Pharmacology BSc (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Biology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Science
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science and Chemistry
- Undergraduate
Kickstart your career in Pharmacology with the Pharmacology BSc (Hons) degree course from Ji8¸£ÀûÍø. This course meets the core curriculum requirements set out by the British Pharmacological Society (BPS), the professional association for pharmacologists and one of the leading pharmacological societies in the world. It is also accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
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Use our state-of-the-art labs to explore the impact of medicinal drugs on diseases
On this 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
Our expert team is led by Anna Morgan, who is a Fellow of the .
Throughout the course, I appreciated the variety of subjects and therapeutic areas covered and the support that the lecturers provided was second to none.
Why choose this course
How exactly do medicinal drugs treat and prevent disease? How are they discovered and tested? How do they affect society? If you want to delve deeper into these questions, this could be the course for you.
This course is taught by award-winning experts, with a focus on biological and physiological processes, rather than chemical ones. We'll examine how drugs act on their targets in major organs and systems, and how the body reacts.
You'll study the treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular disease. You'll also have opportunities to learn about new drugs affecting the brain, treating epilepsy and depression, and how drugs influence addiction.
We have updated our modules to enhance student-centred teaching and align course content with industry needs, helping you become a future-proof graduate.
Accreditations
This course meets the core curriculum requirements set out by the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) - the professional association for pharmacologists and one of the leading pharmacological societies in the world.
Course content
Year 1
Year 1 offers essential understanding of how the human body works, providing knowledge to underpin the study of pharmacology, and essential laboratory skills that you will use throughout your degree. You will gain a comprehensive overview of physiology from cellular to organ-system level, as well as genetics and molecular biology.
Core modules
30 credits
This module introduces basic cell biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, genetics, germ layers, and tissue types in the human body, as well as various microorganisms.
You will experience practical sessions in a state-of-the-art laboratory, on microscopy, histology, cytogenetics and microbiology, enabling you to develop practical skills in the correct use of microscopes, examining and studying chromosomes, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, microbes and tissues, interpreting, and recording biological data, and build upon your knowledge gained from lectures.
This module provides a foundation for advanced modules in cell biology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, and microbiology.
30 credits
This module introduces you to the fascinating world of human physiology, focusing on how the body’s systems work together to maintain health. You will explore key concepts in physiology, learn about the fundamental effects of drugs on the body, and develop essential skills in experimental design and data analysis.
Through lectures, workshops, and problem-solving challenges, you will also be supported to explore topics in greater depth. Laboratory practicals will provide hands-on experience with selected techniques in experimental design and data analysis. By the end of this module, you will have a solid understanding of how physiological processes are studied and how they relate to broader issues like sustainability, medicines, and human health.
30 credits
This module provides an understanding of how basic chemical elements are bonded to form complex biomolecules in living systems. In this module, we will explore the role and structure of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids and delve into defining their properties and functions. The module will also introduce the vital role of energy transformations in living organisms.
Core material is delivered through lectures, online resources and activities, and problem-solving workshops supported by laboratory practicals and subsequent data analysis.
On completion of the module, you will have a comprehensive grounding in the molecular basis of life from the atomic scale up to cells. This module will help you develop the skills necessary for enhancing your learning through effective note-taking and critical thinking, which will continue to help you throughout your degree.
30 credits
This module provides a firm foundation in the general scientific and laboratory skills students require to successfully complete their programmes of study.
A significant component of the module consists of the development and demonstration of core technical/practical skills through familiarity with the laboratory environment through hands-on learning.
This module will also introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with the Navigate programme introducing the key graduate attributes required in developing your professional development portfolio in the biosciences. The Future Skills concepts and activities will support you in developing and evidencing your practice, scientific analytical/problem-solving, teamworking, digital competency, practical and numeracy skills.
Year 2
In Year 2, you will explore the action of drugs at their target sites in greater detail, and the actions of the body on drugs once they have been administered.
You will also learn about how drugs act on the major organ systems of the body, including the cardiovascular, nervous, gastrointestinal, renal, respiratory and endocrine systems.
Further coverage of immunology, microbiology and molecular biology enables you to study selected diseases and their treatments. You will develop additional research skills ahead of your independent research project in year 3.
Core modules
30 credits
This module is designed to deepen your understanding of physiological and pharmacological principles by applying them to key human physiological systems.
You will gain essential knowledge about various disease processes (such as those affecting the brain, immune, reproductive, and cardiorespiratory systems) and the corresponding drug therapies acting on organs and systems. You will explore the rationale behind clinical drug selection and the mechanisms underpinning potential side effects within and across systems.
30 credits
This module delves into the fascinating world of microorganisms, that play a big role in health and disease. We’ll explore how our immune system responds to these microscopic agents. Through interactive lectures and workshops, we’ll examine various microbiological processes. You will learn about controlling these organisms in laboratory settings and within patients.
