You will take 120 credits of mandatory modules.
You must pass year one, but it does not count towards your final degree classification.
Medical School Building and University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK
Qualification | Entry Requirements | Start Date | UCAS code | Duration | Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSc Hons | AAB | September 2025 | B211 | 3 years full-time | TBC |
Qualification | Entry Requirements | Start Date | UCAS code | Duration | Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSc Hons | AAB | September 2025 | B211 | 3 years full-time | TBC |
HL5 and HL6 in Chemistry and Biology in any order
6.5 (not less than 6.0 in any element)
As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.
For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.
Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country
AAB - Including Chemistry A level and Biology A level
If only chemistry, then this will be looked at on a case by case basis
NA
Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.
We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.
Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.
Pharmacology is one of the progression pathways for our Science with a Foundation Year course. Requirements for progression are:
At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.
International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.
Foundation Programme RequirementsPassing of the Science Foundation Programme (CFG0) following the Biological Sciences pathway with a mean of 55% in Foundation Biological Sciences (C10FY3) and Chemistry (C10FCL) modules.
NA
AAB - Including Chemistry A level and Biology A level
If only chemistry, then this will be looked at on a case by case basis
NA
HL5 and HL6 in Chemistry and Biology in any order
Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.
We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.
Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.
We make contextual offers to students who may have experienced barriers that have restricted progress at school or college. Our standard contextual offer is usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements, and our enhanced contextual offer is usually two grades lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
If you have already achieved your EPQ at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ. Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer, your EPQ will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.
Pharmacology is one of the progression pathways for our Science with a Foundation Year course. Requirements for progression are:
At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.
Foundation Programme RequirementsPassing of the Science Foundation Programme (CFG0) following the Biological Sciences pathway with a mean of 55% in Foundation Biological Sciences (C10FY3) and Chemistry (C10FCL) modules.
NA
We offer the chance to study abroad at an approved partner university through the Universitas 21 programme. This is an exciting opportunity to gain a global perspective of science, boost your communication skills, and to discover a new culture.
Study Abroad and the Year in Industry are subject to students meeting minimum academic requirements. Opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
We offer the chance to study abroad at an approved partner university through the Universitas 21 programme. This is an exciting opportunity to gain a global perspective of science, boost your communication skills, and to discover a new culture.
Study Abroad and the Year in Industry are subject to students meeting minimum academic requirements. Opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
*For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .
There are some key textbooks that students may wish to purchase themselves. However, these textbooks are freely available from the library in electronic version.
Students will be required to purchase a lab coat and safety glasses.
The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.
We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers. Information about International scholarships here
The UK Government is intending to increase the tuition fee cap for UK undergraduate and Initial Teacher Training students studying in England to £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year. This is an increase of £285 per year. Course pages will be updated to reflect the latest tuition fees as more information becomes available. For more information, visit the Government’s website and take a look at our FAQs.
*For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .
There are some key textbooks that students may wish to purchase themselves. However, these textbooks are freely available from the library in an electronic format.
Students will be required to purchase a lab coat and safety glasses.
The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.
Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.
* A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.
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:
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:
Pharmacology can lead to a fulfilling career in medicines research or an industry that improves the lives of people around the world in areas such as drug discovery, medicines development, medical writing, regulatory affairs and pharmaceutical marketing.
Important information
This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.
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
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 take 120 credits of mandatory modules.
You must pass year one, but it does not count towards your final degree classification.
You will take 120 credits of modules split as below:
You must pass year two, which counts one third towards your final degree classification.
You will take 120 credits of modules split as follows:
You must pass year three, which counts two thirds towards your final degree classification.
You may be able to choose to study a language as part of this degree.
Learning another language can open career opportunities around the globe and enriches your CV. It could also help you in your studies by being able to access learning materials in other languages.
If you are planning to travel or work abroad it will help you to broaden your cultural understanding.
Our Language Centre offers many languages, and you may start as a beginner or at a more advanced level.
