Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
About this course
Integrated Masters degree in Science in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery, a pharmacology degree focused on the mechanisms of drug action and therapeutic applications. Core topics include Research Methods. The curriculum includes an extensive fourth-year research project and practical laboratory sessions involving animal tissue. The first year covers core subjects through Chemistry of Life, Fundamentals of Biochemistry, and Fundamentals of Cell Biology and Physiology. The second year progresses with Pharmacology, Principles of Pharmacology, and Exploring Proteins: Structure and Function, while offering optional modules such as Bioinformatics and Medical Microbiology. The third year builds specialized knowledge via Bioscience Business, Molecular Pharmacology, and Pharmacology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, alongside options like Immunology and Microbiomes and Health. The final year centres on advanced study through Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Research Project, and Current Research, with further specialisation available via optional choices including Systems Neuroscience and Skills in Molecular Bioscience.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB including Chemistry and one further science subject. IB: Pass with overall score of 34 points, with 17 points at Higher Level, including 6 points at Higher Level in Chemistry and one further science subject
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What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 75%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 65%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 93%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 30%
- Further study: 20%
Most common jobs
- Therapy professionals: 45%
- Nursing Professionals: 18%
- Other Health Professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 4%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 95%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 80%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 680 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 9%
- South East: 61%
- South West: 17%
- Wales: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Chemistry of Life
- Fundamentals of Biochemistry
- Fundamentals of Cell Biology and Physiology
- How to Think Like a Scientist
- The Human Genome and Disease
- Exploring Proteins: Structure and Function
- Flow of Genetic Information
- Pharmacology
- Principles of Neuroscience
- Principles of Pharmacology
- Applied and Environmental Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Cell Biology
- Engineering Replacement Body Parts
- Immunology, Infection and Inflammation
- Medical Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Vertebrate Development
- Bioscience Business
- Molecular Pharmacology
- Pharmacology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
- Selective Toxicity
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Biomedical Technology
- Cell Signalling in Health and Disease
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Microbiomes and Health
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Musculoskeletal Physiology of Movement
- Neurodegenerative Disease
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Research Project
- Current Research
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Neurodegenerative Disease
- Skills in Biological Optical Imaging
- Skills in Molecular Bioscience
- Skills in Structural Biology
- Structure and Function of the Nervous System
- Systems Neuroscience
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at University of Southampton earn?
The median salary is £30,500 after 15 months, £29,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £38,500. The £33,000 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Pharmacology.
What do graduates of Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at University of Southampton do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at University of Southampton?
75% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at University of Southampton?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 149 UCAS points.
How many students continue on Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at University of Southampton?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.