Your Complete Guide to Getting into Pharmacy School Through Clearing (2025 Edition)
- Zeenat Akmal
- Aug 8
- 6 min read
If you’ve just opened your results and they’re not what you expected – take a deep breath. The road to becoming a pharmacist isn’t closed to you. In fact, more than 50,000 students secure a place at university every year through UCAS Clearing, and that includes pharmacy students.
Whether you’ve missed your grades, applied late, or changed your mind about your firm choice, Clearing could be your second chance to join an MPharm programme and start your journey to a registered pharmacy career.
In this guide, we’ll walk you step-by-step through how Clearing works, how to stand out to universities, and how to prepare specifically for pharmacy school Clearing success — including a real story from someone who’s been through it.
What Exactly is Clearing?
Clearing is UCAS’s way of matching students who don’t have a confirmed university place with courses that still have vacancies. It’s open from 5 July – 20 October 2025, but the most competitive courses (like pharmacy) often fill quickly – sometimes within hours of results day.
You can use Clearing if:
You’re applying after 30 June 2025
You didn’t receive any offers, or you declined the ones you got
You didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
You’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your UCAS Hub
📅 Key Clearing Dates for Pharmacy Applicants
5 July 2025: Clearing opens for new applicants
14 August 2025 (13:00): A-level & JCQ results day
Why Pharmacy is a Special Case in Clearing
Pharmacy is a regulated profession in the UK. To qualify as a pharmacist, you need to complete a GPhC-accredited MPharm degree, followed by a foundation training year and the registration assessment.
This means:
You can’t simply “switch in” from another unrelated course later unless you meet strict entry requirements.
Universities often keep MPharm entry criteria high, even in Clearing.
Some pharmacy schools will offer foundation years in Clearing for students who just miss the entry grades.
💡 Good to know: Even if you’re a few points below the published tariff, you may still get an offer if you can show strong commitment and relevant science ability.
Step 1 – Get Prepared Before Results Day
Clearing moves fast, so preparation is everything. By the time you’re calling universities, you want to be calm, organised, and ready to impress.
Have these in front of you:
UCAS Personal ID and Clearing number (from your UCAS Hub)
Your grades (A-level, BTEC, IB – including individual subjects)
Your UCAS personal statement (or updated bullet points about why you want to study pharmacy)
A list of universities offering pharmacy through Clearing (update this regularly)
Pen, paper, and a quiet space with good phone signal
Pharmacy-Specific Preparation
When you call a pharmacy admissions tutor, they’re not just checking grades – they want to know you understand the profession.
Be ready to talk about:
Why you choose pharmacy over medicine, nursing, or other sciences
Your understanding of the pharmacist’s role in patient care
Any relevant experience (work shadowing, volunteering, part-time pharmacy jobs)
How your skills (communication, accuracy, empathy) will help you succeed in the MPharm course and beyond
Step 2 – Search for Pharmacy Courses in Clearing
The official UCAS course search tool is the most up-to-date source. Pharmacy courses can appear and disappear quickly, so refresh often.
If you can’t find a direct MPharm vacancy, consider:
Pharmacy foundation years – a route for students who just missed the grades but still want to progress into the MPharm
Pharmaceutical sciences – some students start here and later transfer to MPharm (check if the university allows this)
How to Narrow Your Search
Ask yourself:
Is the course GPhC-accredited? (Non-accredited degrees won’t let you register as a pharmacist)
Does the university have strong hospital and community pharmacy links for placements?
Is it in a location where you can realistically live and study for 4 years?
Step 3 – Contact Universities Quickly (and Professionally)
Before you can add a Clearing choice to UCAS Hub, you must contact the university directly.
When calling:
Be polite, positive, and enthusiastic – universities want motivated students.
State your grades confidently and honestly.
Explain why you’re passionate about pharmacy.
Ask about entry requirements, placements, accommodation, and student support.
📞 Example Opening Script:
“Hello, my name is [Name] and my UCAS number is [Number]. I’m calling about the MPharm course in Clearing. My grades are [X, Y, Z] and I’m really interested in studying pharmacy because [brief reason]. Could you tell me if you would consider my application?”
My Pharmacy Clearing Story – and What You Can Learn From It
When I entered pharmacy school, it was through Clearing — and honestly, I wasn’t prepared for it at all.
