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Experimental Pharmacology and Therapeutics MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This programme teaches advanced experimental approaches to dissecting the mechanisms of drug action (pharmacology), a science that has seen innovative theoretical and technical development at UCL for over a century.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£19,300
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree from a UK university, in life sciences, pharmaceutics, biotechnology or pharmacy, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Professional or other qualifications obtained by written examinations and approved by UCL, together with at least three years of appropriate professional experience, will also be considered.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The programme focuses on teaching theory and developing experimental skills in classical and modern pharmacological techniques. In addition, the programme will help develop skills for literature search-based data analysis and effective verbal and written communication of science.

Who this course is for

The programme aims to train graduate students with a view primarily towards subsequently completing a PhD and/or a career in pharmacological research and drug development.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The programme is jointly taught by the Research Department of Pharmacology at the School of Pharmacy, and the Research Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology in the Division of Biosciences. Both departments are historically and currently internationally leading in this field, and, together, they provide cutting-edge education in theory, research practice and innovation in pharmacology.

The programme is designed to impart extensive experimental expertise applied to drug development and subsequent therapeutics. The combination of traditional and experimental approaches in pharmacology, coupled with current innovation in therapeutics and drug discovery, fosters a unique set of skills which will enable the graduates of the programme to engage in various aspects of pharmaceutical research globally.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

The knowledge and transferable skills developed on this programme will be advantageous for those considering employment in any pharmaceutical or healthcare setting or contemplating further studies in related fields. The programme will also provide excellent training in critical appraisal of complex data, which will transfer well to other disciplines.

Employability

This programme is likely to lead to careers in biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and clinical research. Students will obtain a broad knowledge and lab experience in pharmacological disciplines which will facilitate their move onto PhD programmes and/or facilitate their careers in industry or clinical investigations through employment as research associates/scientists in pharmaceutical companies or clinical setting.

Networking

Students on this course become full members of one of the academic research groups and build networks within the School of Pharmacy with other Masters students (MRes, MSc and MPharm) as well as Postdoctoral students and academic staff members. Students may also participate in research lectures from external speakers.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, journal clubs, practicals, tutorials and a laboratory project.

Student performance is evaluated through formal examination, coursework, and the research project.

Typically, a 15-credit module includes 150 hours of notional student learning time comprised broadly of teaching time, independent study, assessment, and feedback. This time may include activities that take place in in-person-on-campus contexts such as on-campus lectures, seminars, tutorials, labs, and workshops, as well as tutor-mediated activities that take place in online environments. Typically, the hours for self-directed studies are approximately 10 hours a week of study time for each 15 credit module in each semester.

Modules

In terms 1 and 2, you will study pharmacology and acquire a range of essential research skills through two taught compulsory modules, Investigative Pharmacology and Practice of Science, and two optional modules selected from the portfolio of nine modules focusing on specific areas of pharmacology, ranging from molecular and cellular pharmacology and drug design to clinical pharmacology.

The dissertation project consists of an original piece of laboratory-based research carried out over approximately a ten-month period, which is assessed in September.

Compulsory modules





Optional modules










Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Experimental Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £19,300
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this course.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Experimental Pharmacology and Therapeutics at graduate level
  • why you want to study Experimental Pharmacology and Therapeutics at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

School of Pharmacy
School of Pharmacy

sop.pgt@ucl.ac.uk

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