Spanning biology, chemistry and pharmacology, our Pharmaceutical Science MSci will provide you with a deep understanding of drug design from conception to market and use in a medicinal setting.

The power to change lives

Pharmaceutical scientists can change lives by developing medicines and treatments for conditions from cancer to inherited disorders and infectious diseases.

On our Pharmaceutical Science MSci, you will study themes across the disciplines of biology, chemistry, and pharmacology to understand the principles of drug design, development, synthesis, function, characterisation, delivery and side effects.

You will also explore the wider societal and regulatory context of drug development and use, and how laboratory drugs are translated into viable consumer products.

You will be taught by our academics whose extensive pharmaceutical science research experience includes the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of various cancers; developing new chemistries for making drugs; and biomedical imaging agents to probe drug activity in cells.

This integrated master’s degree (MSci) is ideal if you are looking for a career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, offering you the scientific knowledge, practical lab skills and career-ready mindset to succeed.

It will provide you with advanced skills and a more mature outlook, giving you the edge in a competitive job market, both within the field of pharmaceutical science and beyond.

Your journey through pharmaceutical science

Our academics have carefully designed this course to provide you with a structured, progressive training in pharmaceutical science.

In Year 1 you will lay the foundations of your knowledge that you will build upon through the following years of your degree. You’ll cover core themes including infection and immunity, cell structure and function, organic and inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry and pharmacology.

In Year 2, you will gain a deeper understanding of biochemistry (how biological processes work on a molecular level), organic synthesis (how drugs are synthesised), and their action within the body (pharmacology), along with how we can probe and understand their actions and interactions.

You will spend Year 3 applying your skills by undertaking a major research project. This provides an exciting opportunity for you to address a significant contemporary research problem as part of one of our research groups, alongside postgraduate students and postdoctoral staff. You will also study a series of advanced taught modules that introduce more specialised topics and further develop your skills and knowledge.

In Year 4 you will gain additional practical skills by undertaking another, more extended research project, as well as studying a variety of master’s level themes.

This additional experience will be invaluable in a future career, particularly if you go on to a research-based role in the pharmaceutical, health or biotechnology sectors, or further study.

A hands-on course

You will develop your practical skills from the start of your studies in our modern, research-grade teaching laboratories.

As a pharmaceutical sciences student you will benefit from our biomedical and life sciences labs and our chemistry labs and analytical facilities. They will be at the centre of your degree and are where you will put the knowledge you have acquired from lectures and tutorials into practice.

You will gain hands-on experience (depending upon your specialisation) of using equipment and facilities such as:

our bioimaging facility

protein purification and characterisation facilities

cell sorters

confocal microscopes

flow cytometers

PCR thermocyclers

cell culture facilities

advanced chemical synthesis techniques

chemical characterisation, including infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass-spectrometry

chemical separations, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

In addition to laboratory practical classes and workshops, you will learn through lectures, workshops, tutorials, laboratory reports, essays and case studies, presentations, tests and exams. You will also benefit from digital resources through our online learning environment which will support your independent learning.

Altogether, your classroom learning and practical experience means you will graduate well-prepared for a successful career in the pharmaceutical sciences or in other scientific and non-scientific fields.

Your department

Biomedical and Life Sciences

Faculty of Health and Medicine

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Key facts

Reasons to choose Lancaster for your pharmaceutical science degree

Study across two departments

Study in labs across both Chemistry and Life Sciences departments

Holistic approach

Covers drug design, synthesis, delivery, characterisation and side effects

Course like no other

Explores how drugs are created — distinct from pharmacology or pharmacy

Career opportunities

Leads to roles such as Formulation Scientist, Medicinal Chemist and beyond

Part of the community

Join our thriving, international biosciences community

The breadth and depth of your Pharmaceutical Science MSci will be the ideal springboard into careers across the pharmaceutical, chemical, health and education sectors.

It will also further set you apart if you are considering applying for a PhD or a career in research.

Pharmaceutical Scientist

Forensic Scientist

Research Scientist

Medicinal Chemist

Sales and marketing roles

Science Teacher

Environmental Protection Officer

Health and Safety Assurance

Biomedical Researcher

Science Writer

Drug Safety Associate

Quality Control Analyst

Clinical Trial Project Manager

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmaceutical Representative

Microbiologist

Medical Publisher

PhD student

You will become competent in experimental design, gain practical lab skills and become adept in statistical analysis, data recording and presentation skills.

