BSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry or Research
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UCAS code
F109 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
Apply your knowledge of chemistry and biology to pharmaceutical practice with our BSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry or Research.
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 covers the application of those skills into 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 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.
For more information, please visit the Department of Chemistry website.
Placement
The work placement in your third year gives you the the opportunity to gain industrial experience and apply your knowledge and skills to real-life situations. Recent host companies have included GSK and Pfizer.
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 application, as well as help you find a placement. Past students on our chemistry degree courses have secured placements at pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Procter & Gamble.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
Overview
Apply your knowledge of chemistry and biology to pharmaceutical practice with our BSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry or Research.
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 covers the application of those skills into 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 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.
For more information, please visit the Department of Chemistry website.
Placement
The work placement in your third year gives you the the opportunity to gain industrial experience and apply your knowledge and skills to real-life situations. Recent host companies have included GSK and Pfizer.
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 application, as well as help you find a placement. Past students on our chemistry degree courses have secured placements at pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Procter & Gamble.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
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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.
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.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI1BEC1 | Building Blocks of Life | PROF Phillip Dash |
BI1MB2 | Metabolic Biochemistry | DR Craig Hughes |
CH1CC2 | Chemical Concepts and Skills 1 | DR Joanne Elliott |
CH1IN4 | Inorganic Chemistry for Biological Sciences | DR Michael Piperakis |
CH1OR1 | Shape, Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry | DR Jessica Gusthart |
CH1PH2 | Physical Processes for Biologists | DR Joanne Elliott |
CH1PRAX | Laboratory Skills for Chemists | DR Jessica Gusthart |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CH1M2 | Mathematics M2 | PROF Ann Chippindale |
CH1M3 | Mathematics M for Chemistry | PROF Ann Chippindale |
AP1EM1 | Introduction to Marketing | MR Nick Walker |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | PROF Julian Park |
AR1FOR10 | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death [10 credit] | DR Ceri Falys |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
IL1GMB | Modern Britain Society, History and Politics | MRS Daniela Standen |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI2BE4 | Pharmacology and Toxicology | PROF David Leake |
BI2BL5 | Protein Structure and Function | PROF Kimberly Watson |
CH2AN3 | Analytical Chemistry | DR Jessica Gusthart |
CH2CC2 | Chemical Concepts and Skills 2 | DR Joanne Elliott |
CH2MC2 | Medicinal Chemistry 2 for Chemists | DR John McKendrick |
CH2MIM | The Uses of Metals in Medicine | DR Katja Strohfeldt-Venables |
CH2OR1 | Further Organic Chemistry | DR John McKendrick |
CH2PC2 | Aspects of chemical biology | DR John McKendrick |
CH2PRAX | Extended Laboratory Skills for Chemists | DR Michael Piperakis |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Placement Year in Industry or Research.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CH3AN3 | Advanced Analytical Techniques for the Pharmaceutical Sciences | DR John McKendrick |
CH3MED | Medicinal Chemistry | DR John McKendrick |
CH3O1 | Advanced Organic Chemistry - Synthesis of Complex Targets | DR John McKendrick |
CH3O2 | Advanced Organic Chemistry - Contemporary Synthetic Methodology | DR Chris Smith |
CH3PC | Pharmaceutical Chemistry from an industrial perspective | DR John McKendrick |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI2EVP5 | Venoms and Poisons | PROF Phillip Dash |
BI3BB7 | Selected Topics in Endocrinology and Endocrine Disease | DR Andrew Bicknell |
BI3BE8 | Cardiovascular Disease | PROF David Leake |
BI3BR7 | Structural Proteomics | PROF Kimberly Watson |
BI3BT78 | Cancer and Cell Communication | DR Mike Fry |
CH3LP1 | Launching a Product 1 | DR Al Edwards |
CH3PR | BSc Chemistry Project | DR Roger Bennett |
CH4O4 | Oligosaccharides and Natural Products | DR John McKendrick |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
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.
Placement year fees
If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.
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.