Pharmaceutical Science (Placement Year)

Study pharmaceutical science and join the next generation of scientists developing treatments for some of the world’s greatest disease challenges.

Spanning biology, chemistry and pharmacology, this degree 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.

Along with your placement year, your degree will be an excellent foundation for a career both within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries and beyond, offering you the scientific knowledge, practical lab skills and career-ready mindset to succeed. Plus, you will pay just 20 per cent of the standard tuition fee during your placement year.

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.

• In Year 2 you will 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 on a work placement in industry, building your professional toolkit and gaining valuable insights into a career in pharmaceutical science. You will return to Lancaster to complete your fourth year with renewed confidence and drive to achieve your goals.

• In Year 4, you will study advanced topics in both pharmacology and chemistry further developing 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.

You 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.