What Is First Year of Pharmacy Really Like?

Choosing to study pharmacy is an exciting and rewarding decision, but it also comes with a fair share of challenges—especially in the first year. While course structures and experiences may vary slightly between universities, this blog post provides a comprehensive overview based on my personal experience as well as common themes found across UK pharmacy programmes.

This guide is particularly useful for offer holders, those considering applying to pharmacy, and anyone curious about what the transition from sixth form to university-level pharmacy actually looks like. I will break this down into three main areas:

• Timetabling and structure

• Academic content and key subject areas

• The difference between A-levels and degree-level study

Let’s begin with arguably the biggest shock to new students — the timetable.

1. Timetabling: A Demanding Full-Time Commitment

The first year of pharmacy is not a typical university schedule. If you’re expecting a few lectures a week with generous free time, this may come as a surprise. Pharmacy is a professionally accredited degree, and as such, it demands full-time hours similar to a working week.

A Typical Week:

During my first year, my timetable often ran from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. While we occasionally had a day off (typically to accommodate placement or independent learning), this was not the norm. The day often consisted of back-to-back lectures, workshops, or lab sessions. Breaks between sessions were common—but not always well-placed. For example, I once had a five-hour gap between two lectures in one day.

While that sounds exhausting, these gaps can be used effectively for study, assignments, or self-care. They encourage you to develop good time management skills early on, which is essential for success in a degree like pharmacy.

Impact of the New Curriculum:

It is worth noting that my first year was under the “old course” before the implementation of the independent prescribing curriculum. With the updated structure now widely adopted across UK pharmacy schools, clinical placement hours have increased, and simulated consultations are now embedded throughout all years of the programme.

Although the 9–6 schedule remains typical, it now includes more clinically focused activities such as:

• Role-play consultations with simulated patients

• Clinical skills teaching (e.g., blood pressure monitoring, inhaler technique)

• Observational and interactive placements in healthcare settings

Attendance Expectations:

Attendance policies vary significantly between institutions:

• Type A Universities: Minimal attendance requirements, often as low as 50%. As long as assessments are passed, students are not penalised for non-attendance.

• Type B Universities: Flexible lecture attendance (often recorded or asynchronous), but workshops and practical sessions are mandatory. This strikes a healthy balance between independence and structured learning.

• Type C Universities (like mine): Attendance is closely monitored using ID cards or sign-ins. A minimum 70% attendance is typically required across lectures, seminars, and workshops to pass a module. Failure to meet this threshold may result in automatic module failure, regardless of academic performance.

If you’re someone who thrives on structure and accountability, you may find a Type C university aligns well with your learning style. However, it is vital to prioritise your wellbeing and not let a demanding timetable overshadow your mental health, hobbies, or social life.

2. Course Content: What You Actually Study in First Year

Pharmacy is a highly interdisciplinary subject that bridges chemistry, biology, and clinical practice. In first year, you will be introduced to a wide range of fundamental topics that lay the groundwork for later clinical and therapeutic knowledge.

Below is a breakdown of the core subject areas typically covered in Year 1, explained in a way accessible to students coming directly from A-levels or college.

🧪 Pharmacology

What it covers:

Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with the body. You’ll learn about drug targets like receptors, enzymes, and ion channels, as well as how different drugs cause their therapeutic (or adverse) effects.

Example topics:

• Dose-response relationships

• Agonists vs antagonists

• The autonomic nervous system and related drug actions

⏱️ Pharmacokinetics

What it covers:

Pharmacokinetics is concerned with how the body handles drugs — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (often abbreviated as ADME).

Example topics:

• Half-life and bioavailability

• First-pass metabolism

• Renal and hepatic clearance

This module often includes mathematical components such as calculating drug concentrations over time, which may be challenging at first but becomes intuitive with practice.

