BSc (Hons) Medical Pharmacology with a Placement Year Bachelor's degree at Swansea University
BSc (Hons) Medical Pharmacology with a Placement Year at Swansea University. You'll cover core theory, research methods and applied practice, alongside specialist options and an independent project, all grounded in the experience of a placement year that embeds learning in a real working environment.
About this course
Develop the core knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to succeed as part of the next generation of pharmacologists. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Medical Pharmacology with a Placement Year is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Swansea University. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Subjects allied to medicine graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, typical earnings around £28,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Medicine & Dentistry, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Stronger evidence Published sample: 2,210. Cohort 2021-22. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 11 modules
- Academic support and professional developmentCompulsory
- Genetics, Genomics & EvolutionCompulsory20 credits
- Introduction to Toxicology: The Dose Makes the PoisonCompulsory20 credits
- Skills for being a Medical ScientistCompulsory20 credits
- Sgiliau ar gyfer Gwyddorau MeddygolCompulsory20 credits
- Introductory BiochemistryCompulsory20 credits
- Biocemeg GyflwyniadolCompulsory20 credits
- Human PhysiologyCompulsory20 credits
- Ffisioleg DdynolCompulsory20 credits
- Cell BiologyCompulsory20 credits
- Bioleg CelloeddCompulsory20 credits
Year 2 15 modules
- Pharmacology of Body SystemsCompulsory20 credits
- Doctors, patients & the goals of medicine20 credits
- Meddygon, Cleifion a Nodau Meddygaeth20 credits
- Skills for Researchers20 credits
- Sgiliau i Ymchwilwyr20 credits
- Enterprise and Creativity:Entrepreneurship in Practice20 credits
- Techniques in Molecular BiologyCompulsory20 credits
- Technegau Bioleg FoleciwlaiddCompulsory20 credits
- Biostatistics & Applied ResearchCompulsory20 credits
- Bioystadegau ac Ymchwil GymhwysolCompulsory20 credits
- Metabolic Regulation, Enzymology and EndocrinologyOptional20 credits
- Rheoli Metabolaidd, Ensymoleg ac EndocrinolegOptional20 credits
- Human ImmunologyOptional20 credits
- Imiwnoleg DynolOptional20 credits
- Clinical Pharmacology & ToxicologyCompulsory20 credits
Year 3 10 modules
- Being a Medical ScientistCompulsory20 credits
- Advances in PharmacologyCompulsory20 credits
- Human Biology and the EnvironmentCompulsory10 credits
- Drug Development and RegulationCompulsory20 credits
- Innovation Management - FundamentalsOptional10 credits
- NanotoxicologyOptional10 credits
- The Sweet Sickness: Advances in Diabetes and Related DisordersOptional10 credits
- Advanced BiostatisticsOptional10 credits
- Machine Learning in HealthcareOptional10 credits
- Genetic ToxicologyOptional10 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course develops the core knowledge, skills and attitudes you'll need to succeed as part of the next generation of pharmacologists. A course like this normally moves from foundational biomedical sciences in years 1–2, anatomy, physiology and pathology taught by body system, alongside clinical and communication skills and population health and ethics. You'll usually progress through years 3–4 with clinical rotations in hospital and general practice settings, specialty attachments such as paediatrics, psychiatry and obstetrics, and student-selected components where you explore areas of your choosing, often involving research. The placement year integrates practical experience, and you'll typically culminate your studies with integrated assessment leading to provisional registration.
Who it's for
This programme suits you if you're keen to understand how drugs work in the body and their broader role in medicine and healthcare. You'll thrive if you enjoy both laboratory investigation and problem-solving, and want to develop practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. The placement year means you'll gain genuine workplace experience, an asset if you're considering roles in research, clinical practice, regulatory affairs or industry. You should be comfortable with sciences and analytical thinking; most entrants hold A-levels or equivalent.
Careers & job market
Across Medicine and Dentistry degrees nationally, 89% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months. Of those in work, 75% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National earnings data shows graduates at this level earn £27,000–£32,000 when starting out, rising to £29,325–£41,400 after five years. The placement year can strengthen your profile with employers and may open doors to roles in pharmaceutical research, clinical development, healthcare regulation or public health.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) Medical Pharmacology with a Placement Year is studied full-time over 4 years at Swansea University, a public university founded in 1920 and located in Swansea. The course is taught in English. As a nationally recognised UK degree-awarding body, your qualification is recognised across the UK. Swansea University has a total student population of 18,445.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 95%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
With a placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code B210). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page. Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Swansea University →If you normally live in Wales
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Medicine & Dentistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £28,000 | £27,000 – £29,000 | 2210 |
| 3 years after | £28,000 | £21,000 – £33,000 | 460 |
| 5 years after | £32,000 | £24,000 – £38,000 | 455 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 2,210. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in medicine & dentistry · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Medicine & Dentistry nationally
National figures for Medicine & Dentistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 2,210. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Medicine & Dentistry courses at the same study level.
Compared with 804 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Is BSc (Hons) Medical Pharmacology with a Placement Year worth it?
It depends. BSc (Hons) Medical Pharmacology with a Placement Year adds about +£40,840 over the first ten years vs. going straight to a job, but on these earnings the payoff is slower than average.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 4 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 19.9. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 4 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Medicine & Dentistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Medicine & Dentistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The NHS
- Private practice
- Research & academia
- Public health
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Medicine & Dentistry graduates.
Medicine-Focused Veterinary Surgeon | Patient Care LeaderMedivet & PartnersMedicine Service Delivery Manager - Operations ImprovementNHSMedicine Occupational Therapist - StaffordshirePulse HealthcarePart-Time Palliative Medicine Consultant | 1-in-5 On-CallEvora Hospice (formerly Southern Area Hospice Services)Consultant Medicine - ElderlyPertemps Medical ProfessionalsSpecialty Doctor in Acute MedicineTriple West MedicalIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.1 out of 10: NSS 89% · in work or study 95% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Swansea University
Medicine and dentistry across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Swansea University - Singleton Campus
370 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Medicine & Dentistry right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Swansea University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £20,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Swansea University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Swansea University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Swansea University
BSc (Hons) Applied Medical SciencesBSc (Hons) · Swansea UniversityBSc (Hons) Applied Medical SciencesBSc (Hons) · Swansea UniversityBSc (Hons) Applied Medical Sciences with a Foundation YearBSc (Hons) · Swansea UniversityBSc (Hons) Applied Medical Sciences with a Placement YearBSc (Hons) · Swansea University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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