BSc (Hons) or MSci (Hons) — 2026 entry Pharmaceutical Sciences
Our Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc gives you a strong foundation in pharmacology and chemistry, biopharmaceutics, and pharmaceutical technology and analysis. You can tailor your learning across these themes to suit your interests and career goals, preparing you for careers in the pharmaceutical industry, scientific research, or postgraduate study.
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Why choose
this course?
- Build a strong scientific foundation while shaping your degree around the pharmaceutical themes that interest you most.
- Learn in cutting‑edge labs with modern analytical equipment, taught by internationally recognised experts - especially in chemistry.
- Develop key skills for your future, including digital confidence, problem‑solving, resilience, and resourcefulness.
- Choose a placement year to gain real work experience, with plenty of support to find a role that fits your career goals.
- You have the option of progressing to the MPharmSci and get hands‑on experience in our award‑winning £1.7m chemical pilot plant, running real industrial processes, an authentic, high-tech insight into industrial-scale science.
- Join the student‑led PharmaSci Society for industry trips, study sessions, and social events - a great way to socialise and build your professional network.
We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.
Statistics
96%
Of our chemistry and chemical engineering graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA)
What you will study
On this BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences course you’ll explore the key areas that drive the pharmaceutical sector, building a broad scientific foundation while developing specialist knowledge.
The course covers four main themes:
- Pharmacology and medicinal chemistry introduce how drugs interact with the body and the science behind their design
- Biopharmaceutics explores how drugs are absorbed, distributed and delivered
- Formulation design and technology focuses on how medicines are developed into safe, effective products
- Pharmaceutical analysis teaches the modern techniques used to test and quality-check pharmaceutical products.
You’ll gain plenty of hands-on experience through lab work, practical projects, and applied case studies, helping you understand how theory translates into real-world pharmaceutical practice. By the end of the degree, you’ll have a strong understanding of all major areas of the pharmaceutical industry and the skills needed to pursue careers in research, drug development or industrial science, or to continue your studies at postgraduate level.
Facilities
Your pharmaceutical sciences BSc degree gives you the opportunity to work in cutting-edge laboratory environments that bring pharmaceutical science to life.
You’ll have full access to our chemistry facilities for studies in drug design and analysis, as well as our newly developed Pharmaceutical Sciences labs for formulation and characterisation work.
In addition, the course includes getting hands-on experience in our £1.7m chemical pilot plant, where you can run industrial-scale processes and take on a variety of practical roles.
The academic year is structured to provide a balance of lectures, practical sessions, workshops, and independent study. Each year is divided into two main semesters, typically running from October to January and February to June, with assessment periods at the end of each semester.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
- Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc (Hons)
- Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc (Hons) with placement
- Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc (Hons) with foundation year
- Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc (Hons) with foundation year and placement
- Pharmaceutical Sciences MSci (Hons)
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course is available in the relevant programme specification.
Teaching and learning
- AI learning
- Independent study
- Laboratory work
- Lectures
- Online learning
- Project work
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment
You will be assessed using various methods:
- Coursework
- In-class tests
- Examination
- Presentation
- Project reports.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable during Welcome Week. In later semesters, at least one week before the start of the semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Of our chemistry and chemical engineering graduates go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA).
Learn more about the qualifications we typically accept to study this course at Surrey.
Typical offer
- BSc (Hons):
- BBB
- Required subjects: chemistry and a second science subject.
- MSci (Hons):
- AAB
- Required subjects: chemistry and a second science subject.
- BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year:
- CCC
- Required subjects: chemistry.
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).
- BSc (Hons):
- DDM.
- MSci (Hons):
- DDD in Applied Science - please contact the Admissions team if you are taking a different BTEC.
- BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year:
- MMM.
BTEC must be in a relevant subject.
GCSE or equivalent: English at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).
Please see the alternative qualifications guidance if you are taking a mixture of BTECs and A-levels or if you are taking other qualifications types.
- BSc (Hons):
- 75%
- Required subjects: Chemistry 7.5 and a second science subject 7.5.
