BSc (Hons) Pharmacology and Drug Discovery with Foundation Year
Course options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- 8B21
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
How can we support an ageing population and fight the increasing number of cases of diseases such as cancer? How can we help the one in four people suffering from mental health issues? These are just some of the challenges you’ll explore on our pharmacology and drug discovery degree. You’ll be able to apply your passion for chemistry and biology and put it to use for the good of human health, developing the life-changing medicines of the future.
Our research-rich environment is pivotal to our course, which has been designed to prepare you for a career at the forefront of pharmaceutical research.
If you don't yet have the knowledge or grades required for our BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery, our foundation year is designed to fill any gaps in your knowledge, giving you a firm grounding in chemistry, biology and mathematics, as well as introducing you to key concepts of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry.
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on living organisms. You’ll examine the way drugs work to combat disease and, combined with drug discovery, you will learn how new drugs are designed, synthesised and manufactured. The Pharmacology Drug Discovery programme is the only BSc of its type in the UK and is innovative in its multidisciplinary approach.
The course brings together scientific disciplines – biology, chemistry and physical sciences – around the context of disease and medicines. Within integrated modules, you’ll learn about the major diseases and the science behind the drugs used to treat them. We also include business studies to provide you with an understanding of management practice focused around the pharmaceutical industry – vital tools for working in today’s corporate world.
You’ll be taught by academic researchers including pharmacologists, cell biologists, and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemists, whose own research is in pharmacology and drug discovery. The course is designed to inform and inspire your journey to becoming a researcher in the pharmaceutical sciences. For example, in practical classes you’ll gain experience of synthetic medicinal chemistry as well as techniques in current molecular pharmacology – the techniques used in the discovery of new medicines. You’ll learn about designing experiments and how to write reports in the form of scientific papers. A highlight of the course will be performing your own original research in an individual project carried out within an active research laboratory.
Study and Modules
Structure
Your foundation year will equip you with all the chemistry, biology and mathematics skills you need to thrive on the BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery.
Alongside your chemistry, biology and mathematics studies you’ll also study pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and drug delivery. On successful completion of your Foundation Year, you’ll progress to our three-year degree course.
For the years of study beyond the Foundation Year, please see the BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery course pages.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll be taught utilising a range of innovative teaching methods. As well as lectures, tutorials and practical classes, there’ll be case studies, problem-based learning, team-based learning and research, and business management projects. In student-led learning you will give presentations including producing a poster. There may be a mixture of asynchronous and synchronous online teaching activities.
In our new state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, you’ll carry out experiments based on the subjects covered in the lecture programme. The sessions will be supervised by your lecturers and postgraduate student demonstrators, who’ll ensure the safe execution of the experiments and discuss the theory behind them. These will be run based on current government guidance regarding social distancing.
Assessment
You’ll experience a variety of assessment methods throughout the course, which we’ll prepare you for with guidance and formative assessments (where you get feedback on your work before submitting the final piece). And we’ll provide you with detailed feedback to ensure you continue to achieve your full potential.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- CCC
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism. Any subject is acceptable.
- BTEC
- MMM
- Scottish Highers
- BBCCC
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- DDD
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 6 subjects at H4
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 28 points
- GCSE
- You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
- Interviews
- Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- Deferred Entry
- We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
- This course is open to UK applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
We welcome applications from students with non-traditional academic backgrounds. If you have been out of study for the last three years and you do not have the entry grades for our three year degree, we will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference to gain a holistic view of your suitability for the course. You will still need to meet our GCSE English Language and Mathematics requirements.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
Once you successfully finish your Foundation Year you will go straight onto the BSc Pharmacology and Drug Discovery.
You’ll graduate from that ready to pursue a career in drug design or development within academia, the health sector or industry.
You could also choose a broader life science career, for example with a grant-funding body, charity, learned society or in academia, regulatory affairs or publishing.
We embed employability skills throughout the course, with sessions on developing CVs, interview techniques, presentation skills, team-working, research and business skills.
For entrepreneurial students who, in the future, want to turn their work into a business, there are dedicated facilities on the Norwich Research Park, with state-of-the-art lab and office spaces right on our doorstep.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Research scientist in industry, research institute or university
- Healthcare scientist
- Analytical chemist
- Biomedical scientist
- Medical sales representative
- Toxicologist