)
The 2016 Complete University Guide put QUB in the 36th position for the best institution in the UK. In addition, the 2018 Times Higher Education rankings placed Queen Belfast 32nd out of 93 in the UK. The university ranked 173th in the 2019 QS World University Rankings.
Furthermore, Queen Belfast which is one of the cheapest pharmacy schools in the UK has an acceptance rate of 28.31%.
Tuition fees: Local (3,805 GBP) and International (13,280 GBP).
Address: University Rd, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
#6. The University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a public research university in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom that was founded in 1825 as Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery.
It has a student population of 22,940 undergraduate and 12,505 postgraduate students.
On the other hand, some of the study options for pharmacy at Birmingham are as follows:
- Pharmacy 5-year MPharm (integrated pre-registration format)
- Pharmacy MPharm (4 years)
- Pharmaceutical Enterprise MSc/Diploma
- Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing
The 2015 Complete University Guide put Birmingham 5th in the UK for graduate prospects. Additionally, the 2019 Times Higher rankings for the best universities in the UK put Birmingham 14th on the list.
Birmingham University has an acceptance rate of 79.2 % while the student-faculty ratio is 19:1.
Tuition fees: Domestic (9,000 GBP) and International (14,550).
It is accredited by the Privy Council.
Address: Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
#7. University of Bath
The University of Bath is a public university in Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom that was established in 1885 as Merchant Venturers Technical College. However, the institution received its royal charter in 1966 to become the University of Bath.
Here, the pharmacy programs which the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Bath offers include:
- Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) – 4 years
- Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) – 5 years (including a pre-registration year)
- MSc Clinical Pharmacy
- MSc Drug Discovery
- Ph.D. in Pharmacy & Pharmacology
This institution is actually one of the best and cheapest schools in the UK to study pharmacy.
Bath University has an acceptance rate of 79.3% and a student-faculty ratio of 18:1.
Tuition fees: Domestic (9,000 GBP) and International (16,600 GBP).
The University of Bath holds accreditation from the Privy Council.
Address: Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
#8. Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a public research university in Cardiff, Wales that was established in 1883 as the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire.
At Cardiff’s School of Pharmacy, students have hands-on research activities to ensure they put their knowledge in real-life situations. Meanwhile, the degree courses in Pharmacy which Cardiff University offers include:
Being one of the best and cheapest schools for pharmacy in the UK, Cardiff University has an acceptance rate of 78% while the student-faculty ratio is 52:1.
Tuition fees: Domestic (9,000 GBP) and International (17,500 GBP)
Address: Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
#9. University College London
University College London (UCL) is a public research university in London, the United Kingdom that was established in 1826.
UCL has 11 constituent faculties within which there are over 100 departments, institutes, and research centers.
However, UCL’s School of Pharmacy is the oldest school of Pharmacy in the UK. It was established by the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in 1842. The School of Pharmacy at UCL offers numerous study programs including:
Rankings and Reputation: In the 2019/2020 QS World University Rankings, UCL is ranked 8th worldwide, 1st in London, 3rd in the United Kingdom and 4th in Europe.
In the same vein, the 2020 Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked UCL 15th in the world and 4th in Europe. Moreover, UCL was ranked 8th in the world (and 2nd in Europe) for Clinical Medicine & Pharmacy in the 2016 Subject Tables.
Furthermore, UCL has an acceptance rate of 7% and a student-faculty ratio of 10:7.
Tuition fees: Domestic (9,230 GBP) and International (17,710 GBP). This makes UCL one of the top cheapest pharmacy schools in the UK.
University College London is accredited by the Privy Council.
Notable alumni include Alexander Graham Bell, Christopher Nolan, Francis Crick, Kwame Nkrumah, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mahatma Gandhi, Itō Hirobumi, and Junichiro Koizumi.
Address: Gower St, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
#10. University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university in Manchester, England that was established by the merger of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and the Victoria University of Manchester in 2004.
Here, the Faculty of Biology, Health, and Medicine administers the programs in pharmacy. The courses that will mold the students into world-class pharmacists at this institution include:
In the 2020 QS World University Rankings, the University of Manchester was ranked 27th worldwide. According to the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the institution was ranked 57th in the world.
In addition, the 2014 Research Excellence Framework ranked Manchester 15th in the UK for the quality (GPA) of its research and 5th for its Research Power.
The University has an acceptance rate of 59% and a student-faculty ratio of.
Tuition fees: Domestic (9,250 GBP) and International (21,000 GBP).
The University of Manchester is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Address: Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
Conclusion
It is always interesting to explore new cultures while studying abroad. In fact, traveling to the United Kingdom to pursue a career in Pharmacy pays very well.
Many institutions charge international students high tuition fees. However, these schools in the UK that offer degrees in Pharmacy are quite affordable and they are the best in the whole of the region.
FAQs on the Best Cheapest Pharmacy Colleges in the UK
What requirments do I need to study pharmacy in the UK?
The requirements for Pharmacy in the UK vary depending if you wish to become a technician, assistant or pharmacist. However, you must have qualifications in maths, English, and chemistry.
Typical International Baccalaureate requirements: 34 points.
Typical A-levels requirements: AAB.
Typical IELTS requirements: 6.5 overall, with no lower than 6.0 in any one component.
How many years will it take me to study pharmacy in the UK?
It will take you four (4) years to complete the Master of Pharmacy degree in the UK. This MSc in Pharmacy an undergraduate course. Afterward, you’ll be required to complete one year of pre-registration (on the job training) before you can become a certified pharmacist.
Can a pharmacist become a doctor in the UK?
Pharmacists could be able to retrain as doctors on a fast-tracked course following the UK’s exit from the EU, the government has confirmed. … The move would mean pharmacists would not have to undertake 5,500 hours of training over a minimum of five years to become a doctor, under requirements set by the EU
How much does a pharmacist earn in the UK?
Average starting professional salary: £18,500
Average starting non-professional salary: £16,800
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