Pharmaceutical Science

Pharmaceutical Science - BSc (Hons)

Develop the scientific skills and business knowledge needed for a dynamic career in the pharmaceutical industry. Explore the range of sciences that underpin pharmaceutical discovery and development, understand the global legal and regulatory requirements of the industry, and recognise the business potential of new drugs.

Year of entry

2023 - for 2024 entry see here - for 2023 entry see here

Course type

Single Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

Pharmacy and Bioengineering

UCAS code

1B11

Duration of study

3 years

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Why study Pharmaceutical Science at Keele University?

Develop the multi-disciplinary and problem-solving skills the pharmaceutical industry is actively looking for in graduates

Be part of the well-established School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering

Opportunities to learn a language

State-of-the-art facilities including the Central Science Laboratories

Course overview

The pharmaceutical industry is a global one that offers many different career possibilities. Pharmaceutical Science at Keele was co-developed with experts from the pharmaceutical industry who work in areas including formulation development and regulatory affairs, and academic experts who have first hand experience of working in the field. As a result of this, graduate skills are aligned to the industry demands.

Drug discovery and development pathway

The pharmaceutical industry strives to develop new drugs, the formulation of medicines and medical devices to advance healthcare provision. Throughout the programme you will be encouraged to explore themes such as tpharmhe pathway for the discovery and development of therapeutic drugs and the cost effectiveness of medications.

This incorporates product formulation, manufacturing, quality assurance, clinical trials design and implementation. The aim is for you to understand how medicines gain approval to be marketed and, ultimately, how these medications are administered.

Industry skills

You will undertake laboratory experiments to develop the vital scientific skills required to work in the pharmaceutical industry. We also provide you with additional practical opportunities that give you real world experience of some of the processes and documentation requirements that are currently found in the pharmaceutical industry to help enhance your employability. Having the knowledge and understanding of how to undertake such tasks will give you the confidence to execute these tasks within the workplace.

Core modules introduce you to subject areas such as human anatomy and physiology to improve your understanding of the structure of the human body, organs and tissues, and how disease affects it. You will explore the essential elements of chemistry and pharmacology and also develop your understanding of the principles of biochemistry, looking at the chemistry of life to understand the functioning of cells at molecular and cellular levels.

Pharmaceutical Science at Keele offers you the flexibility to tailor the course to your personal interests and career aspirations. If you’re aiming for a role within pharmaceutical sales and marketing, then you can choose to take optional marketing modules that focus on key marketing theories that could assist you to promote new medicines effectively. You may choose to study modules that introduce you to management concepts that develop your knowledge for future leadership roles, and learn about international business which concentrates on global trade, investment, and international management.

If you have international ambitions, you can also choose a language pathway to enable you to study not just a language but develop a cultural understanding of nations outside your home country.

Our expertise

You will be taught by staff with expertise in the core areas of pharmaceutical science such as pharmacology, physiology, medicinal and organic chemistry, and pharmaceutical formulation. Some of our academic staff have previously worked in the pharmaceutical and related industries. We have connections with industry professionals who deliver authentic examples around current areas of the sector such as clinical development, marketing and branding of pharmaceutical products, and the role of healthcare systems in the context of pharmaceutical sales and regulatory affairs. Business and management modules are delivered by experienced academic staff from Keele Business School.

Student support

We provide a supportive learning environment for you during your pharmaceutical science degree. You will be allocated an academic mentor from the School who will be your first point of contact for academic advice and guidance.

Based within our faculty is a Student Experience and Support team who have a member of the team dedicated to the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering. As part of Keele’s student services, they work closely with teams across Keele to ensure you can easily access the support you need.

There is peer support, and additional help is available from the School's Disability Liaison Officer who provides an additional layer of support for all students, particularly for those who have special learning needs.

You will have access to a mixture of advice and support services at Keele which include;

Learning Support and Academic Guidance
Disability Services
English Language Unit
Student Advice at Keele (ASK)
Student Support Services
Occupational Health Department

Related courses

Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science

Next Steps

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"I would definitely recommend this course to anyone thinking about their next steps. It diversifies from learning all of the required up-to-date science to learning languages and business development. The skill set you acquire makes you more employable on a global level."

Ahmad, Pharmaceutical Science with Business

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Learn a language GCP Elective Pathways Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

A LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

BCC
To include Biology or Chemistry at grade B or above.
Subjects not included: Dual award Applied Science, Critical Thinking, General Studies, Maths and Further Maths in combination. Media Studies only accepted with both Chemistry and Biology.

GCSE REQUIREMENTS

Mathematics at C (or 4) and
English Language/Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

DMM in Applied Science (all routes - Applied, Biomedical, Analytical & Forensic, Physical Science).
You must have taken certain Science units. Please contact Admissions for advice.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

28 points to include Higher Level Chemistry or Biology at 6 or above

ACCESS TO HE DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS

Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 104 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction. 30 Level 3 credits are required in Biology and/or Chemistry. Please contact Admissions for advice

T LEVELS

Merit overall and a Grade B in Core Component in the following subjects:

Health
Healthcare Science
Science

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Preparation programmes for international students

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Next Steps

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Additional information

A LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

BCC
To include Biology or Chemistry at grade B or above.
Subjects not included: Dual award Applied Science, Critical Thinking, General Studies, Maths and Further Maths in combination. Media Studies only accepted with both Chemistry and Biology.

