Pharmacology and Drug Discovery (MSci) at University of Southampton

About

This programme will give you the skills and knowledge required for a career in pharmacology. This is the study of how drugs interact with receptors, cells, tissues, and whole organisms. The course will provide a stimulating, informed environment through a wide range of interesting and contemporary modules with flexibility and choice.

You will gain a sound scientific knowledge base in pharmacology to FHEQ level 7 and in biochemistry and physiology to at least FHEQ Level 5. This will allow you to describe and comment on specific aspects of current research in pharmacology. The course will also provide training in pharmacological laboratory skills.

This will all help you to:

appreciate the limits of knowledge of pharmacological processes
develop a range of transferable skills
develop critical thinking skills and show that you can pursue independent study
undertake an independent project on a pharmacologically related topic
prepare for higher degrees and careers in pharmacological and biochemical research

Alongside the core modules in this masters in pharmacology, we offer a broad range of modules in the wider area of biomolecular sciences. This will give you the flexibility to follow your particular interests as you progress through your pharmacology degree. There are also modules available in other faculties and broader interdisciplinary modules, which will give you the choice to maintain a broader portfolio of skills and experience, should you so wish.

By the end of this programme you'll have knowledge and understanding of a range of topics relevant to pharmacology and drug discovery. You'll also learn to use a range of practical skills and techniques relevant to the field.

You'll be able to:

collect and analyse experimental data
interpret and write up the results of experiments
create and deliver a presentation on a topic relevant to pharmacology
conduct research into an area of science relevant to pharmacology
produce a dissertation, based on scientific research
have an appreciation of the ethical and societal aspects of research in the biosciences

Practicals which use animals or their tissues are an important part of the course. These practicals follow ethical policies and we'll make adjustments for you if you have valid concerns about taking part.

Foundation year

If you have not studied the required Science subjects for this course, you may be eligible to apply for and enter through our Science Foundation Year.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

AAA including Chemistry and one further science subject.

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A level science subjects considered include Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Maths, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Statistics, Geography and Geology. Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical science assessment is additionally required.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAB including Chemistry and one further science subject, and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with overall score of 36 points, with 18 points at Higher Level, including 6 points at Higher Level in Chemistry and one further science subject

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Science subjects considered include Biology, Physics, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) , Psychology, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D* in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AA in A Level Chemistry and one further science subject We do not accept the BTEC National Diploma/ BTEC National Extended Diploma without two AA grades in A Level Chemistry and one further science subject,

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

Acceptable science subjects are Human Biology, Biology, Maths, Physics, Psychology, Statistics, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology. Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical science assessment is additionally required. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

QCF BTEC

D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA in A Level Chemistry and one further science subject. We do not accept the BTEC Diploma/BTEC Extended Diploma without two AA grades in A Level Chemistry and one further science subject.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 45 credits must be at Distinction.

Access to HE additional information

A core science Access to HE Diploma must be studied.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1, H1, H2, H2, H2, H2 to include Chemistry and one further science subject.

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

AAAAAA to include Chemistry and one further science subject

Irish certificate additional information

Acceptable science subjects considered include Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology. Applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at ILC Grade C or O4, the equivalent of GCSE grade C/grade 4.

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3, D3, D3 to include Chemistry and one further science subject.

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Science subjects considered include Biology, Maths, Physics, Psychology and Geography. Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAA from 3 A levels including Chemistry and one further science subject or AA from two A levels including Chemistry and one further a science subject and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

A level science subjects considered include Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Maths, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Statistics, Geography and Geology. Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical science assessment is additionally required. General Studies, Critical Thinking are excluded for entry.

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with a T Level in a relevant subject should apply for the Science Foundation Year

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career

Careers

The MSci in Pharmacology prepares you for a range of different career opportunities, such as postgraduate level studies, research careers in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as scientific officer in medical laboratories or in forensic science. In addition to research career pathways, the programme also provides a strong foundation for roles within teaching, management and legal professions.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,300

Application Fee

GBP

Pharmacology and Drug Discovery (MSci)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines