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Medical Pharmacology with a Foundation Year and Year Abroad

1 Study option · UndergraduateSingleton Park Campus
Awarded by:
Swansea University (Prifysgol Abertawe)

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Learn about the science behind drugs and medicines, their effects on living systems, and their role in treating disease on our Medical Pharmacology course. The foundation year of this four-year course will introduce you to the key concepts and knowledge you need to progress to the BSc in Medical Pharmacology.

You will cover a diverse range of topics, including toxicology, chemistry, genetics, reproductive biology, physiology, immunology, pharmacogenomics, neuroscience, and drug development.

Progressing to the full BSc programme, you will gain a thorough grounding in the science underpinning drug and medicine development, learning about the science behind drugs and medicines, their effects on living systems, and their role in treating disease.

Our course is delivered via a mix of compulsory and optional modules, giving you the scope to tailor your studies to your interests, career goals, or plans for post-graduate study.

The Medical Pharmacology course curriculum has been developed following the guidance of the British Pharmacological Society. Our Programme Director, Professor Lisa Wallace, is a former British Pharmacological Society Vice President for Academic Development and currently serves as a General Trustee.

You will benefit from access to the state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities at the Medical School, including our research laboratories.

This degree is part of our ‘Medical Science in Practice’ Pathway to Medicine programme. Provided you meet the minimum entry requirements for Graduate Entry Medicine, and have successfully completed the Pathway, you will be guaranteed an interview for our flagship Graduate Entry Medicine MBBCh course.

Our academic staff are active in a diverse range of research fields, offering an unrivalled mix of academic excellence and cutting-edge practice.

In addition to your formal studies, we hold regular research talks with Swansea University staff and guest expert speakers from other universities, industry, the NHS and research institutions.

Medical Pharmacology has been identified as a critical undergraduate degree, required to fill the current workforce and skills gaps in medicine and pharmaceutical development.

You will be joining a university that's ranked 9th in the UK for Pharmacology and Pharmacy (Complete University Guide 2025).

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Singleton Park Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time with time abroad and foundation year • 5 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Application codes

Course code:
B2C9
Institution code:
S93

How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
B2C9
Institution code:
S93

Open days

Chat to student ambassadors

Discover what it's like to study Medical Pharmacology with a Foundation Year and Year Abroad at Swansea University: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

POWERED BY Unibuddy

  • Tomi

    Swansea University
    Medical Biochemistry, MSci (Hons)
    Hi, I'm Tomi :) I would describe myself as scientifically minded, with a systematic approach to working, and enthusiasm to learn and develop personal skills in a practical setting. A possible career goal may be to become a healthcare scientist, with the longer-term aspiration of moving into medical research/industry with a budding interest in consultancy work.

  • Eleri

    Swansea University
    English Language and TESOL, BA (Hons)
    I love the idea of teaching English in South Korea. I have spent much time in Seoul and Busan over the past 2 years and would love the opportunity to move more permanently. As an avid history lover, Korea's expansive history fascinates me! I am a massive fan of BTS, and my bias is Jimin! I am learning to speak Korean and will participate in a summer school in Seoul this summer to expand my language knowledge further. In my spare time I enjoy creating content for my Instagram which consists of BTS, lifestyle and travel!

  • Favour

    Swansea University
    Business Management (Modern Languages), BSc (Hons)
    Good Afternoon , My name is Favour . I am a student ambassador studying Business Management ( Modern Manguages ) and I enjoy learning about different cultures and languages. I also like business because it's quite interesting especially the marketing side , it prepares you for how to work in a corporation and equips you with many skills that will be useful in the working life , including managing people :) .

  • Josh

    Swansea University
    Medical Engineering with a Year in Industry, BEng (Hons)
    Hi! I’m Josh a Biomedical Engineering undergraduate studying at Swansea University. I am very interested in biomechanics and the applications of engineering in prosthesis. At the University, in my free time, I play volleyball and like to go on drives to explore Swansea.

  • Jessica

    Swansea University
    Sport and Exercise Science, BSc (Hons)
    Hi! My name is Jessica but you can call me Jess. I was born and raised in Australia but then moved to Montreal, Canada and did my secondary schooling there. I also have New Zealand and British Citizenship. I’m currently in my third year of my degree and I plan on doing a Masters once I’m finished. I’m so excited to answer any questions so please feel free to connect with me!

  • Chris Jo

    Swansea University
    Adult Nursing (Swansea), BSc (Hons)
    Hi! I'm Chris👦🏻, an Adult Nursing student at Swansea University's Singleton Park campus. I work as a Senior Ambassador for the university assisting in admission, compliance, marketing, recruitment, and international and future student experience. I also practice at Swansea Bay University Health Board, covering all 3 acute hospitals within Swansea & Neath Port Talbot jurisdiction. Previously, I was part of the School of Health and Social Care (SHSC), which includes a combined 68 UG & PGT/PGR Programme's, I liaised with teaching and non-teaching faculty as School Rep; leading student engagement, student experience, student voice & inclusivity partnership from 2023 to 2024. I had previously worked for the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar™ as a Health & Safety Executive, HSV/HSE - HC. My current project with Swansea University as a SPIN Intern in the Dept of Nursing is to assist in learning and teaching materials and strategies for the nursing programmes of Swansea University. My interest and where I see myself doing something after graduation would be in acute care mainly in Ophthalmology 👁 - with Eyes👓, Intensive care in Cardiothoracic ❤️‍🩹- the heart 🫀and the lungs🫁, or Emergency Medicine🚑.

  • Pash

    Swansea University
    Medicine (Graduate Entry), MBBCH
    Hi, I'm Pash! I previously studied Applied Medical Sciences for my undergrad at Swansea, and now I'm a 4th-year medical student. Having lived in Swansea for the last six years now, this is my second home. So ask me anything you'd like about life as a Swansea student! 😊

  • Jess

    Swansea University
    Medical Engineering with a Year Abroad, MEng (Hons)
    Hiya, I’m Jess and I’m a fourth year biomedical engineering student currently on my year abroad. I’m really interested in robotics within medicine and biomechanics and hope to pursue these in the future. Other things I really enjoy are dance, hiking and music.

  • Niamh

    Swansea University
    Medicine (Graduate Entry), MBBCH
    Hi! My name is Niamh and I am a former Applied Medical Science student currently studying medicine at Swansea University. Making the move from secondary to university can be a daunting experience and so I am happy to be a part of the Unibuddy scheme to alleviate any worries and answer any questions that prospective students may have about life here in Swansea University.

  • Wendy

    Swansea University
    Psychology, BSc (Hons)
    I aspire to be a clinical psychologist and I have a strong interest in child psychology and a passion for helping others. I am dedicated to developing my skills and knowledge to support the well-being and mental health of young people, and I look forward to making a positive impact in the field!

  • Rose

    Swansea University
    Medicine (Graduate Entry), MBBCH
    I am a 4th year Graduate Entry Medicine Student and I also did my Bsc in Medical Pharmacology at Swansea. I love dance, aerial sports and cheerleading, it has been a great experience so far. There are a lot of different areas of Swansea that can be explored. I was born in America but have done GCSE and A-levels in the United Kingdom. I have various jobs connected to the university such as Student Ambassador. The Medical Pharmacology course was a great and engaging experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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.

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Student Outcomes

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20 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

95 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.

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Swansea University offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries which may be available to help finance your studies. Scholarships can be awarded to Welsh medium or international students, or for students excelling in exams, music or sport. Our income-related bursaries help students from lower income backgrounds swansea.ac.uk/scholarships

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