BSc (Hons) Biochemistry & Pharmacology at University of Strathclyde

Programme overview

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry & Pharmacology combines cell biochemistry with how drugs act on biological systems, how medicines are developed and how they are used to treat disease. It offers hands-on laboratory experience from Year 1 and is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Duration: Four years full-time (five years for the MSci routes) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 covers cells and their molecules, organisms and disease and bio-organic chemistry, with a practical module across both semesters, statistics, scientific writing and presentation workshops, and 20 credits of electives. Years 1 and 2 are shared across all biomolecular sciences routes, with the specialist route chosen at the end of Year 2. The Honours years combine biochemistry and pharmacology.

Career pathways

Graduates work in drug discovery and development, preclinical testing, toxicology, clinical research, medicines safety and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, contract research organisations, universities and diagnostic laboratories; many continue to Masters or PhD study or teacher training.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Scottish Highers (standard entry): Year 1 entry AABB or AAAC (Biology/Human Biology B and Chemistry B; Maths and English National 5 B); minimum entry ABBB or AABCC. Advanced Highers: Year 2 entry BB (Chemistry B and Biology/Human Biology B, plus Year 1 requirements). A-levels: Year 1 entry BBB (two sciences, at least one Biology or Chemistry; GCSE Chemistry and Biology 6/B if not taken at A-level; GCSE Maths 6/B and GCSE English Language or Literature 6/B); Year 2 entry BBB (Chemistry and Biology, GCSE Maths 6/B, GCSE English Language or Literature 6/B). International Baccalaureate: Year 1 entry 30 (Biology HL5, Chemistry HL5, Maths SL5, English SL5); Year 2 entry 30 (Chemistry and Biology, one at HL6 and the other at HL5, Maths SL5, English SL5). HNC/HND: Year 1 entry HNC with Graded Unit B; Year 2 entry HNC with Graded Unit A or HND with BB; Year 3 entry HND with AB. International applicants: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 (Faculty of Science undergraduate standard). Deferred entry accepted.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Rest of UK (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland) rate for full-time undergraduate programmes; Scotland-domiciled fee to be confirmed by the Scottish Funding Council Source

International applicants: GBP 29,350 a year (2026/27) Source

Duration: Four years full-time (five years for the MSci routes)

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