Pharmacology

Gain a deep understanding of how medicines work, how they’re developed, and how pharmacology plays a vital role in global health as science evolves to develop new and better treatments for disease. At Aston University, our BSc (Hons) Pharmacology degree is grounded in world-class research, and taught by experts with strong connections to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. You'll study the science of drug action in detail and investigate specialist critical areas such as neuropharmacology, toxicology, and personalised medicine.

Designed with flexibility and the future in mind, the programme builds your scientific knowledge and practical skills year by year, allowing for specialisation in advanced pharmacology during your final year of study. The degree provides a broad foundation in physiology, biochemistry and neuroscience, alongside specialised modules in pharmacology and drug development, giving you the knowledge and practical skills to pursue a range of biomedical, pharmaceutical, or clinical careers.

Our BSc (Hons) Pharmacology degree at Aston University is built on our internationally recognised research into the mechanisms of disease and how innovative drug therapies can be used to improve the health and well-being of both humans and animals. You’ll study how modern medicines work at the molecular and cellular level, and how cutting-edge pharmacological approaches are helping to tackle some of the world’s most urgent health challenges.

Our expert academic staff are active researchers with longstanding global collaborations across academia, healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. As the development of new drug treatments becomes an increasing priority for the government and global health leaders, you’ll be learning in a context that is both highly relevant and future-focused.

Using our sector-leading and recently refurbished practical laboratories, you will learn how receptors, proteins and cells around the body can be influenced by pharmacological treatments. You’ll find out how we discover the mechanisms of cellular communication and brain function, and how these complex processes go wrong in disease.

Key course benefits:
• Research-led teaching: Delivered by staff with proven research and industrial experience, with active research projects.
• Career-focused: Includes dedicated key skills stream to develop employability and critical thinking, incorporating Aston Power Skills.
• Flexible learning: Optional placement year to enhance real-world professional experience.

Facilities
Our labs are some of the best in the sector. With organ-bath rigs for drug action studies, brain slice rigs for advanced neuropharmacology practicals, human EEG and EMG recording systems and a wide range of molecular biology equipment, we’ve got everything needed to learn the skills that scientists use to discover disease mechanisms and develop new drugs. Alongside this, we’ve got a wide range of dedicated software and well-equipped computer labs and library collections to make sure you’ve got the resources needed to follow your intellectual curiosity. Many of our faculty are world-leading researchers in their field and have high-spec research laboratories so you can see how science is done at the cutting edge.

Career prospects
Graduates of the course will be equipped with the scientific knowledge and practical skills needed for a wide range of careers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors. Potential career paths include roles in drug discovery and development, clinical research, toxicology, medical sales, regulatory affairs, and healthcare consultancy. This degree also provides a strong foundation for further study at MSc or PhD level in pharmacology, neuroscience, or biomedical sciences, opening the door to academic research and specialised scientific careers.