Results day was already stressful. I hadn’t considered Clearing as a serious option, so when I realised it was my route forward, I had to think and act fast. I didn’t waste time — I was quick and certain about the universities I contacted.
One thing that helped me massively was that my personal statement was already pharmacy-specific. It highlighted my relevant experience, work shadowing, and skills in science and patient care. This meant the admissions team could see straight away that I was serious about the profession.
However, there was something I wasn’t expecting: phone interview questions.One university asked me, on the spot:
“Tell me something you’ve seen in the news recently.”
It sounds simple, but in that high-pressure environment, with adrenaline pumping and the clock ticking, it felt nerve-wracking. Clearing calls aren’t just admin – they can feel like mini-interviews.
Step 4 – Prepare for Mini Phone Interviews
Pharmacy Clearing calls can sometimes double as short interviews. You may be asked:
About something in the news (healthcare or general)
Why you want to be a pharmacist
What skills make you a good fit for the profession
How you’ve shown problem-solving, teamwork, or resilience
How to prepare:
Brush up on current affairs – especially NHS news, healthcare policy changes, or developments in pharmacy (e.g., new prescribing roles).
Revisit your personal statement – be ready to expand on anything you’ve written.
Practice short, clear answers – avoid rambling under pressure.
Pause before you answer – it’s okay to take a moment to think.
Keep it positive – even if you’re nervous, enthusiasm counts.
💡 Tip: Do a quick “news check” each morning during Clearing week – skim BBC Health, NHS England updates, or The Pharmaceutical Journal headlines.
Step 5 – Learn From People Already in Pharmacy School
Choosing a university through Clearing is a big decision. One of the best ways to feel confident is to speak to people who’ve been there before.
Here’s how to do it:
Join pharmacy student forums (The Student Room, pharmacy society Facebook groups)
Connect on LinkedIn with current pharmacy students or graduates – most are happy to share insights
Use Unibuddy – many universities offer this so you can chat directly with current students
Ask specific questions, e.g.:
“How supportive are the lecturers?”
“What are placements like in first and second year?”
“How is the course workload compared to A-levels?”
“What’s the community like for pharmacy students?”
Getting honest feedback will help you choose a university that’s not just available, but also the right fit for you.
Step 6 – Make an Informed Decision Before Accepting
Once a university says “yes”, you’ll add the course in UCAS Hub using ‘Add Clearing choice’.⚠️ This counts as you firmly accepting the offer – so don’t rush unless you’re sure.
If your first choice says no or delays confirming, you can call other universities. You can only add one Clearing choice at a time, but if it’s rejected, you can add another.
Extra Tips to Stand Out for Pharmacy Clearing
Show science strength – Mention your chemistry skills, lab work, or problem-solving projects.
Link to patient care – Pharmacy is not just science, it’s healthcare. Show empathy and communication skills.
Mention relevant extracurriculars – Volunteering, science clubs, tutoring, or retail experience in customer service.
Stay professional – Admissions tutors remember polite, organised callers.
Consider a gap year if needed – If your grades are far off, reapplying next year with improved results might give you more choice.
Your Pharmacy Clearing Call Checklist
✅ UCAS ID & Clearing number ready
✅ Grades & qualifications list
✅ Bullet points on why pharmacy suits you
✅ List of pharmacy unis in Clearing + phone numbers
✅ Questions to ask (placements, entry routes, accommodation)
✅ Quiet place with pen, paper, and good phone signal
Looking After Yourself During Clearing
Results day and Clearing can be intense.
To manage stress:
Stay hydrated and eat something – you think better when your body’s fuelled.
Take breaks between calls to stay calm.
Talk to someone – a teacher, family member, or friend – before making big decisions.
Remember: pharmacy is a demanding degree, and you’ll thrive best in a university that feels right for you, not just the first one to say “yes.”
Final Words
Clearing isn’t a last resort – it’s a powerful second chance. If you’re prepared, confident, and clear about why you want to be a pharmacist, you can secure a pharmacy school place even after results day.
And if your phone rings and someone says, “Tell me something you’ve seen in the news,” take a breath and smile — you’ve got this.
Your journey to becoming a pharmacist could start with one well-prepared phone call and the courage to ask the right questions.
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