The University of Liverpool has opened a new School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, meaning it will deliver the most comprehensive suite of clinical programmes within the Russell Group.
Based within the University's Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, the School's new Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) course will give students the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues in medicine, nursing, dentistry, allied health disciplines, and the biomedical sciences.
The MPharm at Liverpool takes a different approach. It's a non-modular, spiral curriculum that integrates the science of pharmacy with practice from day one ensuring students are confident and competent to succeed in any area of the sector - community, hospital, academia or industry.
The University is investing in new bespoke facilities as part of this launch. This includes a Pharmacy Practice suite which will house a mock community pharmacy and fully equipped dispensary, giving students opportunities to practise in realistic environments. In addition, new laboratories have been developed to bring science and practice closer together, creating spaces designed to prepare students for professional settings.
In the 2023 NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, a shortfall of pharmacists, particularly in the North West, was highlighted. The new MPharm course is designed to address this need and meet this growing demand for qualified pharmacists.
Professor Lesley Howell, Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been appointed Dean of the School. She said: "I'm delighted to be leading this exciting School that builds on the University's existing strengths in pharmacology and related fields. We're incredibly proud to be opening a school that will give students the opportunity to benefit from an integrated experience that brings together science and practice from the outset. Importantly, the curriculum embeds preparation for independent prescribing, a requirement for pharmacists graduating from 2026. This will give our students the confidence to make safe, effective clinical decisions and prepares them for the realities of modern practice."
Looking ahead, the School aims to become a hub for innovation in areas such as digital health, AI, and personalised medicine. Alongside its teaching and research ambitions, it will work with local partners to improve health outcomes across the region, ensuring graduates are both workforce-ready and future-ready.
Professor Louise Kenny, Executive Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, said: "The launch of our new School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences represents an important step in our mission at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences to improve health and wellbeing by tackling the major challenges that affect our communities. By embedding this School within our Faculty, we are ensuring that students benefit from a truly interdisciplinary education. This creates a uniquely health-focused environment for teaching and research, equipping our graduates with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to meet the workforce needs of today and to shape the healthcare solutions of tomorrow."
To find out more about the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, visit www.liverpool.ac.uk/pharmacy-and-pharmaceutical-sciences/