And, because professional skills are embedded throughout our curriculum, you will develop wider expertise valued by employers, including project management and problem-solving skills, ethical and environmental awareness.

This means you will graduate with a scientific understanding of pharmaceutical science as well as the mindset, confidence and workplace experience to stand out in the competitive world of employment.

Employability at Lancaster: preparing you for the world of work

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring that you gain a highly reputable degree. We are also committed to ensuring that you graduate with relevant life and work-based skills.

Because professional skills are embedded throughout our curriculum, you will develop wider expertise valued by employers including communication, teamworking and negotiation skills, project management and problem-solving skills, ethical and environmental awareness.

We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which offers you the opportunity to complete activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development.

Visit our employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

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A levels

AAA. This should include Biology and Chemistry.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 45 Level 3 credits at Distinction, but you would need to meet subject the requirements.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

Only considered for entry to the BSc Hons course variant. Subject to academic progression and availability, students can transfer to the MSci course.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade A plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade AA plus BTEC at D. This would need to include A level Chemistry, and either A level Biology, or sufficient Biology content in the BTEC(s). We will typically assess this on a case-by-case basis.

International Baccalaureate

36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 6 in HL Biology and 6 in HL Chemistry

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Not accepted

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 5/B, English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.

Help from our Admissions team

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.

We also have more details on our website about:

Other qualifications we accept

International qualifications

How to apply and what happens afterwards

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with Lancaster University International Study Centre, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the Lancaster University International Study Centre for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Where the course offers optional modules, they may not all be available every year.

core modules accordion

Foundations of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science

Pharmacology is a cornerstone of modern medicine. It provides the basis for the discovery, development, and use of drugs for the management and treatment of human health and disease. In this module you will learn about the key concepts and principles that underpin the science of pharmacology.

We will consider how drugs interact with targets in the body, to cause their physiological effects, and how our bodies interact with these drugs. We will also explore how these are impacted by factors like age, sex, and ethnicity. We’ll then explore drug discovery and development, including the stages involved in taking a new drug from initial concept through to clinical use.

Finally, we’ll consider the wider social context of pharmacology. We'll look at how risk and benefit are balanced when using drugs to treat or prevent disease and discuss drugs of abuse and their mechanisms.

Fundamentals of Chemistry A

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of atoms and molecules, providing a base understanding from which to build your breadth and depth of knowledge. Through a series of interconnected topics, you will revisit many previously encountered chemistry concepts in a more rigorous and comprehensive manner, serving as a bridge to university-level chemistry. This will ensure you are exposed early on to fundamental chemistry concepts, irrespective of the curriculum you studied prior.

The initial focus will be on building a picture of how electrons behave in atoms and molecular bonds, before covering basic principles of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

Key topics in this module include:

Structure, bonding, and chemical periodicity

Spectroscopy and proof of structure

Thermodynamics of ideal systems

Introduction to organic structure and mechanism

Fundamentals of Chemistry B

Further explore key chemistry principles and gain a broad overview of future areas of chemistry that will be taught throughout your degree. Explore key concepts of reactivity and mechanism, building a more complete model of the world of atoms and molecules.

Chemical equilibria and kinetics

Main group chemistry

Transition metal coordination chemistry

Reaction mechanisms and reactivity in organic chemistry

Introduction to Biosciences

This module introduces you to the essential skills required to support your studies in the biosciences. You will learn how to design and undertake safe, ethical, hypothesis-driven experiments, and gain hands-on experience of essential laboratory skills and equipment. This is complemented with training in carrying out scientific calculations and the use of computational tools to effectively analyse and present diverse types of data.

Finally, this module prepares you to communicate your research to a scientific audience through effective presentation of results and developing a scientific writing style that summarises and critically evaluates your results in the context of current scientific literature. By the end of the module, you will be able to conduct ethical research, analyse data and present your findings clearly and accurately.

Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity

This module will introduce you to the incredible world of microbiology. You’ll learn how some microbes are harmful, but others have important roles in the environment, in our bodies and are even exploited in the food industry.