The second part broadens the scope to encompass the wider aspects of biochemistry, pharmacology and beyond. It focuses on developing your Future Skills by engaging with Explore, to enhance your research, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities, and preparing you for your final year capstone project. This is further supported by tutor meetings, which helps you work on tasks to develop, articulate, and reflect on your progress and graduate attributes.
30 credits
This module builds on topics covered in your first year and explores advanced concepts in cell and molecular biology. The module provides a molecular insight into the structure and function of cells and takes an integrated approach to understand how cells respond to changes in their environment – from receptor interactions and intracellular signalling pathways through to the regulation of gene expression and changes in cellular processes.
You will discover various mechanisms of intracellular signalling in different organisms. You will gain a detailed knowledge of the processes involved in the regulation of gene expression. You will also learn about practical methods relevant to cell and molecular biology, for example fluorescence microscopy, RT-PCR.
Year 3
Year 3 provides further in-depth study of pharmacology - drugs used to treat cancer and infectious diseases; drugs acting on the brain and peripheral nervous system, such as antidepressants and analgesics; novel drugs used to treat degenerative brain diseases; and the mechanisms of action of drug abuse.
You will be able to investigate emerging new techniques in pharmacology. The wider impact of pharmacology on society is considered, and key skills needed to communicate with both specialists and the public are developed.
Your independent project enables you to gain experience of conducting research in a particular area of interest.
Core modules
30 credits
You will learn about the molecular and cellular basis of neurological and psychiatric disorders and differences. You will explore existing and new pharmacological and other therapies to treat these conditions. This research-driven module will introduce you to a range of topical areas in neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology, neurophysiology and neuroscience, including neurodiversity and neuroplasticity.
You will experience relevant research techniques, will learn to critically evaluate and discuss different ways of studying the brain, and will explore sustainability and inclusivity aspects of neuropharmacology.
30 credits
This is a core final-year module for pharmacology students, designed to help you dive deep into the entire drug development process from discovering a new target to analysing a drug after it hits the market. Building on what you have learned in first and second year, you will gain industry-relevant skills through authentic assessments, with a flexible curriculum designed to incorporate new technologies and developments, and to promote digital literacy, enterprise, and critical analysis.
We will also address challenges in the wider pharmaceutical industry, including sustainability concerns, sociological and ethical considerations, and issues related to social justice, equity, and inclusivity in bringing drugs to market. Plus, you will hear from guests and alumni who are currently in the field, giving you up-to-date insights and a taste of what lies ahead in your career.
30 credits
This module provides you with an opportunity to learn about drug therapies used in the treatment of both infectious diseases and cancer. Treatments for infectious diseases will cover drugs that have actions on bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, while the cancer therapies will include a range of different neoplastic diseases, including drug treatments for both solid and blood cancers.
Your lectures will focus on the mode of action, side effects and mechanisms of resistance of antimicrobials and anti-cancer drugs, as well as the development of new drugs.
30 credits
Your independent project forms a very important part of your degree programme. There are several types of projects that may be offered to you: a laboratory or field-based project, data projects involving acquisition of data and information from surveys, computer simulations or bioinformatics, 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 Ji8¸£ÀûÍø 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.
Future Skills and career opportunities
Graduates from our Pharmacology BSc (Hons) course go on to work in clinical trials, drug research, medical writing, pharmaceutical marketing and science communication. The course can also provide a gateway into graduate studies for clinical routes or academic research programmes.
As part of the course, you will have the chance to undertake a placement year in the pharmaceutical industry. This invaluable experience will help you discover the career paths available and better prepare you for work after graduation.
Embedded within this 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. You’ll learn how to apply these skills in different scenarios and be able to articulate to employers how doing so gives you the edge.
Since graduating in 2016, I have completed an MPhil in Biological Sciences at the University of Cambridge and am now training to be a life science consultant.
At Ji8¸£ÀûÍø, 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 Ji8¸£ÀûÍø 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 Ji8¸£ÀûÍø.
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: 24% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 27% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 22% 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 80%; exams 20%
- Year 2: Coursework 65%; exams 35%
- Year 3: Coursework 82.5%; exams 17.5%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
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. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 60 students and lecture sizes are normally 50–250. However this can vary by module and academic year.
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.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. 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.
Ji8¸£ÀûÍø 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 Thames, and Norbiton.
Specific courses may require uniforms, specialty clothing, or specific equipment like lab coats and safety shoes. Ji8¸£ÀûÍø will supply you with a lab coat and safety goggles at the start of the year.
Some courses may require professional memberships.
Kingston had a great work play balance and offered a great range of extra-curricular activities. I took part in the Bright Ideas Entrepreneur Competition, was a member of the rowing club and represented the University as a student ambassador.
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 students and graduates say
I chose to study this course because I have always been fascinated by how drugs interact within our bodies - complexities of the organs, how they reach the target site of pain, metabolism within the body, excretion and beyond.
I never felt there was any pressure placed on me while studying at Kingston, however, I was always provided with the resources I required and encouraged to achieve my goals.
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).
