BSc Hons Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science

You’ll learn by doing, not just reading. The programme gives you twice-weekly lab sessions, guest industry speakers, site visits, product formulation using real cosmetic ingredients, and opportunities for placements in labs/industry. You’ll also work on a research project in your final year and join teaching and research units such as the Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science (CPES) so you're exposed to cutting-edge formulation tech and industry standard practices.

Here are specific experiential / hands-on components:

• You’ll be working with guest industry speakers every semester who bring recent technologies and real-world trends in product design. 

• There is a one-day visit to industry in Semester Four to see unit operations, process flow, interdepartmental working, etc. The programme includes collaboration with BeeVital Propolis (industry partner) — gives chances for industry site visits, insight into natural cosmetic ingredients, formulation with real inputs.

• Lab-based learning is central: modules like Integrated Laboratory and Skills Development in Years 1 & 2, and in the final year Integrated Laboratory, Research Project and Skills Development where you carry out your own research-style project. 

• You’ll learn to formulate cosmetics (lipstick, creams etc.), measure safety/efficacy, work on regulatory compliance and packaging in realistic manufacturing or lab-settings. 

• Tools & methods: you’ll use equipment like pipettes, titration setups, microscopes (for tissue structure), agar dishes, muscle twitch apparatus etc. These lab methods are part of student profiles describing what they’ve done. 

• The programme offers opportunities for placements in industry of between nine and 12 months (for certain modules / optional) letting you spend real time working with companies. 

Graduates can step into roles where formulation, product safety, regulatory compliance and product innovation matter. You might become:

• Formulation Scientist or Product Developer in cosmetics or pharmaceutical industries

• Quality Assurance / Quality Control Analyst

• Regulatory Affairs Officer specializing in product compliance

• Brand / Product Innovation Specialist within cosmetic firms or contract manufacturers

Key supports, stats & long-term value:

Here’s what Bradford gives you, and what recent data shows:

• University’s Career & Employability Services help from year one with placement-hunting, part-time work, workshops on CVs & interviews, and connections with industry through guest speakers. (

• Industry links & centre-based research like the Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science (CPES) give you exposure to real product & process development, contract research, innovation in formulation, and industry-grade labs.

• Employment statistics: ~85% of students (across pharmacy‐/pharmacology-type graduate courses) go on to work or further study 15 months after finishing. 

• Salary & earnings: average earnings ~ £23,000 15 months after graduation for those in related fields; that rises over time.

• Graduate perceptions: a good portion of students report that what they learnt is applicable to their work, and the degree gives them meaningful, relevant skills. 

Further Academic Progression:

After this degree, if you want to keep building academically:

• You could do a Master’s (MSc) in cosmetic science, pharmaceutical formulation, regulatory affairs, sustainable product innovation or similar fields.

• Join research programmes or postgraduate research (MRes / PhD) especially through Bradford’s CPES or School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences.

• Pursue specialist professional courses / certification in regulatory compliance, product safety testing, clinical trials, or even entrepreneurship / product management within cosmetics or pharma.