BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
Queen Mary University of London
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery, a pharmacology degree focused on the mechanisms of drug action and the creation of new medicines. Core topics include Research Methods. Delivered fully online, the course is taught collaboratively by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Biomolecules of Life, Cells, Introduction to Pharmacology, and Genetics. The second year progresses to advanced study with compulsory modules including Business of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology & Assessment of Drug Safety, Drug Target Identification, and Human Genetic Disorders, alongside optional choices like Membrane and Cellular Biochemistry and Research Design and Analysis. The final year examines advanced therapeutic strategies through compulsory modules such as Clinical Trials and Regulatory Affairs, Drug Design, Drug Discovery and Therapeutic Innovation Research Project, and Translational Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics. Optional modules in the final year include Cancer Biology, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Biomarkers in Neuroscience, and Molecular Basis of Personalised Medicine.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
Pharmacology and Drug Discovery - BSc (Hons): A-Level: Grades ABB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Biology or Chemistry. A second science subject at A-Level, of Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics is also required. IB: International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 32 points overall, including 6,5,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Biology and Chemistry at Higher Level. BTEC: BTEC qualifications are not considered for entry to this programme. Access HE: Access qualifications are not considered for entry to this programme. GCSE: Minimum five GCSE passes including English and Maths at grade C or 4. Contextualised admissions: Our standard contextual offer: Grades BBC including BB in Biology or Chemistry and one further science subject from Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths or Physics at A-Level. Our enhanced contextual offer: Grades BCC including B in Biology or Chemistry and one further science subject from Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths or Physics at A-Level. More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page . Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.
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What students say
Based on about 33 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 91%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 16 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 25%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 25%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Other Educational Professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 13%
- London: 53%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Foundation course: 6%
- Other qualifications: 4%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Biomolecules of Life
- Biomedical Physiology I - Exchange, Movement and Integration
- Cells
- Communication Skills for Pharmacologists
- Genetics
- Introduction to Pharmacology
- Research Skills for Pharmacologists
- Tissue Biology
- Biomedical Physiology I
- Biomolecules of Life II
- Biomedical Physiology II
- Basic Immunology
- Business of Pharmacology
- Clinical Pharmacology & Assessment of Drug Safety
- Drug Target Identification
- Human Genetic Disorders
- Membrane and Cellular Biochemistry
- Research Design and Analysis
- Clinical Trials and Regulatory Affairs
- Classic Papers and Current Topics in Pharmacology
- Drug Design
- Drug Discovery and Therapeutic Innovation Research Project
- Translational Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics
- Cancer Biology
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
- Biomarkers in Neuroscience
- Molecular Basis of Personalised Medicine
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at Queen Mary University of London earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £40,000 after 3 years, £50,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £45,500 and £57,500. The £50,500 median after five years is £15,000 more than the UK median for Pharmacology.
What do graduates of BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at Queen Mary University of London do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at Queen Mary University of London?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at Queen Mary University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at Queen Mary University of London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.