BSc (Hons) Pharmacology · East LondonBachelor's degree · 3 years
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The University of East London · Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Pharmacology Bachelor's degree at East London

BSc (Hons) Pharmacology at East London. Pharmacology at UEL is distinguished by its integration of core molecular and cellular theory with hands-on research methods and applied practice in real-world settings.

BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
80%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

BSc (Hons) Pharmacology is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at East London. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Subjects allied to medicine graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 83% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (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.

8.7
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional95

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)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent80

Moderate evidence Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 80% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent85

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (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.

Foundation Year 5 modules
  • Mental Wealth and Professional FitnessCore
    Module details

    Gain essential skills to boost your career prospects, particularly for roles connected to health and wellbeing fields. You'll engage with digital platforms, industry-led workshops, and real-world tasks to build confidence in communication, research, and digital professionalism. Throughout, you'll map your career aspirations, develop a strong online presence, and learn to identify the skills employers seek. With support from academic staff and career coaches, you'll reflect on your personal stren

  • Health and Education Study SkillsCore
    Module details

    Prepare for success in higher education by developing the academic, personal, and professional skills needed for your studies and beyond. You'll learn effective time management, research strategies, digital proficiency, and academic writing techniques, with a strong focus on reflective learning and goal setting. Through interactive workshops, group discussions, and guided independent study, you'll gain confidence in using university systems, working collaboratively, and responding to feedback. T

  • Health and Education Analytical SkillsCore
    Module details

    Practical maths skills are essential across health and education careers. You'll explore statistics, probability, and basic financial numeracy, learning how to apply them to real workplace scenarios. Workshops, tutorials, and digital practice sessions will build your ability to analyse data accurately and confidently. Special emphasis is placed on using tools like spreadsheets and calculators within healthcare and education settings. As you sharpen your mathematical reasoning, you'll prepare for

  • Media and Communication SkillsCore
    Module details

    Essential communication skills underpin success at university and beyond. This module focuses on developing your oral, written, and interpersonal abilities, preparing you to adapt your communication style to different academic and professional contexts. You'll explore contemporary issues in media and communication, build your active listening skills, and learn how to structure persuasive arguments. Group work and interactive workshops provide a supportive environment to practise and refine your

  • Fundamental Chemistry and BiologyCore
    Module details

    Solid foundations in chemistry and biology underpin success in biosciences. You'll study atomic structures, bonding, organic molecules, cell biology, genetics, metabolism, and physiological systems, combining theoretical knowledge with practical laboratory experience. Careful attention is given to data analysis, scientific reporting, and laboratory safety. By applying scientific methods to real experiments, you'll develop critical thinking and lab skills that are essential for both higher-level

Year 1 7 modules
  • Professional Practice in Science (Mental Wealth)Core
    Module details

    This module will introduce you to the different approaches to teaching, learning and assessment in a Higher Education setting focusing on core skills required for the bioscience and chemistry programmes. This will support you in your 'transition' from school, college or the work place towards degree level study. The module will have at its core the key academic, employability and transferable skills of English for academic writing, ICT, numeracy in biological and chemical sciences, statistics, b

  • Essential ChemistryCore
    Module details

    This module aims to enable you to consolidate and develop a knowledge and understanding of the basic principles underpinning the chemistry of biological molecules and the basic analytical techniques that are encountered in bioscience.

  • Cell BiologyCore
    Module details

    Within this module you will develop a working knowledge, definitions concepts and practical skills that support the understanding of the structure and function of the dynamic cell. This includes topics in cell architecture, organelles, cell cycle, division, intra and extracellular signalling events, differentiation and specialisation of cells and the evolution of cell structures.

  • Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyCore
    Module details

    This module will give you a working knowledge of the definitions, terms and concepts used in biochemistry and molecular biology, and some of the main processes that occur in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Areas of study will include chemical principles relevant to biological systems, the structure and function of biological molecules (RNA, DNA, proteins etc.), the processes underpinning cellular metabolism and its control. You will develop and demonstrate your competence in a variety of pract

  • Fundamentals in Human Anatomy and PhysiologyCore
    Module details

    This module will enable you to consolidate your competence in specified areas of human anatomy and physiology including the structure, function, neurological and hormonal control of the human body, its component parts and major systems (musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, renal, urogenital, nervous, endocrine) and their relationship to each other. You will also be introduced to basic laboratory techniques and methods of functional assessment for physiological processes in human

  • Fundamentals in MicrobiologyCore
    Module details

    Within this module, you will learn about the structure, physiology, biochemistry, identification, classification and control of microorganisms, including the roles of normal flora found associated with humans. You will also develop the basic practical skills required for the safe handling, identification and quantification of different microbes.

  • Level 4 Short Work PlacementOptional
    Module details

    This module is designed to give you an opportunity to develop professional skills and experience within the workplace. It will also help you to establish a range of professional contacts that have the potential to be useful both for project work and assisting in finding employment after graduation.

Year 2 7 modules
  • Infection & ImmunityCore
    Module details

    This module will provide you with a basic understanding of selected topics in medical microbiology, immunology, epidemiology and disease prevention. In the first part of the module the microbes and the consequences of microbial infection on their hosts will be explored. In the second part, the development, structure and mechanisms of action of the components of the immune system; innate, acquired immunity, immune effector functions and vaccines will be explored. Theoretical concepts are reinforc

  • Physiological RegulationCore
    Module details

    Within this module, you will enhance your knowledge of the structure and function of physiological systems building on the fundamental understanding of the cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive and endocrine systems. You will also develop theoretical knowledge and obtain practical experience in monitoring physiological function and dysfunction including analysing and interpreting human physiological data.

