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Pharmaceutical Sciences

  • 2 Study options
  • Undergraduate
Stag Hill
More about University of Surrey

Course options

2027-2028
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Course summary

Why choose this course

  • Build a strong scientific foundation while shaping your degree around the pharmaceutical themes that interest you most.

  • Learn in cutting‑edge labs with modern analytical equipment, taught by internationally recognised experts - especially in chemistry.

  • Develop key skills for your future, including digital confidence, problem‑solving, resilience, and resourcefulness.

  • Choose a placement year to gain real work experience, with plenty of support to find a role that fits your career goals.

  • You have the option of progressing to the MPharmSci and get hands‑on experience in our award‑winning £1.7m chemical pilot plant, running real industrial processes, an authentic, high-tech insight into industrial-scale science.

  • Join the student‑led PharmaSci Society for industry trips, study sessions, and social events - a great way to socialise and build your professional network.

We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.

What you will study

On this BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences course you’ll explore the key areas that drive the pharmaceutical sector, building a broad scientific foundation while developing specialist knowledge.

The course covers four main themes:

  • Pharmacology and medicinal chemistry introduce how drugs interact with the body and the science behind their design

  • Biopharmaceutics explores how drugs are absorbed, distributed and delivered

  • Formulation design and technology focuses on how medicines are developed into safe, effective products

  • Pharmaceutical analysis teaches the modern techniques used to test and quality-check pharmaceutical products.

You’ll gain plenty of hands-on experience through lab work, practical projects, and applied case studies, helping you understand how theory translates into real-world pharmaceutical practice. By the end of the degree, you’ll have a strong understanding of all major areas of the pharmaceutical industry and the skills needed to pursue careers in research, drug development or industrial science, or to continue your studies at postgraduate level.

Modules

Course Modules

To see the full range of modules for this course please visit our website – the link is under the Course contact details. You will also find full details of the programme, including programme structure, assessment methods, contact hours and Graduate prospects.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Stag Hill

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
S85

University of Surrey has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
S85

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

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Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
BBB

Overall: BBB

Required subjects: chemistry and a second science subject.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).

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

Overall: DDM

BTEC must be in a relevant subject.

GCSE or equivalent: English at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 27 Merit: 18

QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 level 3 credits overall including 27 at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit.

Required subjects: Access to Higher Education modules must be in relevant subjects.

GCSE or equivalent: English language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C) (or equivalent).

Scottish Higher
ABBBB

Overall: ABBBB

Required subjects: chemistry and a second science subject.

GCSE or equivalent: Scottish National 5 for English Language grade C and Mathematics grade C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 32

Overall: 32

Required subjects: Chemistry HL5/SL6 and a second Science Subject HL5/SL6.

GCSE or equivalent: English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Overall: BBB

BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
Required subjects: A-levels in chemistry and a second science subject.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C) (or equivalent).

Extended Project

This route is only applicable to the MSci (Hons) course.

Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.

This grade reduction will not combine with other grade reduction policies, such as contextual admissions policy or In2Surrey.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE or equivalent: English Language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).

Applications are considered on an individual basis, taking into account qualifications achieved, predicted grades, personal statement and academic reference. Conditional offers are specified in terms of required grades; we do not make offers in terms of overall UCAS tariff.

We understand that predicted grades are an estimate and will consider applicants who have predicted grades that are a little lower than our published requirement. Any offers we make will align with the grades shown above unless a grade reduction can be offered under our Contextual Admissions policy or our In2Surrey scheme. Details can be found here: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/schools-colleges/contextual-admissions-policy

Applicants with a mixed qualification profile (e.g. those taking A-levels and BTEC qualifications) are encouraged to contact admissions@surrey.ac.uk for guidance on the grades accepted.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)66.0 overall with 5.5 in each element.

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/international/english-language-requirements

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

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Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern IrelandTBC

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

Please see our website for up-to-date information on our fees for 2027/28:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/undergraduate-2027-entry

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 1

The University of Surrey offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries for more details.

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