Universities join forces on pharmacy degree

The Universities of Bath and Plymouth aim to boost the number of chemists in response to a local and national shortage
MPharm launch autumn 2023

Two leading universities are joining forces to address the urgent need for more pharmacists, nationally and in South West England. 
From September 2024, the highly ranked University of Bath MPharm (Hons) Pharmacy course will also be delivered at the University of Plymouth, significantly increasing the opportunities for students to study this subject in the region.
Pharmacists are listed on the national shortage occupations list, and there is a particular shortage in the South West, with the highest community pharmacy vacancy rate in England at 14% versus 8% nationally.

This collaboration will give students more opportunities to study a top-quality pharmacy course and increase the number of pharmacy graduates in the South West, significantly contributing to healthcare within the region.

The University of Bath MPharm is one of the most successful and highly regarded in the UK. We are delighted to work with the University of Plymouth to offer this course to students at an additional location, to enable them to benefit from the University of Bath's expertise in pharmacy whilst studying in Plymouth and being part of a large healthcare student population.
Professor Julian Chaudhuri
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Bath
The partnership brings together the University of Bath's longstanding expertise in pharmacy education and research with the University of Plymouth's excellence in providing health and social care education.
It will be delivered in close collaboration with NHS England and many local stakeholders. This is an exciting time for the profession, as changes to pharmacy education will allow all pharmacists to prescribe on registration from 2026, increasing the diversity of roles within the career.

Marking the launch of MPharm Pharmacy

An event welcomed stakeholders, as well as staff from the Universities of Bath and Plymouth

  • Key stakeholders gather at the University of Plymouth

  • Vice-Chancellors Professor Ian White and Professor Judith Petts

  • Lyn Hanning, Head of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Bath

  • Professor Judith Petts and panel mark the launch

We’re excited to be part of this partnership between Plymouth, Bath and NHS England. Our pharmacy students will learn in new practice-based and clinical teaching spaces, with consultation rooms and simulation equipment, all at the heart of our campus in the centre of Britain’s Ocean City.

Plymouth is already home to more than 4,500 health and social care students, studying everything from medicine and dentistry, to nursing and physiotherapy, in our state-of-the-art facilities – including the new £33 million InterCity Place development – and working closely with the largest teaching hospital in Devon and Cornwall.
Adding the pharmacy degree to the options available in Plymouth means we now offer an even broader suite of pathways into careers that will make a tremendously positive difference to the health and wellbeing of people in our region and beyond.

John CurnowJohn Curnow
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Education and Student Experience

I knew I wanted to be a pharmacist from my teenage years, and this was a great course that really prepared me for the role in the real world.

When choosing where to study, I knew I wanted to move away from home in Cornwall, but equally wanted to be close enough that I could get back easily. 
The fact that the Universities of Bath and Plymouth are joining forces to offer this course further into the South West is brilliant, and such a positive move to inspire more pharmacists of the future.
Rhiannon Hardie
A pharmacist in Torpoint and graduate of the University of Bath’s MPharm programme

Study MPharm (Hons) Pharmacy

Study the University of Bath's highly-ranked pharmacy course at the University of Plymouth, in preparation for a role at the forefront of modern healthcare.
Medication/pills - Image courtesy of Shutterstock
abstract medical pharmacy healthcare innovative concept background

Faculty of Health

Exceptional clinical and academic learning, social engagement and research in medicine, dentistry, nursing, psychology and health professions.
#FirstChoiceForHealth