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Qualification type
BSc (Hons)

Pharmacology

UCAS code B210

Entry requirements
International Baccalaureate: 28 or 554
HKDSE: 4,4,3
India Standard XII: 65%
View full requirements
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 years
Start date and application deadlines
Start date
How to apply

Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2025 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students was 30 June 2025.

Combine this subject

With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.

  • Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
  • Choose joint or major minor subjects
  • Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
  • Same number of credits as single honours students
  • Same classes as single honours students
  • Appeal to a wide range of employers

Explore combined degrees for Chemistry courses

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About this course

Pharmacology is an exciting branch of experimental science in which you'll study how chemical substances interact with our bodies.


Introduction

You’ll study a broad range of modules including drug discovery and development, the cellular basis of health and disease, translational pharmacology, and advanced pharmacology and therapeutics with the opportunity to specialise and carry out your own research project.

We also offer support for making career choices right from the beginning and you will have the opportunity to consider potential career pathways within and outside the field of pharmacology.

You’ll learn and develop those important transferable skills in communication, team working, project management and computing with practical sessions and group work.


What you'll learn

  • Understand the principles of pharmacology which underpin how medicines are identified and optimised for use in man.
  • Develop an appreciation the mechanisms of how different drugs work in treating different clinical conditions.
  • Gain an understanding of novel drugs types and advanced drug delivery methods at the cutting edge of pharmacology.
  • Work within an authentic scientific research environment with leading researchers in their field.
  • Become literate in finding, interpreting, evaluating and managing information.
  • Communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences
  • Work independently and collaboratively
  • Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Use lab equipment correctly and safely
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We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.


Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

In this first year, you’ll gain an understanding of core concepts of biology as well as the fundamental principles of immunity, infection, and therapy. You will also study how organisms develop and function and learn about ecology and the global environment. You will develop practical skills and participate in field studies, and you will discover how to utilise quantitative skills and study techniques.

 

Year two

In your second year you’ll expand your range of knowledge building those essential research skills, experimental design and analysis together with professional skills preparing you for a career within or outside the area of pharmacology. You will study drug discovery and development, and explore how pharmacological principles underpin the creation of medicines used to treat a wide range of diseases.

Year three

Year three will provide an unparalleled opportunity for you to learn at the cutting edge of pharmacological research and be taught by world-leading academics in the subjects of drug safety, personalised medicine and advanced therapeutics. You will have the opportunity to take a physical or virtual placement. Central to this year is the research project where you will plan and execute your own research, analyse and critically evaluate data and communicate your research findings in your chosen specialisation.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

You’ll learn through a balanced mix of lectures, workshops, field work, seminars and tutorials as well as hands-on, practical laboratory sessions, working individually and in small groups.

How you're assessed

Assessed work includes essays, presentations, group work, digital communications, qualitative and experimental reports and formal examinations with results from years two and three contributing to your final degree classification.

Liverpool Hallmarks

We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

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Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Qualification Details
International Baccalaureate

28 points overall including 5 in HL Chemistry and 5 in HL second science, or Pass the IB Diploma plus 5,5,4 in 3 HL subjects including 5 in HL Chemistry and 5 in HL second science. Plus a minimum of 5 in SL Maths or 4 in HL Maths and 5 in SL/HL English A or 7 in SL English B or 6 in HL English B

HKDSE

443 from 2 electives (including 4 in Chemistry and second science subject) plus one core subject (excluding Citizenship and Social Development) and a minimum grade 3 in core Mathematics. Grade 4 (with no component less than 4) in HKDSE English Language

India Standard XII

Overall average of 65% from four core subjects including 75% in Chemistry and second science, a minimum of 75% in English dependent on exam board (not including Hindi, Regional Language, Environmental Education and PE) and a minimum of 50% for Standard X Maths.

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Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

  • Learn Chinese
  • Study in a bustling world heritage city
  • Improve employment prospects
  • Study Chinese culture
  • 30 minutes from Shanghai
  • Learn new skills

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

Year abroad

Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.

  • Choose from up-to 26 countries
  • Experience another way of life
  • Inspire your future career or studies
  • Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
  • More likely to earn higher salary
  • More likely to be employed after graduating

Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • USA

More about taking a year abroad

Semester abroad

Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

  • Inspire your future career or studies
  • Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
  • More likely to earn higher salary
  • More likely to be employed after graduating

More about taking a semester abroad

Summer abroad

Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

  • Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
  • Study abroad without adding an extra year
  • Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
  • Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline

Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?

  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • South Korea

More about taking a summer abroad

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

  • A dedicated languages degree
  • A language as a joint or major/minor degree
  • Language modules (selected degrees)
  • Language classes alongside your studies

Read more about studying a language

Study as an intercalated degree

Intercalation allows you take a break from your medical degree, usually after year 3 or 4, and study an additional qualification. Most intercalating students choose to study a master's degree. This gives you the opportunity to explore a subject of interest at an advanced level and acquire new skills and knowledge that will enhance and/or complement your medical degree.

