Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the science of drugs in the broadest sense, encompassing not only medicines but also substances produced within the body, food additives, agricultural compounds and natural toxins. At its core, pharmacology investigates how chemical substances interact with biological systems, from molecules and receptors to cells, tissues and whole organisms, and what effects those interactions produce. It is a discipline that sits at the intersection of chemistry and biology, and its insights are fundamental to the development of medicines, the understanding of disease, and the regulation of substances that affect human and animal health.

At Glasgow, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad, giving you international academic experience and the opportunity to engage with pharmacology research in a different national context. Glasgow is a research-intensive university with strong life science provision, and the pharmacology programme draws on a faculty engaged in research across drug discovery, molecular pharmacology and neuropharmacology. You will develop a thorough grounding in the biological and chemical sciences that underpin the discipline, study the mechanisms by which drugs act on receptors, enzymes and transporters, and engage with the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that determine how drugs behave in the body over time.

Laboratory work is an important component of your training, developing practical skills in experimental design and data analysis alongside your theoretical knowledge. The year abroad adds depth to your scientific formation and opens your perspective on how pharmacological research is conducted internationally.

Graduates of pharmacology programmes move into the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, academic and clinical research, regulatory affairs, medical science liaison roles and science communication. Many continue to postgraduate study at master's or doctoral level, where pharmacology graduates are consistently in demand.