Pharmacology Lancaster University

Unlock the power of medicine

Our four-year Pharmacology MSci will provide you with a deep understanding of how drugs and medicines interact with living systems and affect our bodies which is crucial to health in our society.

In addition to studying drug development, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, and potential side effects, you'll also gain insight into the wider societal and regulatory context in which drugs are used, as well as new drugs being developed.

We’ve designed the content of our course to align with the British Pharmacological Society’s core curriculum, equipping you with the skills and knowledge you need to understand and work in the world of pharmacology.

This integrated master’s degree (MSci) is ideal if you are looking for a career in the drug sciences, offering you the scientific knowledge, practical lab skills and career-ready mindset to succeed.

It will provide you with advanced skills and a more mature outlook, giving you the edge in a competitive job market.

Pharmacology graduates are in increasing demand with employers who will value your skills in experimental design, research, data recording and statistical analysis as well as teamworking, negotiation and communication. You will also build transferable skills and analytical training that will open up potential careers in other fields such as management, teaching, marketing and finance.

Your journey through pharmacology

Our academics have carefully designed this course to provide you with a progressive training in pharmacology.

The course content is highly structured as it is aligned with the British Pharmacological Society’s core curriculum. The majority of modules are therefore compulsory.

• In Year 1 you will gain a thorough grounding in the biomedical basis of pharmacology by studying core topics including an introduction to pharmacology, the molecules of life, genetics and molecular biology.

• In Year 2, you will study more advanced topics within the field of pharmacology, including molecular genetics, microbiology and immunology, and drug design and development. This will enable you to grow your practical skills that provide you with an understanding of the experimental techniques used in modern pharmacological research.

• In Year 3 you will focus on themes such as neuropharmacology and advanced drug design and development and you will put your learning into practice with an independent research project. This is your opportunity to make your own, unique contribution to increasing scientific knowledge in an area of pharmacology that fascinates you. You will be supported by our research-active academics whose research includes neglected tropical diseases like leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis and snakebite as well as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and inflammatory conditions like asthma and psoriasis. At the end of your third year, you can either choose to graduate with a BSc or, if you achieve the required grades, proceed to the fourth year of the MSci.

• In Year 4 you will gain additional practical skills by undertaking another more extended research project, as well as studying a variety of master’s level themes. This additional experience will be invaluable in a future career, particularly if you go on to a research-based role in the pharmacology, pharmaceutical, health or biotechnology sectors, or further study.

A hands-on course

The pharmacology facilities at Lancaster are excellent. Our state-of-the-art life science teaching laboratories will be at the centre of your degree and are where you will put the knowledge you have acquired from lectures and tutorials into practice.

Here, you will get hands-on experience (depending upon your specialisation) of using equipment such as:

• our bioimaging facility

• protein purification and characterisation facilities

• cell sorters

• confocal microscopes

• flow cytometers

• PCR thermocyclers

• cell culture facilities

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

AAA. This should include Biology and Chemistry.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 45 Level 3 credits at Distinction, but you would need to meet subject the requirements.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

Only considered for entry to the BSc Hons course variant. Subject to academic progression and availability, students can transfer to the MSci course.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade A plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade AA plus BTEC at D. This would need to include A level Chemistry, and either A level Biology, or sufficient Biology content in the BTEC(s). We will typically assess this on a case-by-case basis.

International Baccalaureate

36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 6 in HL Biology and 6 in HL Chemistry

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Not accepted

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 5/B, English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.