Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the science of how drugs interact with the body. It addresses the mechanisms by which medicines and other chemical agents produce their effects, working at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels to explain how drugs bind to their targets, alter physiological processes, and ultimately treat or affect disease. Understanding these mechanisms is the foundation not just of drug development but of rational prescribing, drug safety, and the design of new therapeutics.

At King's College London, this three-year full-time BSc gives you a thorough grounding in the biological action of drugs and chemicals, developing your understanding from molecular pharmacology, where drugs interact with receptors, enzymes, and ion channels, through to the whole-body effects of pharmacological agents in disease. King's strong connections with NHS trusts and the pharmaceutical industry mean your learning is informed by cutting-edge research and clinical relevance. The course includes an option to study abroad during the degree, and a four-year MSci extension is also available for those who want to pursue the subject to master's level.

The typical entry tariff is 152 UCAS points.

Graduates of pharmacology programmes find careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in academic and clinical research, in regulatory affairs, clinical trials management, and in medical science liaison roles. The degree is also a strong foundation for graduate entry into medicine, dentistry, or veterinary science, and many graduates pursue postgraduate research in pharmacology, neuroscience, cancer biology, or related areas. The transferable skills in data analysis, experimental design, and scientific reasoning that the degree develops are also valued in healthcare management, science writing, and the broader life sciences sector.