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Pharmacology MSci

London, Bloomsbury
Pharmacology MSci (2023)

This programme is intended for students who want to pursue careers or further study in pharmacology or related disciplines. It offers an additional year on top of the Pharmacology BSc in which to undertake your own major, cutting-edge research project, alongside advanced modules.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 years
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
9,250 (2022/23)
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
29,400 (2022/23)
Programme starts
September 2022
Application deadline
26 Jan 2022
UCAS course code
B211

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
AAB
Subjects
Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.

Contextual offer information

Grades
ABB more about contextual offers
Subjects
Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Points
36
Subjects
A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects including Chemistry and one subject from Biology, Mathematics or Physics, with no score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Points
34 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects including Chemistry and one subject from Biology, Mathematics or Physics, with no score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAB. Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher). Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Physics or Mathematics, at Advanced Higher.

D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Chemistry required plus one from Biology, Physics or Mathematics

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

International applications

In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Good

Show details

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

In the first year, all modules are compulsory, setting you up with a solid foundation of knowledge on which to draw in later years. The second year also comprises mainly compulsory modules, but you have one module that you are free to choose.  By the third year you will take only one compulsory module (alongside your literature research project), leaving you free to fill the rest of your year with a wide range of specialist options. In the final year you will pursue a research project and will complete your studies by selecting other specialist modules.

MSci students undertake a literature-based research project in their third year, whilst in year four, a compulsory, laboratory-based research project accounts for 50% of the year's work. You may find this particularly helpful in making choices about your future career and whether you would like to pursue postgraduate study.

You may also consider applying to take a year out in industry.  This is usually taken between years three and four, spending your time in the pharmaceutical industry or another pharmacology-related area. These placements are not guaranteed because they are offered by industry on a competitive basis, but contacts between our staff and colleagues in industry often open up many opportunities.

What this course will give you

Pharmacology at UCL offers you an outstanding academic environment. We are internationally renowned in the discipline and are recognised for numerous major discoveries.

We combine excellence in pharmacology research with high-quality pharmacology teaching. We have particular expertise in areas such as neuropharmacology and immunopharmacology.

In your final year, you will have the opportunity to join a world-leading research group, working side-by-side with some of the best scientists in the field and carrying out your own experimental research project.

We offer state-of-the-art modern facilities, and are located adjacent to the Medical Research Council's Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, often allowing for collaborative final year projects.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a MSci (Hons) in Pharmacology.

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 is subject to change.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Compulsory module(s)

  • An Introduction to Mechanisms of Drug Action
  • Cells and Development
  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Chemistry for Biology Students
  • Mammalian Physiology
  • Statistics

Optional modules

All first year modules are compulsory.

Compulsory module(s)

  • General and Systematic Pharmacology,
  • Experimental Pharmacology,
  • Immunology,
  • Structure and Function of the Nervous System
  • Essential Protein Structure and Function or Essential Molecular Biology

Optional modules

Options may include:

  • Cellular Neurobiology
  • Essential Protein Structure and Function
  • Essential Molecular Biology
  • Languages (with Programme Tutor approval)

Compulsory module(s)

Molecular Pharmacology 
Library Research Project 

Optional modules

You will select 75 credits of optional modules. Options may include:

  • Drug Design And Development
  • Immunopharmacology
  • Neuropharmacology
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Receptor Mechanisms
  • Synaptic Pharmacology: The Synapse, a Major Site Of Disease and Drug Action

Compulsory module(s)

Extended Research Project (2-3 credits)

Optional modules

You will be able to select advanced modules from a wide range of options.  These may include:

  • Respiration in Health and Disease
  • Cell Signalling in Health and Disease
  • Autonomic and Central Control of Cardiorespiratory Function
  • Molecular Basis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
  • Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
  • Cancer Biology

Your learning

Assessment

You will be expected to submit coursework (e.g. essays and practical write-ups) and make oral presentations as part of your assessment. You will also take written examinations at the end of each year.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

The foundation of your career

Pharmacology brings together different aspects of biomedical sciences, opening up many fields of employment. If you are interested in laboratory research, you could progress to a postgraduate research degree (PhD) leading to opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, government research institutes, hospital laboratories or university-based research.

Your scientific training may also be used in careers outside the laboratory, such as scientific publication, health administration (e.g., the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency) and patent law.

Employability

This programme not only provides detailed knowledge of the subject, but also trains you in planning, executing and analysing scientific projects and in quantitative and analytical skills. This will equip you with a versatility that will be very attractive to many employers.

UCL is committed to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) 9,250 (2022/23)
Tuition fees (2022/23) 29,400 (2022/23)

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/23 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2022/23 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.

Additional costs

Students will need to purchase a lab coat.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We will read your UCAS application to ascertain whether you meet, or are expected to meet, our academic entry requirements and also to find out why you are interested in pharmacology.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

If we have made you an offer, you will be invited to attend an offer-holder event. This may include talks from staff about the programme and the department. It could also include a research presentation, tours of UCL and the department, and a visit to a laboratory facility.

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Request a printed prospectus Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Biosciences
Division of Biosciences

biosciences-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.