Through hands-on practical sessions and workshops, you’ll learn how to identify microbes and understand the dynamics of microbial growth. You will also learn about how the human host responds to exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. We will explore the intricate relationship between pathogens and human health and explore how pathogens cause disease.

The biology of infecting organisms and the host’s immune response will both be examined as these are vital components in understanding the outcome of different types of infection. Selected infections from viruses to multi-cellular worms will be studied in detail and used as paradigms to illustrate principles of host/pathogen interaction.

Molecules to Cells

Cells are the basic building blocks of life. In this module you will be introduced to how cells use biological molecules to perform specific functions. All cellular life, from single celled bacteria and yeast to complex multicellular organisms, including plants and humans, synthesise simple organic molecules such as sugars, lipids, amino acids, and nucleic acids.

You will learn how organisms are able to synthesise these molecules to build complex biomolecules to store energy and genetic information. In addition, you will gain knowledge about the function of specific cell types, and intracellular organelles that perform essential processes within cells. You will learn how cells use defined programmes to precisely copy the genome to next generation cells. You will learn how defects in this process can promote cancer.

Biochemistry of Cellular Metabolism

In this module you’ll explore the molecular principles that govern cellular function and metabolism. You’ll study the structure and function of key biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, with an emphasis on their roles in metabolic pathways and other essential cellular mechanisms.

Topics include enzyme kinetics, metabolic regulation, and the biochemical basis of energy transfer within the cell. The module will provide you with the molecular underpinnings of human health and highlight how disruptions in biochemical pathways contribute to disease development. Laboratory sessions will let you gain a more in-depth and practical understanding of the topics covered. By the end of the module, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of key cellular biochemical processes relevant to molecular medicine and biotechnology.

Drug Design and Development

This module takes you through the process of drug development - from initial discovery to market. We'll cover target identification and validation followed by hit identification and lead discovery. You’ll learn about different approaches for finding new drugs: from high throughput screening of compound libraries to focused screens, virtual screens and structure-based drug design.

You’ll gain insight into challenges in assessing the efficacy and safety of new drugs, including the testing strategies and legal requirements involved. We will explore how preclinical models are used to test pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters and how this helps determine factors like drug formulation and dosing schedule. You’ll learn about the role of clinical trials in determining drug safety and efficacy, considering trial design and the importance of post-approval surveillance. The module will also provide contextual information on how preclinical and clinical trials fit into the international medicines regulatory process and its requirements.

Principles of Chemical Structure Determination

Develop your knowledge and expertise in the characterisation of chemical systems. By integrating models of structure, bonding, motion and reactivity with spectroscopic and analytical techniques that can directly probe and interrogate chemical systems, you will develop an enhanced view of their properties, structure and behaviour.

Analytical chemistry

Symmetry and group theory

Organic spectroscopy

Inorganic spectroscopy

Macromolecules

Transition metal molecular orbital theory

Application of these techniques is explored in practical and skills modules.

Organic Chemistry

Develop further knowledge and expertise in organic chemical synthesis, focusing on mechanistic and structural chemistry and expanding on the approaches we can use to rationalise and predict the behaviour, structure and reactions of organic molecules. You will also cover basic organometallic chemistry and the application of organometallics to organic synthesis. You will further your theoretical knowledge and understanding of organic chemistry, expanding on the approaches used to rationalise and predict molecular structure and functional group reactivity.

Retrosynthetic analysis

Aromatic chemistry

Alkene and alkyne chemistry

Enol and enolate chemistry

Conformational analysis

Organometallic chemistry in synthesis

These approaches combine to develop an enhanced picture of the properties and reactivity of chemical systems, and the standard routes to synthesising a variety of different chemical compounds. Practical application of these techniques is explored in practical and skills modules.

Pharmacology

This module will equip you with an in-depth understanding of critical concepts in the science of pharmacology through exploration of real-world examples. You will gain deeper insight into how pharmacodynamic parameters determine how drugs are administered and their effects on the body.

