BSc (Hons)

Pharmaceutical Science including Foundation Year

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest employers of scientists in the UK. This pharmaceutical science degree will prepare you for a career in this industry.

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Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    3WBH

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

You’ll develop an in-depth knowledge of topics relevant to the field of pharmaceuticals, their design, synthesis/development, quality control, genetics and modern molecular advances.

DESIGNED FOR

The course is designed for students looking to embark on careers within the pharma sector that is one of the largest employers in the UK and is undergoing significant investment in South Wales. It also suits the needs of those students interested in developing scientific & lab based skills that are highly valued by chemical, biotech/NHS and clinical research organisations.

Career Paths

  • Quality control/Assurance roles: QC analyst/pharmaceutical analyst/validation QC analyst)
  • Research and development in pharma/clinical/biotech. Sector: Research scientist
  • Regulatory Affairs roles: (Regulatory Affairs Associate)
  • Technical Sales/Support roles
  • NHS (lab scientist/lab technician)

Skills taught

  • Practical skills
  • Problem solving skills/critical thinking skills
  • IT/Digital skills
  • Communication skills
  • Commercial awareness/project management skills

We make a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs - and taught by people who have real work experience.


Course Highlights

Impressive Employability

Our current graduates from the Pharmaceutical Science degree have been very successful in their destinations post degree with the majority securing roles in the pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organisation and other allied industries.

Transformational Learning, Teaching, and Student Experience

Our curriculum focuses on imparting practical, problem solving skills that enhance employability.

Placement Opportunities

Our programme encourages students to consider short term summer and year long placement opportunities and these are promoted through USW career services and other events.

Collaborative Curriculum

The programme aims to provide students with a broad and balanced foundation of scientific knowledge, practical skills, and an industry awareness relating to the pharma sector, it also equips students with transferable, critical thinking/problem solving skills and academic research skills commensurate with an honours degree programme.

Module Overview

Foundation Year (Level 3) is an entry level year for students, which also aims to upskill or reinforce learning for students (in some instances non-conventional qualifications).  It enables students to develop core foundation knowledge and practical skills in chemistry and biology along with literacy and numeracy skills to successfully progress into year 1.

Foundation Biology
This module gives students a basic knowledge of living things, and the processes which enable them to survive and reproduce. It also introduces them to the evolutionary processes which lead to the modern diversity of the living world. 

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
This module introduces foundation year students to the study of the human body. It provides a basic overview of both structure and function of all major body systems.

Key Skills and Professional Development
This module enables students to develop the key kills required to complete a science degree and continue to engage in lifelong learning.

Scientific Data Literacy
This module is designed to develop and support the student’s application of numerical literacy and data handling in the broad context of science, via accessible examples and simple terms.

Foundations in Physical Chemistry
This module provides an introduction to the factors that influence the structure, reactions and physical properties of the states of matter.

Foundations in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
This module introduces the students  to the fundamental concepts of inorganic and organic chemistry and provides an environment that encourages an inquiring, investigative approach.

Year One (Level 4) provides a solid foundation for future study and ensuring that all students develop sound knowledge and hands-on practical skills in chemistry (core themes organic/physical/inorganic), biology (genetics/biomolecules/cell biology) and transferable skills.

Diversity of Cellular Life
This module gives students a basic knowledge of living things, and the processes which enable them to survive and reproduce. It also introduces them to the evolutionary processes which lead to the modern diversity of the living world. 

Genetics and Evolution
This module introduces the principles and core concepts of genetics and the theory of evolution.

Organic Molecules: their Structure, Reactivity and Analysis
This module is designed to develop and support the students application of fundamental concepts in the areas of organic and analytical chemistry.

Physical Characteristics of Molecules
This module introduces the  fundamentals of physical chemistry, relevant to their application within pharmaceutical science.

Inorganic Chemistry
This module provides an introduction to inorganic and transition metal chemistry and the factors that influence structure, reactivity and physical properties of  inorganic compounds/transition metal complexes and to illustrate  their application in pharmaceutical science.

Key Skills for Careers in the Sciences
This module is designed to develop and support the student’s application of course specific skills in the context of the chemical / pharmaceutical / life science sectors.

Year Two (Level 5) provides students with further theoretical/practical skills in synthesis/analytical chemistry/formulation/bioinorganic/quality control and genetics.  Students apply theories/analytical skills  to solve problems. They are also encouraged to plan investigations/evaluate data/reflect on outcomes.

Human Molecular Genetics
This module aims to introduce students to molecular genetics and the genetic basis of intertied disorders. On successful completion of this module, students will understand the theoretical and practical applications of key molecular biology techniques used in the study of genetics and their importance in human genetic disorders.

Quality Control and Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry
The module aims to introduce students to the underlying principles of quality assurance as a key element of quality management systems which underpin the pharmaceutical, manufacturing and distribution industries.

Introduction to Formulation Science and Pharmaceutical Analysis
This module primarily aims to impart the knowledge and practical experience of drug formulation and gives an overview of the breadth of formulation science as a whole. 

Modern Techniques in Analysis and Identification
This module supports students to understand and gain practical skills using modern analytical techniques, including sample preparation, and data interpretation.

