University announces new pharmacy degree launching in 2026

The University of Suffolk will launch a new Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree from September 2026, as part of efforts to address the skills shortage in the industry.

The four-year programme, which will accommodate around 40 students for the first year, will benefit from a brand-new, fully-stocked mock dispensary and clinical skills suite in the Health and Wellbeing Building, as well as new labs being developed in the James Hehir Building on the Ipswich campus. 

The University is working towards accreditation of the programme with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The programme will be provisionally accredited until the accreditation process is complete, upon the graduation of its first cohort in 2030.

It marks the latest step in the University’s work to help address skills shortages in key industries in the region, following on from the launch of the Dental Hygiene and Therapy course in 2024, and will align with a well-established portfolio of health courses.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan published in 2023 outlined a need to increase the number of pharmacists nationally by 31-55 per cent, and ambitions to increase training places for pharmacists by nearly 50 per cent by 2031/32.

The Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board has recognised the significant need for training of more pharmacists in the East of England, and included a commitment to supporting the University of Suffolk in developing the business case for a pharmacy school.

Currently, just two universities in East Anglia offer MPharm courses in a region with a population of around 6.3 million people, compared to areas such as the East Midlands where four universities offer the course for a smaller population of 4.8 million.

Dr Georgina Marsh, Head of Pharmacy at the University of Suffolk, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate a successful outcome from the GPhC Step 2 accreditation event, marking a major milestone in our MPharm launch journey, and our progression towards full accreditation.

“There is a recognised need for more pharmacists in the region and the UK, and the University of Suffolk’s Master of Pharmacy course will prepare students with all the skills they need to be future pharmacy leaders, confident prescribers upon registration and collaborative healthcare professionals.

“Delivered in our fantastic facilities – which will include a purpose-built clinical skills suite and specialist labs ready for the first cohort in September 2026 – and coupled with strong links with service partners we are already establishing, students will enjoy an innovative, forward-facing curriculum that prioritises real-world experience, patient-centred care, and professional excellence.”  

The course will equip students with the skills and experience to become future-ready pharmacists, demonstrating skills in digital pharmacy, clinical reasoning, health inequalities and patient-centred care.

Course staff are already establishing links with pharmacies in the region to ensure the course is developed with clinical stakeholder needs in mind and provide the essential placements students will complete as part of their learning, and to enhance employability by aligning training with real-world pharmacy practice.

Work on the clinical skills suite in the Health and Wellbeing Building is due to get underway later this year, while work in the James Hehir Building, where two labs will be established is set to begin in February next year and be completed in August.

Professor Paula Kersten, Executive Dean of the School of Health, Sciences and Society, said: “The University of Suffolk has a track record of delivering courses in areas of known skills shortages in the NHS health and social care sector, and the addition of the Master of Pharmacy course continues that commitment to play a vital role in delivering the skills training for our communities.

“With the establishment of the Dental Hygiene and Therapy course last year, and our first cohort of Physiotherapy students graduating this autumn, alongside our existing programmes in health and social care, MPharm will provide a seamless addition to our suite of courses.”

Applications have opened for the course, with more information available on the website here.