GCSE REQUIREMENTS

Mathematics at C (or 4) and
English Language/Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

DMM in Applied Science (all routes - Applied, Biomedical, Analytical & Forensic, Physical Science).
You must have taken certain Science units. Please contact Admissions for advice.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

28 points to include Higher Level Chemistry or Biology at 6 or above

ACCESS TO HE DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS

Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 104 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction. 30 Level 3 credits are required in Biology and/or Chemistry. Please contact Admissions for advice

T LEVELS

Merit overall and a Grade B in Core Component in the following subjects:

Health
Healthcare Science
Science

English Language Requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from .

Alternative and contextual offers

We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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"This course has shaped my career with the invaluable support and professional guidance from lecturers at Keele and a range of external experts from the pharmaceutical industry who also lectured on this programme. The degree mirrors the broad-based and applied knowledge required to succeed in the industry, and provides a strong fundamental core to where you want to develop your career, whilst you are able to understand the influence and impact from related areas of the industry."

Palina, Graduate

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Modules

Modules for Pharmaceutical Science

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Compulsory Modules:

Optional Modules

Compulsory Modules

Applied Pharmaceutical Science
Pharmaceutical Analysis And Quality Control
Applied Pharmaceutical Science II

Optional Modules

Organisational Behaviour
Operations and Quality Management

Compulsory Modules

The Pharmaceutical Industry at the Cutting Edge
Pharmaceutical Science Research Project

Optional Modules

Current Developments in Pharmaceutical Science
Current Developments in Pharmaceutical Science II
Advanced Topics in Pharmaceutical Science (Pharmacology)
Advanced Topics in Pharmaceutical Science (Pharmaceutics & Drug Delivery)

Next Steps

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Your future career

95% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

The pharmaceutical industry offers a huge range of career opportunities. The sector has become increasingly prominent due to the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly around the development of new vaccines and the repurposing of drugs for the treatment of Covid-19. Highly skilled individuals with a comprehensive scientific knowledge base and relevant knowledge of the business aspects of the industry are in demand.

Upon graduation will have a significant knowledge and skills ideal for working in a number of diverse roles in pharmaceutics. You will confidently apply these abilities, including strong laboratory techniques and problem solving skills, in a work environment. Some of our graduates have gone on to work in globally recognised pharmaceutical companies. You could go on to have a successful career in:

Pharmaceutical sales and marketing
Pharmaceutical technologist
Research scientist
Clinical research associate
Higher Education lecturer
Teaching
Regulatory affairs officer
Medical, pharmaceutical, and scientific writing
Product development scientist

Enhance your employability

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.

From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

Next Steps

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

Course Content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

This Foundation Year is a is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science with Business degree. For example, in the Foundations of Chemistry for Science module you will begin to develop laboratory skills and techniques, together with your ability to accurately report experiment results and manipulate, analyse and present scientific data which will provide you with a good grounding for Year One of your degree. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

On this Foundation Year, we will advance your knowledge of human biology and chemistry, giving you a solid grasp of body systems, science and lab work. You'll develop safe, professional laboratory skills and get to know the mathematical techniques and quantitative methods used across health science-related and social care programmes. Using problem-based learning, you will learn how to apply some of the most commonly used mathematical techniques in applied health sciences, converting data to the information used to support decision making in healthcare settings.

Throughout the programme, you will develop subject-specific and broad based skills that will be invaluable in your academic career and beyond. You can find out more about our Foundation Year, Including Information on learning, teaching and assessment methods and further opportunities available to you by visiting our homepage.

Course structure

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Semester one modules

FYO-00237	Foundations of Human Biology for Health	15 credits
FYO-00189	Foundations of Chemistry for Science	15 credits
FYO-00213	Foundations of Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Health Students	15 credits
FYO-00185	Practical and Academic Skills in Science	15 credits

Semester two modules

FYO-00239	Advancing Human Biology for Health	30 credits
FYO-00191	Advancing Chemistry for Chemistry	30 credits

Entry requirements

For admission enquiries please contact pharmacy@keele.ac.uk

Qualifications	Additional GCSE requirements
A-levels: At least 64 UCAS points from at least 1 A Level/Level 3 qualification	GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or IELTS 6.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests) AND GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 64 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 L3 credits at Merit
BTEC: MPP

PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS

To progress to Year 1, you will be required to achieve an average of 40% from the Semester 1 modules, plus a 55% average from the remaining 60 credits to give a total of 120 credits.

How to Apply

UCAS Applications

Visit UCAS for applications. You should apply for Pharmaceutical Science with Foundation Year

UCAS code: B232

Direct Entry Students

If you are a UK or EU student, already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business courses.

Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but in a slightly different order and pattern.

For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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Final year BSc Pharmaceutical Science Technology and Business student talks about her experiences at Keele University.

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