Pharmaceutical Science BSc (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Kingston University London

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science at Kingston University is all about understanding how medicines are designed, developed, and delivered to help people live healthier lives. It’s perfect for curious minds who love science and want to work in labs, research, or the pharmaceutical industry.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll get a solid grounding in the core sciences. You’ll explore chemistry in Chemical Foundations: From Atoms to Pharmaceuticals, learn about biology and microbiology in Introduction to Biosciences and Pharmaceutics, and discover how the pharmaceutical industry works in Pharmaceutical Concepts, Analysis, and Ethics. It’s a great mix of lab work and theory to set you up for the years ahead.

Year 2

Year two takes you deeper into the science behind medicines. In Organic and Medicinal Chemistry with Global Medicine and Personalised Healthcare, you’ll study drug design and how chemistry translates into real treatments. Analytical Techniques for Molecular Science sharpens your lab skills, and Pharmacology, Formulation and Pharmaceutics shows how drugs behave in the body and how they’re made into safe, effective medicines.

Optional Placement Year

You can also choose to take a placement year between years two and three, giving you hands-on experience in the industry and a chance to see science in action outside the classroom.

Final Year

In your final year, you’ll focus on advanced topics and real research. Advanced Analytical Techniques and Applications teaches cutting-edge lab methods, while Advanced Drug Delivery and Formulation in Pharmaceutical Science dives into designing real-world medicines. You’ll also complete an independent research project, letting you plan experiments, analyze results, and present findings like a professional scientist.

Focus Areas

Drug discovery and design, pharmaceutical analysis, formulation science, immunology, and hands-on research experience.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate able to design and analyze drug molecules, carry out advanced lab work, develop drug delivery systems, and conduct independent research with confidence.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course is accredited by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS), giving your degree professional recognition and industry credibility.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Kingston graduates are highly employable, with alumni working at major pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble, or in the NHS and research labs across the UK.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Kingston, studying Pharmaceutical Science isn’t just about lectures and textbooks—you’ll spend plenty of time hands-on in the lab, solving real problems, and learning exactly how medicines are made and tested. From the moment you start, you’ll use modern, industry-standard equipment, get to grips with scientific software, collaborate on group projects, and even have the chance to gain professional experience through a placement year. The goal is simple: when you graduate, you’ll be confident, skilled, and ready to step straight into a pharmaceutical science career.

Here’s how your learning comes to life:

State-of-the-art labs: Work in the £9.8 million Eadweard Muybridge building with advanced instruments like gas and liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, NMR, electron microscopy, and more.
Computing and software: Access dedicated computing labs and use chemistry tools like ChemDraw and SciFinder to plan experiments, search research literature, and analyze molecular data.
Group and team projects: Collaborate on projects such as designing a new drug delivery product in the final year, building teamwork and real-world problem-solving skills.
Independent research: Complete a year-long research project, where you’ll design experiments, collect and analyze data, and present findings just like a professional scientist.
Professional placement year: Optional year in industry between Years 2 and 3, giving you hands-on experience in a real pharmaceutical setting.
Industry exposure: Opportunities for lab tours and Q&A sessions with industry partners, giving you insight into working labs outside the university.
Supportive institutes: Learn within Kingston’s School of Life Sciences, Chemistry and Pharmacy, which has top-notch facilities for drug synthesis, molecular biology, and analysis.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Kingston’s Pharmaceutical Science degree opens doors to exciting careers in the pharmaceutical industry and beyond. Many of our students go on to roles like quality control analyst, research scientist, drug safety associate, or clinical trial project manager, where they can put their lab skills and scientific knowledge into practice. Thanks to professional accreditation and hands-on experience, you’ll be well-prepared to make an impact from day one.

Here’s how Kingston supports your career journey:

Career support: Kingston’s Future Skills programme helps you build the practical skills employers value most — from problem-solving and digital literacy to teamwork and presentation skills.
Employment stats & salary: 15 months after graduating, Kingston pharma graduates typically earn around £33,000, with many finding roles in the £25,000–£39,000 range.
Industry connections: Students often go on to work at major companies like Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, the NHS, Quotient BioResearch, and Nemaura Pharma Ltd, giving you an excellent network right from the start.
Professional recognition: The course is accredited by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS), making your degree widely recognized and respected by employers.
Graduate outcomes: Around 78% of alumni secure graduate-level roles soon after graduation, with almost 98% employed in some capacity — giving you confidence that your degree leads to real opportunities.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re keen to continue studying, Kingston offers a MSc in Pharmaceutical Science, where you can dive deeper into subjects like clinical trials, pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, and advanced research techniques — a perfect way to boost your expertise and career prospects.