Study as a master's degree

This course is also available as a four year MBiol programme.

View Pharmacology MBiol

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Your experience

We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.

Explore where you'll study

Lab work
Lab work
Greenhouse
Microscope lens
William Henry Duncan Building
Picture by Gareth Jones
Watch on Panopto: Inside Biosciences. A conversation with Tanya Horne and Professor Jay Hinton

Inside Biosciences. A conversation with Tanya Horne and Professor Jay Hinton

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

An exciting place for postgraduate study

  • Programmes taught by internationally-renowned scientists and clinicians
  • Research-connected education covering the full life science spectrum from biochemistry to zoology
  • Access to world-class facilities
  • Provide specialist training with taught and research components
  • Options for intercalating students
  • Vibrant postgraduate community.
Two students chatting while walking through campus.

Chat with our students

Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.

Watch on Panopto: A day in the life of Chemistry student Amy

A day in the life of Chemistry student Amy

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Careers and employability

Employability is embedded into the Pharmacology BSc (Hons) programme and can be the necessary stepping stone into a successful career in many life science sectors in clinical trials, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, intellectual property and scientific writing.

 

We also offer support for making career choices right from the beginning. In your first year, you will have the opportunity to consider potential career pathways within and outside the field of pharmacology.
Common employers of pharmacology graduates include:
  • Pharmaceutical, environmental and biotech industries
  • Civil Service
  • Department of Health and Social Care
  • Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
  • National Health Service (NHS)
  • Universities

4 in 5 biosciences students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

(Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.)

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Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £9,535
Year abroad fee - £1,430 (applies to year in China)

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £29,100
Year abroad fee - £14,550 (applies to year in China)

The tuition fees shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.


Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This includes the costs associated with placements or internships, and the optional field course in Uganda.

Students should expect to cover the following costs.

Costs associated with placements/internships

Students in Biosciences who have chosen international placements/internships will need to pay for their visa (if applicable), travel, accommodation, and meals.

There may also be costs associated with travel to interviews for placements/internships. These will vary, and some other extra costs may also be incurred. If students are spending a full year in industry, their employers may pay transport costs. School and University bursaries may be available to help with the cost of these opportunities.

Students might choose to pay for additional optional vaccinations in addition to the compulsory ones that the School pays for.

Tropical ecology field course
Students who elect to take the optional tropical ecology field course in Uganda are required to make a financial contribution that covers their own costs (travel, meals, visa, accommodation, and entry to national parks). In 2020-21, the student contribution was £1,500. A limited number of funded places are available.

Students might choose to pay for additional optional vaccinations in addition to the compulsory ones that the School pays for.

Find out more about additional study costs.


Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship

If you’re a high-achieving international student starting an undergraduate degree with us from September 2024, you could be eligible to receive a fee discount of up to £5,000. You’ll need to achieve grades equivalent to AAA in A levels. Most of our undergraduate degrees are eligible, with the exception of clinical programmes in Medicine and Dental Surgery.

Kaplan Digital Pathways Excellence Scholarship

Completed a Kaplan Digital Pathways Foundation Certificate? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of undergraduate study for a maximum of two high achieving students joining one of our non-clinical degrees from an online Kaplan Foundation Certificate.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship

Completed a Foundation Certificate at University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC)? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of undergraduate study to some of the highest achieving students joining one of our non-clinical degrees from UoLIC.

University of Liverpool International College First Class Scholarship

We’re offering a £1,000 fee discount for years 2 and 3 of undergraduate study to eligible students progressing from University of Liverpool International College. You’ll need to be studying a non-clinical subject and get an average of 70% or above in year 1 of your degree.

University of Liverpool International College Impact Progression Scholarships

If you’re a University of Liverpool International College student awarded a Kaplan Impact Scholarship, we’ll also consider you for an Impact Progression Scholarship. If selected, you’ll receive a £3,000 fee discount off the first year of your undergraduate degree.

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Last updated 17 June 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions

Changes to Pharmacology BSc (Hons)

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

14 January 2025: Pharmacology BSc – Duolingo English test requirements

Duolingo English test requirements updated: 125 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100

16 December 2024: Change to Year in Industry information

This course was updated to reflect the fact that an official “Year in Industry” option is not currently available.

5 April 2023: Compulsory modules updated

Year 1 compulsory modules added: LIFE130 and LIFE113

5 April 2023: Compulsory and optional modules updated

Year 1 compulsory and optional modules removed:

Year 1 Compulsory module LIFE109

Year 1 Optional modules LIFE114

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.