Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the science of drugs: how they interact with biological systems, how they are absorbed, distributed, and eliminated by the body, and how they can be used to treat, prevent, or diagnose disease. It is a discipline that sits at the boundary of chemistry, biology, and medicine, and it underpins the development of virtually every therapeutic agent in modern healthcare.

At the University of Northampton you will explore the mechanisms by which drugs act at molecular and cellular levels, studying receptor pharmacology, neuropharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, and the pharmacology of inflammation and infection, among other areas. You will develop laboratory skills alongside theoretical understanding, learning to design experiments, handle data, and interpret results in the context of the regulatory and clinical environment in which pharmacological research takes place. The scientific content is complemented by attention to the professional and ethical dimensions of drug development and use.

This is a three-year full-time programme with an optional sandwich year that includes a work placement. The sandwich year gives you the opportunity to spend a substantial period working in a professional environment, whether in a pharmaceutical company, a research laboratory, a hospital, or another relevant setting. This practical experience is highly valued by employers and gives you a clearer sense of where you want to take your career after graduation.

Graduates of pharmacology go on to careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in clinical research, hospital pharmacy (with further training), regulatory affairs, medical writing, and toxicology. Many continue to postgraduate study, including research degrees, and some move into medicine or dentistry after completing their undergraduate degree. The combination of scientific training and practical experience makes pharmacology graduates attractive to a wide range of employers across the life sciences sector.