Pharmacology (Taught)

The development of safe and effective new drugs is a challenging and rewarding field. Our forward-thinking Pharmacology MSc builds your understanding of drug discovery and development, focusing on the mechanisms of drug action at the molecular level; the treatment of human disease; and the latest cell, molecular and genomic technologies used in pharmacology. You explore individual examples of modern drug research and development before specialising in one area of interest through your laboratory research project. You can also tailor your studies to fit your needs with intermediate qualifications and a part-time option.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Modern STEM building with purpose-built facilities and bespoke study spaces.

• State-of-the-art cell culture lab and analytical science suite.

• Industry-standard technology to emulate the professional workplace.

• Specialised equipment for high-end pharma and biotech experiments, including HPLC, FTIR and GC-MS machines and facilities for qPCR and protein analysis.

Career-powered links
The University’s Life Sciences Liaison Board draws in industry-wide professionals such as GSK, Pharmaron and the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The Board’s close collaboration with real-world organisations ensures our course aligns with the needs of both industry and society as well as providing you with invaluable opportunities for networking and work experience.

Student experience
Benefit from our student-centred, employment-based approach to learning to ensure you get the most from your degree, combining traditional lectures, workshops and tutorials with hands-on lab work and small-group teaching.
Boost your career prospects thanks to employability-based skill development and real-world experience.
Learn from academics whose research and professional expertise feeds back into their teaching, creating a vibrant, practical-oriented learning environment.
Our staff use their active involvement in progressive areas such as cancer pathways and medicine development to keep you up to date with the latest industry advancements.
Gain specialist knowledge thanks to subject-relevant field trips and talks from external experts, including a visit to MSD-Merck and a workshop run by the UK Health Security Agency.
Connect with leading employers through our annual STEM Careers Expo.
Achieve your potential with support and guidance from your own personal academic tutor.
Our MSc Pharmacology graduates are employed in pharmaceutical and biotech industries as well as in medicines regulatory agencies.

Course modules

Drug discovery and development – An overview of this process, with hands-on experience of molecular modelling and computer-based drug design.

Molecular pharmacology – Explore the pharmacology of receptors in relation to the discovery and development of drugs, using relevant data-handling software.

Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics – Study different disorders and how they are treated, including their causes, patterns in populations and how they are diagnosed.

Cell biology of disease – Learn how cell mechanisms cause disease, and how techniques like fluorescence imaging and high-throughput screening help identify new treatments.

The regulation of medicines – Understand the principles behind the regulation of medicines, in the UK and globally, that ensure safety, efficacy and quality.

Laboratory-based research project – Formulate a research question of personal interest then plan, research and present your findings in a professional format.

Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate at the point of publication on the UCAS website. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website.