Overview
What is pharmaceutical science like at UEL?
Pharmaceutical science is the study of the formulation, development and manufacture of new drugs. Pharmaceutical scientists have the power to transform patients' lives by developing new treatments for diseases. It looks at how different drugs act on the human body and how their healing effects can be safely used. You can:
- Take modules in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and physiology.
- Gain experience in a diverse selection of subjects to help you gain insight into the development, design, delivery and use of new drugs.
- Become a student member of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS). This is the professional body for pharmaceutical sciences in the UK.
This course is in Clearing
Our LLM course is a top choice
UEL’s LLM programme has been recognised as a top choice in the latest PTES survey, achieving 1st place rankings for satisfaction, teaching and more.
What makes this course different

Career focused practical sessions
You will receive extensive laboratory training throughout your studies within our state-of-the-art bioscience facilities, preparing you to be career-ready upon graduation.

Natural product focus
You will learn from several UEL industry experts about natural products for drug discovery and medicine. Many of our academic team have degrees in medical herbalism.

Outstanding facilities
Your learning will take place in our multi-million pound bioscience teaching laboratories. Our equipment is line with industry standards, which will support your transition into employment.
View our facilitiesAccreditation

Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences
This course is accredited by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
APS websiteCourse modules
You will develop skills in academic reading and writing, gathering and evaluating information, and critical thinking in this Pharmaceutical Science degree. You will perform various individual and group activities, including presentations on topics relevant to your degree studies, enhancing your social awareness and teamwork skills as well as core communication skills.
In Year 1 of the pharmaceutical science degree, you will build foundational knowledge in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and cell biology, exploring the synthesis, structure, and function of biological and chemical systems. The pharmaceutical science course integrates practical and theoretical knowledge to support professional and academic growth.
The pharmaceutical science course covers key areas including pharmacology, immunology, and organic synthesis, emphasising practical skills in drug manufacturing, quality control, and diagnostics. The pharmaceutical science programme also fosters professional competencies through research projects and optional work placements, preparing you for diverse careers in the pharmaceutical industry.
In Year 3 of the pharmaceutical science degree, you will explore advanced topics such as Natural Products and Discovery, focusing on drugs derived from natural sources, and Medicinal Chemistry, which emphasises drug design and synthesis. Through the pharmaceutical science programme, you will gain practical skills in analytical techniques for pharmaceutical quality control, toxicology, and biopharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical science course integrates hands-on lab experiences and research projects to prepare you for a range of jobs in the pharmaceutical industry.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Your future career
Your pharmaceutical science degree will be an ideal entry point into a range of careers, giving you plenty of choice about the direction you take. You could, for example, go on to work with a pharmaceutical company, developing new drugs and testing their effectiveness. Pharmaceutical companies employ graduates to help advise customers on the technical aspects of their products. Then there are chemical companies looking for graduates who understand how drugs are developed and have proven analytical skills. Outside the chemical industries, there are teaching opportunities and careers in finance and accounting. Whatever your next step, after the contacts you've made and the opportunities you've had to see the industry up close, you'll leave us perfectly prepared to explore pharmaceutical science jobs across a range of sectors.
Industry links
Our course curriculum has been carefully developed from the APS indicative syllabus to ensure we are providing the content and experience that will enable you to develop a satisfying and enjoyable pharmaceutical science career. Our courses link with pharmaceutical companies via a stakeholder group. This ensures that our teaching encompasses the latest emerging pharmaceutical science technologies.
Graduate employers
Our graduates have found pharmaceutical science jobs as varied as the NHS and Pfizer as well as pharmacies, laboratories and the wider pharmaceutical sector.
Job roles
Students with a pharmaceutical science degree have gone on to careers as laboratory technicians, scientific officers, pharmacy manufacturers, quality control analysts, dispensers and microbiology analysts.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.
Further study
You might decide to pursue postgraduate study on our MSc Pharmaceutical Science course or explore a career in research on our MRes programme led by Prof Winston Morgan.

