School of Pharmacy

BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science with Foundation Year

BSc (Hons) Full-time 4 years, Part-time 8 years

This course equips you with the knowledge and technical skills for a career in pharmaceuticals, covering drug discovery, analysis, development, and distribution.

This course equips you with the knowledge and technical skills for a career in pharmaceuticals, covering drug discovery, analysis, development, and distribution.

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
F152
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (4 years),Part-time (8 years)
Campus location
Wolverhampton City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

100% of students felt supported academically on their course

NSS, 2023

Explore the knowledge and learn the technical skills of the word of drug discovery, analyses, development, and distribution in order to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

What's unique about this course?

  • Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
  • Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities
  • Interactive learning spaces, including mock dispensary and consultation rooms

What happens on the course?

Level 3 (Foundation Year) will develop your study and analytical skills in preparation for your future study in science and technology and develop an understanding of the knowledge which underpins the pharmaceutical arena.

Level 4 (First Year of BSc Pharmaceutical Science) covers key topics such as infection and immunity, physicochemical science and pharmaceutical chemistry. It considers human health, physiology, and disease prevention and treatment. It looks at the molecular basis of disease and introduces you to a diversity of microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, protozoa, fungi and viruses. In addition, you will begin the process of developing your transferable skills.

Level 5 (Second Year of BSc Pharmaceutical Science) explores basic principles of drug development and considers practical applications of biochemistry and pharmacology. It looks at the role of pathogens and metabolic processes in the development of disease and identifies targets for drugs in the search for therapeutic agents.  It also examines the relationship between protein structure and function and investigates spectroscopic methods of analysis as tools in drug design and development.

Level 6 (Third Year of BSc Pharmaceutical Science) Students are encouraged to undertake an industrial placement in the third year (after completion of Level 5 before undertaking Level 6) or can also progress directly to Level 6 which covers the principles of drug design and development that can achieve a therapeutic effect with a minimal adverse reaction. It explores the diversity and complexity of membrane structure and function, looks at laboratory management and gives you the chance to undertake a research project of your choice.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Career opportunities exist with a wide range of organisations many of whom employ pharmaceutical scientists both in the UK and further afield:

  • Drug companies need pharmaceutical scientists to evaluate new drugs and contribute to the development of new products.
  • Smaller chemical companies that make intermediates for the drug industry sometimes employ graduates with the necessary analytical skills and understanding of the drug development process.
  • Sales teams for the major Pharma companies employ graduates to advise customers on the more technical aspects of their products.
  • Opportunities exist in areas outside of the pharmaceutical industry, for example in science teaching and professions such as accountancy.
  • Many graduates go on to research-focused careers and study at universities and research institutes.

Progression to other degree programmes is possible after the completion of Level 3 (Foundation Year):

  • To transfer to level 4 of the BSc Pharmacology program 120 credits at level 3 must be obtained.
  • To transfer to level 4 of the MSci Pharmaceutical Science or level 4 of the MSci Pharmacology program, 120 credits at level 3 must be obtained and an average mark of 50 % must be achieved across these level 3 modules.
  • To transfer to level 4 of the MPharm program a mark of 75 % (or above) must be achieved in 3PY003 (Orientation to Pharmaceutical Studies). Additionally, an average mark of 75 % (or above) must be achieved across all level 3 modules and all modules must be passed on the first attempt. Only the marks obtained on the first attempt will be considered. GCSE Maths and English Language at C/grade 5 are also required. Students obtaining over 70 % in 3PY003 (Orientation to Pharmaceutical Studies) and an average mark of 70 % (or above) across the level 3 modules will be considered for transfer to the MPharm depending on the availability of places. Please note an interview may also be required to transfer to MPharm course.  In addition to transfer to MPharm personal statements will be reviewed to ensure that successful applicants demonstrate appropriate values including compassion, empathy, honesty, respect and responsible conduct and offers are subject to satisfactory occupational health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Students studying MPharm must be immune to mumps, measles, German measles (rubella), chicken pox and tuberculosis or have been immunised as such to be accepted onto the course
  • Transfers to Level 4 of other courses in the Faculty of Science and Engineering may be considered depending on the modules taken at Level 3.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Pharmaceutical science is well established at Wolverhampton and benefits from a long tradition of teaching and research in the chemical and biological sciences. This course gives students an excellent opportunity to study core science as well as the modern developments that are occurring at the boundaries between biology, chemistry and clinical practice.

The course has its own distinct identity but also draws on expertise from other successful areas within the University, especially Pharmacy and Pharmacology. An increasing amount of course material is delivered electronically at a time that best suits the individual student, but more traditional teaching methods, in particular laboratory-based work, play a key part.

Students are encouraged to consider an industrial placement in their third year.  

At the end of this course you, the student, will be able to:

  1. Apply a range of graduate skills to investigation in pharmaceutical science
  2. Design, implement and critically evaluate research in pharmaceutical science
  3. Critically evaluate modern concepts of disease and the contribution of new technologies to the treatment of disease
  4. Design and implement appropriate strategies for the manufacture and quality control of pharmaceutical dosage forms

 

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £13950 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14950 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £15450 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

 

Prepare for Foundation Pathway: - We will consider mature applicants (age 21 or over) who have not achieved 48 UCAS points (equivalence) from prior level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience.  You will be required to attend a compulsory Prepare for foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course.  If you would like more advice and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact Gateway to discuss and support you making an application to us.

Academic Pathway: - 48+ UCAS tariff points

Either

  • A-levels: Grade profile of DD
  • Access to HE Diploma: (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (48 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at pass)
  • BTEC: Grade profile of PPP
  • T-Level: Pass grade with a core component profile less than C.
  • Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry. A minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points will be required.
  • International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Other Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years old or above at the start of the course.

Royal Society of Biology

"Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol)."

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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