Train to play a vital role in the discovery, development and testing of therapeutic agents to improve global health.

If you love lab work and are interested in health and disease but don't want to work in a patient-facing role, then this could be the course for you. Pharmacologists aim to develop safe and effective therapeutic agents. They study the pathological changes that underpin the development of disease and investigate the effects of drugs on the body, including their location and mechanism of action.

On the course, you’ll gain an integrated view of drug action linked to disease-related functions of the major organ systems. You’ll enhance your understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry, biology and the physical sciences, and learn to apply these principles to specific problems in drug discovery.

Pharmacology is a very practical subject, and you will develop an understanding of good experimental design, data acquisition and analysis and scientific communication.

Category B

If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:

• IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
• IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
• TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
• TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
• The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): we do not accept this qualification
• Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
• Duolingo (taken up to 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
• Duolingo (taken after 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Speaking 120, Writing 130, Reading 120, Listening 115
• LanguageCert Academic SELT or LanguageCert Academic (Test Centre or Online): C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test
• SFE Skill for English (SELT) test: C1 Pass overall and in all four components

See the full list of accepted English qualifications.

Get ready for your future career

As a graduate from one of the top schools of pharmacy and pharmacology in the UK, you’ll be well equipped for a rewarding career in pharmaceutical research or drug development.

Many of our graduates continue to develop their research career by undertaking a PhD or postgraduate study. Others enter industry through graduate programmes such as those offered by AstraZeneca and GSK.

We’re ranked Top 10 for teaching satisfaction for pharmacology and pharmacy in the Guardian University Guide 2026 and have excellent connections with the pharmaceutical industry which you'll benefit from. Some students even receive a job offer from their placement.

Recent employers include:

• Boehringer Ingelheim
• GSK
• UCB