In addition to looking at how drugs affect the body, we'll also discuss how the body affects drugs - exploring in detail the pharmacokinetic parameters of absorption, distribution metabolism and excretion (ADME). You'll learn how drug formulation and delivery route can alter ADME characteristics, enabling a drug's effects to be fine-tuned to achieve the required clinical outcome. We will cover adverse effects of some drugs and how these can be mitigated. You'll also find out how individual and population genetics can affect drug responses and learn what this means for drug discovery and personalised medicine.

Practical and Laboratory Skills in Chemistry

Students will develop core practical skills and laboratory expertise through a structured progression, which introduces key techniques and skills, and develops them through application to increasingly complex and time-extended practical experiments. The introduction of more advanced practical techniques prepares students for the more specialised and open-ended practical and project work that will be encountered at Level 6 and beyond.

Advanced Drug Design and Development

This module will provide an in-depth exploration of novel pharmacological approaches that are revolutionising the treatment of many conditions. You will be introduced to new concepts in the design and use of small molecules to treat disease. For example, we will look at how PROTACs and molecular glues can be used to degrade target proteins rather than inhibit them. We will also discuss recently emerging therapeutic avenues such as biologics, nanotechnology, cell and gene therapy, immunological therapies, and other medicine modalities. You'll understand how these approaches work and the benefits they offer in treating and preventing disease.

Biosciences Research Project

The research project provides you with first-hand experience of research and the opportunity to be immersed in an area of work of current interest in biomedical and life sciences. Your research project is underpinned by training in research methods to support you in planning, conducting, and reporting on an open-ended investigation.

Throughout your project, you’ll receive one-to-one support from a member of academic staff with expertise in your specific area of study. Projects cover a wide variety of topics and may be carried out in a variety of ways. They involve a significant amount of original work and analysis, so you gain experience in a range of skills, including experimental design and testing of hypotheses. The project also helps you to develop graduate attributes relevant to employment, including time management, communication skills, and independent working. The results of your research are reported in a written dissertation and an oral presentation.

Global Health Challenges

Whilst scientific advances have led to tremendous improvements in human health over the past century, significant challenges remain. These include, problems associated with an ageing population and an increase in non-communicable diseases, new and re-emerging infectious diseases, the impact of environmental factors and social determinants on health, as well as continued disparity in access to healthcare provision across different population groups.

In this module you will study challenges of global significance that will provide you with a real-world perspective on human health and the multi-disciplinary and collaborative approaches required to tackle challenges on a national and international scale. You will consider how technological advancements, such as the use of artificial intelligence, could positively transform healthcare, but also ethical concerns that may be raised by the implementation of new technologies.

Optional

optional modules accordion

Medicinal and Biological Applications of Organic Chemistry

This optional module covers topics informed by current research, providing significant depth in a specialised area of chemistry.

This module focuses on advanced topics in organic chemistry and will be of particular interest to you if you would like to focus on pharmaceutical, medicinal, and advanced mechanistic chemistry.

Chemical biology and biomolecular chemistry

Medicinal chemistry and drug design

Advanced asymmetric synthesis and catalysis

Advanced Practical Skills in Chemistry

Significant emphasis is placed on advanced practical chemistry skills, where you will focus on developing your independence in practical work, and on more open-ended and extended practical investigations.

Build on the breadth of practical experience gain so far to further develop your expertise and confidence in advanced practical chemistry. Here, you will study more specialised practical techniques in more extended, open-ended practical’s that connect and develop skills from across the discipline and employ them in increasingly unfamiliar contexts. These practical skills directly complement the project that you will undertake this year.

Strategies in Chemical Synthesis

Build upon topics learned in earlier years, covering the synthesis and structure of both organic molecules, the application of transition metal complexes to the catalysis of organic transformations, and further developing your knowledge and expertise in advanced synthetic chemistry.

Retrosynthesis and selective synthetic strategies

Asymmetric synthesis

Mechanistic and physical organic chemistry

Reactive intermediates and photochemical methods

Transition metal and organometallic chemistry

Biosciences Integrated Master's Research Project

In this module you will undertake an extended research project on a specific topic within your field of study. The MSci project enables you to build on the research skills you developed during your Biosciences Research Project but further enhances your independence and experience of working in a research environment.