Find out more about learning a language as part of your degree
This module combines lectures and laboratory classes and introduces you to the structure and function of significant molecules in cells, and the important metabolic processes which occur inside them. You will study, amongst other topics, protein and enzyme structure and function, the biosynthesis of cell components, and the role of cell membranes in barrier and transport processes. You'll examine how information in DNA is used to determine the structure of gene products. Topics include DNA structure, transcription and translation and mutation and recombinant DNA technology.
In this module, you will be introduced to the physiology of major systems such as cardiovascular, nervous, and musculoskeletal, including some aspects of drug action. This module will allow you to understand your biochemical and genetics knowledge in the context of the intact organism. This module includes lectures and laboratory classes.
Primary objective of the module
To provide students with an introduction to key experimental, analytical and transferable skills, and to reinforce scientific themes from the first year in the context of small group tutorials.
Module content
The module has three major components:
This module introduces the basic concepts of molecular structure that underlie the physicochemical properties of drugs and their interactions with pharmacological binding partners. You will learn how to draw the chemical structures of drug molecules, name them, and understand their composition, three-dimensional shape, and flexibility.
This module will give you a good grounding in the basic principles of the nervous system of humans and other animals. Topics will include neuroanatomy, cellular neuroscience, neuropharmacology, sensory systems, neuroendocrinology, memory, behavioural neuroscience and diseases of the nervous system. These will be delivered through weekly lectures and practical classes.
TBC
The module aims to allow the student to develop an understanding of drug discovery and the pharmacology behind some of the most important classes of medicines that are currently in the clinic.
The course deals with fundamental concepts and methods in molecular pharmacology and protein structure. Students will study the major classes of drug targets, their role in signalling systems that lead to changes in cell and tissue function, and thus how their modulation can influence patient health.
As part of the focus on drug development, students will research in a focussed area of early drug discovery to identify how drug candidates may be taken on to become medicines.
Primary objective of the module
This is a practical module to introduce students to experimental pharmacology, experimental design, data analysis, and how to write a scientific report.
Module Content
Students will carry out a series of practicals and workshops that will be closely tied-in with the lecture material delivered in the other pharmacology modules. Through this module, students will develop their practical skills, as well as their data analysis and scientific writing skills
You will learn how knowledge of structural and synthetic aspects of molecules is applied in the discovery and design of new drugs. The concepts of pharmacophores and structure–activity relationships are introduced with the aid of instructive examples of drugs in clinical use. You will learn to apply medicinal chemistry concepts to the design and optimisation of molecularly targeted drug candidate molecules.
This module aims to provide students with the skills to communicate complex scientific concepts using language appropriate for a lay audience. It will also explore the impact of pharmacology on the wider community, for example, environmental and societal impact.
This module will teach you the underlying neurophysiology and pathology associated with several common CNS disorders and the neuropharmacology of currently available medication. You will learn about the neurotransmitters and pathways involved in normal brain function and how changes in these contribute to abnormal function. You will also decipher the pharmacological mechanisms of drugs used to treat these CNS disorders. You will cover numerous human diseases including those with great significance such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism.
To introduce the students to the issues surrounding the use of complementary and alternative medicines, including legal issues, safety issues, and interactions with drugs.
Life on Earth provides an introduction to the fundamental characteristics and properties of the myriad of organisms which inhabit our planet, from viruses, bacteria and Archaea, to plants and animals. In weekly lectures, and regular laboratory practical classes, you will consider how living organisms are classified, how they are related genetically and phylogenetically, and basic aspects of their structure and function.
This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the structures of DNA and RNA and how the information within these nucleic acids is maintained and expressed in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell types. Additionally, this module describes how nucleic acids can be manipulated in vitro using molecular biological approaches. Practical classes will focus your learning on the cloning and manipulation of DNA to express recombinant proteins in bacterial systems.
You will study microbiology, learning about pathogenic microbes including viruses, fungi, parasites and the roles of bacteria in health and disease. You will learn how the body generates immunity; the causes of diseases associated with faulty immune responses will be considered. In applied microbiology you will be introduced to recombinant DNA technology and prokaryotic gene regulation.
Concepts of reactivity are introduced and rationalised in the context of the basic reactions that are used to form the bonds in organic molecules. You will acquire a mechanistic understanding of the reactions that are used to form carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds in simple functionalised aromatic and aliphatic drug molecules.
