International students FAQs and requirements

To study on any of our courses you need to demonstrate competence in your use of the English language, either by obtaining:

  • An IELTS qualification with an overall score of 7 or more with no less than 6.5 in any element or equivalent English language qualification, within the past two years

OR

  • An undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualification for a course taught at a UK University or taught in English.

For all our certificate and diploma programmes you need an undergraduate degree relevant to your professional area of practice (minimum of second class degree classification or equivalent). For the majority of our students this will be an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy.

Other academic qualifications and experience may be considered on an individual basis, at the discretion of the course manager.

The academic entry requirements for our Professional MSc year and DPharm are given below:

Professional MSc Year

Undergraduate degree in Pharmacy and a Postgraduate diploma completed in the last 5 years either:

  • Associated with one of our Keele programmes, or
  • An ‘equivalent’ postgraduate diploma award from another UK University. A transcript of your marks & the course learning outcomes will be required.

DPharm

Undergraduate degree in Pharmacy (minimum 2:1) and Postgraduate Masters.

If you don’t have these qualifications but fulfil one of the two criteria below, please contact the Programme Manager to discuss eligibility for the programme:

  • Postgraduate pharmacy diploma and evidence of experience of professional practice research or evaluation, or
  • Senior practitioner with evidence of an advanced practice role and/or evidence of experience of pharmacy practice research or evaluation.

To study on any of our courses you must be registered to work as a health professional with the relevant regulatory body in the country where you practice, equivalent to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) for Pharmacists in the UK.

You need to be working either full or part time within a practice setting, for the majority of our courses. The exact setting will depend on the course you are applying for. Please refer to the specific criteria below.

In all cases applicants should normally have worked in this setting for at least one year prior to commencing the Course.

Clinical Pharmacy Programme

You need to be working in a hospital setting where your role includes ward based activities.

Community Pharmacy Programme

You need to be working in a Community Pharmacy and/or Primary Care setting.

Prescribing Studies Programme

You need to be working in a setting where you act as a prescriber or provide prescribing advice eg GP Practice, Walk in Centre, Community Pharmacy, Health Board etc

Advanced Professional Practice

This course is particularly suitable for practitioners who have been registered for at least 3 years, and who are working in a role where they have the opportunity to use and develop advanced practice skills.

Certificate in Research and Evaluation

This course is suitable for students who are working in hospital, community, primary care or academia who wish to evaluate an area of their professional practice.

Professional MSc Year

This course is suitable for students who are working in hospital, community, primary care or academia who wish to evaluate an area of their professional practice.

DPharm

This course is suitable for students who are working in hospital, community, primary care or academia who wish to undertake in depth research in to an area of their professional practice.

You will need access to a computer with reliable internet access.

The minimum computer specification that you need to be able to access our on-line learning environment is as follows:

  1. Browser – Google Chrome is the recommended browser. It is a free downloadable browser from https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/
  2. Java - Java is essential for our on-line learning environment to run efficiently. This can be downloaded from http://www.java.com/en/download/inc/windows_upgrade_xpi.jsp
  3. Pop-up Blocker - Your browser will need to allow the on-line learning environment to use pop-ups so upon logging in for the first time, you'll need to grant the website as an exception to the pop-up blocker. Click on ‘always allow pop-ups from this site’.

International students who study at a distance do not require a Visa as they will not be asked to attend the university. The exception is for our DPharm programme where occasional attendance in the UK is required.

Any student who is working in the UK but has non EU status will need to provide on application, a copy of their passport and Visa.

The fees for international students are the same as for students based in the UK. Payment must be made in sterling.

Postgraduate tuition fees