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Study level:
Undergraduate
Awarded by:
The University of Northampton

Course summary

Pharmacology is the study of drugs and how they interact and work on our cells and tissues.
In our Pharmacology BSc you will learn how drugs are made into medicines. How drugs and other chemicals interact at the molecular, cellular and systems levels in the body.

Pharmacologists have been key to the development of drugs and vaccines, that have improved the treatment of many of the diseases of modern society, including:
• The treatment of bacterial infections with antibiotics,
• HIV with anti-retroviral drugs
• Mental health with antidepressant drugs and antipsychotics
• Cardiovascular diseases with statins and antihypertensives

Our course has been designed to meet the standards of the British Pharmacological Society’s (BPS) undergraduate core curriculum. Course modules are structured using a variety of methods including lectures, seminars, laboratory practical classes and is known for it’s active blended learning (ABL) style of delivery. Our aim is to provide you with opportunities to be actively involved in your learning.

This course is suited to those wanting to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry or in biomedical research as well as graduate entry to medicine. With regards to employment, 95% of students go on to work and / or study within 15 months after the course.

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

  • Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

  • Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

  • At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026*.

  • Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

  • You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

The Northampton Employment Promise

In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information

Modules

Stage 1
• Biochemistry and Cell Biology (compulsory)
• Introduction to Microbiology (compulsory)
• Genetics and Molecular Biology (compulsory)
• Biochemical Skills (compulsory)
• Anatomy and Physiology (compulsory)
• Foundations of Chemistry (compulsory)

Stage 2
• Genes and Genomics (designated)
• Cellular Pathology (designated)
• Bioscience Research Methods (compulsory)
• Processes of Life: Biochemistry (designated)
• Physiology 2 (compulsory)
• Principles of Pharmacology (compulsory)
• Systems Pharmacology and Therapeutics (compulsory)
• Bioinformatics (designated)

Optional Placement Year
• Health and Life Sciences at Work (designated)

Stage 3

• Integrated Medical Genetics (designated)
• Gene Regulation (designated)
• Neuro-pharmacology (compulsory)
• Molecular Pharmacology (compulsory)
• Toxicology (designated)
• Drug Discovery & Development (designated)
• Pharmacology Dissertation (compulsory)

Module information is quoted for 2025 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

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:
B210
Institution code:
N38
Campus name:
Waterside Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 112 points

A level - BBC

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

Access to HE Diploma - M: 45 credits

Science

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points

T Level - M

A-level Chemistry or Biology at grade C and one of: Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics; or an Extended Diploma in Applied Science, Applied Human Biology, or Pharmaceutical Science or similar science subject or a T-Level in Science are required

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Other
GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 or above or equivalent qualification

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.

Every applicant to the University of Northampton is unique. We assess each application individually, considering qualifications, experience, and personal background. We welcome a wide range of qualifications and qualification mixes. Most UCAS applicants receive Conditional Offers, but Contextual or Unconditional Offers may be given based on factors like course choice, personal circumstances, interview performance, practical activities, GCSE results, and predicted grades.

Learn more on the University of Northampton 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.

Data from:
This course and 8 other subjects allied to medicine courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

70% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

80 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

89 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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