BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science

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. Gain the practical, technical, and regulatory knowledge needed to succeed.

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Students working at benches in a pharmaceutical sciences lab

Start date/study mode:

UCAS codeF100

Duration3 years

Fee (UK)£9,535

Fee (Int)£17,500

LocationOn campus

Course summary

The BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science 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. Assessments are designed to reflect real world tasks, preparing you for a range of careers in the pharmaceutical industry and beyond. This course is also available as a four-year course with a full year spent on placement.

By the time you graduate, you'll 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.

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 you decide to choose that route.

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some of these options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific required modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available alongside core modules on your course, you should choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

You’ll engage in a wide range of teaching and learning 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.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is 96-112 UCAS Tariff points, from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

A Levels must include chemistry. Please note, we don't accept general studies AS or A Level. We accept T Level science only.

We accept a maximum of 6 points from Level 3 Key Skills qualifications.

You also need three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include mathematics and English language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you've studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator(opens in new tab).

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're eligible for a tariff point reduction.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Fees and finance support

UK£9,535

International£17,500

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,535. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

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