Clinical Pharmacology

This degree is the only undergraduate course dedicated to Clinical Pharmacology. We take a holistic view of the development of drugs: from understanding disease processes and identifying possible drug targets, to organising testing, rolling out clinical trials, negotiating complex regulations and licensing and finally, treating patients and potentially saving lives. The course blends clinical and fundamental sciences with an innovative integrated approach.

Designed in collaboration with industry, our course prepares you for employment from the outset with a focus on developing core skills in leadership, organisation, communication, teamwork, academic integrity and more. You'll relate your learning to real-life through case studies and practical activities, which in 2020 included our students assisting with the running and management of COVID testing of students across the University.

Every student spends six weeks on industry-related work experience in Year 2.  This is in large part thanks to our excellent professional links with the British Pharmacological Society (BPS), regulatory bodies, contract research organisations and major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical companies, such as AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline. In addition, students undertake an extensive lab-based or clinically-focused research project for six weeks.

• Bespoke training for clinical geneticists

• Teaching of the PGCert ICAG modules runs in parallel with full time clinical duties and embeds academic teaching with clinical application

• Course is part of package of genomic educational initiatives run through St George’s

• St George’s clinical research ranked 4th for impact

• St George’s scored 92% overall student satisfaction in Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2014

Overall score of 32

15 points at Higher Level, including a minimum grade 5 in Biology and Chemistry.

At Standard Level, a minimum score of 5 must be attained in Maths and English, if at least a 6 (B) has not previously been attained in GCSE/IGCSE Maths and English. We accept both Mathematics: analysis & approaches and Mathematics: applications & interpretations. 

While the St George's programmes are recognised by many different countries, applicants are advised to check with their own individual national authorities if they wish to practise in their chosen country.

Industry-focused and with a view to getting you work-ready on graduation, our Clinical Pharmacology degree encompasses a broad spectrum of concepts and solutions – from understanding disease processes and identification of potential new drug targets to organising and running clinical trials, drug regulation and use in patients.

It has been purposefully designed with input from employers to ensure you develop the general and specialist skills they require, helping you stand out in the job market. On graduation, you will receive a certificate which you can present to your employer to demonstrate competency in core transferrable skills, including oral and poster presentation, scientific writing, teamwork and peer observation, in addition to essential laboratory and clinical skills.

Every step of your learning journey offers exciting employment possibilities, however, the six-week placement we provide every student in Year 2 provides particularly valuable workplace experience, making you highly attractive to employers. We work with dozens of small and large companies which span the full gamut of sector activities, including regulatory writing and clinical project management (e.g. Niche Pharmaceuticals), preclinical and clinical lab services (e.g. Charles River), regulatory affairs (e.g. DLRC) or medical communications (Chameleon).

Throughout the course, you will also learn about the culture and wide range of activities encompassed by Clinical Pharmacology from experts working in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, academia and regulation. Recent external contributors to the course include: Dr David Carlisle (Clinical Pharmacologist, Roche Pharmaceuticals), Dr Edd Humphries (Senior Research Scientist, Astra Zeneca), Dr Mark Bruce (Senior Director, Head of Translational Science and Drug Safety, ONO PHARMA UK), Chloe Bryan (Senior Clinical Research Associate, Quality Regulatory and Clinical Consultancy, Cambridge), Tim Hardman (Managing Director, Niche Science and Technology). External speakers contribute to module lectures e.g. on pharmacokinetics, drug development, drugs in healthcare, and through careers talks and panels.

After completing your degree you could go on to work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, managing drug trials or working in the laboratory for one of the many pharmaceutical companies or contract research organisations, or assist with research and test medicines on patients in clinical trials units, hospitals or GP practices. Potential employers include the NHS and many professional and regulatory organisations, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) or Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Alternatively, you could follow an academic route: teaching or researching disease mechanisms and identifying treatment targets for new medicines; or seek employment in the fields of scientific publishing, journalism, marketing and sales.

For more information on the range of career options, download our Clinical Pharmacology careers brochure (PDF). Should you wish to undertake further study or research at St George's, you will be well equipped to apply for graduate-entry programmes, such as medicine or pharmacy.

Careers

• Academia (teaching or research)
• Bioanalytical company
• Biomedical company
• Biotechnical company
• Clinical trials unit – industry or healthcare
• Contract research organisation
• Large pharmaceutical company
• Publications house
• Regulatory affairs