Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc(Hons)

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We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

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Top reasons to choose this course

• Focus on drug development, formulation science and pharmacology, preparing you for diverse career paths.
• Learn with researchers in our Centre for Lifelong Health working to improve health and wellbeing in older people.
• Practical experience using specialist facilities including atomic force microscopes, microbiology lab, molecular biology lab, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry and genomics/proteomics facility for analysis of cell genes and proteins.
• Placement opportunities to gain paid work experience, explore a specialist area of interest and build professional connections.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, we will inform you of any improvements or innovations to the curriculum through Student View.

Year 1

In your first year you will learn the fundamental concepts of chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology, and be introduced to lab techniques used in professional practice.

Core modules

• Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Science: From Molecules to Medicines
• Physiology and Pharmacology
• Introduction to Biochemistry
• Fundamentals in Genetics and Evolution
• Scientific Methodology and Personal Development

Year 2

You will gain a more in-depth understanding of different areas of pharmaceutical science and be able to critically evaluate and communicate scientific data in preparation for either your placement year or your final year research project.

Core modules

• Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Genomics
• Medicine Design, Manufacturing and Quality Testing
• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Communication, Ethics and Professional Skills

Placement year

The placement year gives you the chance to explore a potential specialism, develop your skills and secure valuable work experience. Our students have been on placement with organisations such as:

• LGC Group
• COTY
• GlaxoSmithKline.

Final year

In your final year, you will explore specialist areas of pharmaceutical science such as biotechnology, regulatory affairs and pharmaceutical sustainability. You will also undertake a research project in a specialism of your choice.

Core modules

• Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals
• Pharmaceutics and Advances in Drug Delivery
• Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs
• Pharmaceutical Sustainability
• Pharmaceutical Sciences Project

Staff profile 

Professor Bhavik Patel, course leader

Brighton graduate and award-winning Professor of Clinical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Bhavik Patel, has been recognised as one of the top 100 leaders and influencers in analytical science for his work as a mentor and educator.

“My teaching is focused on pharmaceutical analysis, which is a discipline about ensuring the quality of a medicine. This is an exciting area of science where there are new developments in approaches to measure drugs and medicines and I take every opportunity to share the latest research developments within my lectures.

“My approach to teaching is focused on developing activities that build key transferable employability skills by immersing students in real-life workplace scenarios as part of lectures, workshops and even laboratory practical sessions.”

Facilities

Your lab-based learning is in our specialist laboratories which are purpose-built for studying molecular biology, microbiology and ecology.

Our facilities include:

• a dedicated microbiology lab with its own technical support team and preparation area
• primary cell/tissue and secondary cell culture facility
• molecular biology lab
• RT-PCR equipment
• image analysis suite with electron microscopes, a confocal microscope and atomic force microscopes
• genomics/proteomics facility for analysis of cell genes and proteins.

Course fees

Course fees for students starting their course in 2026 will be published later this year.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Brighton Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more...
• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf) for more on University of Brighton tuition fees.

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