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Pharmaceutical Sciences

BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · 21/09/2026 · UndergraduateUniversity Park Campus

Course summary

Learn about the discovery and design of medicines at a world top 15 university for pharmacy and pharmacology (QS World Rankings 2024). Prepare for a career where you can develop new drugs and medicines to transform people's lives. Improve your employability with a year spent working in industry in an area related to pharmaceutical sciences.

You'll study the core sciences that make up pharmaceutical sciences throughout the first two years:

Chemistry

  • drug design and discovery using organic chemistry

  • analytical chemistry to study the structure and purity of drug molecules

Pharmaceutics

  • the science of designing and formulating medicines

  • understand the properties of drugs and medicines through physical chemistry

Biosciences

  • understand disease and drug action through biology and pharmacology

  • the design of complex biological drugs

You'll study diseases and some of the most commonly prescribed medicines.

You'll also learn about regulations, patenting and business skills in a national and global context.

Why choose this course?

  • 8th in the UK for Pharmacy and Pharmacology (Times Good University Guide 2025)

  • 5th in the UK and 12th in the world for Pharmacy and Pharmacology (QS World University Rankings 2024)

  • Career-ready, designed to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry and research

  • Improve your employability with opportunities for a year spent working in industry

Modules

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Pharmaceutical-Sciences-BSc-Hons-U6UPHSCIS.html

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:
B313
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

including Chemistry and at least one further science A level from Biology, Maths/Further Maths or Physics. The third subject can be chosen from a wide range of subjects, but General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives and Research are not accepted. A Pass in the practical element is required for science A levels if assessed separately.

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

Considered on a case-by-case basis.

Access to HE Diploma - D: 24 credits M: 21 credits

including 15 credits in Chemistry (including organic chemistry) and 15 credits in at least one of Maths, Biology or Physics.

Scottish Higher - ABBBB

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Advanced Higher grades AB including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

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

Considered on a case-by-case basis.

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

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with A levels including Chemistry and potentially one of Biology, Physics or Maths/Further Maths depending on the BTEC content.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points

including HL6 and HL5 in Chemistry and a second science or 665 in 3 HL certificates including Chemistry and a second science

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - A - B

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with A level Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Maths/Further Maths.

Extended Project - Not accepted

European Baccalaureate - 75% overall including 8.5 and 8.0 from Chemistry and Mathematics in any order. Biology or Physics can be considered if the equivalent of GCSE Maths grade B is already achieved.

GCSE requirements - English grade C (numeric grade 4), Mathematics grade B (numeric grade 5)

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.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham 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
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

87% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.

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

60 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

100 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
Republic of Ireland£9790*Year 1
EU£33000*Year 1
England£9790*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790*Year 1
Scotland£9790*Year 1
Wales£9790*Year 1
International£33000*Year 1
Channel Islands£9790*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202627/undergraduate.aspx

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