This module considers the structure and function of soluble proteins and how individual proteins can be studied in molecular detail. More specifically you will learn about the problems associated with studying membrane-bound proteins and build an in-depth understanding of enzyme kinetics and catalysis. You will learn about the practical aspects of affinity purification, SDS PAGE, western blotting, enzyme assays, bioinformatics and molecular modelling approaches.
Primary objective of the module
To build on the detail and add further complexity to the drug discovery problems studied in year 2, with a focus on how the interpretation of quantitative pharmacology data can be dependent upon the signalling pathways measured.
Module Content
The lectures will be linked to a series of drug discovery problems. Topics covered include signal transduction, spare receptors, amplification, biased signalling, and molecular biology applied to pharmacology (biotechnological techniques, cloning receptors, recombinant proteins for therapy, gene manipulation in animals, mutants and their uses). Kinetics of drug binding, enzymology, ion channel pharmacology, non-GPCR targets, and mode of action of drugs targeting enzymes.
Primary objective of the module
This module will enable students to experience contemporary research methods.
Module content
Students will perform a laboratory based research project on a topic related to the interests of a member of the academic staff. They will produce a dissertation explaining what work was performed and a discussion of the results obtained.
Primary objective of the module
To cover the pharmacological treatment of disease, both current and future treatments, in detail.
Module content
This 3rd year module will look at mechanisms of drug action in further detail and complexity. Students will also be taken through the drug discovery process, including: overview of the drug discovery process (target identification- human genetics data; target-driven drug discovery, HTS strategies; target validation; QSAR); Target driven drug discovery. This will be linked to future/ novel targets for CVD, obesity, diabetes, immune diseases, Cancer, Respiratory disease, CNS disorders. Students will also be provided with an understanding of what is required to get a drug approved. Lectures from guest clinical speakers will put the pharmacology in a clinical setting.
As part of this module, students will work in groups as part of a Virtual Drug Discovery simulator:
Students will be guided through the drug discovery process through identification of a novel drug for treatment of “X” with a combination of self-directed learning and workshops. Workshops will be linked in with lectures. Students will be expected to work in teams and drive the drug discovery process. They will be provided with data in workshops. The data they are provided with will depend on the decisions they make about what experiments or testing is required. They will start at target identification, do an initial screen, decide on which drugs to take forward and how to develop them into the clinical phase. They will then carry out a clinical trial and analyse the data.
This module explores how toxicity occurs in the body, with examples of drug and non-drug toxicity.
Students will learn how these fit into drug safety and the importance of drug safety for patients, as well as what is required for licensing a drug for use in humans.
Students will also learn how toxicological safety testing is carried out, and how pharmacology impacts on patient care with respect to the safe and effective use of medicines.
This module introduces students to the issues surrounding the use of complementary and alternative medicines. It covers topics including:
This module gives students an understanding of the changes pregnancy can have on the human physiology, and what this means for drug delivery and efficacy.
It will examine the impact of underlying health conditions prior to pregnancy, such as hypertension, epilepsy and HIV, and how they are differentially managed.
It will also consider the development of pregnancy specific disorders such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and pre-term labour.
This module gives students an understanding of the molecular, cellular, and pathway mechanisms of action of drugs which elicit acute and longer-term effects on behaviour and/or mood.
As part of this, students will learn about the legal status and scheduling of drugs.
Topics covered will include the classification of drug types (for example, ‘uppers’, ‘downers’ and ‘psychedelics’) as well as drugs with less overt psychoactive that are exploited for non-medicinal use (for example, enhancement of physical profile).
You will be taught through a mix of lectures, practicals and workshops.
Teaching methods
Assessment methods
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:
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).
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
Faculty of Science
3 years full-time
Qualification
BSc Hons
Entry requirements
ABB
UCAS code
B313
Faculty of Science
4 years full-time
Qualification
MSci Hons
Entry requirements
AAB
UCAS code
B23B
If you’re looking for more information, please head to our help and support hub, where you can find frequently asked questions or details of how to make an enquiry.
If you’re looking for more information, please head to our help and support hub, where you can find frequently asked questions or details of how to make an enquiry.