Routes into clinical academic pharmacy

There are many routes into clinical academia for pharmacists, reflecting the wide variety of roles pharmacists play across healthcare.

As one of the pillars of advanced professional practice, research-active pharmacists are becoming increasingly common, particularly among those who have reached or are working towards consultant pharmacist frameworks. Some pharmacists in clinical academia are employed directly by universities to focus on research activities.

Your clinical experience in hospital pharmacy, primary care or community settings provides a strong foundation for a clinical academic career. It gives you the practical insight needed to translate research into meaningful improvements in patient care. NHS England’s Report of a UK survey of pharmacy professionals’ involvement in research highlights that balancing clinical work and research is essential for driving healthcare innovation.

Postgraduate qualifications

If you want to become a clinical academic pharmacist, you will often need to pursue a postgraduate qualification in a relevant area. A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Research Methods is the most common route.

UK universities offer a variety of Master’s degrees, including MRes, MSc, or MA, with different specialisms depending on the institution. Some pharmacists also choose to study a Master of Education (MEd) or a postgraduate certificate in education. While not compulsory, these qualifications can be valuable if you plan to combine research with teaching. Many pharmacists pursue these qualifications once they are already working in academia.

Doctoral study

After completing a Master’s, you can pursue a PhD either full-time or part-time while continuing clinical work. A PhD provides in-depth research training and is often a key step toward becoming an independent clinical academic.

You may also want to contact your local School of Pharmacy or other postgraduate institutions for guidance on suitable programmes.