Synthetic Organic and Heterocyclic Chemistry
This module extends students’ knowledge in the area of synthetic transformation/heterocyclic chemistry and enables students to use retrosynthetic analysis and suitable synthetic strategies for the research and development of drugs and compounds of commercial value.

Bioinorganic Chemistry
This module  builds and develop concepts surrounding the physical and electronic structure of coordination compounds in the context of bioinorganic systems. It provides  a comprehensive introduction to biologically relevant inorganic compounds and their functions within natural systems including the role they play in the human body.

Year Three (Level 6) provides students with advanced theoretical knowledge/practical skills in synthesis/analytical chemistry/medicine drug design and clinical biochemistry.  Students also undertake a major research project.  Students are prepared for the world of work through embedded employability related workshops such as CV/Science Futures Event/LinkedIn profile etc in the project module.

Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology
This module provides an understanding of the role of different biochemical pathways in specific disease and metabolic disorders and to explain the role of laboratory techniques in the diagnosis of these disorders

Major Project and Career Development
This module develops the student’s professional practice skills (e.g. investigation/research/work practise, planning, organisation, record keeping, critical assessment, oral/poster presentation and report writing, etc) by enabling the student to actively engage in a major scientific undertaking at a professional level.  It also enables the students to practice professional graduate skills, such as health and safety awareness, critical reflection of skills development, target planning, collaborative skills, etc

Advanced Analytical Techniques
This module broadens the student’s knowledge of analytical chemistry and practical skills through the study of modern applied methods of analysis.

Advanced Organic Chemistry
This module provides the students with an in depth understanding of theory and applications of pericyclic reactions, asymmetric synthesis, and transition metals in organic synthesis.

Advanced Drug Design and an Introduction to Formulation Science
This module provides an understanding of the processes that industry uses to design drug candidates and the molecular science behind safe/effective drug administration (targeted delivery). It also introduces students to the new topics of computer modelling and polymer chemistry set in the context of this module.  Through this module, students develop appreciation of the practical difficulties in taking discoveries/syntheses from the laboratory scale to the bulk scale (scale up).

Course Highlights

Delivery and assessment

A combination of teaching delivery methods utilised, including lectures, tutorials/workshops and practical activities.  Teaching is supported online via Blackboard, with additional reading material, self-assessment and tutorial questions. Curriculum content is defined by module descriptors that are reviewed annually, reflecting updates in subject matter and are responsive to feedback from staff and students.

The assessments employed reflect the subject areas commitment to a blended yet tailored approach to teaching, learning, and assessment, they are in line with the University of South Wales assessment tariff, and are governed by the emphasis placed on the learning outcomes of the modules.  Examples of the varied types of assessments employed include: unseen written examinations, practical write-ups, problem based coursework, computer assignments, essays, on-line tests, in class tests, portfolios, oral presentations, poster presentations and dissertation etc.

Teaching staff

Placements

This course includes the option to undertake our Professional Practice and Placement. You can choose to complete a sandwich year in industry or a summer work, volunteering or online placement.  You will also enrol in our Professional Practice Academy, with a range of teamwork activities and workshops. This will equip you with the skills to successfully manage the workplace environment.  USW have a dedicated work placements team who offer a range of science-based placements through the University’s Careers Connect portal.  During your time completing your placement, you will be assigned an academic mentor, to help support you through the process.

Facilities

Our Pharmaceutical Science facilities are on a par with those found in industry. Students make full use of the laboratories during their studies and gain hands-on experience using the cutting edge analytical instrumentation/equipment. We have dedicated organic, inorganic and physical chemistry laboratories, as well as several instrumentation laboratories.  We have invested in our learning resources.

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

The BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science degree provides you with the scientific background and industry knowledge that will make you highly marketable to employers in the pharmaceutical sector. Being one of the largest employers of scientists in the UK, jobs for scientists within the sector are quite varied. You could work in research and development, but scientists may also find themselves in roles that may range from a purely pharmaceutical scientist to lab-based positions,  to marketing, patent filing, quality assurance/regulation, or even as a marketing and sales representative.

Possible career paths

Employers regularly comment on our graduates’ excellent analytical skills, enhanced by hands-on experience of industry-standard instrumentation. The Pharmaceutical Science degree could also lead to careers in chemical, clinical and health care industries (e.g., roles that are available include research and development scientist, materials chemist, lab scientist in NHS.  Further studies options  are also available to students such as MSc/PhD/PGCE (teaching programmes) upon graduation.

Careers support

As a USW Pharmaceutical Science student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.

This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS Points: 48 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: DD, 48 tariff points to include one A Level in a relevant Science subject but to exclude General Studies
  • Welsh BACC: N/A
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Pass Pass Pass or BTEC Diploma Pass Pass in a relevant subject
  • Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma in Science with a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points

Additional requirements include:

  • The University normally requires a minimum 3 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C/Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,535

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional Costs

Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of stationery, printing, or equipment during your foundation year.  For costs after you progress to year 1 of your degree programme, please see the list below.

(Not compulsory) involves purchase of lab coatUniversity also provides coat and safety specs. For free. 

Cost: £30 

Depends on student budget 

Cost: Variable 

Depends on location of residence 

Cost: Variable 

University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.


Life at USW

Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.

How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)

Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.