Course summary
Learn about the science behind drugs and medicines, their effects on living systems, and their role in treating disease on our Medical Pharmacology course. The foundation year of this four-year course will introduce you to the key concepts and knowledge you need to progress to the BSc in Medical Pharmacology. You will cover a diverse range of topics, including toxicology, chemistry, genetics, reproductive biology, physiology, immunology, pharmacogenomics, neuroscience, and drug development. Progressing to the full BSc programme, you will gain a thorough grounding in the science underpinning drug and medicine development, learning about the science behind drugs and medicines, their effects on living systems, and their role in treating disease. Our course is delivered via a mix of compulsory and optional modules give you the scope to tailor your studies to your interests, career goals, or plans for post-graduate study. The Medical Pharmacology course curriculum has been developed following the guidance of the British Pharmacological Society, of which our Programme Director, Professor Lisa Wallace is a Vice President. You will benefit from access to the state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities at the Medical School, including our research laboratories. This degree is part of our ‘Medical Science in Practice’ Pathway to Medicine programme. Provided you meet the minimum entry requirements for Graduate Entry Medicine, and have successfully completed the Pathway, you will be guaranteed an interview for our flagship Graduate Entry Medicine MBBCh course. Our academic staff are active in a diverse range of research fields, offering an unrivalled mix of academic excellence and cutting-edge practice. In addition to your formal studies, we hold regular research talks with Swansea University staff and guest expert speakers from other universities, industry, the NHS and research institutions. Medical Pharmacology has been identified as a critical undergraduate degree, required to fill the current work force and skills gaps in medicine and pharmaceutical development. You will join a university that is ranked 12th in the UK for Pharmacology and Pharmacy Research Quality according to the Complete University Guide 2023.
Modules
• Year 0 • Foundation Biological Chemistry • Metabolism and Homeostasis • The Human Cell • Foundation Skills Development 1 • Introduction to Molecular Biology • Fundamentals of Microbiology & Disease • Foundation to data handling and analysis • Foundation Skills Development 2 • Year 1 • Genetics, Genomics & Evolution • Microbiology • Introduction to Toxicology: The Dose Makes the Poison • Human Physiology • Organic Chemistry: an Introduction for Life Sciences • Chemical Analysis: from Composition to Structure Elucidation; an Introduction for Life Sciences. • Year 2 • Metabolic Regulation: Enzymes & Signal Transduction • Human Immunology • Communicating Medical Sciences • Introduction to Pharmacology: Dynamics and Kinetics • Pharmacogenomics: Genes on Drugs • Antimicrobial therapy and resistance • Advances in Toxicology: Pick Your Poison • Year 3 • Being a Medical Scientist • Advances in Pharmacology • Human Biology and the Environment • Drug Development and Regulation • Capstone project • Teaching science • Advanced Biostatistics • Genetic Toxicology
Assessment method
Assessments will include Laboratory practicals, written exams, oral presentations, written assignments, and clinical skills assessments. The range of assessment methods is chosen to develop and demonstrate a range of skills transferable to the modern healthcare environment including reflection, oral and written communication, confidence and competence.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B209
- Institution code:
- S93
- Campus name:
- Singleton Park Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
International applicants
This Course is Open to UK, EU and international students.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - CCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
T Level
GCSE requirements: English and Maths minimum Grade C Wales (England Pre-2017) or Grade 4 (England Post-2017) For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in each component.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in each component.
English Language Requirements at Swansea University
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
Swansea University offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries which may be available to help finance your studies. Scholarships can be awarded to Welsh medium or international students, or for students excelling in exams, music or sport. Our income-related bursaries help students from lower income backgrounds. swansea.ac.uk/scholarships.
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP