Course Overview

Pharmacology is the science underpinning the action of drugs on biological systems and their reach and impact – playing a vital role in medicine, nursing, dentistry and veterinary medicine. Pharmacology, therefore, touches all our lives.

This programme, based at the University of Hull campus, is aimed at aspiring clinical researchers and those wishing to understand the underlying principles of ‘how drugs work’ and ‘how to develop new drugs.

Suppose you are a highly motivated, curious student looking to push the boundaries of current knowledge in pharmacology and drug development while extending yourself and boosting your career opportunities in a high-achieving academic setting. In that case, this programme is for you.

Our MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development will provide you with unique and unrivalled opportunities to immerse yourself in pharmacology's clinical, basic science and industrial aspects. In this programme, you will gain the skills to play an active role in developing the next generation of drugs – from first principles in the lab, testing in clinical trials, or taking new products to the clinic.

You will be based in the Centre for Biomedicine and learn from experts in their field who are at the forefront of pharmacology and the drug design process. This includes our clinical trials unit and invited speakers from internationally relevant drug companies.

As well as learning from their expertise, you will be challenged to think differently and develop skills to become a self-directed learner – allowing you to grow your pharmacology knowledge throughout your career continually.

The MSc programme is built around core modules that cover the fundamental principles of pharmacology and the clinical relevance of drugs for the major organ systems whilst demonstrating the drug development process, from initial drug design to understanding the importance of clinical trials.

Through our founding corporate partner Reckitt, a leading global hygiene, health and nutrition company with international brands such as Nurofen and Gaviscon, you will also experience regular contact with an industrial mentor, access to Reckitt’s state-of-the-art Science and Innovation Centre in Hull, and taught sessions delivered by industry employees alongside university colleagues.

The Hull Health Trials Unit will deliver high-quality tuition into the principles and process of clinical trials covering a range of crucial topics, including study rigour, participant recruitment, data analysis and interpretation and appropriate regulatory and governance issues associated with modern clinical trials.

You will finish your year with us by conducting a significant research project in primary or applied pharmacology to generate novel, cutting-edge research findings. We will support you to increase your chances of getting your work published.

General Eligibility

Applicants must have previous training in human or mammalian biology (e.g. graduates from medical, biomedical, or biological undergraduate courses), Chemistry/Pharmacology or other related fields with a minimum 2.2 (Hons) degree or equivalent.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• IELTS: 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each component.