Pharmacology in Relation to Medicine BSc

Course overview

Pharmacology is one of the most important areas of clinical practice. On this course, you will be provided with an honours degree level of understanding in this crucial area of study. You will gain a deeper insight into the research necessary to allow compounds to be used as therapeutic agents.

By the end of this specifically designed course, you will have the knowledge and experience needed in order to:

• Describe the mode of action, adverse effects and therapeutic use of commonly prescribed drugs
• Explain how research techniques can be applied to pharmacology
• Discuss a limited number of pharmacological topics at current research level
• Demonstrate practical skills learnt during individual bench work and have gained further experience in group tasks
• Outline how clinical trials are organised and conducted, and
• Demonstrate enhanced problem solving abilities and self-help attitudes to learning.

Feedback from graduates is highly positive on this degree course, which has been praised for its wide availability of modules and project choices as well as the high level of student support from teaching staff.

Comments concerning this course include:

• "Really good programme, plenty of support and interesting lectures"
• "Very useful for medicine"
• "Great research project"
• "Offers development in important skills such as research, lab and group work."
• "Advanced scientific skills module, and research project gave me important skills for future research."
• "The research project was a good opportunity to experience lab research."
• "Practical skills in the laboratory"
• "Reinforcing my pharmacology"
• "Good range of modules both in depth and specific"
• "Excellent support"

Course details

The course will:

• Prepare you for a career in medicine by providing an up-to-date course of study centred on the pharmacology of commonly prescribed drugs.

• Provide an opportunity for you to select topics for advanced study.

• Provide experience of laboratory work and further develop transferable skills.

• Manage student progress effectively and provide support and guidance where appropriate, and encourage staff-student rapport in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

Research projects

You can apply for, or may be offered, projects in any area of Biomedical Science (e.g. pharmacology, human physiology, neuroscience, etc) but here are some example titles of projects offered recently by members of the Pharmacology programme team:

• Pharmacology of ‘legal highs’.

• Structural characterisation of the equilibrative nucleoside transporter, a cancer drug target.

• G-protein-coupled receptors, pharmacology, drug discovery.

• Designing patient information leaflets to promote use of statins.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Pharmacology in Relation to Medicine BSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Teaching will be through lectures, practical classes, seminars, small group teaching, tutorials and a research project. Assessment is similarly varied, including in-course assessment (formative and summative) and written examinations. The in course assessment exercises include tests of practical skills, essay writing, data manipulation and problem solving. The research project will be assessed throughout the project and on the final written report. Degree classification will be based upon the marks obtained in each of the component modules, with the appropriate credit weighting applied.

Entry requirements

Other course specific tests:

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £30,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Read about applying for intercalation on the School of Medicine website.

This course is taught by

Faculty of Biological Sciences

Contact us

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Career opportunities

The course is designed to give you a challenging, enjoyable and rewarding year which will add significantly to your skills, knowledge, and enhance your career opportunities on graduation.

The course allows full integration with existing science based BSc courses and the chance of a substantive research project.

In addition to providing subject-specific knowledge, we equip you with the best possible skills for future careers. There is a strong emphasis on practical based teaching, small group teaching, online learning and problem solving. You will gain a wide range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. You will be ideally placed to focus on your personal development and make the most of your intercalating year.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.