Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science BSc (Hons)

De Montfort University

United Kingdom, Leicester

University RankQS Ranking

715

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Home/United Kingdom/Leicester /De Montfort University/Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science BSc (Hons)

De Montfort University

United Kingdom , Leicester

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

B204

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines10-Sep-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 16,800 / year(s)

Next Intake 10-Sep-2026

Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science BSc (Hons)

About

This unique course follows a "concept-to-consumer" approach, focusing on how pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and toiletry products are developed, formulated, and manufactured. With over 120 years of expertise through the Leicester School of Pharmacy, you'll gain cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on experience to succeed in these exciting industries. This is supported by our extensive network of collaborations ensuring that real-time developments in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry are a focal point on the programme.

From foundational sciences like microbiology and cell biology to advanced topics in drug design, personalised medicine, and sustainability, this degree builds the skills and knowledge employers want. With our industry connections, placements, and state-of-the-art labs, you’ll graduate ready to make an impact in the real world.

Key features

A specialist degree: We're one of the UK’s only degrees combining pharmaceutical and cosmetic science, offering unrivalled training.

A proud heritage: Benefit from over 120 years of teaching experience in the renowned Leicester School of Pharmacy.

Industry experience: Take advantage of an optional year-long placement opportunity to build your skills in real-world industrial, research, or regulatory environments. Past students have worked with leading organisations including GSK, Pfizer, ThermoFisher, Reckitt, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Quotient Sciences, Church & Dwight, and The Hut Group.

Authentic facilities: Gain practical skills in dedicated labs with industry-standard equipment, preparing you for real-world challenges.

Broaden your horizons: Our graduates gain rewarding and stimulating careers in the pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic industries including for major companies such as AstraZeneca, Boots, No.7, Reckitt, Catalent, GSK, the NHS, and Barry M.

Become career ready: Our strong network with industry means you will be able to develop your practical and professional skills in real-world situations through optional placement opportunities and professional mentoring.

Professional status: Complete an annual personal development plan and one year of industrial experience to achieve 'Registered Scientist' recognition - raising your professional profile.

1st for Overall Average Student Satisfaction

Based on the main themes of arrival, living, learning, and support in the 2024 International Student Barometer rankings.

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An ‘Excellent’ Five Star Rated University

Rated by QS Top Universities for our teaching, facilities, employability, global outlook and more.

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The Best Careers Support

DMU’s Careers Team won Employability Team of the Year at the TargetJobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards for helping students reach their ambitions.

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The First University to Achieve a Silver Race Equality Charter Award

Our work to improve equality and diversity, challenge racism and build an anti-racist community earned us the award.

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2nd for Sustainability

DMU was named 2nd in People & Planet’s University League Table for our commitment to environmental sustainability.

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The Best University for LGBTQ+ staff

A staff survey by Stonewall saw us ranked the top university, and 2nd across all employers, for our work to create an inclusive environment where everyone has a voice.

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The Best Autism Support

The National Association of Disability Practitioners Award identified DMU as the best at supporting autistic students.

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25th Best University

Student reviews and independent data from Uni Compare rankings placed us as the 25th best university.

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11th Best for Accommodation

Uni Compare describes our accommodation as A+, rated 11th best by students in its rankings.

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Top 20 for Employability

Students rated us as the 16th best university for employability in the Uni Compare rankings.

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Best for Work Experience

Students rated DMU as the best university in the UK for work experience in both the 2024 and 2025 RateMyPlacement Awards.

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Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

Typical offer

UCAS points:

104

A Level:

BCC

including Chemistry at grade C or above, and one other science subject from: Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Statistics, Maths/Further Maths, or Psychology at grade C or above

BTEC Extended Diploma:

DMM

in Applied Science

Contextual Offer:

DMU operates a generous contextual offer for students from underrepresented backgrounds in Higher Education.

This is a minimum of one to two grade reduction from our typical offer Please note, you will still need to meet your subject specific requirement(s) and full details including eligibility criteria can be found at dmu.ac.uk/contextual

T Levels:

Merit in Health overall

Access to HE:

Pass QAA Accredited Science Access to HE with at least 15 level 3 credits in Chemistry at merit and 15 level 3 credits in a second science subject at merit.

English Language and Maths GCSE required as separate qualifications. Equivalency not accepted within the Access qualification.

International Baccalaureate (IB):

26+

with 6 higher level points in Chemistry and another science (preferably Biology)

GCSEs:

5 x GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English and Maths

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Additional application stages

Interview required? No

Career

Where we could take you

Placement Year

As part of this course you will have the opportunity to complete an optional placement which offers invaluable professional experience.

Past opportunities have included placements with leading companies such as GSK, Pfizer, ThermoFisher, Reckitt, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Quotient Sciences, Church & Dwight, and The Hut Group.

The DMU Careers Team can help you secure a placement through activities such as mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and you will be assigned a personal tutor to support you throughout your placement.

Graduate careers

Our graduates have gone on to work for internationally recognised companies including GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Boots, with recent graduates having gone on to work at:

GlaxoSmithKline as Technologists
Ford Motor Company as Software Engineers
Quotient Sciences as Formulation Scientists
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust as Research Coordinators
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust as Pharmacy Dispensers
North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust as Medical Laboratory Assistants

Throughout the course we will help you to enhance your employment opportunities by embedding transferable skill into the programme and providing opportunities to collaborate with key employers and stakeholders through the Leicester School of Pharmacy’s careers events and mentoring scheme.