Pharmaceutical Science MSci/BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate
Degree with foundation year

Develop practical and theoretical expertise in drug design, molecular modelling, analytical techniques and biopharmaceutical production, with opportunities for hands-on experience throughout the course.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MSci:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

BB11 / BB12

Start date

September 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Develop knowledge and skills relevant to drug discovery, design and development, pharmacology, pharmaceutics and drug regulatory affairs. This course is designed for those with a strong interest in chemistry, biology and the development of new medicines.

Examine the science behind drug discovery and development and develop scientific knowledge and practical skills.
Explore molecular modelling, drug design, advanced analytics and biopharmaceutical production.
Opportunities for hands-on lab experience and studying real-world applications should help prepare you to address global health challenges.⁴

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Develop hands-on skills in labs: gain practical, in-demand skills by working with the latest pharmaceutical technology in our advanced labs, ensuring you're not just learning theory but also mastering the techniques that drive modern drug development.⁴
Industry-relevant curriculum and career prospects: study a course that is designed in collaboration with leading pharmaceutical companies, and graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to launch a successful career in a rapidly expanding field.
Focus on emerging and globally relevant pharmaceutical science: learn how to address health challenges by studying areas, such as personalised medicine and antimicrobial resistance.
Dive deep into pharmaceutical science with our MSci year: You may choose to extend your studies with the MSci route (subject to meeting progression requirements). Develop the expertise to design and synthesise the next generation of medicines, master the complexities of biopharmaceutical production, understand the intricate interactions of drug metabolism and toxicology and explore the role of natural products in drug discovery.

What you'll study

Develop scientific knowledge and technical skills to prepare for roles in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology or healthcare. Study how medicines interact with the human body, explore drug discovery methods, and develop expertise in pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics and computational biology. Learn through hands-on experience with modern techniques like qPCR, flow cytometry and tableting while using simulation spaces and bioinformatics tools. The integrated MSci year is designed to help you deepen your knowledge and learn how to design the next generation of medicines (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Modules

Fundamental Pharmaceutical Science - 30 credits

Build the essential knowledge you need for your pharmaceutical science journey. Explore the chemical and biological principles behind how drugs are discovered, developed and used. Learn how drug molecules are structured, how they work in the body and how they're made and delivered. Grasp key ideas like how drugs act, how they move through the body (pharmacokinetics) and how to understand their safety (toxicology).

Compulsory

Cells to Systems – 30 credits

Investigate the physiology of the human body, beginning with cellular organisation and signalling, all the way through to organ systems, their control and pathophysiology. Learn the process of human embryonic development to understand how distinct physiological systems develop.

Build your knowledge of how the main systems in the human body are developed, structured and organised, such as the nervous, muscular, skeletal, hormonal, heart, lung, reproductive, digestive and kidney systems. Learn how these systems work together to keep the body in balance (homeostasis). This module also covers how cells interact and communicate through cell signalling. You will be introduced to key concepts in how drugs work in the body (pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics), as well as how new medicines are developed.

Compulsory

Microbiology and Immunology – 30 credits

Learn about the different types of microorganisms with a detailed focus on bacteria and viruses. The structure, growth characteristics, laboratory cultivation and enumeration of bacteria and viruses will be considered. Explore the role of microorganisms in both human health and disease, as well as control strategies for microorganisms, including sterilisation, disinfection, antimicrobial agents and vaccines. This module will also introduce how mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance develop and work.

Learn how the body defends itself against infections through both the innate and adaptive immune response. Understand how lymphocytes develop and how the immune system tells the difference between the body's own cells and foreign cells and molecules, including how it responds to tissue transplants.

Compulsory

Genetics and Molecular Biology – 30 credits

Learn the principles of inheritance, human genetics, population genetics and evolution. You will be introduced to the discovery and structure of DNA and study how traits are passed down, including human blood groups and mitochondrial inheritance.

Discover how DNA is used to make RNA and proteins (transcription and translation) and learn how to analyse genetic sequences using bioinformatics tools and analytical software. Explore the ethical issues around access to genetic data and how historical events and research projects have shaped the field.

Compulsory

Modules

Drug Analysis, Development and Formulation - 30 credits

Learn the lab techniques and drug development processes used in modern pharmacology and pharmaceutical science. Develop practical skills by measuring drug levels, identifying contaminants and studying how drugs behave in the body. Explore how drug discovery has evolved, from early methods to today's advanced technologies, and follow each stage of development, from identifying targets to clinical trials. Look at how drugs are formulated, regulated and manufactured, including GMP and quality control.

Compulsory

Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry - 30 credits

Explore how modern medicines are designed, made and tested. Learn how a drug's chemical structure affects its activity and how it's absorbed, processed and delivered in the body. Study different drug delivery systems and discover how formulation impacts safety and effectiveness. Look into drug design, structure-activity relationships and synthesis, while developing your skills in analytical techniques used for quality control. Finally, connect it all by exploring how active ingredients are formulated for real-world use.

Compulsory

Pharmaceutical Technology - 30 credits

Examine how drug molecules are turned into real medicines on a large scale. Learn how formulations are developed, tested and manufactured, and discover the key technologies behind tablets, capsules and injections. Explore cutting-edge topics like vaccine tagging and targeted drug delivery and get hands-on experience with pharmaceutical production methods. Study how medicines are quality-checked, regulated and approved, and understand how global healthcare systems impact how drugs are made and delivered around the world.

Compulsory

Computational Biology - 30 credits

Learn the key principles and applications of computational biology, integrating theoretical concepts with practical computational techniques. Gain an interdisciplinary approach to understanding biological processes through bioinformatics, biostatistics, and systems biology. Explore key topics such as enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways, sequence analysis and molecular modelling, with a strong emphasis on computational tools used in modern biological research and drug discovery.

Compulsory

There's no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They're a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement² undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement2 undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Modules

Advanced Pharmacology and Drug Discovery - 30 credits

Delve into the complexities of modern drug development, combining foundational principles and modern applications. Refine your understanding of advanced laboratory techniques, drug discovery processes and the intricacies of bringing novel therapeutics to market. You will focus on critical analysis of research methodologies, ethical considerations and the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical innovation. Building upon prior knowledge in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and molecular biology, you'll have the opportunity to explore contemporary approaches in drug design, target validation and personalised medicine.

Compulsory

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Global Drug Applications - 30 credits

Get a clear understanding of how advanced medicines are developed, made and brought to global markets. Explore techniques like gene therapy, vaccine development and recombinant protein production, while understanding how they are applied in real-world drug manufacturing. Explore the science and logistics behind preclinical and clinical trials, including key ethical and legal issues. By the end, build strong problem-solving skills to help tackle real challenges in global biopharmaceutical development.

Compulsory

The Regulatory Landscape - 30 credits

Learn how laws and regulations shape the pharmaceutical industry and keep patients safe. Explore the legal and ethical rules that control how medicines are developed, tested, made and sold. Examine key standards like Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and how safety is monitored after drugs are released.

Discover how patents protect new drug ideas and why intellectual property matters. Through real case studies, learn how companies stay compliant by managing risk, training staff, setting policies, auditing and reporting. Look at what happens when companies get it wrong, from fines to product recalls and lost public trust.

Compulsory

Research Project - 30 credits

This capstone module provides you with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project within your discipline/area of interest. You will engage in all stages of the research process, from project design and ethical approval to data collection, analysis, and presentation. Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and advanced scientific communication skills, culminating in a conference-style poster presentation and defence of findings.

Compulsory

Modules

Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design - 30 credits

Advance and build upon fundamental chemical and biological principles to explore the complexities of drug development. Discover key concepts including structure-activity relationships, drug target identification, rational drug design and modern synthetic strategies. Investigate pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug metabolism and toxicology alongside emerging trends in the field, such as targeted drug delivery.

Compulsory

Biopharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing - 30 credits

Build advanced knowledge of how biopharmaceuticals are made, from cell line engineering and genetic modification to large-scale production and quality control. Explore how to optimise and scale up processes, design and run bioreactors and use advanced tools to check the quality and safety of complex biologic drugs. Examine exciting new therapies like gene and cell therapies and the manufacturing and regulation challenges they bring. Learn how automation and data are shaping the future of biopharma production.

Compulsory

Advanced Topics in Drug Metabolism and Toxicology - 30 credits

This module provides an in-depth exploration of the complex processes governing drug metabolism and the principles of toxicology. Learn about the enzymes involved in drug metabolism, how drugs are broken down and their importance. Study the mechanisms of toxicity at the molecular and cellular level, including risks like cancer or genetic damage. Through real-world examples, see how this knowledge is used in drug development, safety testing and clinical practice.

Compulsory

Therapeutic Natural Products and Drug Discovery - 30 credits

Dive into the world of natural medicines and their impact on drug discovery. Explore how plants, microbes and marine life provide chemical compounds used in modern medicines. Learn how scientists isolate, study and improve these natural products using advanced lab techniques and tools. Discover how modern methods, like genetic engineering and high-throughput screening help find and develop new drugs from nature.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
case studies
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
hands-on laboratories.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

Assessment methods may include:

presentations
group projects
tests
laboratory reports
laboratory competency tests
case study reports
group projects
vodcasts and multimedia
conference posters
grant proposals
individual research projects.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS Points	120
A Level	BBB to include Chemistry. Excludes General Studies
GCSE	GCSE maths, English and two sciences at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
BTEC	DDM in a Chemistry related subject.
IB Diploma	32 points to include 5 points in Chemistry at Higher Level.
Access to HE	The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits above Merit of which 15 must be at Distinction in Chemistry units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation pathway. Upon successful completion this should provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.
If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	TBC per year	Not available
EU	TBC per year with EU Support Bursary**	Not available
International	TBC per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

The course will be predominantly taught in the Alison Gingell Building on the Coventry University main campus. It is home to microbiology, cell culture, molecular biology/genetics and analytical chemistry laboratories, allowing you to work in a professional environment.⁴

SuperLab

Our SuperLab has facilities for cell culture and equipment for microscopy, DNA, RNA and protein analysis.

Analytical Chemistry Suite

Apply your practical and theoretical knowledge to real-life working scenarios and get the opportunity to use new generation chromatography techniques to analyse products ranging from pharmaceutical agents to cosmetics, drinks and toxins.

Students using physiology testing equipment

Physiology Suite

separate physiology and health laboratory facilities enable the measurement of physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, lung function test and neuromuscular functioning.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Graduates with this degree have a wide range of career options available to them in pharmaceutical, chemistry, biotechnology and healthcare-based industries. This may include drug discovery, design and development, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and drug regulatory affairs.

Specific roles may include:

Pharmaceutical Scientist
Research Scientist
Clinical Trials Assistants
Medical/Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Product Development Technologist
Drug Safety Associate
Quality Control Analyst
Medical Science Liaison
Pharmacy Technician
Post graduate study
Teaching

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

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How to apply

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.

Apply via the portal

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
BSc: EESU056
MSci: EESU055

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and membershipsons

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.