Overview
Our passion for pharmacology stretches over half a century of studying drugs and how their application affects the prevention and treatment of disease. This is why we look to the future by emphasising emerging therapeutic strategies and research opportunities on our new, revamped course. Our pharmacology degree offers a solid foundation for understanding pharmacology and its impact on healthcare.
Our comprehensive pharmacology BSc programme is designed to meet the evolving demands of the pharmaceutical industry, combining cutting-edge research with practical application to prepare graduates for successful careers in drug development and therapeutic innovation.
Our lecturers' calibre has been recognised by the British Pharmacology Society (BPS) with the 2014 Rang Prize for excellence in pharmacological teaching. They will give you a thorough introduction to every area of pharmacology through our diverse and flexible approach. If you're exploring clinical pharmacology or the broader aspects of the field, this pharmacology course will prepare you for a variety of pharmacology career opportunities.
As a pharmacology undergraduate student, you'll have access to personalised mentorship from award-winning faculty members who are actively engaged in groundbreaking research across multiple therapeutic areas.
This course is in Clearing
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Course modules
If you don't have the standard qualifications or you're coming from an extended break in education, our foundation year is the perfect building block to move you onto the next level, even if you're not sure if this is the right degree for you. This introductory path also provides insights into the various pharmacology career opportunities available to graduates. You'll get a grounding in topics like maths and ICT, which are essential for any science degree. You'll get an overview of biology, chemistry and physics, all topics that will set you up for your full undergraduate degree. You'll also have the chance to apply your learning with an optional short work placement to get you acclimatised to the pharmacology industry.
In the first year of the pharmacology degree, you will gain foundational knowledge in essential sciences through modules in chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, and biochemistry and molecular biology. The pharmacology programme emphasises practical laboratory skills, scientific analysis, and human anatomy and physiology, building a strong base for understanding drug actions and biological processes. The pharmacology course also supports professional development with a focus on employability, academic writing, and transferable skills.
In the second year of the pharmacology degree, you will deepen your knowledge of drug discovery, development, and regulation while exploring topics such as immunology, physiological systems, and cellular biochemistry. The pharmacology programme emphasises practical skills in monitoring physiological functions, investigating drug actions, and conducting biochemical analyses.
In the third year of the pharmacology degree, you'll explore advanced topics such as neuropsychopharmacology, cardiovascular and pulmonary pharmacology, and cutting-edge innovations like AI and personalised medicine. The pharmacology programme delves into toxicology, immunopharmacology, and emerging therapeutics for diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Entry requirements
What makes this course different

£27,000 starting salary
UEL students successfully completing this pharmacology degree achieved an impressive salary of £27,000, 15 months after graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2021).

Highly rated by our students
100 per cent of students surveyed on this course responded positively to questions on “Academic Support” in the 2025 National Student Survey. (National Student Survey 2025, Results published 9 July 2025)

Outstanding facilities
Your learning will take place in our multi-million-pound bioscience teaching laboratories. Our equipment is in line with industry standards, which will support your transition into employment.
View our facilitiesYour future career
We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities. Our pharmacology course will be a great foundation for your future career, whether it be in clinical pharmacology or in a more general science job role.
Industry links
Our annual career conferences have been a source of inspiration, encouragement and valuable information and advice for pharmacology students. These events include talks by alumni, employers and recruitment agencies. Your pharmacology degree will leave you well-placed to take up a research post, maybe at a university or in a research institute, to enter the exciting field of drug discovery. You'll also be able to apply for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine as a graduate.
We also recently hosted the Cross-Institutional Students’ Pharmacology Society Networking event. The event brought together aspiring pharmacologists for a day of networking, collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Graduate employers
Our graduates have found pharmacology jobs with a wide range of employers, including the NHS, pharmacies, laboratories, and the wider pharmacology sector. The story of our alumnus Suman Gurung gives an idea of how our course can kick-start your career. He got a BPS bursary worth £2,000 to attend an intensive, one-week residential research techniques course. Suman's excellent final-year stem cell research project, conducted with course leader Dr Ayoub, helped earn him a first-class honours degree. He then landed a job at a cosmetics company working on stem cell therapies for baldness.
Job roles
Graduates from this pharmacology course have gone on to careers as clinical trial administrators, dispensers and technical officers. Alumna Hilda Bellony started her career at Imperial College Hospital after graduating from UEL. She became a researcher at Imperial College London and now works at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Whether you pursue a role in clinical pharmacology or another area, our pharmacology degree will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
Further study
For those interested in advancing their education, our pharmacology course provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study.

The Career Zone team was great at helping me with mock interviews. My course leader even gave me example pharmacology questions to revise.”Roxy Mulligan
Pharmacology BSc (Hons) student, who did a placement at GSK
How you'll learn
You will design and test your own experiments under the guidance of industry experts. These activities will enhance your independence, knowledge and skills, highly sought after by employers in the pharmaceutical industry.
Guided independent study
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).
Academic support
Students are supported 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
The approximate percentages for this course are:
- Year 1: 180 hours - Taught Sessions, 60 hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 960 hours - Independent Learning
- Year 2: 185 hours - Taught Sessions, 55 hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 960 hours - Independent Learning
- Year 3: 188 hours - Taught Sessions, 52 hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 960 hours - Independent Learning
Your timetable
Each year you will spend up to 240 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
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 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 allowing for in-depth discussions on pharmacology.
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.
- Year 1 - 58% Portfolio/Coursework, 42% Laboratory/Practical/ICT
- Year 2 - 35% Portfolio/Coursework 32% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 25% Laboratory/Practical/ICT, 8% Group Project/Presentation
- Year 3 - 57% Portfolio/Coursework, 28% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 10% Case Study/PBL, 5% Group Project/Presentation
You'll 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.
Campus and facilities
Stratford Campus, London, E15 4LZ
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, just 15 minutes from London's West End and 20 minutes from Canary Wharf.
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, restaurants and cinemas. Stratford is fast becoming London's new cultural quarter, with Sadler's Wells East and V&A East moving in.
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.
What our students and staff say

My journey at UEL has been an exciting and dynamic learning experience for me. The excellent support and expertise of the lecturers have enhanced my knowledge, building up a strong scientific background. The work placement opportunities provided by UEL add to the experience, helping to put theory into practice. My pharmacovigilance placement with MHRA was a very good way of using my pharmacology knowledge in real life."
Veronica Franklin
Pharmacology, BSc (Hons)

My experience at UEL is something I will always be grateful for. Samir and other lecturers were endlessly encouraging and supportive, and I am keen to push any opportunity for growth. Without such amazing guidance, I'm not sure I'd be having the success I have today."
Peter Ashdown
Pharmacology, BSc (Hons)










