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Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

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  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
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  • Economics
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  • Engineering
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  • Pharmacology
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  • Physician Associate Studies
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  • Surveying and Construction
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  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

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  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
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  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
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  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise
  • Creative Writing

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  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

BSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry

  • UCAS code
    F108
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2023/24 See 2022/23 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24 See 2022/23 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

COVID-19 update


Find out how we're adapting during COVID-19.

Apply your knowledge of chemistry and biology to pharmaceutical practice with our BSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry. 

Our new Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree has been developed together with our industrial partners to produce high quality graduates for the pharmaceutical sector – an area that already employs 67,000 people in the UK, and contributes £30.4bn to the national economy per year.

We go beyond organic chemistry – which is traditionally associated with pharmaceutical programmes – to cover many other areas of chemistry and biology. As such, we consciously address the needs of this modern and growing industry.

You will develop a strong grounding in basic chemistry and biology, and also cover advanced topics relevant to modern pharmaceutical chemistry. As well as underlying theory, the course applies skills and knowledge to areas of pharmacy:

  • metals in medicine, dosage and formulation
  • pharmacology and toxicity
  • analytical science
  • regulatory requirements.

These fundamental skills will help you to succeed in this diverse and dynamic sector.

Learn from internationally leading experts through a combination of lectures, practical classes, workshops, and tutorials. As well as benefitting from hands-on, practical experience in our large, cutting-edge laboratories and purpose-built Chemical Analysis Facility, you will have access to our new £55m Health & Life Sciences building and pharmaceutical laboratories.

If you do not have an A level in maths, you will need to take the first-year Maths for Chemists module, which covers all the topics required for later years of the course. Depending on your level of maths, you may have the opportunity to take an option from outside the Department in your first year.

Our existing chemistry degrees are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). As this is a new course, we will continue to work closely with the RSC and expect this programme to be accredited when the first cohort graduates.

Placement

We have many industry links with pharmaceutical companies based in the Thames Valley and beyond. Our dedicated placements officer is able to advise on career options, CVs and letters of applications, as well as help you find a placement. Past students on our chemistry degree courses have secured placements at pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, GSK, Pfizer, and Procter & Gamble.

For more information, please visit the Department of Chemistry website. 

Overview

Apply your knowledge of chemistry and biology to pharmaceutical practice with our BSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry. 

Our new Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree has been developed together with our industrial partners to produce high quality graduates for the pharmaceutical sector – an area that already employs 67,000 people in the UK, and contributes £30.4bn to the national economy per year.

We go beyond organic chemistry – which is traditionally associated with pharmaceutical programmes – to cover many other areas of chemistry and biology. As such, we consciously address the needs of this modern and growing industry.

You will develop a strong grounding in basic chemistry and biology, and also cover advanced topics relevant to modern pharmaceutical chemistry. As well as underlying theory, the course applies skills and knowledge to areas of pharmacy:

  • metals in medicine, dosage and formulation
  • pharmacology and toxicity
  • analytical science
  • regulatory requirements.

These fundamental skills will help you to succeed in this diverse and dynamic sector.

Learn from internationally leading experts through a combination of lectures, practical classes, workshops, and tutorials. As well as benefitting from hands-on, practical experience in our large, cutting-edge laboratories and purpose-built Chemical Analysis Facility, you will have access to our new £55m Health & Life Sciences building and pharmaceutical laboratories.

If you do not have an A level in maths, you will need to take the first-year Maths for Chemists module, which covers all the topics required for later years of the course. Depending on your level of maths, you may have the opportunity to take an option from outside the Department in your first year.

Our existing chemistry degrees are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). As this is a new course, we will continue to work closely with the RSC and expect this programme to be accredited when the first cohort graduates.

Placement

We have many industry links with pharmaceutical companies based in the Thames Valley and beyond. Our dedicated placements officer is able to advise on career options, CVs and letters of applications, as well as help you find a placement. Past students on our chemistry degree courses have secured placements at pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, GSK, Pfizer, and Procter & Gamble.

For more information, please visit the Department of Chemistry website. 

Entry requirements A Level BBB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

BBB, including grade B in A level Chemistry

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall including at least 5 in Chemistry at higher level

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM (Modules taken must be comparable to A level subjects specified)

GCSE

Maths at grade B (6)   

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Modules may include:

  • Shape, structure and reactivity in organic chemistry
  • Metabolic biochemistry
  • Building blocks of life
  • Inorganic chemistry for biological sciences
  • Physical chemistry for biological sciences
  • Practical chemistry for pharmaceutical chemistry
  • Chemical concepts and skills 
  • Maths 1 or 2 (depending on A level)
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Modules may include:

  • Further organic chemistry
  • Medicinal chemistry for chemists
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Chemical concepts and skills 2
  • Metals in medicine
  • Advanced practical chemistry for pharmaceutical chemistry
  • Chemical biology
  • Pharmacology and toxicology
  • Protein structure and function
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Modules may include:

  • Chemistry project
  • Advanced organic chemistry — synthesis of complex targets
  • Advanced organic chemistry — contemporary synthetic methodology
  • Advanced analytical chemistry for the pharmaceutical industry
  • Topics in pharmaceutical chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical case studies
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*

New international students: £24,500

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

This course has been developed in partnership with industry to provide good quality graduates for the pharmaceutical sector. We incorporate skills development into each year of the degree, giving you a better chance of securing work when you leave university. You will graduate with a range of skills that are essential for the pharmaceutical industry and a wide range of other careers.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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Related Subjects


  • Chemistry
  • Pharmacy

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