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Pharmacology

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B

AAB to include Chemistry and one further science subject. A level science subjects considered include Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology. Science practical components must be passed. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Mathematics are excluded for entry.

Access to HE Diploma

D:45

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 45 credits must be at Distinction. A core science Access to HE Diploma must be studied. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Extended Project

A

ABB in 3 A-levels to include Chemistry and one further science subject plus Grade A in EPQ. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34

Pass with overall score of 34 points, with 17 points required at higher level, including 5 and 6 points at Higher Level in Chemistry and one further science subject. Science subjects considered include Biology, Physics, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) , Psychology, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered. Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H1,H2,H2,H2,H2,H2

H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 to include Chemistry and one further science subject. Science subjects considered include Biology, Maths, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DD

We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma without two A-levels to include Chemistry and one further science subject. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DD + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Chemistry and one further science subject. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D

D + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Chemistry and one further science subject. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD

We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma without two A-levels to include Chemistry and one further science subject. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DDD + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Chemistry and one further science subject. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

D

D + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Chemistry and one further science subject. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. Applicants are also required to have achieved a pass in Maths and English at Standard Grade Grade 3 or National 5 Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/Grade 4. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4" We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

B

AA from 2 A levels including Chemistry and one further science subject + B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. Science practical components must be passed where applicable. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

UCAS Tariff

136

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Pharmacology

Examine how we develop the next generation of drugs to treat disease in humans and animals, providing an improved quality of life for all.

On your three-year Pharmacology degree you will explore how we develop the next generation of drugs for treating bacterial infection, Cancer, AIDS, and heart failure.

You will learn the major concepts and principles of pharmacology in years one and two through core topics, before completing a research project of your own in your third year.

Our teaching staff are actively involved in pharmacological research in areas such as nerve damage and recovery, developmental biology, oncology and the development of new antibiotics which will feed into your learning.

You will have the opportunity between years two and three to spend a year in employment, putting your skills to use in the pharmaceutical industry. You will also have the opportunity to spend a semester at a partner university aboard during year two.

A Pharmacology degree will equip you for careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, scientific officer roles, teaching, forensic medicine and managerial roles in business. There is also the opportunity to go on to study for a higher degree such as an MSc or PhD.

Pharmacology ranks fifth in the Russell Group in UK Complete University Guide 2022.

Modules

Typical modules include:

Year 1: Chemistry of life, Fundamentals of biochemistry,
Fundamentals of cell biology and physiology, How to think like a scientist, The human genome and disease

Year 2: Exploring Proteins: Structure and Function, Flow of Genetic Information, Global Health, Evolution.

Year 3: Molecular Pharmacology, Biomedical Parasitology, Cancer Chromosome Biology, Cell Signalling in Health and Disease.

For full list of all modules available, please visit the course page.

Assessment methods

The learning activities for this course include the following: lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group projects and independent learning (studying on your own).

We’ll assess you using: coursework, laboratory reports and essays, oral presentations and written exams.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£27,400
per year
International
£27,400
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Main Site - Highfield Campus

Department:

Biological Sciences

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

73%
Pharmacology

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Pharmacology

Teaching and learning

82%
Staff make the subject interesting
91%
Staff are good at explaining things
82%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
64%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

90%
Library resources
80%
IT resources
64%
Course specific equipment and facilities
64%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

86%
UK students
14%
International students
40%
Male students
60%
Female students
76%
2:1 or above
6%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
A
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Pharmacology

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.

£22,000
med
Average annual salary
97%
low
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

75%
Nursing and midwifery professionals
11%
Therapy professionals
7%
Health professionals

As only a relatively small number of students study pharmacology or toxicology, these statistics refer most closely to the graduate prospects of pharmacy graduates, so bear that in mind when you review them. Only a handful of students take first degrees in pure toxicology every year — the subject is more popular at Masters level. Pharmacology is a degree that tends to lead to jobs in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, and outcomes are improving again after a difficult time in the last few years. Jobs in pharmacology are often very specialist and so it’s no surprise that pharmacologists are amongst the most likely of all students to go on to a doctorate — if you want a job in research, start thinking about a PhD. As for pharmacy, unemployment rates are below 1% and 95% of pharmacy graduates had jobs as pharmacists (mostly in retail pharmacists) six months after they left their courses - employment rates have gone up significantly in the last couple of years.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

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It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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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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