School of Pharmacy (University of London)

School of Pharmacy (University of London)

Age: 169

History: Began life in 1842 when it was founded by the (now Royal) Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. In 1925 it began offering University of London (UL) degrees and joined the UL in 1949 as a specialist school, receiving a Royal Charter in 1952.

Address: North side of Brunswick Square in the Bloomsbury area of London.

Ambience: The building has an art deco front, housing modern lecture theatres, seminar rooms and laboratories. A major building extension project was completed recently, offering a new light and modern social space for students. With many of the UL's colleges based in the area, the surrounding streets are lined with bookshops and cafes filled with students. Many undergraduates spend time abroad.

Vital statistics: 700 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates. The majority are studying for the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree. A quarter are international students. Excellent graduate employment rate.

Added value: The only free-standing specialist institution of its kind in the UK. The school set up the first UK Centre for Paediatric Pharmacy Research in collaboration with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children and the Institute of Child Health. The Centre for Cancer Medicines was opened in 2004. In January 2012, the school will merge with University College London (UCL).

Easy to get into? No - the standard offer is AAB–ABB at A-level.

Glittering alumni: Current chairman of the school's council is Dr Philip J Brown, founder and former chairman of PJB Publications Ltd. He completed his BPharm at the School of Pharmacy back in 1959.

Transport links: Within ten minutes walking distance from three of the capital's biggest train stations, and Russell Square tube.

Who's the boss? Professor Anthony Smith, a third generation pharmacist, is principal and dean. He was appointed in April 2006.

Teaching: 76 per cent of students said they were satisfied with teaching in the most recent National Student Survey.

Research: In the Research Assessment Exercise for British universities, 90 per cent of the research activity at the School of Pharmacy was deemed internationally significant and 25 per cent world-leading. The research spans the spectrum of sciences involved in the discovery, design and development of medicines. They have a number of medicines in clinical trials.

Nightlife: The Bloomsbury area is 'student central', with elegant Georgian squares, bookshops, pubs and cafes, and the UL's students' union nearby - there's never a shortage of things to do. The school's own students' union organises a variety of activities in the Junior Common Room (situated in the basement of the School) to entertain students, and there's a bar open on Friday evenings. London's West End is also just 20 minutes away by foot.

Any accommodation? Limited places are available in the University of London's intercollegiate halls. Single rooms cost from around £140 per week in a catered hall, but many students rent privately or live at home.

Cheap to live there? No. Local rents are around £110 per week.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time home undergrads starting in 2011, plus around £100 for extra equipment. The school plans on charging the maximum fee of £9,000 per year as of 2012.

Bursaries: A basic bursary of up to £800 per year is available to full-time students depending on household income. A supplementary bursary, based on academic performance, is also available, offering an additional £800 per year.

Prospectus: 020 7753 5831; www.pharmacy.ac.uk

UCAS code: S12