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Pharmaceutical Science (Study Abroad)

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time with time abroad
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Study Pharmaceutical Science and join the scientists of the future who are developing treatments for some of the world’s greatest disease challenges.

Spanning biology, chemistry and pharmacology, our Pharmaceutical Science BSc (Study Abroad) will provide you with a deep understanding of drug design from conception to market and use in a medicinal setting.

The power to change lives
Pharmaceutical scientists can change lives by developing medicines and treatments for conditions from cancer to inherited disorders.

On this degree, you will study themes across the disciplines of biology, chemistry, and pharmacology to understand the principles of drug design, development, synthesis, function, characterisation, delivery and side effects.

You will also explore the wider societal and regulatory context of drug development and use, and how laboratory drugs are translated into viable consumer products.

You will be taught by our academics whose extensive pharmaceutical science research experience includes the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of various cancers; developing new chemistries for making drugs; and biomedical imaging agents to probe drug activity in cells.

This degree is ideal if you are looking for a career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, offering you the scientific knowledge, practical lab skills and career-ready mindset to succeed. You will also build transferable skills and analytical training that will open up potential careers in other fields such as management, teaching, marketing and finance.

And, by spending your third year abroad, you will have an opportunity to explore new and different perspectives on your course, while gaining experience of what it is like to live and study in a different country. During your year abroad you are only required to pay 15 per cent of the standard tuition fees.

Your journey through pharmaceutical science

  • In Year 1 you will lay the foundations of your knowledge that you will build upon through the following years of your degree. You’ll cover core themes including infection and immunity, cell structure and function, organic and inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry and pharmacology.

  • Year 2 will see you gain a deeper understanding of biochemistry (how biological processes work on a molecular level), organic synthesis (how drugs are synthesised), and their action within the body (pharmacology), along with how we can probe and understand their actions and interactions.

  • You will spend Year 3 studying at one of our trusted overseas partner universities, immersing yourself in a different culture, meeting new people with diverse perspectives and developing a confident and well-rounded outlook for your final year back in Lancaster.

  • In Year 4, you will study advanced topics in both pharmacology and chemistry which will further develop your skills and knowledge. You will apply your skills by undertaking a major research project as part of one of our research groups, alongside postgraduate students and postdoctoral staff. This is an exciting opportunity for you to address a significant contemporary research problem and apply your learning to global health challenges.

A hands-on course
You will develop your practical skills from the start of your studies in our modern, research-grade teaching laboratories.

As a pharmaceutical sciences student, you will benefit from our biomedical and life sciences labs and our chemistry labs and analytical facilities.

In addition to laboratory practical classes and workshops, you will learn through lectures, workshops, tutorials, laboratory reports, essays and case studies, presentations, tests and exams. You will also benefit from digital resources through our online learning environment which will support your independent learning.

Important Information
For the most up-to-date course information and more details, we recommend that you revisit our website before submitting your application.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
B203
Institution code:
L14
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB

including Biology and Chemistry.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered alongside A level Chemistry

Access to HE Diploma - D: 36 credits M: 9 credits

in a relevant subject

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 35 points

with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including 6 in HL Biology and 6 in HL Chemistry

We also require:

GCSE Mathematics grade B or 5, English Language grade C or 4

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Lancaster, we are committed to widening access to higher education for all. As part of this we take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, taking into account exceptional circumstances and potential as much as we can. We run a Contextual Offer Scheme which incorporates a reduced grade offer for applicants that meet our eligibility criteria. For more information on the scheme, and other widening participation activity such as the Lancaster Access Programme, please visit our website.

Learn more on the Lancaster University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For information on our fees, please see www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding.

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