BSc(Hons) Pharmacology *
* subject to final UWE Bristol approval
This course is open for applications
Explore how medicines are discovered, developed and used to improve lives. Our future-focused BSc(Hons) Pharmacology combines drug discovery, practical laboratory experience and sustainable healthcare, preparing you for careers in pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, clinical research and beyond.
About
Why study Pharmacology?
Pharmacology is about understanding how medicines work, how they're discovered, and how they improve lives. As healthcare evolves, there's growing global demand for scientists who can help develop safer, more effective treatments for complex diseases.
On our forward-thinking Pharmacology degree, you'll explore the journey of a medicine from the lab to the patient. You'll learn how drugs interact with the body, how they're developed and tested, and how new technologies are transforming the future of healthcare around the world.
You'll look beyond traditional pharmacology too. Sustainability and ethical practice are embedded throughout the course, helping you understand how medicines can be developed responsibly, improve global health outcomes and reduce environmental impact.
Why UWE Bristol?
Our BSc(Hons) Pharmacology is practice-oriented, research-informed and career-focused. Alongside a strong scientific foundation, you'll gain valuable insight into drug discovery and design, an area typically explored in greater depth at postgraduate level.
As part of our thriving science and innovative community, you'll learn from experienced researchers, pharmacists and scientists, with teaching informed by work taking place across centres including the Centre for Biomedical Research.
You'll spend time in specialist labs, build practical skills using industry-relevant equipment, and work alongside students from disciplines such as pharmacy, biomedical science and forensic science, developing the collaborative skills employers value.
You'll also benefit from our strong focus on green pharmacology, exploring sustainable drug development, environmental impacts and modern, ethical alternatives to animal testing.
Where can it take me?
Designed for those interested in applied sciences, biology and chemistry, a pharmacology degree can open doors across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare and research sectors.
You could go on to work in drug discovery, clinical research, toxicology, regulatory affairs or laboratory science, helping shape the next generation of medicines.
Many graduates also progress to master's degrees, PhDs and other professional pathways, using their expertise to tackle some of society's biggest healthcare challenges.
Entry
Typical offers
You will need to meet the following Level 2 requirements:
- GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics.
In addition to the above Level 2 qualifications, you'll need to achieve the published tariff points from your Level 3 studies prior to entry. Below is an indicative list of the main qualification types. However, we will consider any Level 3 qualifications towards meeting our entry requirements.
- Tariff points: 112
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- English Language Requirement:
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you'll need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
If you're applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
- A-level subjects: Grade C in Biology or Chemistry.
- Relevant subjects: Subjects that meet the Science requirement for this course: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science and Laboratory Science/Skills.
- BTEC: You'll need a minimum of five units in a science subject. You may be asked to do more based on the size of your units. Please list the units you're studying in your application. For further advice on acceptable units, please email admissions (contact details below).
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access:
15 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Biology or Chemistry.
- Baccalaureate IB:
A minimum Grade 5 in Higher Level Biology or Chemistry. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
- Irish Highers: H3 in Biology or Chemistry.
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. This qualification cannot be used to satisfy any subject specific entry requirements.
- Cambridge Technical: You'll need a minimum of five units in Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science or Laboratory Science/Skills. You may be asked to do more based on the size of your units. Please list the units you're studying in your application. For further advice on acceptable units, please email us.
- T Levels: Science or Healthcare Science. If you partially achieve your T Level, you can meet our subject requirements if you have at least a C in your Core Section. For further advice on acceptable subjects please email admissions (contact details below).
Entry requirements
Deferred entry
We'll accept deferred entry applications for this course.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for our BSc(Hons) Pharmacology (with Foundation year).
International Applicants
If you're applying to UWE Bristol from another country or region, visit the international study pages for tailored application information. If you're an international student and don't meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
Read more about Undergraduate Entry Requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.ukInternational/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644
Structure
Content
The structure and content of this new course is currently under review and subject to final UWE Bristol approval. It will be published on this page as soon as possible.
Learning and Teaching
Throughout your Pharmacology degree, you'll learn through a mix of lectures, workshops, laboratory practicals, small-group activities and independent study. Our practice-oriented approach helps you apply scientific theory to real-world healthcare and pharmaceutical challenges.
Throughout the course, you'll explore topics including drug action, disease mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicology, drug discovery and sustainable healthcare innovation.
You'll gain experience of modern technologies and approaches shaping the future of pharmacology, including AI-assisted drug design and ethical alternatives to animal testing. You'll also examine emerging areas such as personalised medicine, where treatments can be tailored to individual patients based on their biology and genetics.
In your final year, you'll complete an independent research project, working closely with an academic supervisor in an area that interests you and developing the skills needed for scientific research and professional practice.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Assessment
Assessment is designed to help you build both scientific knowledge and professional skills.
You'll be assessed through a variety of methods, including practical laboratory reports, coursework, presentations, data analysis tasks, group projects and exams. These approaches reflect the different ways pharmacologists communicate, analyse evidence and solve problems in professional environments.
As you progress through the course, you'll complete increasingly independent work, leading to a substantial research project in your final year. This gives you the opportunity to investigate a topic of interest, analyse findings and communicate your results in a professional scientific format.
Assessments are designed to develop transferable skills including critical thinking, teamwork, scientific communication and data interpretation, preparing you for employment or further study.
Fees
There is currently no published fee data for this course.
Supplementary fee information
Additional costs
This refers to items you may need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be for example, materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
Learn more about fees and costs.
Funding
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
Features
Placements
Find out more about work experience and placements.
Study facilities
You'll learn in our multi-million-pound science laboratories within the School of Applied Sciences, equipped with industry-standard equipment relevant to pharmacology, toxicology and biomedical research.
Facilities support a wide range of practical activities, including analytical testing, drug quantification, physiological investigations, toxicological analysis and histology. You'll also gain experience with specialist instrumentation used to explore drug effects and therapeutic responses.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
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Careers / Further study
As healthcare systems face growing challenges, from antimicrobial resistance to the need for more sustainable medicines, pharmacologists are becoming increasingly important. By studying Pharmacology at UWE Bristol, you'll graduate ready to contribute to innovations that improve lives, support sustainable healthcare and shape the medicines of tomorrow.
Pharmacology graduates play a vital role in improving health and wellbeing around the world. Whether you're interested in discovering new medicines or improving existing treatments, this Pharmacology degree will give you the scientific knowledge and practical skills to pursue a wide range of careers.
BSc(Hons) Pharmacology is designed to develop highly valued skills in experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, problem solving, scientific communication and critical thinking. These transferable skills are sought after across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare and wider science sectors.
Graduates may go on to roles such as: Drug Discovery Scientist, Pharmaceutical Research Scientist, Clinical Research Associate, Laboratory Scientist, Toxicologist, Clinical Pharmacology Researcher, Regulatory Affairs Officer, Drug Safety and Monitoring Specialist, Medical Writer, Science Communicator, Pharmacology Consultant, Patent and Technology Transfer Specialist, Science Policy Advisor, and Sustainability Specialist within the Pharmaceutical Sector.
The broad scientific foundation gained on the course can also open opportunities in teaching, business, finance and other sectors that value analytical and problem-solving skills.
Many students choose to continue their studies after graduation. The course provides an excellent platform for postgraduate study, including master's degrees and PhDs in pharmacology, biomedical sciences and related disciplines. It can also support progression into healthcare and research-focused career pathways.
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Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing fifteen months after graduating.
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