School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences

BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science with Foundation Year

BSc (Hons) Part-time 8 years, Full-time 4 years

This course equips you with the knowledge and technical skills for a career in pharmaceuticals, covering drug discovery, analysis, development, and distribution.

This course equips you with the knowledge and technical skills for a career in pharmaceuticals, covering drug discovery, analysis, development, and distribution.

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
F152
Course specifications
Course length
Part-time (8 years),Full-time (4 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

95% of students were satisfied with the learning resources on this course

NSS, 2025

Explore the knowledge and learn the technical skills of the word of drug discovery, analyses, development, and distribution in order to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

What's unique about this course?

  • Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
  • Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities
  • Interactive learning spaces, including mock dispensary and consultation rooms

What happens on the course?

Level 3 (Foundation Year) will develop your study and analytical skills in preparation for your future study in science and technology and develop an understanding of the knowledge which underpins the pharmaceutical arena.

Level 4 (First Year of BSc Pharmaceutical Science) covers key topics such as infection and immunity, physicochemical science and pharmaceutical chemistry. It considers human health, physiology, and disease prevention and treatment. It looks at the molecular basis of disease and introduces you to a diversity of microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, protozoa, fungi and viruses. In addition, you will begin the process of developing your transferable skills.

Level 5 (Second Year of BSc Pharmaceutical Science) explores basic principles of drug development and considers practical applications of biochemistry and pharmacology. It looks at the role of pathogens and metabolic processes in the development of disease and identifies targets for drugs in the search for therapeutic agents.  It also examines the relationship between protein structure and function and investigates spectroscopic methods of analysis as tools in drug design and development.

Level 6 (Third Year of BSc Pharmaceutical Science) Students are encouraged to undertake an industrial placement in the third year (after completion of Level 5 before undertaking Level 6) or can also progress directly to Level 6 which covers the principles of drug design and development that can achieve a therapeutic effect with a minimal adverse reaction. It explores the diversity and complexity of membrane structure and function, looks at laboratory management and gives you the chance to undertake a research project of your choice.

 

We are currently reviewing our foundation course to enhance student learning and success. Course details may be subject to updates. Please keep an eye on our pages for updates.

Placements on the course

We’ve built professional placements into every degree, every student will be guaranteed a professional placement. Our placements give you the real-world exposure and proven experience your CV needs, while building the industry networks essential for your career.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Potential Career Paths

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Pharmaceutical science is well established at Wolverhampton and benefits from a long tradition of teaching and research in the chemical and biological sciences. This course gives students an excellent opportunity to study core science as well as the modern developments that are occurring at the boundaries between biology, chemistry and clinical practice.

The course has its own distinct identity but also draws on expertise from other successful areas within the University, especially Pharmacy and Pharmacology. An increasing amount of course material is delivered electronically at a time that best suits the individual student, but more traditional teaching methods, in particular laboratory-based work, play a key part.

Students are encouraged to consider an industrial placement in their third year.  

At the end of this course you, the student, will be able to:

  1. Apply a range of graduate skills to investigation in pharmaceutical science
  2. Design, implement and critically evaluate research in pharmaceutical science
  3. Critically evaluate modern concepts of disease and the contribution of new technologies to the treatment of disease
  4. Design and implement appropriate strategies for the manufacture and quality control of pharmaceutical dosage forms

 

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £9535 per year 2025-26
International Full-time £15995 per year 2025-26

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

Academic Pathway:-

Typical entry requirement: 48 UCAS points

  • A Levels - grades DD / EEE
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades PPP
  • BTEC L3 Diploma - grades MP
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (48 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)
  • T Levels with an overall grade of Pass and a minimum grade of D or E in Core
  • International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here
  • Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

    Prepare for Foundation Pathway: - We will consider applicants who have not achieved level 3 qualifications if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience. To receive an offer through this route you will be required to successfully attend and pass a Prepare for Foundation event. This is a one-day programme which is designed to assess your keen interest or recent experience in the subject, through a written assessment and a variety of activities. During the event you will have the opportunity to ask questions, be introduced to studying a higher education foundation course and meet staff and fellow students. If you would like more advice and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact Gateway to discuss and support you making an application to us.

    Other Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years old or above at the start of the course.

    Royal Society of Biology

    "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)."

    Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

    Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

    Changes for EU students:

    The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

    EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


    Self-funding:

    If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

    For more information please contact the Gateway.


    Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

    If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

    We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


    Financial Hardship:

    Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

    for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


    Bursaries and Scholarships:

    In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

    You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

    Telephone

    01902 32 22 22

    Email

    enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

    Online

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    Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

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