Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science
De Montfort University
UCAS Code: B204 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
2 or more A levels, including Chemistry at grade C or above, and one other science subject from: Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Statistics, Maths/Further Maths, or Psychology at grade D or above
Pass QAA Accredited Science Access to HE with at least 15 level 3 credits in Chemistry at merit and 15 level 3 credits in a second science subject at merit. English Language and Maths GCSE required as separate qualifications. Equivalency not accepted within the Access qualification.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
24+ with 6 higher level points in Chemistry and another science (preferably Biology)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science
UCAS Tariff
About this course
Our Pharmaceutical Cosmetic Science (PCS) course has been designed to follow a concept-to-consumer narrative over the three years of the programme with a primary focus on how pharmaceutical, cosmetic and toiletry products are formulated and manufactured.
As part of the Leicester School of Pharmacy, we have over 100 years of experience which will allow us to provide you with both the theoretical and practical skills you will need to thrive in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry following graduation. This will also be supported by our extensive network of collaborations with both industries ensuring that real-time developments in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry are a focal point on the programme.
You will study a wide range of topics that will firstly introduce you to the fundamental principles in pharmaceutics and cosmetics alongside analytical techniques and basics in biological systems, cell biology, microbiology and physiology. This will then feed into and complement the second-year modules which will focus on design, formulation, manufacture and evaluation of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The final year will delve deeper into more advanced and niche topics including drug design, personalised medicines, responsible innovation and sustainability.
**Key features**
- This is a specialist course in the UK and DMU is one of only a handful of universities nationally which combines pharmaceutical and cosmetic science.
Renowned for our academic expertise, development training and world-leading research - we offer more than 100 years of teaching experience in the Leicester School of Pharmacy.
- Our investment in dedicated practical laboratories and industry-standard equipment offers you invaluable opportunities to develop your practical and professional skills.
- Our graduates gain rewarding and stimulating careers in the pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic industries – DMU PCS students have gone on to work for major companies such as AstraZeneca, Boots, The Body Shop, Catalent and Barry M.
- Our strong network with industry means students will be able to develop their practical and professional skills and also be offered the opportunity to apply them to real-world situations with a placement year option.
- Students will have the opportunity to achieve "Registered Scientist" recognition by completing annual personal development plans and one year of industrial experience; a qualification which can raise your profile as a professional.
- Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.
Modules
**FIRST YEAR**
All year: Professional Portfolio 1
Block 1: Core Concepts in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Block 2: Core Concepts in Cosmetic Sciences
Block 3: Analytical Techniques
Block 4: Cell and Systems Biology
**SECOND YEAR:**
All year: Professional Portfolio 2
Block 1: Pharmaceutical Formulation
Block 2: Cosmetic Formulation
Block 3: Manufacture of Pharmaceutical Products
Block 4: Design, Manufacture and Evaluation of Cosmetic Products
**THIRD YEAR:**
All year: Professional Portfolio 3
Block 1: Drug Design and Biopharmaceutics
Block 2: Personalised Medicine and Drug Delivery
Block 3: Responsible Innovation in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science
Block 4: Research Project
Assessment methods
The programme has been designed to be student-focused to allow for more interactive learning, promoting a more inclusive, independent learning experience.
A wide range of resources will be made available to you including podcast recordings, interactive large-group sessions, and laboratory-based practical sessions all of which will be complemented by workshops and seminars.
Across the whole course, there will be a varied mix of assessments including report writing, competency-based activities, knowledge checks, critical thinking case studies, and unseen exams.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Leicester Campus
Health and Life Sciences
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Chemistry
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Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Chemistry
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Chemistry graduates are in demand from a wide range of industries, from the food, oil, chemicals and pharmaceuticals to consultancy, technical analysis and teaching. They're also prized by business and finance employers for their research and data handling skills — anywhere there is research and data to be explained, you can find chemistry grads. If you want a career in research, you need a doctorate, so start planning now if you fancy one of these exciting and challenging jobs - but good students can usually get grants to take a doctorate, so don't worry about the financing if you think you have what it takes. The recession wasn’t too kind to chemists, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry (one of the key employers for chemists), but things are getting back to normal for this flexible group and it's one of the few degrees that is bucking the current trend and increasing graduate numbers.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Chemistry
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£22k
£24k
£31k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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