  • Fundamental & Experimental PharmacologyCore
    Module details

    Within this module you will learn to communicate a body of factual information, and engender an understanding of such knowledge, as it pertains to modern pharmacology. You will cover topics in basic pharmacology, drug targets, neurotransmitters, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, autacoids. You will also develop competencies in a range of practical techniques relating to pharmacology in areas relating to the investigation of drug action and drug selectivity.

  • Drug, Discovery, Development and RegulationCore
    Module details

    This module will introduce you to the drug discovery and development process. You will become familiar with how research within academia and the pharmaceutical industry contributes to this multidisciplinary process. You will also be introduced to the regulatory processes involved in testing, licensing, marketing and surveillance of existing and new drugs.

  • Cellular BiochemistryCore
    Module details

    Within this module, you will build on your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental biochemical, and metabolic pathways and processes found within cells and organisms. This will include the investigation of protein structure and function and enzyme activity and control. You will learn and practice purification techniques for macromolecules. You will also examine theoretical and practical aspects of enzyme function and enzymology. Important exemplars in metabolic pathways such as the TCA an

  • Research & Career Development - Mental WealthCore
    Module details

    This module is structured to offer you reflective, integrated components in which different scientific disciplines and specialities belonging to your and other programmes of study (such as pathobiology, clinical laboratory practice, disease treatment, synthetic chemistry, drug design and manufacture, etc.) are discussed in a system-led approach to developing professional competencies required in carrying out independent laboratory work in a professional setting. This includes developing your und

  • Year Long Placement (Sandwich Year)Optional
    Module details

    This module is designed to give you an opportunity to develop professional skills and experience within the workplace. It also enables you to apply knowled

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

You'll study pharmacology from foundational principles through to specialist clinical practice. A course like this typically begins with biomedical sciences, anatomy, physiology and pathology taught by body system, alongside clinical and communication skills from your first year. You'll progress through population health and ethics, then move into clinical rotations across hospital and general practice settings in later years. Specialisations such as clinical placements, surgery, general practice, psychiatry and research (intercalation) allow you to tailor your studies. Most courses progress towards student-selected components offering deeper dives into areas of your choice, often involving research, before final preparation for professional practice.

Who it's for

This degree suits you if you're fascinated by how drugs work at a molecular level and eager to understand the science behind medicine. You'll thrive if you enjoy both theoretical problem-solving and practical laboratory work, are comfortable with chemistry and biology, and want to build a career in pharmaceutical research, clinical pharmacology, drug development or related fields. The course demands rigorous study and independent thinking, but rewards curiosity about the mechanisms that drive human health and illness.

Careers & job market

Across Medicine and Dentistry graduates nationally, 89% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 75% of working graduates in highly skilled roles or postgraduate study. National Graduate Outcomes data shows pharmacology graduates typically earn £27,000–£32,000 in their first role (15 months out), rising to £29,325–£41,400 after five years. Roles span pharmaceutical research, clinical settings, regulatory affairs, hospital pharmacy and industry. Many graduates pursue further qualifications such as PharmD or specialist postgraduate training.

University & format

This BSc (Hons) Pharmacology is studied full-time over 3 years at the University of East London, a public university. Teaching is in English. The degree is nationally recognised and confers the award BSc (Hons). The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
94%
Learning opportunities
100%
Assessment and feedback
86%
Academic Support
100%
Organisation and management
100%
Learning resources
94%
Student voice
94%

Share of students responding positively.

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.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent85% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 96 - 111 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check East London's official course page for the current offer.

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

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent85%
an Access course10%
a foundation course5%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.

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.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

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.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBBBA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeB416quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code B416). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask East London whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£15,560 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at East London →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All East London funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

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.

StudyKit · free

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.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

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

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£30,000£28,000 – £33,00080
3 years after£24,000£17,000 – £31,500330
5 years after£27,500£19,500 – £38,000345

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

80%
in work or further study 15 months on
83%
in highly skilled work or study
85%
continue past their first year
93%
find their work meaningful
82%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in medicine & dentistry · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Medicine & Dentistry nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£30,000
£27,000 – £32,000
After 3 years LEO
£24,000
£24,650 – £34,800
After 5 years LEO
£27,500
£29,325 – £41,400
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,500 – £43,000

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.

80 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

75% working0% working and studying10% in further study83% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. 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.

This course £27,500Peer median £34,500Middle 50% £31,500–£38,500
8th percentile

Compared with 804 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Nursing ProfessionalsSOC 2020 223 · 55% of published destinations · ASHE median £37,597
  • Therapy professionalsSOC 2020 222 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £37,338

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 335; response rate: 59%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Medicine & Dentistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

89%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Medicine & Dentistry courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

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.

Where they work

  • The NHS
  • Private practice
  • Research & academia
  • Public health

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. 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 8.7 out of 10: NSS 95.4% · in work or study 80% · continued 85%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of East London

All students26,755
International49.4%
Aged 25+34.1%

Medicine and dentistry across the UK

Students85,345
Aged 25+28.8%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around University of East London

1,002 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 281Anti Social Behaviour 176Vehicle Crime 116Other Theft 80Shoplifting 61

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 East London from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £15,560 / 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 East London’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 East London and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 112 - 127 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by East London. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Subjects allied to medicine graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 83% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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