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Duration

Three years, full time

Application Deadline

30 June 2024 (2024 entry)

Location

St George's, University of London

UCAS Code

B210, institution code S49

Start dates

September 2024

Apply via UCAS

This course is still accepting late applications. The current closing date is 30 June 2024.

This degree is the only undergraduate course dedicated to Clinical Pharmacology. We take a holistic view of the development of drugs: from understanding disease processes and identifying possible drug targets, to organising testing, rolling out clinical trials, negotiating complex regulations and licensing and finally, treating patients and potentially saving lives. The course blends clinical and fundamental sciences with an innovative integrated approach.

Designed in collaboration with industry, our course prepares you for employment from the outset with a focus on developing core skills in leadership, organisation, communication, teamwork, academic integrity and more. You’ll relate your learning to real-life through case studies and practical activities, including weekly scenario-based learning sessions, clinical skills or laboratory sessions, projects and practical data analysis.

Every student spends six weeks on industry-related work experience in Year 2. This is in large part thanks to our excellent professional links with the British Pharmacological Society (BPS), regulatory bodies, contract research organisations and major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical companies, such as AstraZeneca, Takeda, Niche Pharmaceuticals, Richmond Pharmacology, and Fortrea Clinical Trials. In addition, students undertake an extensive lab-based or clinically focused research project for six weeks.

Highlights

Highlights of the Clinical Pharmacology BSc include:

  • the course achieved 100% on 'Academic Support' and 'Student Voice' in the National Student Survey 2023
  • ranked in the Top 10 in the Guardian University Guide 2024
  • it is taught by a wide range of scientists and clinicians who are active in research and clinical practice and provide great links to the laboratories and hospital
  • our lecturers are praised by students for being friendly, supportive and for their innovative teaching methods which blend traditional lectures and seminars with skills workshops, practical sessions and work experience
  • the course is focused on graduate employability – every one of our students undertakes a research project and spends six weeks on industry work experience in the second year, after which they have the opportunity to spend an additional professional year on placement in industrial, clinical or other settings
  • established in 1752, St George’s, University of London is the UK’s specialist health university. We are the only UK university to share our campus with a major teaching hospital, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, helping to build your multidisciplinary understanding and context.

Course info

Improving patient care through the safe and effective use of medicines, clinical pharmacologists are in high demand and have been described by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) as ‘one of four scientists that save the world every day’. Clinical pharmacologists are needed now more than ever before as we race to find new drugs and vaccines in the fight against new infections and diseases.

Our unique degree was developed with feedback from industry, including representatives from AstraZeneca, Syneos Health, Allergan, Niche Science and Technology, and the Experimental Medicine Expert Network, a group of clinical pharmacology scientists from a wide range of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and contract research organisations.

You will be taught by highly respected, leading experts in the field of clinical pharmacology, all of whom are active research scientists and/or front-line clinicians who maintain excellent links with industry.

Preparing you for future employment through a blend of knowledge, theory, skills development and practical experience, it offers a comprehensive study of the exciting, ever-changing field of applied clinical pharmacology, from the discovery of disease to development of drugs.

With early opportunities for all students to participate in research and work experience, teaching is linked to real-life practice at every stage to provide a broad understanding of the wide-ranging aspects of the design, testing, application and interaction of drugs.

You will deepen your knowledge of the human body and fundamentals of science through expert teaching and practical sessions. Drug-based learning scenarios provide real-life context and cases which demonstrate how the body handles drugs (pharmacokinetics) and how drugs exert their effects on the body (pharmacodynamics), for instance, how the effects of medication vary greatly depending on the patient’s age and physicality.

You will develop a wide range of skills applied in the development of new medicines, learning how to set up and interpret experiments, run clinical trials or handle, analyse and present data and findings. 

St George’s University of London is the UK’s only university dedicated to medical and health sciences education, training and research. We share our site with a major London teaching hospital which is both on the clinical frontline for a diverse local community and a centre of excellence for specialist conditions.

“The course is delivered through interactive lectures, workshops, hospital and pharmacy visits, lab and dissection room sessions and more. The small cohort really allows you to develop friendships and a sense of camaraderie. Everyone is curious and hard-working and the course lecturers are funny, engaging and passionate. I highly recommend this course: you’ll learn, you’ll grow, you’ll enjoy it.”

