BSc Pharmacology with Foundation
-
UCAS code
B212 -
Typical offer
See entry requirements -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
Develop the knowledge and skills to work as a pharmacologist within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industries with our new BSc Pharmacology with Foundation.
This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course, providing an excellent route into a degree in pharmacology if you do not have the typical entry requirements.
This course has been designed to align with the British Pharmacological Society's core curricula and was developed with the needs of the pharmaceutical industry in mind
Our BSc Pharmacology with Foundation course will not result in qualification to work as a pharmacist. Please refer to our MPharm Pharmacy or MPharm Pharmacy with Foundation courses if this is the route you wish to follow.
You will:
- Study the principles of drug action and molecular targets.
- Learn the key mathematical principles and skills required in the industry. This includes statistical analysis as well as handling and analysing big data sets.
- Develop your understanding of systems pharmacology as well as mathematical and computer modelling.
You'll work with academics across our Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, Biological Sciences, and Mathematical, Physical and Computation Sciences schools.
Reading is one of the UK's top 25 universities for pharmacy and pharmacology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2022) and we have experts in pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacy practice, as well as biomedical science and mathematics, who are all working on different aspects of drug research.
On this course you will also have the option of spending a year in industry with our four-year BSc Pharmacology with a Year in Industry.
Facilities
During your studies, you'll use our purpose-built suite of teaching laboratories and have access to our research facility. These include:
- laboratories to study organ bath pharmacology
- tissue culture suites
- multi-mode microplate readers (absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence)
- multicolour flow cytometry
- real-time PCR.
Overview
Develop the knowledge and skills to work as a pharmacologist within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industries with our new BSc Pharmacology with Foundation.
This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course, providing an excellent route into a degree in pharmacology if you do not have the typical entry requirements.
This course has been designed to align with the British Pharmacological Society's core curricula and was developed with the needs of the pharmaceutical industry in mind
Our BSc Pharmacology with Foundation course will not result in qualification to work as a pharmacist. Please refer to our MPharm Pharmacy or MPharm Pharmacy with Foundation courses if this is the route you wish to follow.
You will:
- Study the principles of drug action and molecular targets.
- Learn the key mathematical principles and skills required in the industry. This includes statistical analysis as well as handling and analysing big data sets.
- Develop your understanding of systems pharmacology as well as mathematical and computer modelling.
You'll work with academics across our Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, Biological Sciences, and Mathematical, Physical and Computation Sciences schools.
Reading is one of the UK's top 25 universities for pharmacy and pharmacology (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2022) and we have experts in pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacy practice, as well as biomedical science and mathematics, who are all working on different aspects of drug research.
On this course you will also have the option of spending a year in industry with our four-year BSc Pharmacology with a Year in Industry.
Facilities
During your studies, you'll use our purpose-built suite of teaching laboratories and have access to our research facility. These include:
- laboratories to study organ bath pharmacology
- tissue culture suites
- multi-mode microplate readers (absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence)
- multicolour flow cytometry
- real-time PCR.
Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements
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 - for applicants without Chemistry and Biology
CCC - for applicants with Chemistry and Biology
International Baccalaureate
30 - for applicants without Chemistry and Biology
24 - for applicants with Chemistry and Biology
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
DMM
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 |
---|---|---|
BI0BF1 | Foundation Programme: Biology | DR Craig Hughes |
BI0MF1 | Mathematics Foundation | DR Lindsey Thompson |
CH0CHE | Chemistry | DR Silvia Baldanza |
IF0RAS | Foundation in Academic Skills | MISS Rachel Rushton |
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 |
---|---|---|
BI1AP12 | Anatomy & Physiology | DR Natasha Barrett |
BI1BEC1 | Building Blocks of Life | PROF Phillip Dash |
BI1BP2 | Pathology | DR Sam Boateng |
BI1S1 | Introductory Microbiology | DR Geraldine Mulley |
PM1MPAS1 | Clinical and Metabolic Biochemistry | DR Graeme Cottrell |
PM1PCOL1 | Principles of Drug Action | DR Mark Dallas |
PM1PCOL2 | Key Skills for Pharmacology | DR Silvia Amadesi |
PM1PCOL3 | Mathematics & Statistics for Pharmacology | DR Calvin Smith |
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 |
---|---|---|
BI2AP12 | Anatomy & Physiology 2 | DR Natasha Barrett |
BI2BCB5 | Clinical Biomedicine | PROF David Leake |
PM2MPAS2 | Medicines in Health Care | DR Lizzy Lander |
PM2PCOL1 | Molecular Drug Targets | PROF Gary Stephens |
PM2PCOL2 | Drug Design and Delivery | PROF Helen Osborn |
PM2PCOL3 | Mathematical Modelling for Pharmacology | DR Marcus Tindall |
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 |
---|---|---|
PM3PCOL1 | Research Project | DR Graeme Cottrell |
PM3PCOL2 | Societal Impact of Pharmacology | DR Leanne Black |
PM3PCOL3 | Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology | DR Darius Widera |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PM3IPD1 | Innovation and Product Development | DR Al Edwards |
PM3PCOL4 | Experimental Approaches to Neuroscience | DR Francesco Tamagnini |
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.
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
BSc Pharmacology with Foundation is ideal for aspiring pharmacologists. The UK is a world leader in pharmaceuticals, contributing nearly £14 million to the UK economy and investing large sums into research and development.
As well as initial drug discovery, expertise in pharmacology can also be used in areas such as clinical trials, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, patenting, and sales and marketing.
BSc Pharmacology with Foundation is also excellent preparation for further study at master's and PhD level.