Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the scientific study of how drugs and other chemical substances interact with living organisms. It asks how medicines work at the molecular and cellular level, how they are absorbed, distributed, metabolised, and excreted by the body, and how these processes determine the therapeutic effects and side effects we observe clinically. Pharmacology sits at the heart of drug discovery and development, informing every stage from the initial identification of potential targets through to the clinical trials that establish whether a new treatment is safe and effective.

At the University of Reading, this programme includes a foundation year that builds the scientific knowledge needed for the main degree, making it accessible to students who want to ensure strong foundations before tackling pharmacology at degree level. The main programme then provides a rigorous scientific education covering the major branches of the discipline, including neuropharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, biochemistry, and the principles of drug action. Laboratory work is central to the degree, developing the practical skills that both academic research and industrial employment require.

The programme includes a sandwich year in industry, giving you an extended period of professional experience within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or research organisation, alongside work placement opportunities throughout the degree. Reading's pharmacology provision benefits from strong research activity and connections to the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmacology graduates are well placed for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Research and development roles, including laboratory-based research into new drug targets and the testing of candidate compounds, are a direct fit. Regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and medical affairs roles within pharmaceutical companies require exactly the scientific understanding developed in this degree.

Clinical research organisations that run and manage drug trials employ pharmacology graduates in a range of operational and scientific roles. Some graduates move into healthcare science roles within the NHS, while others continue to postgraduate study, including research degrees focused on drug development or related areas of biomedical science. Teaching science and science communication are further possibilities.