Much of the testing I perform (dissolution, tablet testing, HPLC, wet chemistry) was covered in great detail during the course. think it’s the perfect degree for anyone wanting to work in pharmaceutical QC testing!"Chelsea Lehane
Completed BSc Pharmaceutical science in 2019. Currently working at Tentamus Pharma UK job role is Laboratory Analyst
How you'll learn
Our innovative Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) approach enhances face-to-face learning by providing students with scheduled on-campus contact hours and additional learning opportunities. Through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), students can access course materials and resources beyond their scheduled hours. We offer access to industry-standard technology and specialised spaces to prepare students for their future careers. Dedicated time for activities and development, along with a holistic approach to learning, fosters academic, personal, and professional growth. Students benefit from career support through on-campus and virtual Career Zones, personalised support services, and a dedicated online portal, Track My Future (TMF).
An integral part of our teaching strategy is to enhance the student experience by providing presentations from external experts, conference attendance and external visits. Students particularly enjoy the visit to the Royal College of Physicians Medicinal Garden where they observe first-hand the origin of many pharmaceutical drugs.
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops as part of your BSc Pharmaceutical Science, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as game labs, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support
Students are supported through their pharmaceutical science degree with academic or subject-related queries by a programme director, module leaders, academic advisors (you’ll have an academic advisor from the teaching team as soon as you arrive with us), and university central support services.
Dedicated personal tutor
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, academic tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help you achieve your potential.
You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses. Our Student Support hubs feature centralised helpdesks.
UEL provides support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).
Workload
Each year you will spend up to 240 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, pharmaceutical science workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are to be confirmed.
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment on our pharmaceutical science degree. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Class sizes
The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work.
How you'll be assessed
We'll assess you with a mixture of coursework and exams. Coursework includes essays, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a final-year project. Most of the assessment in your first year is by coursework and we'll give you as much feedback as possible. In your third year, you'll either take five core modules or undertake a work placement. We'll assess you accordingly.
More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. You will always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 14 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.
- Year 1 - 50% Portfolio/Coursework, 50% Laboratory/Practical/ICT
- Year 2 - 33% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 33% Laboratory/Practical/ICT, 17% Portfolio/Coursework, 8.5% Group Project/Presentation, 8.5% Case Study/PBL
- Year 3 - 42% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 33% Portfolio/Coursework, 25% Laboratory/Practical/ICT
Campus and facilities
Our campus and the surrounding area
Our historic Stratford campus is located in one of the best-connected areas of London: close to Stratford's thriving town centre, the 2012 Olympic Park, and just 15 minutes from London's West End.
Stratford’s facilities include a state-of-the-art library and learning centre, the majestic great hall and specialist laboratories and computing services. The School of Childhood and Social Care, and Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science are housed in new buildings. There is also a campus restaurant and bookshop, and a Students' Union café-bar.
Westfield Stratford City - Europe's largest indoor shopping mall - is just one of Stratford's attractions, alongside many other shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There are two multiscreen cinemas, a theatre, an arts centre and much more.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by School of Health, Sport and Bioscience
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
- Course leader
Dr Barbara Pendry
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Dr Mukhlesur Rahman
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Tummala Rama Krishna Reddy
Department of Bioscience, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience - Course leader
Dr Kejing Shi
School of Health, Sports & Biosciences, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience
What our students and staff say

As part of the course, we visited the Royal College of Physicians. It was a great learning experience on the history and use of living medicines. The visit strengthened our relationships with external organisations."
Tharmika Sithamparanathan
Pharmaceutical Science, BSc (Hons)

Every module consists of lectures with practical sessions. Students also get the chance to deal with professional equipment in UEL labs, which helps them get into professional life more easily after graduating. The work is always challenging and interesting."
Holly Siddique
Pharmaceutical Science, BSc (Hons)