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Pharmacology with foundation year

Course details
  • 1 Study option
  • Undergraduate
Course location
CU Coventry

Course summary

Explore how drugs work and are developed through an approach combining human physiology, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology. Gain hands-on laboratory experience and prepare for roles in the pharmaceutical industry.

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course.

Foundation year
The foundation year course offers an introduction to your chosen subject and helps you develop the necessary skills for degree-level study. In addition, you will also explore key skills such as research methods, scientific fundamentals and promotion techniques.

The foundation year of this Coventry University degree will be delivered from our CU Coventry campus. Course delivery from year 1 of the degree onwards will be from the Coventry University campus.

Degree
Explore how drugs affect the body and how they’re used to treat disease. Learn how new medicines are discovered, developed and tested, and how science helps improve health.

  • Discover the power of pharmacology: explore how drugs interact with the human body, from molecular mechanisms to novel therapeutics and how they can make a real difference in human health.

  • Hands-on learning: master advanced techniques like cell culture and flow cytometry in our Super-Lab and prepare for a career in pharmacology.

  • Launch your career: gain the skills and knowledge valued by employers and prepare for a range of career paths within the pharmaceutical industry in research, development, clinical trials, regulatory affairs and more.

Why you should study this course

  • Contemporary facilities: learn techniques from mammalian cell culture and flow cytometry to Western blotting and HPLC in the Super-Lab. Gain hands-on experience with real-time PCR, organ baths and physiological testing like electromyography, electrocardiography and spirometry.

  • Common first year: collaborate and work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions.

  • Industry expertise: our ties with industry experts, guest speakers and alumni could help you get access to real-world insights and networking opportunities.

  • Student-centred active learning: this course will be delivered through a blend of hands-on laboratory-based sessions, physiological simulation, interactive lectures and discursive workshops. Apply your knowledge and skills to an independent research project in the final year.

  • Placement opportunities: elect to apply for either a one-year professional training placement, or an international experience year to enhance learning and gain a competitive advantage in the workplace after graduation.

Our Award-winning Green Superlab
With space for over 250 students and packed full of industry-standard equipment, the Coventry University Superlab is an amazing place to learn, experiment and discover. Find out what we’re doing in our Superlab to make it greener and reduce our waste and carbon emissions.

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.

Modules

Course Modules

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

  • Introduction to Health and Disease
  • Foundation of Anatomy and Physiology
  • Introduction to Cell Biology
  • Foundation of Chemistry

Year One
The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

  • Biological and Forensic Science BSc (Hons)
  • Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)
  • Human Biosciences BSc (Hons)
  • Pharmacology BSc (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and final years to specialist modules in your chosen field. It provides underpinning knowledge, laboratory and data analysis skills relevant for pharmacology. This shared approach allows you to appreciate a diversity of applications and roles for biosciences and to gain a broad topic understanding.

Year One Modules

  • Introduction to Biomolecules and Biochemistry
  • Microbiology and Immunology
  • Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Cells to Systems

Year Two
In the second year, there is a greater emphasis on the biology of disease. You will begin to specialise in pharmacology and related areas including physiology, biochemistry, immunology, and genetics.

Laboratory work is a key component of the course, enabling you to learn the experimental techniques and develop the key experimental, data handling and reporting skills required for careers in science. Practical sessions will introduce you to modern laboratory techniques and clinical approaches to diagnosing and treating disease, while your research skills are broadened to include an understanding of research methodology and design, medical statistics, and methods of data analysis.

Year Two Modules

  • Drug Analysis, Development and Formulation
  • Cell and Molecular Biology: Function and Dysfunction
  • Disease, Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
  • Immunology and Inflammation

Placement Year
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final years of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Final Year
In the final year, you will apply your knowledge gained from years one and two.

Final Year Modules

  • Advanced Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
  • Clinical Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
  • Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
  • Research Project

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content.

*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website.
*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
C85

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

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

T Level
Pass (D or E)

Overall grade of Pass (D or E on the Core) in the T Level Qualification in any subject.

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 64

5 GCSEs at A-C/4-9 including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.

We’re here to help you achieve your study goals. If your qualifications or expected levels of grades differ from those outlined above, chat with our admissions team and between us we will explore the possibilities open to you. We accept a range of qualifications and our study experience is designed to give you options and support from the start.
Contact us via our website to find out more.

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.

Grades alone don’t tell us everything about your potential and your story. We use information from your application to assess achievements in your personal situation to support fair and equal access. For example, we consider where you live, your school, if you are a carer or a care leaver or have experienced disruption to your education.
We have different schemes that recognise this context that may result in a reduced offer by up to 24 UCAS points or equivalent.

Learn more on the Coventry University website

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

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£9790*
EU & International£20800*

* 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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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