- Maisha

Third-year student

Apply now

“Studying clinical pharmacology has been one of the best choices I have made. The course is well-designed and hands-on, enabling you to understand the pathway of how a drug is developed, along with how it is administered and interactions of the drug in the body. Data and statistics also play an important part on the course, allowing you to develop your data handling skills which are very useful for employment in the field. The course is taught by passionate members of staff who lecture to a high standard and are always there to help.”

- Dilakshiga

Third-year student

Read about our modules

Tuition fees

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Home (UK) tuition fees

Academic Year

UK

Total fee*

2024/25

£9,250

£27,750

*Tuition fees for Home (UK) students are determined by UK Government Policy. Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. Fees for second and subsequent years are likely to increase annually in line with UK inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI-X) and subject to maximum regulated fee rates set by the UK Government.

For more information, see our fees and funding pages.

International (including EU) tuition fees

Academic Year

International

Total fee*

2024/25

£21,250

£63,750


*Tuition fees for international students are set by St George’s University of London. Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. Fees for second and subsequent years are likely to increase annually in line with UK inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI-X) and will not normally increase by more than 5% each year, except when the rate of inflation is significantly more than that projected in the preceding year.

For more information, see our fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

The table below highlights the additional course-specific costs related to this degree. Visit the additional course-related costs page for more information on general costs to consider alongside your studies.

Additional cost Description
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Students who decide to undertake a certain clinical research projects and certain work placements will be required to pay for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

DBS - £40

Post office verification - £6

Administration fee - £9

Clubs, Societies and Community Projects at St George's

Visit the Students' Union website

Entry Criteria: 2024 Entry

To be eligible for the Clinical Pharmacology BSc programme, you must meet the requirements outlined under Entry Qualifications, Other Academic Requirements, and Non-academic Requirements below.

Entry Qualifications

With the exception of GCSEs, all qualifications must have been completed within the previous five years, including the year of application.

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A Levels

If you are applying on the basis of A Levels, you must meet both the A Level and GCSE requirements below.

Grades

BBB

Subjects

Including Biology or Chemistry

Additional information

Resits may be considered.

GCSEs

Grades

Five subjects graded 6 (B) or above

Subjects

Five subjects which must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).

Additional information

We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Skills instead of GCSEs.

International Baccalaureate

If you are applying on the basis of International Baccalaureate, you need to meet both our Higher Level and Standard Level requirements, as outlined below.

Award

Full Award Diploma

Scores

Overall score of 32

Subjects

15 points at Higher Level, including a minimum grade 5 in Biology or Chemistry.

At Standard Level, a minimum score of 5 must be attained in Maths and English, if at least a 6 (B) has not previously been attained in GCSE/IGCSE Maths and English. For Maths, we accept both Mathematics: analysis & approaches and Mathematics: applications & interpretations. For English, we accept A (language & literature) or B (language).

Access Diploma

If you are applying on the basis of an Access Diploma, you must meet both the Access Diploma and GCSE requirements below.

Award

Full award diploma (science subject)

Scores

60 credits at level 3 (45 graded and 15 ungraded)

Subjects

27 credits at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit. Credits must be in pure science subjects, excluding Sociology.

Additional information

Any additional level 3 credits outside of the 60 credit diploma will not be accepted. The course should be QAA recognised.

GCSEs

Grades

Two subjects graded 6 (B) or above

Subjects

English Language and Maths

Additional information

We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Skills instead of GCSEs.

Other UK Qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

If you are applying on the basis of a Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below.

DDM

Must be in Applied Science.

Five GCSEs at grade 6 (B) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).

Cambridge Pre-U Diploma

If you are applying on the basis of a Cambridge Pre-U Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below.

M2, M2, M2

Three principal subjects to include Biology or Chemistry.

Five GCSEs at grade 6 (B) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).

Scottish Highers

If you are applying on the basis of Scottish Highers, you must meet the Highers, Advanced Highers and National 5 requirements below.

Highers: BBB including Biology or Chemistry

Advanced Highers: BB including Biology or Chemistry

English Language and Maths National 5 at grade B

International Qualifications

We welcome applications from applicants around the world. For information on the requirements for your country, please visit our International Qualifications page.

Contextual Admissions

At St George’s, we want to attract students who share our mission to improve the health of society, regardless of their background. That’s why our Contextual Admissions schemes take into consideration additional information from your application, like the school you attended or the area you live in or if you have been in care, to make the admissions process fairer. Further details on Contextual Admissions are available here.

Other Academic Requirements

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English Language

If you are applying from outside of the UK, you will need to meet the English language requirements outlined here. This is a group 2 course.

