Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the science of how drugs interact with living systems, exploring the mechanisms by which medicines and other substances produce their effects in the body. It is a discipline at the heart of modern medicine, underpinning the discovery and development of new drugs, the understanding of how existing medicines work and why they sometimes fail, and the ongoing search for treatments for conditions ranging from cancer and Alzheimer's disease to asthma, infection, and mental illness. Pharmacology is both a fundamental biomedical science and a direct contributor to the translation of laboratory findings into clinical benefit.

At Portsmouth you will study this three-year full-time degree in an environment where you can work alongside researchers actively investigating drug mechanisms and disease treatment. You will perform experiments in well-equipped laboratories, developing practical skills in the techniques of pharmacological investigation alongside theoretical knowledge of how drugs act at the cellular and molecular level, how the body handles medicines, and how pharmacological principles apply to clinical practice. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, meaning you have substantial opportunities to gain professional experience and to study in an international setting.

These structured opportunities extend your learning well beyond the laboratory classroom.

Pharmacology graduates work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in academic and government research, in clinical trials, in drug regulation, and in healthcare roles where deep knowledge of medicines is required. Research and development roles in pharmaceutical companies are a major destination, alongside positions in medical writing, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, and quality assurance. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study, pursuing an MSc or PhD in pharmacology, drug discovery, toxicology, or a related biomedical science, as the research foundation the degree provides is excellent preparation for doctoral work.