BSc (Hons) Pharmacology

Our passion for pharmacology and our reputation for excellence stretches back to the distant days when the University of East London was called the West Ham Technical Institute.

After half a century of studying drugs and how their application affects the prevention and treatment of disease, we're now celebrating the landmark 50th anniversary of our pharmacology teaching and research at UEL.

Not only are we sure we've never been better, but we think our future's never been more exciting.

A new, revamped course will equip you for a rewarding future in what our prize-winning, internationally recognised lecturers believe is the most fascinating of the biosciences.

We'll give you a thorough introduction to every area of pharmacology through our diverse and flexible approach. You'll also leave with a thorough understanding of areas such as molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, genetics and toxicology.

You'll be in the lab learning pharmacological techniques that will back up your lectures and demonstrate how medicines work.

You'll be involved in groundbreaking research projects and have access to excellent work opportunities. This could be in the form of an optional placement year or a shorter summer placement at a major organisation such as the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or in our own labs working with our internationally recognised researchers.

Our foundation year is perfect if you want to study for a degree in pharmacology but you don't have the standard qualifications, if you're not sure if this is the right degree for you or you're coming from an extended break in education.

Don't just take our work for it, take a look at our video of some of our former students .

Also, if you want to find out more about Pharmacology, have a look at the British Pharmacological Society videos .

We've made this an up-to-date yet still classical pharmacology course, and one which employers will recognise for the quality of the graduates it delivers.

As with our other bioscience degrees, the first year provides a solid, general background in biochemistry, human anatomy, cell biology and genetics. This uniform approach means you can still transfer to another degree course at the start of your second year should you wish.

Second-year students learn the fundamental pharmacological concepts, drug discovery and development as well as advanced biochemistry and disease processes. In your third year, you'll examine pharmacological treatment for diseases of the nervous system and other organ systems as well as toxicology.

One of the strengths of BSc Pharmacology at the University of East London is the emphasis we place on emerging therapeutic strategies and research opportunities. It means you can undertake a fascinating and significant lab-based research project in your final year.

• Tawjihi: 60% for Foundation
• 3 x AS Levels: Foundation
• US High School Diploma: GPA 2.0 for Foundation
• US High School Diploma: GPA 3.0 + SAT1 1070 for Direct Entry to Bachelor's
• International Baccalaureate (IB): 25 points with minimum 15 at Higher Level for Direct Entry to Bachelor's
• 3 x A Levels: Direct Entry to Bachelor's

For years, we've been helping produce successful career pharmacologists. Thirty years ago, Dr Paul Mitchell studied here. Now he's Director of Studies for Natural Sciences at the University of Bath - and we use one of his practicals on our course.

Our course is geared towards thinking about your future, especially with its work placements and other opportunities for work experience.

The story of Suman Gurung gives an idea of how our course can kick-start your career. He was one of 13 of our students over the past two years awarded a BPS bursary worth £2,000 to attend an intensive, one-week residential research techniques course.

Suman's excellent final-year stem cell research project, conducted with course leader Dr Ayoub, helped earn him first-class honours degree. He then landed a job at a cosmetics company working on stem cell therapies for baldness.

And he's far from the only one. Hilda Bellony had her research work presented at the BPS meeting and is now a healthcare scientist at Imperial College Hospital aiming for an MSc and then to become a clinical scientist. Veronica Franklin's placement with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has led to a permanent job with them.

Our  annual career conferences have been a source of inspiration, encouragement and valuable information and advice for pharmacology students. These events include talks by alumni pharmacology students, employers and recruitment agencies.

Your degree will leave you well placed to take up a research post, maybe at a university or in a research institute, to enter the exciting field of drug discovery. You'll also be able to apply for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine as a graduate.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal