Pharmaceutical Science BSc (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science and Chemistry
- Undergraduate
Kickstart your career with the Pharmaceutical Science BSc (Hons) degree course from ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ. This course is one of the first to be accredited by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS) and you can gain experience of how pharmaceutical science is applied in industry with an optional placement year.
You are reading:
Discover the role innovative pharmaceutical research can play
Span the worlds of chemistry and biology to transform the lives of patients.
On our Pharmaceutical Science BSc (Hons) course, you will benefit from our wide range of facilities for practical work. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment, including:
- Our £9.8 million Eadweard Muybridge building with state-of the art laboratories
- Specialist equipment, such as:
- Gas and liquid chromatography
- Electron microscopy
- Spectrometers, including mass spectrometers, infrared spectrometers and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers
- Nuclear science equipment
- Thermal analysis
- X-ray diffractometers
- Electrochemical analysis
- Computing laboratories and a team of IT technicians to offer assistance
Two months after graduating with a first-class honours, I landed my first role in an energy and chemical consultancy company in Oxford.
Why choose this course
Pharmaceutical science can benefit and transform patients' lives. Spanning the worlds of chemistry and biology, it discovers, develops and analyses medicines and pharmaceutical products. If you're considering a career in the pharmaceutical industry, this course will give you the knowledge and practical skills for success.
This course explores drug discovery and development, pharmacology, toxicology and immunology. You'll examine the most effective ways medicines are manufactured, packaged, stored and administered. As well as this, you'll take part in innovative research exploring new methods of drug delivery and drug synthesis.
In your final year, you'll get the opportunity to complete a major project where you can apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired to a range of real issues in different contexts. This is a great way to learn and is a valuable bridge to employment or further research at masters level.
We have recently updated our modules to enhance student-centred teaching and align course content with industry needs, helping you become a future-proof graduate.
Accreditation
This course has been accredited by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS) for 5 years from 2023.
Course content
Year 1
Year 1 introduces biology, chemistry, and physiology for pharmaceutical science.
Core modules
30 credits
You will gain a thorough grounding in mathematical, presentation, reporting and IT skills to support your scientific progress. This module will help you develop effective learning strategies and provides the foundation for your personal and career development.
This module will introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with Navigate. You will be supported by themed tutor meetings enabling students to work on tasks to develop their graduate attributes.
30 credits
Chemistry impacts many spheres of everyday life. From paints and coatings to smartphone’s electrochromic displays, small molecule drugs to the understanding of biochemical processes necessary for life.
This module covers the fundamentals of chemistry and builds on them to ensure you become familiar with the core chemistry concepts necessary to the chemical, pharmaceutical and biochemical sciences. There is a key focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
30 credits
This module introduces you to the fundamental principles of the biochemical processes that occur within the cell, introducing you to eukaryotic cell structure, basic tissue types, microbial entities and organisms that include viruses, bacteria and fungi. It is designed to introduce cell biology, microbiology and pharmaceutics, particularly with reference to human physiology and the pathological microorganisms affecting it and the development of medicines.
You will learn about the formulation of pharmacotherapies designed to address cell and organ dysfunction.
You will explore pre-formulation requirements, relevant physio-chemical principles and routes of administration and their involvement in the choice of dosage form and drug delivery systems.
30 credits
This module will give you an introduction to the pharmaceutical industry, providing you with essential knowledge and analytical skills crucial for a career in the pharmaceutical industry.
Covering the industry's structure, market dynamics, regulatory environment, and ethical considerations, the module will equip you with a holistic understanding of how the pharmaceutical sector operates. You will gain an overview of drug development, from discovery and clinical trials to regulatory approval and market release, which includes the importance of regulatory bodies and the guidelines they set to ensure drug safety and efficacy.
You will gain insights into pharmaceutical market trends, including the impact of patents, generic drug competition, ethics and the influence of emerging technologies on drug development and distribution. By the end of this module, you will have developed a robust understanding of the pharmaceutical industry's concepts and operations, honed your analytical skills, and cultivated a strong ethical framework to guide your future career in pharmaceutical science aligned with SDG 3 and 10.
Year 2
Year 2 places emphasis on organic and medicinal chemistry and develops practical skills, especially in pharmaceutical analysis - important in relation to the actions and characterisation of drugs. You will also study the effect of drugs in living systems and the principles of the immune system. There will be an introduction to micro-organisms in relation to human disease, their control and safe working practices. You will explore organic and medicinal chemistry applied to the design and synthesis of drug molecules. Year 2 also focuses on the experimental aspects of pharmaceutical science, developing skills for conducting independent laboratory investigations.
Core modules
30 credits
This module immerses you into the world of analytical science applied to problem solving in biochemistry, clinical chemistry, forensic analysis and pharmaceutical science applications. It develops critical thinking in being able to identify the best approaches used to prepare samples, collect results and analyse data, whether it is quantitative or qualitative in various scenarios. You will build your knowledge, practical skills and interpretation skills whilst implementing the analytical process model using scenario-based learning.
30 credits
The module develops understanding of both Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry introducing important principles, reactions, and mechanisms in organic chemical reactivity as well as basic mechanisms of drug action.
You will build on concepts introduced in your first year, including carbanion reactivity of carbonyl compounds, the reactions of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds, stereochemistry, asymmetric synthesis, and retrosynthesis.
This module uses examples from a range of medicinal areas to illustrate these key processes as well as introducing drug design and the role this plays in the modern pharmaceutical industry. You will explore the evolving landscape of global medicine and the innovative approaches driving personalized healthcare. You will learn how global and personalized medicine intersect to improve patient outcomes. You will explore the socio-economic and cultural factors influencing healthcare delivery and the importance of ethical practices in the development of equitable healthcare solutions and scientific communication.
30 credits
This module gives an introduction to subject content that underlies many of the industrial and research areas that will provide employment for Pharmaceutical Science graduates. The module will incorporate elements of pharmacology, toxicology, immunology and pharmaceutics (including formulation science).
You will receive a thorough grounding in the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion which underlies many of the pharmacological and toxicological effects of biological agents.
You will learn how drug formulation affects the bioavailability of a drug and how the physiology of the human system affects these processes.
This module also provides an introduction to the area of immunology. This is important as much of the recent developments in drug development and consequently employment opportunities for our graduates involve antibodies as therapeutic agents. You will explore the major factors involved in the effective and safe delivery of therapeutic agents to human populations. This will include solid, semi-solid and liquid dosage forms.
30 credits
This module allows you to develop laboratory techniques and data interpretation skills through experiments that include organic synthesis, product characterisation and evaluation of various pharmaceutical formulations and dosage forms. It also develops additional research skills such as literature searches, review writing and digital skills that will be developed through the use of chemistry specific software packages (Chemdraw, Scifinder). You will be given the opportunity to develop higher level graduate attributes that are important to improving your employability, such as planning, teamwork, and presentation skills. In addition, the range of potential careers open to Pharmaceutical Science graduates will be covered in this module.
This module is designed to develop your graduate attributes. You will reflect on your existing areas of strength and identify areas for further development. The Future Skills Explore Learning Outcomes are delivered in this module.
Optional professional placement year
An optional professional placement year between Years 2 and 3 provides the opportunity to gain experience of how pharmaceutical science is applied in an industrial situation.
Final year
Final year exposes you to specialised areas of pharmaceutical science which includes how drugs are manufactured in industry and how they are introduced onto the shelf. You will learn about new and innovative research linked to pharmaceutical science including new methods of drug delivery. You will also undertake a year-long research project, applying, in an experimental context, the theoretical knowledge you have gained in the previous two years.
Core modules
30 credits
This module builds on the foundation gained in your second year, and increase your knowledge of spectroscopy so you will develop a more rigorous theoretical understanding. You will be trained in current advanced analytical techniques used in industry, exploring concepts of quality control, such as the application of chemometrics.
You will understand their importance using real world examples such as environmental UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) and how to suitably select sustainable analytical approaches (Climate Action, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), when applied to fragrance, forensic, chemical and pharmaceutical applications.
30 credits
This module introduces you to various aspects of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry relevant to your future career and aims to cover a wide range of topics including drug delivery, polymers and biomaterials. You will also explore operational aspects of the industry such as patents, intellectual property, legislation and licences, health and safety, and quality assurance.
You will be introduced to macromolecules and biomaterials as part of such drug delivery systems, by going through each step from synthesis, and properties to final product. You will be involved in a team project to develop and bring a new product to the market to enhance your employability and entrepreneurial skills, working with students from other disciplines across the university.
You will work on authentic case studies to develop your problem-solving skills to real world challenges aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 3, 9 and 10. The Future Skills learning outcomes will be delivered in this module.
30 credits
This module deals with the pharmacology involved in the treatment of various disease types, detailing the synthetic chemistry behind the development of drug molecules. You will gain an integrated understanding of the drug development process and the rationale for identifying targets within a disease. You will learn how to evaluate the impact of structural changes on the pharmacodynamic/kinetic profile of a drug from a pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic perspective.
You will understand the rationale when deciding the purpose, design, manufacture, and in-process testing of more advanced pharmaceutical formulations to ensure patient acceptability and efficacy in clinical use.
You will investigate the pathophysiology of a number of disease states associated with the cardiovascular and central nervous systems and how specific drugs address these pathologies.
The module also outlines the process for intellectual property protection and exploitation, toxicological events that might affect the body and the body’s immunological response to toxic insult or disease.
30 credits
The module provides you with an opportunity to undertake a scientific project and develop skills required to plan a project, develop a methodology, analyse the data and disseminate the results.
There are several types of projects that may be offered to you: laboratory, data projects involving acquisition of data and information from surveys, computer simulations, or a systematic review of research literature that includes the collection, analysis, and original presentation of reported research data.
Your project will include a review and critical evaluation of qualitative and quantitative information and data to address a hypothesis or research question, and the production of a written report.
Science Foundation Year
If you would like to study one of our science degrees at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ but are not yet ready to join the first year of a BSc (Hons) course, you can include an extra foundation year within your chosen degree. Please see the science foundation year course page for details of modules.
The course is extremely well structured and accessible for all. The coursework helped me develop many skills. I learnt how to be innovative during a business pitch assessment, how to lead group projects and how to work independently.
Future Skills and career opportunities
Many of our Pharmaceutical Science students go on to work in the pharmaceutical industry, research or clinical laboratories, hospitals and education.
The types of roles our graduates have secured include drug safety associates, quality control analysts, pharmacy technicians, microbiologists and medical publishers. Jobs in research include research assistants and scientists, clinical trial project managers and marketing researchers. While some graduates have continued their studies as PhD students.
Some of the employers our graduates have go on to work for include Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Braun Medical, the NHS, Nemaura Pharma Ltd and Quotient BioResearch.
Boost your career
Embedded within this course and throughout the whole Kingston experience is our Future Skills programme. The Future Skills programme was developed to respond to the ever-evolving demands from modern day employment.
It will help you obtain the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability, and learn how to apply these skills in different scenarios. You’ll also learn how to articulate to employers how being able to do so gives you the edge.
At ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars, small group tutorials and practical sessions.
It may also include placements, project work, workshops, conferences and field trips.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 25% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 27% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 34% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 62.5%; exams 38%
- Year 2: Coursework 61%; exams 39%
- Year 3: Coursework 65%; exams 35%
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible.
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 85 students and lecture sizes are normally 85Â-130Â. However this can vary by module and academic year.
For me personally, the research project undertaken in my third year has most prepared me for when I graduate. As I will be going on to begin a masters and PhD, the experience was excellent for my academic confidence and research skills.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| £9,535* | |
| Foundation Year: | £9,535 |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £18,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £19,200 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £19,900 |
| Year 4 (2028/29): | £20,700 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
Please visit the Fees and Funding page for more information.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
* For full-time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full-time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thame, and Norbiton.
Specific courses may require uniforms, specialty clothing, or specific equipment like lab coats and safety shoes. ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will supply you with a lab coat and safety goggles at the start of the year.
Some courses may require professional memberships.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our graduates and students say
Not only did the laboratory sessions prepare us to go into industry, but the variety of academic material also prepared us to go into more office-based jobs.
We studied cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases in order to understand the mechanisms by which the disease occurs. We then looked at how drugs can be designed to treat them and the specifics of their modes of action. This module is definitely one to look forward to.
It gave me the opportunity to be even more inquisitive as a scientist, and allowed me to be a confident, proactive student. My supervisor gave me a huge amount of support and constantly believed in me, which really made me feel like a skilled and competent laboratory scientist.
A typical day on the Pharmaceutical Science BSc(Hons) course would consist of lectures, workshops and laboratory sessions. Workshops were a chance to reflect on the material from lectures, work with your classmates to solve problems and engage in academic discussion. Practical sessions involved a variety of experiments, such as synthesising different therapeutic compounds and analysing samples.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
