About the course

In the pharmaceutical industry, there is a real need for skilled graduates with up-to-the-minute understanding of this fast-evolving field. This course gives you the knowledge you need to be a professional scientist, able to work in areas where there are significant skills gaps.

This BSc (Hons) degree integrates the development of drug, cosmetic and hygiene products with emerging areas such as systems biology, pharmacogenetics and translational medicine – areas which directly address the needs of the UK pharmaceutical industry.

Drawing on the School of Life Sciences’ established strengths in biomedical research, the course starts by giving you a common core of chemical, biomedical and pharmaceutical knowledge. The emphasis then shifts to deeper study of areas such as medicinal chemistry; drug discovery; drug development; and pharmacology. You also explore business aspects of the pharmaceutical and associated industries, looking at how science has evolved to meet current industry demands.

Why choose this course?

• Benefit from a degree that trains you in both the traditional areas of pharmaceutical research and new, emerging areas important for the future of the pharmaceutical industry
• Follow a career in a field that is one of the most research-led in the UK and includes pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agrochemicals and veterinary medicine
• Gain a sought-after qualification in an area - such as systems pharmacology and medicinal chemistry – where a projected major skills gap has been identified
• Study a curriculum aligned to the areas of need identified by the British Pharmacological Society, including public health science and healthcare policy
• Gain valuable work experience through the School of Life Sciences’ strong links to the clinical and industrial sectors
• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry, gaining work experience, building your CV and making contacts for the future
• If you need to step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year which guarantees a place on the degree course