- MSci (Hons):
- 82%
- Required subjects: Chemistry 7.5 and a second science subject 7.5.
- BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year:
- For foundation year equivalencies please contact the Admissions team.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language (1/2) - 6 or English Language (3) - 7 and Mathematics - 6.
- BSc (Hons):
- 32
- Required subjects: Chemistry HL5/SL6 and a second Science Subject HL5/SL6.
- MSci (Hons):
- 34
- Required subjects: Chemistry HL5/SL6 and a second Science Subject.
- BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year:
- 29
- Required subjects: Chemistry HL4/SL6.
GCSE or equivalent: English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4.
- BSc (Hons):
- QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 level 3 credits overall including 27 at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit.
- Required subjects: Access to Higher Education modules must be in relevant subjects.
- MSci (Hons):
- QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 39 Level 3 Credits at Distinction and 6 Level 3 Credits at Merit.
- Required subjects: Access to Higher Education modules must include appropriate Chemistry and Science material.
- BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year:
- QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 level 3 credits overall including 21 level 3 credits at Distinction, 3 level 3 credits at Merit and 21 level 3 credits at Pass.
- Required subjects: Access to Higher Education modules must be in relevant subjects.
GCSE or equivalent: English language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C) (or equivalent).
- BSc (Hons):
- ABBBB
- Required subjects: chemistry and a second science subject.
- MSci (Hons):
- AAABB
- Required subjects: chemistry and a second science subject.
- BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year:
- BBBCC
- Required subjects: chemistry.
GCSE or equivalent: Scottish National 5 for English Language grade C and Mathematics grade C.
- BSc (Hons):
- BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
- Required subjects: A-levels in chemistry and a second science subject.
- MSci (Hons):
- AAB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
- Required subjects: A-levels in chemistry and a second science subject.
- BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year:
- CCC from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
- Required subjects: A-level in chemistry.
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C) (or equivalent).
This route is only applicable to the MSci (Hons) course.
Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.
This grade reduction will not combine with other grade reduction policies, such as contextual admissions policy or In2Surrey.
- BSc (Hons):
- Distinction overall, with a minimum of C in the Core Component
- Required subjects: science.
- MSci (Hons):
- Not applicable.
- BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year:
- Pass overall, with a minimum of D in the Core Component
- Required subjects: science.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C) (or equivalent).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Foundation Year
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements for this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades.
If you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
View our Code of practice for Recognition of Prior Credit and Prior Learning and further guidance: Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning - Guide for Applicants (PDF) for more information.
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
Contextual offers
Did you know eligible students receive support through their application to Surrey, which could include a grade reduction on offer?
Fees
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all undergraduate courses.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule.
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be during October to November of each academic year).
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- The exact date(s) will be on invoices. Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Our award-winning Professional Training placement scheme gives you the chance to spend a year in industry, either in the UK or abroad.
We have thousands of placement providers to choose from, most of which offer pay. So, become one of our many students who have had their lives and career choices transformed.
Statistics
Placement Statistics
92%
of students who did a placement entered into graduate level employment*
80%
of placements are paid, with 60% paying between £18,000 - £30,000
48%
of our students have been offered a graduate role from their placement provider**
*Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA
**Professional training year returners survey 2024
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University. But we offer support and guidance throughout the process, with access to a vacancy site of placement opportunities.
Find out more about the application process.
Discover, develop and dive in
Find out how students at Surrey developed their skills in industry by undertaking a placement year.
Discover, develop and dive in
Find out how students at Surrey developed their skills in industry by undertaking a placement year.
Study and work abroad
Studying at Surrey opens a world of opportunity. Take advantage of our study and work abroad partnerships, explore the world, and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
The opportunities abroad vary depending on the course, but options include study exchanges, work/research placements, summer programmes, and recent graduate internships. Financial support is available through various grants and bursaries, as well as Student Finance.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With 140+ opportunities in 36+ different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone. Explore your options via our search tool and find out more about our current partner universities and organisations.
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at offer stage and are shown again at registration. You will be asked to accept these terms and conditions when you accept the offer made to you.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.