UNM to offer new Bachelor of Pharmacy programme

In support of the nation’s efforts to increase the number of pharmacists to 15,760 by 2025, the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) is introducing its new four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy  (Honours) degree programme, or BPharm for short. 

The University of Nottingham, UK (UoN) Head of School of Pharmacy, Professor Barrie Kellam  said, “The University of Nottingham is committed to providing a stimulating, exciting and high quality research-informed teaching environment that will educate and inspire the pharmacists,  pharmaceutical scientists, and biomedical scientists of tomorrow.”

He added that the University hopes to nurture future industry experts who will one day discover and develop new medicines, technologies, and devices to contribute to patient-centred healthcare. 

“UNM strives to produce global thinkers and changemakers. Our existing Master of Pharmacy  (MPharm) programme, accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) in Great Britain, has been very successful. We hope that the newly added BPharm programme will also help to  further our mission to produce high-quality, competent pharmacists,” shared Professor Kang Nee  Ting, Head of the School of Pharmacy at UNM.  

“Through this, we hope to advance the capabilities of our future pharmacists as well as the school’s  national and global reputation,” she added.

The best of UK and Malaysia

As part of the curriculum, final-year students will have the unique opportunity to run their own  pharmacies through a simulated pharmacy module on campus, further elevating their capabilities  and professional know-how. Graduates will benefit from extended placements in Malaysia’s pharmaceutical industry and its community pharmacies, allowing the development of a network  providing prospects for their future careers. During the programme, they’ll also have the opportunity  to travel to the UK campus for their research projects.  

“UNM’s BPharm students will benefit from the best of UK and Malaysian pharmaceutical  knowledge through integrated modules that combines scientific study themes with practice and  professionalism,” shared UNM BPharm Programme Director, School of Pharmacy, Associate  Professor Dr Bee Yean Low. 

An alumni event celebrating over a decade of UNM’s Biomed-Pharm education excellence was held in Semenyih to announce the BPharm programme official launch. UNM’s School of Pharmacy was established in 2005 and has since educated over 1000 students.

As of 2022, the University ranks fifth in the world for pharmacy and pharmacology, according to the 2022 QS  World Rankings. The introduction of the BPharm programme follows the success of UNM’s Master of Pharmacy (MPharm), Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, and Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences degree programmes.

BPharm registration opens in September 2023 and is now accepting applications from prospective students.