Careers in Pharmacy

The Pharmacy degree at Cardiff will equip you with the knowledge and skills you will need to embark on a career as a Pharmacist. Hospitals, community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry all provide employment opportunities. Graduates of the School have little difficulty in finding a suitable post. Once qualified, some pharmacists find other opportunities to practise in more specialised roles.
Throughout the degree you will be given opportunities to come into contact with different aspects of pharmacy, all intended to broaden your experience and provide you with more information to help you decide which career path you wish to follow upon your graduation:
• all years are encouraged to gain vacation experience with many companies and hospitals advertising their placements through the School
• first and second years attend community pharmacies to get a feel for how a pharmacy is run
• third years have compulsory placements in both community and hospital pharmacy, completing placement manuals during their stay
• the annual Pre-Reg Fair hosts exhibitors from hospital trusts, community pharmacies, etc, giving students the opportunity to talk face-to-face with employers about vacation and pre-registration placements
• final years are provided with advice and support towards attaining a pre-registration position
• the University Careers Service gives lectures offering advice on improving Curriculum Vitaes, interview techniques, completing application forms, etc.
The table below shows the destination of Cardiff student Pharmacists over the last few years.
Year | Total Grads | Community | Hospital | (i) | (ii) | (iii) | (iv) | ||
UK | of which in Wales | UK | of which in Wales | ||||||
2005 | 84 | 35 | 24 | 45 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
2006 | 92 | 45 | 30 | 45 | 19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | 97 | 50 | 31 | 44 | 27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | 110 | 58 | 22 | 45 | 22 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
2009 | 100 | 60 | 30 | 34 | 26 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
2010 | 104 | 50 | 19 | 52 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
2011 | 103 | 42 | 19 | 55 | 27 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | 104 | 49 | 25 | 42 | 26 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
i Industry * description of 'other':
ii Overseas 2008 gap year
iii Not employed 2010 hospital/community split
iv Other* 2012 gap yr, emigration
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