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The BSc Pharmacology at Glasgow is a four-year honours degree (or five years if you take the MSci route) that gives you deep insight into how drugs work in bodies, including substances the body makes, toxins, hormones, and how we use drugs in medicine, agriculture, etc. It’s ideal if you love biology & chemistry, want hands-on lab experience, and perhaps aim for research, industry R&D, or roles that depend on scientific rigour.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
You’ll get introduced to modern biology and scientific skills: core modules like Biology 1A and Biology 1B. Depending on your Chemistry background, you’ll take Chemistry 1 or “Science Fundamentals” modules. You also select other science or non-science modules to build breadth.
Year 2
More depth: you study Fundamental Topics in Biology 2, Human Biological Sciences 2, along with optional modules: animal biology, immunology & microbiology, genes & cells etc. You sharpen lab skills and begin specialization toward biology aspects that interest you.
Year 3
You dive into pharmacology core modules: Pharmacology 3A and 3B (mechanisms of drug action, physiological effects), plus lab work and quantitative skills. You also start choosing optional courses in specific areas of pharmacology (neuro, cardiovascular etc.).
Year 4
Final year is heavy: a research project is mandatory (Life Sciences Investigative / Dissertation / Internship project), plus compulsory units like Core Skills in Pharmacology: Drug Discovery & Development. You also pick several Honours‐option courses (for example Autonomic Nervous System; Cardiovascular Pharmacology; Cell Signalling & Disease; Personalized Medicine & Clinical Trials etc.).
From Glasgow, the Pharmacology degree isn't just lectures. You’ll get into labs early, learn quantitative and lab techniques, and by Honours years, you carry out a big project. There are opportunities to do work placements in industry or research institutes. Facilities and tools are strong, giving experiences similar to what researchers and industry staff do.
Here are concrete experiential opportunities:
Laboratory technique modules in Years 1-3: you’ll work in wet labs, doing experiments in drug action, molecular biology etc.
Quantitative pharmacology training: statistical tools, dose-response curves, modelling of drug effects.
Honours-year research project: design and execute your own experiment or internship style project, sometimes contributing to published work.
Optional modules in Years 3 & 4 allow you to specialize and use specific lab or computational tools (e.g. cell signalling, disease modelling).
Study abroad and exchange programmes for international exposure.
Work placements with major pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca, GSK, Pfizer when available, especially through MSci or research/internship tracks.
Graduates from Glasgow’s Pharmacology BSc are well placed for roles in research, biotechnology, medical/scientific communication, pharmaceuticals, regulatory bodies, or continuing into postgraduate study. What this means is you don’t just leave with knowledge—you leave with experience, adaptability, and a reputation from a major research university.
Here are specifics:
University services that help with employment: Glasgow provides Career Services, research-oriented staff who help supervise projects, opportunities to engage with external companies for placements.
University–industry / NHS partnerships: When placements are available, students may work with companies like AstraZeneca, GSK, Pfizer. Also research links with institutes that support student projects.
Long-term accreditation value: The programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. That gives external recognition of the scientific standard.
Graduation outcomes: Many graduates go onto MSc or PhD, some go into pharma/biotech research, some into lab roles, medical/scientific writing, regulatory or clinical trial work.
Further Academic Progression:
After BSc you can:
Do a Master’s in Pharmacology, Drug Discovery, Neuroscience, or similar bioscience fields.
Go for a PhD if research is your goal, particularly in areas you did your Honours project.
Consider MSci route (which gives a more research/placement heavy fifth year) for stronger credentials.
Move into roles combining science with other sectors like regulatory affairs, clinical trials, medical writing, biotech innovation.
Advanced Highers – AAA including Biology and Chemistry attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.Applicants must also meet the standard offer threshold with S5 grades to be considered for advanced entry.Three A-levels at grades A*AA which include Biology and Chemistry attained in one exam year and at the first attemptIB: 38 points with three Higher Level subjects at 6,6,6 including Biology and Chemistry attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.38 points with three Higher Level subjects at 6,6,6 including Biology and Chemistry attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.Career paths include Pharmaceutical & 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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University of Glasgow
