Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Pharmaceutical chemistry is the science of designing, synthesising and understanding the chemical compounds that become medicines. It draws together organic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology to address questions that are both scientifically fascinating and directly consequential for human health: how do we create molecules that interact with specific biological targets, how do we test and optimise them, and how do we ensure they can be manufactured safely and at scale? It is a discipline at the heart of the pharmaceutical industry, one of the most globally significant sectors of the economy.

At the University of Reading, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year and a sandwich placement year with a work placement, making it both an accessible entry route and a practically grounded degree. The foundation year builds the scientific and mathematical foundations you need before you progress into the core degree. Across the programme you will study organic and physical chemistry, drug design and synthesis, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, analytical techniques, medicinal chemistry and the regulatory and quality assurance frameworks that govern drug development.

You will develop practical laboratory skills alongside your theoretical knowledge, and the sandwich placement year gives you direct professional experience within the pharmaceutical industry or a related organisation.

Graduates move into careers in pharmaceutical research and development, process chemistry, quality control, analytical chemistry, regulatory affairs and clinical research organisations. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are the main employers, and many graduates also work in the NHS, contract research organisations and academic research. The placement experience built into this programme gives graduates a significant advantage when entering a competitive market, and the degree also provides a foundation for postgraduate study or a doctoral programme in pharmaceutical sciences, medicinal chemistry or related fields.