You will undertake a review of relevant and contemporary research literature, apply appropriate research methods and techniques to collect, analyse and interpret data; and present your findings in an extensive written report and oral examination. The overall aim of this module is to help you develop greater competence in conducting rigorous, independent research, and to refine your ability to communicate research outcomes to a diverse audience. Throughout your project, you will receive one-to-one support from a member of academic staff that has expertise in your specific area of study.

Brain Disorders

Did you know that your brain is formed in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy and continues to mature into your mid-20s? Did you also know that your brain shrinks by about five percent per decade after the age of 40?

In this module, you’ll study a range of brain disorders that typically emerge at different points during childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Using examples such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease, you’ll learn how genetic and environmental factors lead to the dysfunction of brain cells and associated pathologies. The impact of this on behavioural and cognitive changes will also be discussed. You’ll also actively participate in discussions of current and emerging methods for diagnosing and treating a range of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. This module is ideal if you are interested in furthering your understanding of brain function throughout life.

Cancer - Bench to Bedside

Cancer is a complex disease that arises from our own cells and tissues. Mutation in specific genes play a key role in promoting tumourigenesis. Consequently, these molecular differences between cancer cells and our healthy tissues, provide an opportunity to target cancer.

You will explore the hallmarks of cancer to gain insight into how cancer cells differ from normal cells, learning how these provide opportunities to effectively treat cancer. You will also learn how a deep understanding of the genetic changes in cancer cells can identify which patients would benefit from specific treatments. The immune system plays a key role in tumourigenesis and for the treatment of cancer. You will develop your understanding of how selection and evolution within tumours can lead to resistance to specific chemotherapies and targeted therapies, which represent a new challenge to effectively treat cancer.

Drug Development from Concept to Clinic

How do new medicines get discovered? What needs to happen to get new medicines available to people who need them? This module will provide you with the tools to critically evaluate the drug discovery process, using examples of successes and failures.

You will learn how current and emerging tools, such as genomics, virtual design, high throughput screening and safety testing are used to allow new medicines to reach clinical trials and regulatory approval. You will participate in discussions to unpick what we mean by diseases or conditions with unmet medical and societal need, intellectual property, Big Pharma and Small Biotech.

This module will also help you recognise the wide array of roles and responsibilities needed in this sphere such as academic scientists, medical professionals, pharmacists, statisticians, quality assurance, biomedical engineers, pharmacologists, and chemists. Applicable, real-life examples will anchor each concept.

Emerging Therapeutics in Immunology

Beyond the classical role of protecting us from infection, we are now beginning to uncover the key role of inflammation in obesity, cancer, and ageing. Therefore, understanding our immune system, as the key orchestrator of inflammation, has never been more important.

In this module you will gain advanced knowledge of the innate and adaptive immune system, understanding classical and novel cell types, their role in preventing disease and how failure of the immune system results in chronic infection or autoimmunity. You’ll study immunological disorders and how application of innovative immunological research is applied to biomedical science and clinical practice. You will also explore how our individual macro and microbiota influence our responses to therapeutics and develop an understanding of personalised medicine.

Frontiers in Biological Applications of Inorganic and Materials Chemistry

If (bio)inorganic and materials chemistry is where your interests lie, this module will build upon your previous knowledge of the area. Delve into the design, synthesis, and characterisation of novel materials with applications in health, sustainable technologies and bioimaging. Emphasis is on the integration of theoretical principles with practical applications.

Chemistry for biomedical imaging

Biomaterials for health

Frontiers in Organic Chemistry

This module will be of particular interest to you if you would like to concentrate on drug design and advanced organic synthesis. You will explore frontiers in organic chemistry, emphasising the design and synthesis of complex organic molecules and their applications in diverse areas (e.g. materials, drug discovery). You will touch on modern synthetic methodologies, including photochemistry, metal catalysis, and stereoselective reactions and other sustainable methods.

Physical organic chemistry for mechanistic analysis and sustainability

Frontier methods in innovative and sustainable synthesis

Catalysis and applications in industrial chemistry

Neglected Tropical Diseases

In this module you will study Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), a diverse group of conditions caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi, and toxins found in snake venom.

The World Health Organisation estimates that NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, disproportionately affecting impoverished communities in tropical and sub-tropical regions, with significant health, societal, and economic consequences. Despite the tremendous impact NTDs have on human health and wellbeing, these conditions are considered ‘neglected,’ as historically they have received little attention and funding from the global community.

In this module you will develop a detailed understanding of the impact that a range of NTDs have on human health and global healthcare systems, as well as current approaches to their treatment, prevention, and control.

Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting at the beginning of each academic year.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2027/28 are:

International

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Additional costs

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2026 or 2027, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

Study abroad courses

In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. visa or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.

Placement and industry year courses

In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.

What is my fee status?

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.

Fees in subsequent years

Home fees are subject to annual review, and are liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy. International fees (including EU) are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.

Fees for study abroad and work placements

We will charge tuition fees to Home undergraduate students on full-year study abroad/work placements in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard tuition fee

Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard tuition fee

International students on full-year study abroad/work placements will also be charged in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard international tuition fee during the Study Abroad year

Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard international tuition fee during the Placement year

Please note that the maximum levels chargeable in future years may be subject to changes in Government policy.

Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Fee status:

Any fee status

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Responding to a changing world: the evolution of pharmaceutical science

Since the development of the first synthetic drug in the 1860s, health, quality of life, and life expectancy have improved considerably. With important breakthroughs across all areas of medicine, we’re now surviving – and thriving – in the face of many pathogens and diseases that, in the past, would have killed us.

The ongoing development of new drugs – and specifically the advancement of pharmaceutical science – has been a major driver in improving health across the world.

Adapting to change

Health and disease are moving targets: as society evolves and our environment shifts, new health crises emerge. Today we’re facing serious challenges, including the threat of global pandemics like COVID-19, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a rise in the prevalence of cancer and an obesity epidemic.

In response, the field of pharmaceutical science is continuously adapting, with scientists developing novel compounds to address emerging challenges. From targeted cancer treatments to the development of mRNA vaccines during COVID-19, and the launch of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, new approaches to drug development are transforming how we are affected by disease.

Interdisciplinary intelligence

Modern pharmaceutical science at the intersection between a range of different specialisms.

Professor Sarah Allinson, has co-designed the new range of pharmaceutical science degrees at Lancaster University. She says:

“Pharmaceutical science is becoming increasingly collaborative, bringing in ideas and techniques from other disciplines, such as computer science and data analytics. This means, for example, we can now draw on big data and computational power to speed up – and even automate – many of our processes, ultimately transforming the way we create new drugs.”

A chemical solution

The pharmaceutical science degrees at Lancaster focus on where drugs come from and how they are developed, and include a lot of chemistry alongside core biology modules, enabling students to really get to grips with the chemical make-up of different drugs and understand new drug compounds.

Dr Michael Peach, who designed the chemistry elements of the new courses, says:

“By applying chemistry to biological questions, we can make the right molecules that respond in the right way. It’s a really effective approach to creating real progress”.

Chemistry will have an increasing influence on the future of pharmaceutical science, he says:

“Currently, a relatively small library of molecules is available to develop new drugs, but there’s a lot of exciting work going on at Lancaster to expand that library, and the range of potential drugs that could exist, by developing more complex chemical shapes with the potential to be more targeted.”

A focus for the future

As pharmaceutical science continues to embrace an increasingly interdisciplinary knowledge-base and harness the potential applications of new technology, there will, no doubt, be life-changing advances in targeted and personalised treatments.

Sarah says: “Pharmaceutical science is at the frontier of a new generation of treatments, where, in theory, we could sequence the whole genome of a tumour, for example, identify which proteins are driving its growth, and engineer molecules that fit perfectly within those proteins. I don’t think that level of targeting is too far in the future”.

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A quick introduction to Pharmacology at Lancaster University

Dr. Steven Hall, lecturer in Pharmacology and snakebite expert, explains the course structure for years 1, 2, and 3.

Similar courses

BSc Hons : B200

Pharmaceutical Science (Placement Year)

BSc Hons : B202

Pharmaceutical Science (Study Abroad)

BSc Hons : B203

Pharmaceutical Science (with a Foundation Year)

BSc Hons : B20F

BSc Hons : B210

MSci Hons : B213

Pharmacology (Placement year)

BSc Hons : B211

Pharmacology (Study Abroad)

BSc Hons : B212

Pharmacology (with a Foundation Year)

BSc Hons : B21F

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

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