BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences (Sandwich) at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

The BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences equips students with skills for the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors, from drug discovery and development to formulation, manufacturing, precision medicine and drug and product testing, with hands-on experience of industry technologies. It is taught in the School of Pharmacy, ranked 19th globally for Pharmacy and Pharmacology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. The sandwich route includes a placement year.

Department: School of Pharmacy | Duration: 4 years full-time (including a placement year) | Intake: 2027/28 | Study mode: full-time (with placement/industry year) | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

The programme includes a placement year in industry or research; students on the placement year fund their own travel, accommodation and subsistence and may be paid by their placement provider.

Career pathways

Graduates have opportunities in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices companies, research institutions and regulatory agencies in drug discovery and development, formulation and manufacturing, clinical trials and regulatory affairs; they can progress to MSc or PhD study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A-level: BBB including Biology and Chemistry plus GCSE Mathematics grade C/4; or BBB including Biology and at least one of Mathematics or Physics plus GCSE Chemistry grade C/4 (or GCSE Double Award Science CC/4,4) plus GCSE Mathematics C/4; or BBB including Chemistry and at least one of Mathematics or Physics plus GCSE Biology C/4 (or Double Award Science CC/4,4) plus GCSE Mathematics C/4. A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate counts in the portfolio (Distinction* equated to A, Distinction to B) but cannot replace A-level Biology or Chemistry. Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level H3 in Biology and Chemistry, plus Ordinary Level O4 in Mathematics if not taken at Higher. Access Course: 80% average with no less than 70% in any module, including relevant Level 3 Biology and Chemistry modules, and GCSE Mathematics C/4 or equivalent. International Baccalaureate: 32 points including 6,5,5 at Higher Level including Chemistry and at least one of Biology (preferred), Mathematics or Physics (or Biology plus one of Chemistry (preferred), Mathematics or Physics), with the GCSE requirements above. BTEC Extended/National Extended Diploma: not considered. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 Honours degree with subject requirements met. All applicants need GCSE English Language grade C/4 or equivalent; offers were initially made last year to applicants with 5 GCSEs at C/4. Offers are normally based on three A-levels; applicants are not normally interviewed. International applicants need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or an equivalent qualification.

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 28,500 a year (2027/28). International and EU Other fee; placement-year tuition not separately stated Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 4 years full-time (including a placement year)

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