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Develop essential laboratory and analytical skills used in the discovery, formulation, and manufacture of medicines. Explore how drugs are designed to target the body effectively and meet regulatory and quality standards. Build a strong scientific foundation in pharmaceutical science and gain the practical, technical, and regulatory knowledge needed to succeed in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.
Our pharmaceutical sciences course is grounded in core scientific disciplines, including molecular and cellular biology, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, as well as analytical sciences. As a future pharmaceutical scientist, you'll build a solid understanding of the science behind how medicines are discovered, developed, and manufactured.
As the course progresses, you'll explore key areas such as drug formulation and delivery, learning how medicines are designed to target specific systems in the body and how their physical and chemical properties influence their performance.
Pharmaceutical Scientists play a central role in the development and manufacture of safe, effective medicines, ensuring they meet strict quality standards and regulatory requirements. You'll gain insight into Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), quality control, and the regulatory frameworks that govern medicine production and distribution.
Laboratory skills are embedded throughout the course, with hands-on practical sessions included in nearly every module. You’ll be trained to conduct experiments, analyse results, and interpret scientific data accurately and confidently. The curriculum includes real world case studies and strong industrial links to help contextualise your learning and develop your problem solving and decision making abilities.
A unique feature of the course is Sunderland Therapeutics, a mock pharmaceutical company created to simulate professional industry scenarios. Furthermore, assessments are designed to reflect real world tasks, preparing you for a range of careers in the pharmaceutical industry and beyond.
By the time you graduate, you will have developed a strong scientific foundation and the practical, analytical, and regulatory knowledge essential for roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing, formulation science, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and other areas across the wider pharmaceutical and life science industries.
You’ll engage in a wide range of learning and teaching methods including laboratory practicals, lectures, workshops, tutorials, group work, and e-learning. Interactive approaches such as problem-based and team-based learning are used to develop both subject knowledge and key transferable skills. Peer assessment and feedback mechanisms are embedded throughout, encouraging critical reflection and the development of communication and collaboration skills valued by employers. Research projects and simulated laboratory activities further enhance scientific understanding and practical competence.
Assessment methods are varied to reflect real-world scientific tasks and include essays, laboratory reports using pharmaceutical proformas, presentations, posters, podcasts, and scientific article writing. You’ll also be assessed through practical competency evaluations, clinical case studies, CPD portfolios, and peer review. For those undertaking the placement route, employer assessments are also an integral part of the evaluation process.
This course shares a common first year with BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, which allows you to easily change course at the end of the first year should one of these routes appeal to you.
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement | GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+) |
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
A Levels must include Chemistry. Please note we do not accept General Studies AS or A Level. We accept T Level Science only.
Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.
If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.
The annual, full-time fee for this course is:
*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.
Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
This course offers a broad-based scientific education that opens pathways to a wide range of careers in the pharmaceutical and related industries, as well as further academic study, including progression to PhD programmes. Assessments are designed to reflect real-world tasks (many aligned with the simulated company Sunderland Therapeutics) providing you with practical, industry-relevant experience. Dedicated sessions with employers and placement providers offer valuable insights into career opportunities, industry expectations, and practical advice on how to avoid common pitfalls when entering the workforce.
Graduates of this programme are well-equipped to enter a variety of sectors, including life sciences, research and development, and the pharmaceutical and allied industries, particularly in areas such as quality control, quality assurance, and manufacturing. Career opportunities also extend to forensic science, the food industry, and healthcare, particularly in laboratory-based roles, some of which may require additional study. For those interested in academia, the course provides a strong foundation for further study, including postgraduate research.
The course offers an optional 48-week placement year between Years 2 and 3, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience. While placements are not guaranteed, you'll be supported through the application and interview process. Previous placements have taken place at leading companies including Sterling Pharma Solutions, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Croda, Target Healthcare, Rokshaw Laboratories, Onyx Scientific, Procter & Gamble (P&G), and Parker Hannifin.
There are also opportunities to apply for funded summer placements, often in collaboration with academic staff, with support from organisations such as the Royal Society of Chemistry, Applied Microbiology International, and the Chromatographic Society. Industry speakers and potential placement providers regularly contribute to the course, offering insights into careers, application advice, and the real-world relevance of scientific skills. You'll also benefit from access to the Royal Society of Chemistry seminar series, broadening your exposure to current research and industry developments.
We have well-established links with professionals working in all the main branches of pharmacy. Through these links we organise a programme of guest speakers who will help you relate academic theory to current trends and issues. Previous speakers from the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences industries have included: