Pharmacology & Physiology BSc Honours

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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £15,400 *
Duration 3 or 4 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Pharmacology and physiology are two closely related disciplines. Pharmacology is the study of drug action and how medicines may modify disease states. Physiology is concerned with how the body and its systems are controlled, and in the changes that lead to disease states (pathophysiology).

This course will provide you with a sound understanding of the biological action of drugs and other biomolecules at the whole-body, tissue, cellular and sub-cellular levels, and their uses as medicines for the treatment of disease. It provides an ideal grounding for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research, academia, the Scientific Civil Service and healthcare provision.

Opportunities exist for you to enhance your practical and related transferable skills within our research laboratories. Teaching is informed by high-quality research in relevant cognate areas, within the department.

In addition, new students will benefit from our use of the APOLLO Patient Care Simulator platform, as an exciting novel teaching tool.

The Pharmacology and Physiology BSc will enable you to acquire a broad understanding of the normal and abnormal physiological function, including the biology of representative disease states.

You'll become proficient in explaining and applying information about the mode of therapeutic action, undesirable and toxic effects, absorption, distribution and elimination of exemplar drugs. You'll also develop the problem-solving skills and research strategies necessary to evaluate, critically appraise and systematically review pharmacology and physiology.

The learning and teaching strategies include a mixture of formal contact – such as large and small group lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, laboratory practical sessions and demonstrations – as well as independent work and online support activities. 

Top reasons to study with us

  • Build a successful career – this course will give you the knowledge and skills for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research
  • Make the most of our facilities – develop your skills in our fully equipped laboratories, and benefit from our APOLLO Patient Care Simulator platform
  • Learn from our expert teaching staff – teaching is informed by high-quality research, delivering the forefront of current and cutting-edge science to students

Course structure

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Subjects of study include:

  • Applications of Biological Sciences
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Chemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Fundamentals of Pharmacology
  • Human Physiology
  • Professional Development in Science (PRoDS)
  • Science: History Philosophy and Practice

Credit Level 4

Subjects of study include:

  • Bioinformatics
  • Contemporary Global Challenges in Biology
  • Experimental and Therapeutic Pharmacology
  • Medical Physiology
  • Metabolic Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Neuroscience
  • Research Methods

Credit Level 5

Professional experience or study abroad year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Pharmacology and Physiology with Professional Experience. 

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Pharmacology and Physiology with International Experience.

Subjects of study include:

  • Advanced Physiology and Pharmacology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Drug Discovery: Bench to Bedside
  • Final Year Project in Life Sciences
  • Global Ethics
  • Neuropharmacology
  • Pharmaceutical Drug Design and Development

Credit Level 6

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting in part the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol). 

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

Develop a successful career

This course provides an ideal grounding for a career in the pharmaceutical industry, biomedical research, the Scientific Civil Service and healthcare provision.

Outstanding facilities

Students can make the most of our facilities, including fully-equipped research laboratories and our APOLLO Patient Care Simulator platform.

3,000

Employers around the world

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Career development

Graduates of our Pharmacology and Physiology BSc can expect to acquire the core skills required for employment in a variety of settings. Typically, these might include careers in the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical research, scientific writing, academia, the Scientific Civil Service, Clinical Research bodies and hospital departments.

The course also prepares students for further study (MSc, MRes, DPhil, PhD) and careers in academia.

Graduate employers

Graduate pharmacologists and physiologists have an excellent understanding of key bioscience and applied biomedical subjects, and are able to seek careers in:

  • NHS and other healthcare bodies
  • Pharmaceutical research and development
  • Scientific journalism and copywriting
  • Drug policy, regulation and pharmacovigilance

Job roles

The course prepares graduates for job roles including:

  • Clinical trials associates
  • Graduate research or management trainees in the Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Teachers, with expertise in the teaching of the Biological Sciences (after successful completion of a suitable PG teaching qualification)
  • Research scientists (following completion of study to MSc, MRes or PhD level)

Many of our graduates also progress to postgraduate education, research degrees and graduate entry medicine (including MSc, MPhil/PhD, MBBS)

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leaders

Biggs, Christopher's profile photo

I am interested in the novel mechanisms of action for existing antiepileptic drugs.

Dr Christopher Biggs

Senior Lecturer

Chris graduated from King’s College London with BSc Pharmacology in 1990, and spent a further nine years at UCL School of Pharmacy, both as doctoral student and postgraduate researcher. Chris joined the University of Westminster in 1999, and from that time on, has worked alongside his colleagues to build the course we offer you now. Aside from his course leadership role, Chris is a key member of the teaching team and delivers a diverse range of high quality, innovative learning material in Pharmacology and Physiology.

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Dr Stephen Getting

Principal Lecturer

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Why study this course?

96%

Student satisfaction

96% of our students agreed with the statement "Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course".

Source: Discover Uni (Accessed November 2020)

Professional accreditation

This course is 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).

Forward-thinking learning

You'll study key bioscience and applied biomedical disciplines, with a particular focus on new and emerging technologies.

Entry Requirements

  • A Levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points), with two science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths
  • T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the IB including a minimum of 4 in two HL science subjects
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM in Applied Science
  • BTEC Diploma – DD in Applied Science
  • Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course with at least a merit in all Biology or Chemistry modules

In addition to one of the above, you should have: 

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher Level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

  • International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the IB including a minimum of 4 in two HL science subjects

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

More information

International Foundation course

We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London to provide Foundation Certificate courses for international students who don’t meet our Bachelor’s degree entry requirements. Find out how to apply for the Foundation Certificate course.

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
28%72%
2
25%75%
P
1%53%46%
3
35%65%
Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Written exams: end of semester exams 
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
     
Year
1
1%20%79%
2
2%14%84%
P
50%50%
3
17%83%
Written examsPracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2023/24

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course Location

With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring.

Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.

For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

More information

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