Pharmacology BSc

Medical School Building and University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Pharmacology is the study of how drugs work in the body. This includes any type of chemical or biological agent that produces an effect on the body including medicines, drugs of abuse, poisons, and chemicals in the food we eat and drink. There are two aspects to pharmacology: the effect of the drug on the body, and the effect of the body on the drug.

In this course we aim to answer some of the biggest questions we have surrounding drugs and medicine today and for the future. In year one, you will study a number of core modules covering physiology, biochemistry, neuroscience and medicinal chemistry. In the second year, you will start to focus on the pharmacology of current drugs and drug targets, and in the third year you will learn about the recent advances in pharmacology, and the application of pharmacology in the drug discovery process.

Pharmacologists are at the centre of developing medicines to revolutionise the treatment of diseases. These include:

  • life-saving antibiotics
  • hypertension
  • asthma
  • depression

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Genes, Molecules and Cells

Mandatory

Year 1

Human Physiology

Mandatory

Year 1

Core Skills in Pharmacology

Mandatory

Year 1

Drug Structure

Mandatory

Year 1

Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Mandatory

Year 2

Drugs and Diseases

Mandatory

Year 2

Mechanisms of Therapeutic Drugs

Mandatory

Year 2

Experimental Pharmacology

Mandatory

Year 2

Drug Design

Mandatory

Year 2

Communicating Science

Optional

Year 2

Neurobiology of Disease

Optional

Year 2

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

Optional

Year 2

Life on Earth

Optional

Year 2

Structure, function and analysis of genes

Optional

Year 2

Infection and Immunity

Optional

Year 2

Synthesis of Simple Drugs

Optional

Year 2

Structure, Function and Analysis of Proteins

Mandatory

Year 3

Molecular Pharmacology and Advanced Quantitative Pharmacology

Mandatory

Year 3

Pharmacology Research Project

Mandatory

Year 3

Drug Discovery and Future Medicines

Mandatory

Year 3

Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology

Mandatory

Year 3

Pharmacology Research Skills

Optional

Year 3

Complementary and Alternative Medicines

Optional

Year 3

Reproductive Pharmacology

Optional

Year 3

Psychopharmacology and Non-Medicinal Use of Drugs

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Wednesday 6 March 2024. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, practicals and workshops.

Teaching methods

  • eLearning
  • Lectures
  • Lab sessions
  • Practical classes
  • Self-study
  • Seminars
  • Small group learning
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment methods

  • Coursework
  • Practical write-ups
  • Lab reports
  • Dissertation
  • Examinations

Approximately 16-18 hours contact time and 18 hours of private study per week. 

Classes are of varying sizes.

A Pharmacology degree will enable students to develop transferable skills such as data handling and communication skills. According to British Pharmacological Society data, many Pharmacology graduates (around 25%) go on to further their education in PhD, PGCE or MSc studies. This is higher than other STEM graduates.

Pharmacologists play an important role throughout the Drug Discovery process. In a standard Pharmacology degree, around 20% of graduates enter employment in the pharmaceutical industry to pursue research or related careers. Pharmacologists are employed in both SME Biotech companies as well as large pharmaceutical companies. As well as drug discovery, pharmacology expertise is used in clinical trials, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and patenting.

Other popular industries include:

  • the financial services
  • the Civil Service and the NHS
  • marketing and medical information, providing a link between pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and patients

Average starting salary and career progression

93.90% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £28,993.


HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Course data

Open Day June 2022