For those who’ve chosen to study in Leicester, the decision to embark on their higher education journey in this vibrant city couldn’t have come at a better time. According to the Good Growth for Cities Index, Leicester is the best city to live and work in the East Midlands, ranking 16th out of 50 UK cities. This index considers economic well-being indicators such as work-life balance, environment, jobs, safety, income, and health, offering a more holistic view of the city’s appeal beyond just Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
De Montfort University (DMU) is at the heart of this thriving city, offering you an educational experience that transcends textbooks and lecture halls. Studying at DMU’s City Centre campus in Leicester puts you just one hour north of London, making the bustling capital within easy reach.
DMU is home to the Leicester School of Pharmacy — which is filled with diverse opportunities for traditional undergraduates and experienced practitioners seeking to up-skill. The school, boasting over a century of experience, has honed its curriculum to balance theoretical learning with practical application. One such programme is the Pharmacy MPharm (Hons). As the field is ever-evolving, DMU recognises the significance of nurturing well-rounded professionals who can meet its demands. To that end, the Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) programme offers a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on consultation and prescribing skills.
What sets this programme apart is its integrated, experiential approach, spanning all four years and encompassing community, general practitioner (GP), and hospital settings. Under the vigilant guidance of seasoned professionals from the world of practice and research, you have ample opportunities to your core skills into practice, getting you well-equipped to deliver safe and effective patient care.
One distinctive facet of the programme is its international exposure, made possible by DMU’s Global Programme. This initiative takes you to destinations such as Dubai and New York, where you can gain invaluable insights into healthcare provision on a global scale. These experiences offer a holistic view of how pharmacists from different regions contribute to the health and well-being of their communities.
The best part? DMU collaborates with the University Hospital of Leicester, where students undertake diverse placements, gaining valuable clinical experience. This prepares you for pre-registration training and future career opportunities. “After our students graduate, they pursue a variety of pathways,” says programme leader Helen Root. “While many choose to work in community or hospital settings, we have also observed a growing number of them establishing their own businesses, which is brilliant. Some may opt to work as pharmacists or prescribing pharmacists in a GP practice.”
For those with a deep interest in the formulation and manufacturing of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and toiletry products, DMU offers a specialised three-year programme in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science. This unique programme follows a “concept-to-consumer” narrative over three years, allowing you to delve deep into the intricacies of product development and manufacturing.
The curriculum covers everything from the basics in biological systems, cell biology, microbiology, and physiology to the design, formulation, manufacture, and evaluation of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. In the final year, you’ll explore advanced and niche topics, including drug design, personalised medicines, and responsible innovation.
A vast network of industry collaborations ensures that you are up-to-date with real-time developments in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, making you highly adaptable and ready to tackle the ever-changing landscape of medicine. That’s not all. This network allows you to enhance practical skills and gain real-world experience through a placement year as well. Graduates have gone on to work with major companies like AstraZeneca, Boots, The Body Shop, Catalent, and Barry M.
Another key reason 99% of graduates of these programmes secure jobs is thanks to the DMU’s award-winning Careers Team. Students benefit from guaranteed work experience, career support tailored to their needs, placement years that contribute to their degree, and access to an array of digital tools, including LinkedIn Learning courses, practice interviews, self-assessments, and instant personalised CV feedback through the Careers Team Skills Hub.
With so much support offered, it’s little wonder the team won the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Award in 2021 — often referred to as the Oscars of higher education — for boosting the confidence of students from ethnic minority backgrounds in their job pursuits. They also won the Abintegro Employability Index Award for Innovation and were recognised as a top university for career support in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards, as chosen by students.
Inspired? Apply for the Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science BSc’s September 2024 intake and secure up to 3,000 pounds scholarship, guaranteed.
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