Model pharmacy personal statments
personal statement 1
Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
My motivation to study pharmacy began when I helped my grandmother organise her diabetes medication. I saw how confusing and overwhelming it could be for patients to manage multiple. prescriptions, and how vital the pharmacist was in ensuring her safety and well-being. This experience taught me that pharmacy is about more than medicines: it is about supporting patients, improving outcomes, and being a trusted healthcare professional.
To explore this further, I attended an NHS pharmacy virtual insight day and completed an online course about drug discovery. These experiences gave me a broader view of the profession, from community advice to hospital practice, and sparked my curiosity about how new medicines
are developed. I also read articles on antimicrobial resistance, which made me reflect on how pharmacists can contribute to global health challenges through safe prescribing and patient education.
Studying pharmacy will allow me to combine my scientific interests with my passion for patient-centred care. I hope to specialise in hospital pharmacy, where I can support patients with complex conditions, contribute to multidisciplinary teams, and help ensure medication safety.
Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare?
A-level Chemistry has given me a strong foundation in reactions, bonding, and solubility — all crucial for understanding how drugs are formulated and absorbed. During coursework on solubility, I learned how small changes in drug structure can affect absorption and effectiveness, which deepened my interest in biopharmaceutics.
Biology introduced me to renal physiology and enzymes, helping me understand how drugs are metabolised and excreted. This led me to research more about pharmacokinetics and its role in ensuring safe and effective dosing. Mathematics has strengthened my ability to analyse data
and calculate accurately, which I know is essential for dosage calculations and interpreting clinical evidence.
Beyond the sciences, essay-based subjects have trained me to structure ideas and communicate clearly, a skill I can transfer to patient counselling and scientific writing. Group projects and presentations have also helped me develop teamwork and problem-solving skills,
which are invaluable in a profession that relies on collaboration.
Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
My voluntary work in a community pharmacy gave me insight into the day-to-day role of
pharmacists. I saw how important communication, patience, and precision are when counselling patients or checking medicines. I also observed how pharmacists support the wider healthcare system, from advising on minor ailments to identifying potential interactions, which strengthened
my desire to pursue this career. Outside healthcare, I work part-time in retail. Managing this alongside my studies has improved my organisation and resilience, while daily customer interactions have made me a confident communicator. I believe these skills will be vital when explaining medicines to patients from a range of backgrounds.
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I am also committed to extracurricular activities, such as playing for my local sports team. This has taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance — qualities that will support me through a demanding pharmacy degree.Together, these experiences have shown me that pharmacy requires not only scientific
knowledge, but also empathy, precision, and responsibility. I am eager to develop these qualities further at university, and to contribute to the profession by helping patients use medicines safely and effectively.
personal statement 2
Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?
My ambition to study pharmacy grew from my fascination with how medicines can transform lives. During a hospital work experience placement, I shadowed a pharmacist who reviewed prescriptions for elderly patients. I saw how careful checks and clear explanations prevented potential errors and improved patient confidence. This experience showed me that pharmacy combines science with communication and responsibility, and confirmed that I want to pursue
this career.
I was also inspired by reading about the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. It made me reflect on how pharmacists play a role not only in dispensing medicines but also in promoting safe use and supporting public health. My curiosity has driven me to explore pharmacology
further through online lectures and research articles, where I have developed an interest in how drug interactions affect patient outcomes.
Pharmacy appeals to me because it balances scientific precision with patient-centred care. I want to use my skills and knowledge to support patients, contribute to healthcare teams, and play a role in developing safer, more effective use of medicines
Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare?
My A-levels have given me the foundations I need for a pharmacy degree. Chemistry has taught me about reaction mechanisms and solubility, which are crucial in understanding drug formulation. I particularly enjoyed a practical experiment on titration, where accuracy was essential — this mirrored the precision needed when preparing and dispensing medicines.
Biology helped me understand human physiology, including the liver and kidneys’ role in drug metabolism and excretion. This sparked my interest in pharmacokinetics and how the body processes medicines. Mathematics has strengthened my analytical thinking and accuracy,
which I know will be valuable for dosage calculations and interpreting clinical data.
Beyond science, essay-based assignments have taught me to write clearly and persuasively, skills that will transfer to scientific writing and patient counselling. Group projects at school alsohelped me to build teamwork and communication, preparing me for collaborative work in healthcare.
Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
My hospital pharmacy placement gave me valuable insight into how pharmacists support patients in complex healthcare settings. I learned how important empathy and communication are when counselling patients about their medicines, and how vital precision is when checking
prescriptions. This experience showed me the real responsibility pharmacists carry and made me more determined to join the profession.
Alongside this, I have a part-time retail job, which has strengthened my customer service and time-management skills. Interacting with a wide range of people every day has built my confidence in communication — a skill I know will be essential when supporting patients in
pharmacy practice.
I am also a committed sports player, representing my local football team. Balancing training with study has taught me discipline, resilience, and teamwork. I believe these qualities will help me meet the demands of a pharmacy degree and contribute effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
These experiences, combined with my academic preparation, have equipped me with the empathy, precision, and resilience required for pharmacy. I am excited to continue developing these qualities at university and to work towards becoming a pharmacist who makes a positive
difference to patient care.