Pharmacy - An applicant's guide to UCAS interviews
This guide is designed to give you an insight into the interview process including the programme for the day and guidance on how to prepare for your visit. Please read it carefully before you arrive.
Contents
Congratulations on securing an interview with the School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham!
Entry to the MPharm is extremely competitive and we are only able to offer interviews to the best candidates. We want everyone to perform to the best of their abilities at interview and this brief guide is designed with this in mind. Below you will find guidance on how to prepare and what to expect during your visit
Registration
The interview session will be held in the School of Pharmacy, University Park Campus (building number 26 on the campus map (PDF)).
Please arrive at the School of Pharmacy in good time for your registration period. A registration desk will be open on the ground floor when you arrive.
You need to bring photo ID (passport/driving licence/student card) to the interview.
Schedule for the afternoon
On arrival you will be provided with an individual schedule with timings for the afternoon. You will be allocated to a small group which will rotate around a number of activities with the assistance of a student helper.
Preparing for interview
- Pharmacy is a registered healthcare profession and we expect our students to consider the values associated with the profession at all times. The way you dress is an important part of how you communicate and therefore the dress code for the interview day is smart.
- It is important to confirm you will be attending the interview as per the guidance provided by email. If, having confirmed, you are no longer able to attend please inform us in advance so that we can make the date available for another applicant. We regret we will have no alternative but to withdraw any applicant who fails to attend without prior notification.
- If you have any individual requirements that need to be taken into account for your interview visit, such as a disability, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can consider appropriate reasonable adjustments.
Interview format
We operate a multi-mini interview format that allows us to assess the core competencies and behaviours that we consider vital to success on the course and your future career as a pharmacist. It also gives all students the chance to put across their knowledge and skills in a range of areas.
The interview process comprises a number of interview stations, designed to assess a different aspect of your knowledge and skills. Each of the stations is led by a different member of academic staff, an external stakeholder (such as a placement provider) or a current student from the MPharm course. The stations comprise:
- Knowledge of pharmacy
- Ethical dilemmas
- Science within pharmacy
- Professional values
- Calculations
- Communication skills
- Integrating science and clinical practice
Each assessor will give a score for their station and these will be combined to give you a final overall score.
Further details will be provided during the Welcome Talk at the start of the afternoon and our Student Ambassadors will guide you through the process.
Group exercise
You will also be required to undertake an exercise as part of a group to assess how you interact with others as part of a team.
What happens next
Candidates are notified of the result within a couple of days of their interview. This will be an offer or a rejection or, if the score is not a clear offer/reject, on hold until further interviews have taken place.
Code of Conduct
The MPharm course is one of the registered healthcare professions and carries both privileges and responsibilities. This means that you must conduct yourself professionally at all times. Our programmes are accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and their Standards for Pharmacy Professionals apply to all pharmacy students from the first day of the course. You should familiarise yourself with the Standards for Pharmacy Professionals before you arrive as they will be referred to in the interviews.
The standards stipulate that pharmacy professionals must:
- Provide person-centred care
- Work in partnership with others
- Communicate effectively
- Maintain, develop and use their professional knowledge and skills
- Use professional judgement
- Behave in a professional manner
- Respect and maintain the person’s confidentiality and privacy
- Speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong
- Demonstrate leadership
While studying with us you will need to abide by the school's Fitness to Practise procedures. As part of these procedures, we are required to conduct background checks on students including criminal records and health questionnaires. We also check whether you have been withdrawn from another professional healthcare programme due to fitness to practise issues.
Disclosure and Barring Service/Good Character checks
All students entering the MPharm course must
undergo a DBS/Good Character check to identify any crimnal convictions. Further details are sent to applicants who receive an offer for a place to study.
Health checks
If you are made an offer, you will be required to
complete a full health questionnaire prior to
registration. Further details will be sent to you once you receive an offer from the school.
Vaccinations
In line with national guidance from the Department of Health, the University of Nottingham requires all students to complete a health screening prior to commencing the course. This will include evidencing certain immunity and freedom from infection from serious communicable diseases. Further details will be sent to you once you receive an offer from the school.
Disability
If you have any individual requirements due to a disability we can arrange for you to speak to, or meet, a member of our Disability Support Team.
Getting here
- The School of Pharmacy is located on our University Park Campus (building number 26 on the map (PDF))
- Specific guidance on travel arrangements for your interview will have been provided in your interview invitation email - please read this carefully. You can also find out more on our visiting us webpage
- If you are delayed and think you are going to be late, please contact the school on 0115 95 14136 to give us an idea of your expected arrival time
Contact us
School of Pharmacy
0115 95 14136
pharmacy-interviews@nottingham.ac.uk