💊 Pharmaceutics

What it covers:

Pharmaceutics deals with the design, manufacture, and delivery of medicines. You’ll explore how dosage forms (tablets, creams, inhalers, injections) are formulated for optimal patient use.

Example topics:

• Dissolution and solubility

• Routes of drug administration

• Drug stability and packaging

This module also often includes lab-based practicals, allowing you to formulate products like creams or suspensions.

🧬 Organic and Physical Chemistry

What it covers:

This builds on A-level chemistry, focusing on the chemical structures, properties, and behaviours of drug molecules.

Example topics:

• Reaction mechanisms

• Functional groups

• Infrared and NMR spectroscopy

• Acid-base chemistry

While newer curricula may reduce the intensity of this module, a basic understanding of organic chemistry is still essential.

🫀 Human Biology and Physiology

What it covers:

This module teaches the structure and function of major body systems. It forms the biological foundation for understanding disease and pharmacotherapy.

Example topics:

• Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

• Digestive and endocrine systems

• Nervous system anatomy

• Cellular biology and histology

🩺 Clinical Skills

What it covers:

An increasingly important component of the MPharm, clinical skills includes practical techniques and communication methods used in patient-facing care.

Example topics:

• Taking blood pressure and pulse

• Inhaler technique demonstration

• Patient counselling skills

• Professionalism and communication

⚖️ Pharmacy Practice and Ethics

What it covers:

This module explores the legal, ethical, and professional framework underpinning the pharmacy profession.

Example topics:

• NHS structure and pharmacy roles

• Medicines legislation (e.g., controlled drugs, prescription validity)

• Consent, confidentiality, and safeguarding

• Reflective practice and professionalism

3. From Sixth Form to University: What Changes?

Depth and Complexity:

At A-level, topics are introduced at a surface level. At university, expect to go much deeper. You’ll be expected to critically engage with content, apply knowledge to case studies, and make links across modules. For example, you won’t just learn that ibuprofen reduces inflammation — you’ll explore how it does so at a molecular level, and when it should or should not be used in clinical practice.

Independent Learning:

Pharmacy requires significant independent study. Unlike school, you won’t be spoon-fed the content. Lecturers provide the framework, but it’s up to you to revise, practice questions, and clarify any misunderstandings. Using your breaks and evenings effectively becomes essential.

Assessment Style:

You’ll be assessed through a mix of:

• MCQs and short answer exams

• Lab reports and practical exams

• OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations)

• Reflective writing and coursework

Each format requires different preparation strategies. Workshops and formative quizzes help consolidate content and build exam confidence.

What Are Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops?

If you're unfamiliar with university teaching styles, here’s a quick breakdown:

• Lectures:Large group sessions where content is presented, often using slides. Some are live, others recorded. These deliver your core knowledge.

• Seminars:Smaller, discussion-based sessions that build on lecture content. They may include ethical debates, case-based learning, or preparation for placements.

• Workshops:Practical and interactive sessions. These are extremely valuable as they often mirror exam scenarios or clinical practice. You’ll apply knowledge in small groups and gain real-time feedback.

• Practicals/Labs:Hands-on sessions where you might compound medicines, conduct chemical tests, or analyse drug samples. Lab books or reports are usually submitted afterward.

Final Thoughts

The first year of pharmacy is demanding, intense, and completely different from sixth form. But it is also intellectually stimulating and deeply rewarding. You will grow academically, professionally, and personally — learning not only how medicines work, but how to become a safe, ethical, and compassionate healthcare provider.

Top Tips for Incoming Students:

• Brush up on A-level chemistry, especially organic mechanisms and analytical techniques

• Develop a consistent study routine early on

• Use breaks wisely for revision or rest

• Attend workshops — they’re essential for applying knowledge

• Take care of your mental wellbeing and try to keep up hobbies where possible

• Reach out to tutors and use university support services if needed

Pharmacy is not just a degree — it’s a step into a career where you will genuinely make a difference in people's lives. The first year lays the foundation, so embrace it fully.