Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences (With Foundation Year)

This degree integrates the design and development of drug, cosmetic and hygiene products with emerging areas such as systems biology, pharmacogenetics and translational medicine – areas that directly address the needs of the UK pharmaceutical industry. You start by gaining a common core of chemical, biological and pharmaceutical knowledge before shifting to deeper study of areas such as medicinal chemistry; drug discovery and drug development. You also explore sector business models, exploring how science has evolved to meet pharmaceutical industry demands.

Foundation Year
In the Foundation year you will study three days per week. The focus will be on academic writing skills and numeracy, plus subject-specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree. It provides a balance between content related to your chosen subject and the range of wider skills required for undergraduate study. This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will be required to pass the foundation year in order to progress to the first year of your degree. This course is ideal for those who do not meet our standard entry requirements or those with a non-standard educational background. It will allow you to graduate with a full undergraduate degree in your chosen subject in four years.

Facilities and Specialist Equipment

• Contemporary STEM building with high-tech labs and vibrant study spaces, providing you with a supportive and welcoming learning environment.

• Cell culture lab and specialised analytical science suite.

• HPLC, FTIR and GC-MS machines, alongside facilities for qPCR and protein purification, allowing you to carry out cutting-edge pharma and biotech experiments.

Partnerships and Collaborations

• Our Life Sciences Liaison Board works with industry professionals across the pharma-biotech, health and food sectors, including Glaxo Smith Kline, Pharmaron, NHS, Life Science Group and Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Our collaboration within the sector help you establish links and gain valuable work experience.

Your Student Experience

• Our academics are involved in real-world research, leading the way in target areas such as obesity, cancer pathways, medicines discovery and development.

• You gain experience in innovative research, including drug target, discovery and synthesis.

• Our academic staff’s active involvement in the field ensure you keep up to date with emerging practices and the latest pharmaceutical developments.

• Our staff research and professional expertise feeds directly back into their teaching, creating a vibrant, practical-oriented learning environment.

• We have strong links within the clinical and industrial sectors, making sure our courses are aligned to industry needs and offer you the opportunity for work experience.

• Take part in masterclasses by a range of experts including Rothamsted Research; MSD Merck; Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; and the UK Health Security Agency.

• Learn from field trips to leading industry settings such as MSD Merck.

• Expand your network of professional contacts through our annual STEM Careers Expo.

• Gain additional lab-work experience via the Student Skills Lab scheme where you can try out techniques for real-world applications, under the guidance of recent graduates.