University of Aberdeen campus

Health Sciences

BSc Pharmacology at University of Aberdeen

University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Programme overview

Pharmacology is about the discovery and characterisation of drugs that are used either as medicines or as experimental tools for advancing our understanding of the body in health and disease. Pharmacology is concerned primarily with the characterisation of the properties and modes of action of drugs and with the discovery of new drugs. The study and practice of pharmacology also includes drug toxicity, the way drugs are used and the processes by which drugs are absorbed, distributed in the body, metabolised and excreted.

Duration: 4 years (48 months)  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Intake: September  |  Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

A degree in Pharmacology is taught via a selection of compulsory and optional courses to enhance your learning and prepare you for a future career or further study. In each year you will take courses adding up to 120 credits. Year 1 compulsory courses: Introduction to Medical Sciences, Introduction to the Science of Sport, Exercise and Health, Chemistry for the Life Sciences 1, The Cell, Chemistry for the Life Sciences 2 and Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen.

Career pathways

The degree offers good prospects for research careers in academia, industry, the scientific civil service and hospitals. It can be used as an entry qualification for certain postgraduate courses, including MSc Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, Endocrinology, Nutrition or IT.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

2027 entry. SQA Highers Standard: BBBB Applicants that present with BBBB will usually receive an unconditional offer. Two Mathematics/Science subjects required. Where we have more applicants than places we may need to ask for more than the minimum so continued engagement in school is Recommended. Widening Access: BBC Applicants who meet one or more of our widening access metrics and present with BBC, are guaranteed an unconditional offer. Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects. Note: We do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B grade at Advanced Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher. National 5 at C or above is also required in English and Mathematics. A LEVELS Standard: BBC. Two Mathematics/Science subjects required. Widening Access: CCC GCSE at Grade C/4 or above is also required in English or English Language, Mathematics and either Chemistry, Physics or Dual Award Science. BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA DMM. Main subjects to be Science or Mathematics. (Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B). GCSE at Grade C/4 or above is also required in English or English Language, Mathematics and either Chemistry, Physics or Dual Award Science. IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE Five subjects at Higher at H3. Two Mathematics/Science subjects required. O4 in English and Mathematics is also required. INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE 32 points including 5, 5, 5 at HL with two Mathematics/Science subjects required. SL or HL in English and Mathematics are also required.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,820 a year (2026/27). Home fee for students from Scotland. Source

International applicants: GBP 24,800 a year (2026/27). EU / international fee. Reduced rate (Self-funded Students): £18,800. Source

Intake: September

Duration: 4 years (48 months)

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