Enter OTP
f you take this course, you’ll dive into how drugs and medicines work at cellular and sub-cellular levels, combining core science with clinically relevant applications. It’s well suited for you if you love biology, chemistry, data, and want the flexibility to work in research or healthcare, or possibly move into medicine later.
Curriculum structure
Here’s a breakdown of what you learn in each year, including module names, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for:
Year 1
You build a solid foundation in chemical and biological sciences. Modules include Skills for Science (BI1001), Structure and Function of Living Organisms (BI1002), The Dynamic Cell (BI1004), Biological Chemistry (BI1014), Genetics and Evolution (BI1051), and Foundations and Principles of Pharmacology (PH1513 or ME1013 in some listings). These prepare you to understand how drugs move through the body (pharmacokinetics), how they act (pharmacodynamics), what receptors do, basics of toxicology, and how medicines might be abused.
Year 2
You deepen your pharmacology knowledge, tackling topics like neuroscience, immunology, endocrine signalling, cardiovascular pharmacology, and cancer chemotherapy. Core modules: Medical Pharmacology Research Techniques, Application of In-Vitro Pharmacology in Research, Principles of Neuropharmacology, Infection, Immunity and Haematology, Pharmacology of Common Non-communicable Diseases. Optional modules let you choose either Clinical Anatomy or Tropical Disease Pharmacology, depending on your interest or future plans. Hands-on lab work and research techniques are central.
Year 3
Final year is about specialization, independent research, and critical thinking. You do a compulsory Research Project (40 credits). Other core modules include Critical Analysis of The Literature, Advanced Immunology, Drug Discovery and Development, Advances in Neuropharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics, Cardiovascular Medicine: an Evidence-based Approach. You’ll also choose two optionals, e.g. Cancer Biology, Immunopathology and Immunotherapy, or Advanced Respiratory Pharmacology and Toxicology. You’ll work with scientific papers, do data interpretation, and consolidate all your lab, analytical, and theoretical skills.
Additionally, there’s an extended version with a Professional Placement Year (PPY) in between, giving you 9-12 months in a workplace (industry/lab/government) to apply your learning.
Focus areas
“neuroscience; immunology; non-communicable disease pharmacology; drug discovery & development; pharmacogenetics & pharmacogenomics; research techniques; critical analysis of scientific literature”
Learning outcomes
“gain deep mechanistic understanding of how drugs work (pharmacodynamics & kinetics & toxicology); develop lab and research skills; ability to design and conduct experiments; interpret and critically evaluate scientific data; communicate findings both orally and in writing; optional placement experience to prepare for real-world professional settings”
Professional alignment (accreditation)
While this BSc is not a professional pharmacy degree, it’s strong in research training. Graduates may become eligible to apply into Cardiff’s Graduate Entry Medicine programme if they meet entry criteria. The course is backed by experts in pharmacology, medicine, and biomedical sciences, firmly rooted in research labs and clinical relevance.
Reputation (employability rankings)
95% of Medical Pharmacology students are in employment or further study six months after graduating.
Student satisfaction is very high: 100% reported being satisfied overall with their course; 100% agreed staff are good at explaining things.
The School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff is recognised for strong research excellence in UK rankings.
You don’t just sit in lectures. From early on, this degree gives you practical labs, hands-on research, data analysis, and (if you choose) a full placement year in a real workplace. You’ll be designing experiments, running them, interpreting data, and presenting your findings — exactly the kind of experience employers and grad schools want.
Here are the specific opportunities you’ll get:
Laboratory-based and data analysis projects
Each student leads a project (library-based, lab-based or data analytic) to investigate a question in pharmacology. In Year 3 there’s a compulsory 40-credit Research Project so you get deep research practice.
Practical & Research Techniques Modules
In Year 2 there are modules like Medical Pharmacology Research Techniques and Application of In-Vitro Pharmacology in Research which are “exclusively practical” or “practical-only” modules designed to give hands-on training.
Professional Placement Year (PPY)
If you do the four-year version, Year 3 becomes a PPY — 9-12 months working in an organisation (industry, government, university labs, etc.). You’ll pick or seek your placement, but the school supports CV prep, applications, mentoring during the placement, and assessment afterwards (reports, reflective portfolio, etc.).
Group work, seminars, presentation practice
You’ll do group discussions, seminars, poster/oral presentations of scientific data in multiple years (Year 1 & Year 2 in particular) to build communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Support & supervision
During PPY you have a PPY Tutor (usually your Personal Tutor) who keeps in close contact, monitors progress, ensures you’re getting quality experience.
Graduates of this BSc often move into roles in biomedical research, pharmaceutical development, clinical trials, or other health-science sectors. Some go on to medicine (via Cardiff’s Graduate Entry Medicine programme) or further academic study.
Here are the specifics you should know:
University services to help with employment: Cardiff has a “Student Futures” team that gives one-to-one career advice, workshops (CV writing, interview prep etc.), plus help finding internships and placements.
Employment & outcome stats: ~95% of Medical Pharmacology students are in employment or further study within 6 months after graduating. Their median salary around 15 months is approx £33,000 for Pharmacology‐related grads.
Long-term accreditation & recognition: While the BSc is not a professional pharmacist qualification, it’s well recognised as strong academic and scientific training, which is useful if you want to enter research, regulatory work, or health science settings.
University–industry/academic partnerships & placement opportunities: The course offers a Professional Placement Year (PPY) option, where you spend 9-12 months in industry, government labs, or university research labs. That gives you hands-on experience that employers tend to value highly.
Graduate outcomes: Many graduates move on to postgraduate degrees (Master’s / PhD), or enter biomedical industries, clinical trials, medical writing, or related sectors. A number also use the BSc as a route into medicine (Graduate Entry Medicine) if they meet criteria.
Further Academic Progression:
You’ve got several paths if you want to continue studying after the BSc:
Master’s in Pharmacology, Biomedical Sciences, or other specialisations (neuropharmacology, toxicology etc.).
PhD research, particularly if you were strong in the research project and want to go into academic or industrial R&D roles.
Graduate Entry Medicine at Cardiff (if you meet the requirements) is possible after this BSc
AAB-ABB. Must include Chemistry and one other science subject from Biology, Maths, Physics, or Statistics. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.International Baccalaureate 34-32 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 6 in HL Chemistry and a second science subject at HL. Acceptable second science subjects are Biology, Maths, Physics, or Statistics.Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English LanguageIELTS: At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subskillTOEFL iBT At least 100 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subskillAmerican: You'll need one of the following: 3 Advanced Placement (AP) tests with scores of 4, 4, 4 OR 3 SAT Subject Tests (pre-2021) with scores of 600 or aboveIndian High School Leaving Certificate (from CBSE and CISCE boards only) from Standard XII with 75-77% overallPharmaceutical & Biotechnology IndustryInternational Healthcare Policy & NGOMédecins Sans FrontièresEU/UN Health AgenciesAcademic & Clinical ResearchRegulatory BodiesMedical Communications & Health JournalismScience Diplomacy & International RelationsTeaching & Educationand Corporate Roles
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