Pharmacology and Physiology

Pharmacology and physiology are closely related sciences that together provide a comprehensive understanding of how the body works and how medicines act upon it. Physiology investigates the normal functioning of the body's systems, from the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to the nervous system and hormonal regulation, and examines how disturbances to these processes give rise to disease. Pharmacology examines how drugs interact with biological targets at the cellular and molecular level, how they produce their therapeutic effects, and how their side effects and toxicity arise.

Studying them together gives you an integrated view of the body and of the scientific basis of medical treatment.

This three-year full-time degree at the University of Westminster develops your understanding of both disciplines in an integrated way, covering human physiology, pathophysiology, drug mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and the research methods used to study biological systems and drug effects. You will develop practical laboratory skills alongside theoretical understanding, learning to design experiments, analyse data, and interpret scientific literature. A sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities are built into the programme, giving you substantial professional and international experience alongside your studies.

The typical entry tariff is 88 points.

Graduates from pharmacology and physiology programmes are well placed for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, clinical research organisations, regulatory agencies, and NHS science services. Many go on to roles in drug development, clinical trials, toxicology, medical writing, and regulatory affairs. The scientific rigour and laboratory skills the degree develops also support postgraduate study in pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience, drug discovery, or medicine, and many graduates pursue doctoral research or clinical science training.