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Pharmacology (including foundation year)

Entry requirements


At least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma).

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language and Mathematics GCSEs at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent).

UCAS Tariff

32

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

8 years | Part-time | 2024

Subject

Pharmacology

**Why study this course?**

This is a four-year degree course with a built-in foundation year (Year 0). It's the perfect route into university if you can't meet the necessary entry requirements or don't have the traditional qualifications required to start a standard undergraduate degree. You'll graduate with a full undergraduate degree with the same title and award as those who studied the traditional three-year course.

**More about this course**

Designed specifically for students without the standard qualifications required for entry onto a traditional three-year programme, this four-year BSc Pharmacology extended degree includes a comprehensive foundation year – Year 0 (Level 3). Taught by experts in the field, this initial year of tuition will equip you with the academic knowledge you need to progress and succeed on our Pharmacology BSc (Hons), which constitutes the remaining three years of study.

Designed to prepare you for a career in pharmacological research, throughout the degree you’ll study the effects of different chemical compounds on living systems and learn how different drugs can be used to treat illnesses, from cancer to schizophrenia. Taught through lectures, tutorials and practical hands-on sessions in our state-of-the-art Science Centre, you’ll also learn how to analyse pharmacological data, study the techniques behind drug development and screening, and hone the key laboratory skills vital for a career in pharmacology.

Modules

Example Year 0 modules include:

Biochemistry (core, 15 credits);
Biology (core, 30 credits);
Chemistry (core, 30 credits);
Scientific Studies (core, 30 credits);
Foundation Year Project (CPS) (core, 15 credits)

Modules listed are subject to change. For full, up-to-date module details please visit the course page on the University website.

Year 1 modules include:

Introduction to Laboratory Skills (core, 15 credits);
Anatomy and Physiology 1 (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
Anatomy and Physiology 2 (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
Cell Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
General Chemistry (core, 15 credits);
Laboratory Techniques with Data Handling (core, 15 credits);
Biochemistry (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits);
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)

Year 2 modules include:

Principles of Pharmacodynamics (core, 15 credits);
Quantitative Analysis (core, 15 credits);
Molecular Biology (core, 15 credits);
Metabolism (core, 15 credits);
Principles of Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery (core, 15 credits);
Spectroscopic Methods (core, 15 credits);
Human Immunity (core, 15 credits);
Microbiology (core, 15 credits)

Year 3 modules include:

Systems Pharmacology (core, 15 credits);
Toxicology (core, 15 credits);
Research Project (core, 30 credits);
Project (core, 30 credits);
Biochemical Pathology (core, 15 credits);
Neuropharmacology (core, 15 credits);
Systems Pathology (option, 15 credits);
Bioinformatics and Molecular Modelling (option, 15 credits);
Formulation and Quality Assurance of Solutions, Suspensions and Emulsions (option, 15 credits);
Virology (option, 15 credits);
Medical Genetics (option, 15 credits);
Advanced Bioanalytical Science (option, 15 credits);
Formulation and Quality Assurance of Solids and Semisolids (option, 15 credits);
Sandwich Placement (option, 30 credits);
Work Placement (option, 15 credits)

Assessment methods

You’ll be assessed through datasheets, comprehension exercises, progress tests, examinations and practical portfolios.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£17,600
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£17,600
per year
International
£17,600
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£17,600
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Holloway

Department:

School of Human Sciences

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

91%
Pharmacology

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Pharmacology

Teaching and learning

91%
Staff make the subject interesting
82%
Staff are good at explaining things
91%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
91%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

100%
Library resources
100%
IT resources
100%
Course specific equipment and facilities
100%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

93%
UK students
7%
International students
32%
Male students
68%
Female students
80%
2:1 or above
21%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

E
D
E

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Pharmacology

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£21,909
med
Average annual salary
92%
low
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

As only a relatively small number of students study pharmacology or toxicology, these statistics refer most closely to the graduate prospects of pharmacy graduates, so bear that in mind when you review them. Only a handful of students take first degrees in pure toxicology every year — the subject is more popular at Masters level. Pharmacology is a degree that tends to lead to jobs in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, and outcomes are improving again after a difficult time in the last few years. Jobs in pharmacology are often very specialist and so it’s no surprise that pharmacologists are amongst the most likely of all students to go on to a doctorate — if you want a job in research, start thinking about a PhD. As for pharmacy, unemployment rates are below 1% and 95% of pharmacy graduates had jobs as pharmacists (mostly in retail pharmacists) six months after they left their courses - employment rates have gone up significantly in the last couple of years.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Pharmacology

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£26k

£26k

£30k

£30k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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