Pharmacology MSc

Pharmacology - MSc

Our career-focused Pharmacology MSc aims to provide you with the advanced theoretical knowledge, practical and analytical skills required for career advancement within drug research and related industries.

Month of entry

September

Mode of study

Full time

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area

Life Sciences

Fees for 2025/26 academic year

UK - Full time £11,400 per year.
International - £17,700 per year.

Duration of study

Full time - 1 year

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Why study Pharmacology at Keele University?

Develop knowledge of advanced theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches and current research topics in drug discovery and pharmacology

Gain advanced skills in the practical study of pharmacology including quantitative analysis of ligand-receptor binding and use of in vitro models to study drug action

Undertake an extensive research project including significant lab-based and/or advanced computational studies in an area of pharmacology and drug design

Enrich your learning by listening to our guest speakers from across the University and the NHS

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Course structure

The MSc in Pharmacology is studied full-time over one year, starting in September, split into three equal-credit semesters.

Modules

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Compulsory modules

Semester 1

LSC-40091: Physiological Responses to Health and Disease (15 credits)

This module will provide you with an understanding of how major organ systems function. You will explore whole body physiology, including responses in health and diseased states with topics from both systemic and cellular/molecular perspectives, gaining an understanding and identification of common drug targets.

LSC-40097: Principles of Pharmacology and Drug Design (15 credits)

Explore and develop knowledge of core principles in pharmacology and drug design to a more advanced level. This module will also provide you with the appropriate grounding in the discipline for more advanced study in semester 2 and your independent research project.

LSC-400123: Scientific Leadership and Innovation (30 credits)

This module will focus on key professional competencies, equipping you with the the knowledge, insight and frameworks to identify emerging issues in the field, develop innovative solutions and lead on new scientific endeavours.

Semester 2

LSC-40095: Future Medicines (15 credits)

The module aims to develop advanced knowledge and understanding in the development of new medicines, vaccines and formulations that focus upon meeting the needs of patients, populations and service providers. This will include conducting a systematic literature review on pre-selected current topics and interrogation of relevant databases to identify key healthcare trends and potential impact on future medicines introduction and management.

LSC-40093: Advanced Drug Design (15 credits)

This module will develop your understanding of modern approaches in drug development to an advanced level, where you will apply core concepts from semester 1 to explore how knowledge of structure-activity relationships and ligand-target binding interactions inform rational drug development for the treatment of select conditions.

LSC-40101: Research Methods in Pharmacology (30 credits)

This module will develop your practical and analytical skills in the execution of a range of core and advanced procedures common in pharmacology research laboratories. You will further develop skills in the analysis of experimental data and its critical evaluation in context to recent literature, communicating outcomes through research reports and posters.

Semester 3

LSC-40089: Pharmacology Research Project (60 credits)

This module represents the culmination of your learning as a Master's student in Pharmacology. This is an excellent opportunity for you to work alongside colleagues to undertake a significant research project carrying out extensive lab-based and/or advanced computational studies in an area of pharmacology and drug design.
The final written report will allow you to further evidence higher-level skills in the critical evaluation of a wide body of scientific literature and the appraisal of your research outcomes in context.
The module will end with a mini student conference, providing you with an opportunity to meet all of your colleagues, present your main findings in a professional setting and evidence key skills in the dissemination of research outcomes in different formats (research poster and oral presentation).

Next steps

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Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.

Typical offer

Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

Typical offer: 2:2 degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject Additional criteria apply

Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

UK

2:2 degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Bangladesh

60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject from a public university
or
CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject from a private university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Canada

70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in a biomedical, pharmacology or bioscience related subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

China

70% in a degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
65% in a degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Ghana

Second class degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

India

55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Kenya

Second class degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Nepal

60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Nigeria

Second class degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Pakistan

We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information

or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need an English language qualification (see below)

South Africa

Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Sri Lanka

55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Uganda

Second class degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Zimbabwe

Second class degree in a bioscience, medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group C.

References

Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.

RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.

Professional qualifications and work experience

The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.

Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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Keele Postgraduate Association

Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

KPA interior

Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

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