MPharm applications surge by over 50% since 2021, UCAS data reveal

A total of 4,570 students were admitted to an MPharm course in 2024

Data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show that UK pharmacy schools received 33,300 applications for MPharm programmes in 2024, marking a 4.9 per cent increase from 2023.

This represents a rise from 21,995 applications in 2021, reflecting an overall growth of 51.4 per cent.

According to the 2024 UCAS end-of-cycle figures, a total of 4,570 students secured a place on an MPharm course in 2024, up from 4,400 in 2021.

UCAS data account for most of full-time undergraduate provision in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and about two-thirds of applications in Scotland.

Women have consistently represented the majority of applicants since 2021, making up 66.9 per cent of applications in 2024.

International applications have also grown each year, rising by 57.6 per cent from 3,860 in 2021 to 6,085 in 2024.

The most significant increase was among male international students, whose applications surged by 63.7 per cent—from 1,225 in 2021 to 2,005 in 2024.

However, applications from individuals aged 35 and over have declined by 5.1 per cent over the same period.

Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), noted that the increase in pharmacy applications reflects “growing interest in the profession and recognition of the ever-expanding clinical role of pharmacists.”

As quoted by The Pharmaceutical Journal, she emphasised the need to embed teaching into everyday practice, expand clinical placements across all sectors, and ensure pharmacists have protected time for supervision and professional development to maintain high-quality education and training.

Anderson also stressed that as demand grows, any expansion of MPharm places must be supported by adequate resources, including investment in experiential learning, teaching infrastructure, and academic staff.

“The growing diversity of applicants is also positive,” she said, emphasising the importance of pharmacy schools creating an inclusive learning environment with diverse role models.

In its workforce plan, NHS England has committed to increasing pharmacist training places to around 5,000 by 2031/2032 to meet the demand for pharmacy services.

Published on 30 June 2023, the ‘NHS Long Term Workforce Plan’ aims to invest £2.4bn in education and training to address the “112,000 vacancies across the NHS workforce” reported in March 2023.

In August 2024, the Pharmacy Schools' Council (PhSC) cautioned against the "uncontrolled increase" in the number of pharmacy schools across the UK, highlighting the significant pressure this puts on an "already strained and constrained" Higher Education sector.