Pharmacology BSc

Course overview

In the first year, all your modules are compulsory. These modules cover chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, statistics and, of course, pharmacology. The first year is thus designed to give you a solid foundation that prepares you for years two and three. In your second year, most modules are also compulsory, but now the focus is on pharmacology. You will have one major module on how medicines work and another devoted entirely to laboratory practicals and experimental pharmacology. In addition to the compulsory elements, you will have a choice for one of your modules, and you may decide to take more biochemistry, chemistry or neurobiology. Students who enter the three-year BSc in Pharmacology retain the option of applying to transfer to the four-year MSci programme at the end of year two. In your final year, you have only one compulsory module, leaving you free to pursue your interests by choosing from a wide range of advanced pharmacology options such as modules in psychopharmacology, immunopharmacology or drug design and development.

Each year you will study modules worth a total of 120 credits. Large modules, typically running over terms one and two, account for 30 credits while smaller modules, usually running within one term, account for 15 credits.

Many students undertake a nine-week laboratory research project in their final year. This provides an opportunity to join the laboratory of some of the most outstanding scientists in the field. You may find this particularly helpful in making choices about your future career, and whether you would like to pursue postgraduate study.

You may also consider applying to take a year out in industry. This is taken between years two and three, spending your time in the pharmaceutical industry or another pharmacology-related area. These placements are not guaranteed because they are offered by industry on a competitive basis, but contacts between our staff and colleagues in industry often open up many opportunities.

The subject of pharmacology is immensely broad and covers areas of physiology, chemistry, neuroscience, cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics. Our flexible three-year programme offers thorough training in this integrated subject.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

The foundation of your career

The degree prepares you for a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors, including government, public administration, charities and international development, politics, journalism, teaching and research, as well as non-governmental organisations.

Employability

This programme not only provides detailed knowledge of the subject, but also trains you in planning and executing scientific experiments. In addition, you will learn quantitative and analytical skills that facilitate handling and analysis of your data. Finally, you will understand how to effectively present your work in both written and oral forms. Thus, taken together, this training will equip you with a versatility that will be attractive to many employers. According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey, 80% of students who graduated between 2019-2021 were in work or study 15 months after graduation.