Pharmacology (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The MSc in Pharmacology is a one-year taught course combining training in theoretical and applied knowledge of pharmacology principles to pre-clinical research in cell signalling, cardiovascular pharmacology, neuropharmacology and drug discovery.

Course structure
The course is taught over one year from October to September, comprising three 10-week terms and a fourth summer term.

The first term covers core material using lectures, tutorials and practical work, and aims to ensure that students achieve the core knowledge of the principles and practice of pharmacology. At the end of the term, you will sit a computer-based qualifying exam; passing this exam allows you to continue the course.

At the start of the second term, you will follow a short course in quantitative pharmacology.

During the following weeks, you will attend lectures in advanced pharmacology topics which represent the research expertise of academic staff in the department. The lectures are organised into five themes or modules.

Lectures are combined with weekly laboratory sessions, discussion forums, journal clubs and small group tutorials to promote critical analysis of primary research literature. Students are expected to spend 15 hours per week on independent reading throughout the first and second terms.

The third term is mainly taken up by a hypothesis-driven research project which is expected to involve four months of experimental work, extending throughout the term and into the long vacation.

Applicants are advised to visit the Department of Pharmacology website to obtain further information on current research themes.