Non-academic Requirements

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Personal Statement

We are looking for students who are excited by science and motivated by curiosity and a desire to learn. A good understanding of Biology and Chemistry will provide the basis for building your knowledge in pharmacology. An interest in communication and team-working will help you to participate in the course and subsequently be successful in the scientific workplace.

As a guide your personal statement should tell us:

  • What interests you about pharmacology and what extra activities you have undertaken to support your interest in pharmacology or science in general
  • We are also interested in hearing about extra-curricular activities that have developed your team-working and communication skills and show how you can take initiative.
  • We also expect you to demonstrate awareness of current issues in pharmacology and science.

Please remember that your personal statement should focus on the subjects of pharmacology and science.

Health and Police Screening

Candidates accepted onto the course may have short opportunities to be in clinical areas. Before these in-person sessions, students will need to undertake self-assessment to prevent and minimise the spread of communicable diseases among staff and patients. Students will not take part in any invasive procedures. If you are concerned about a health issue, we advise you to contact us prior to applying.

This course may include research and work placement options that require applicants to have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. Read more about DBS checks here.

Recent Engagement in Education

Due to the demanding nature of the programme, it is important that applicants can demonstrate recent engagement in education. If the qualifications that you are applying on the basis of (e.g. Level 3 or degree level qualifications) were awarded more than five years ago (e.g. before summer 2019), it may still be possible for us to consider your application. In this case, we would look at supplementary level 3 qualifications, or relevant work experience, that you have undertaken within the last five years.

These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, following submission of a UCAS application.

Entry Criteria: 2025 Entry

To be eligible for the Clinical Pharmacology BSc programme, you must meet the requirements outlined under Entry Qualifications, Other Academic Requirements, and Non-academic Requirements below.

Entry Qualifications

With the exception of GCSEs, all qualifications must have been completed within the previous five years, including the year of application.

View all Close all

A Levels

If you are applying on the basis of A Levels, you must meet both the A Level and GCSE requirements below.

Grades

BBB

Subjects

Including Biology or Chemistry

Additional information

Resits may be considered.

GCSEs

Grades

Five subjects graded 6 (B) or above

Subjects

Five subjects which must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).

Additional information

We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Skills instead of GCSEs.

International Baccalaureate

If you are applying on the basis of International Baccalaureate, you need to meet both our Higher Level and Standard Level requirements, as outlined below.

Award

Full Award Diploma

Scores

Overall score of 32

Subjects

15 points at Higher Level, including a minimum grade 5 in Biology or Chemistry.

At Standard Level, a minimum score of 5 must be attained in Maths and English, if at least a 6 (B) has not previously been attained in GCSE/IGCSE Maths and English. For Maths, we accept both Mathematics: analysis & approaches and Mathematics: applications & interpretations. For English, we accept A (language & literature) or B (language).

Access Diploma

If you are applying on the basis of an Access Diploma, you must meet both the Access Diploma and GCSE requirements below.

Award

Full award diploma (science subject)

Scores

60 credits at level 3 (45 graded and 15 ungraded)

Subjects

27 credits at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit. Credits must be in pure science subjects, excluding Sociology.

Additional information

Any additional level 3 credits outside of the 60 credit diploma will not be accepted. The course should be QAA recognised.

GCSEs

Grades

Two subjects graded 6 (B) or above

Subjects

English Language and Maths

Additional information

We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Skills instead of GCSEs.

Other UK Qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

If you are applying on the basis of a Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below.

DDM

Must be in Applied Science.

Five GCSEs at grade 6 (B) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).

Cambridge Pre-U Diploma

If you are applying on the basis of a Cambridge Pre-U Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below.

M2, M2, M2

Three principal subjects to include Biology or Chemistry.

Five GCSEs at grade 6 (B) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).

Scottish Highers

If you are applying on the basis of Scottish Highers, you must meet the Highers, Advanced Highers and National 5 requirements below.

Highers: BBB including Biology or Chemistry

Advanced Highers: BB including Biology or Chemistry

English Language and Maths National 5 at grade B

International Qualifications

We welcome applications from applicants around the world. For information on the requirements for your country, please visit our International Qualifications page.

Contextual Admissions

At St George’s, we want to attract students who share our mission to improve the health of society, regardless of their background. That’s why our Contextual Admissions schemes take into consideration additional information from your application, like the school you attended or the area you live in or if you have been in care, to make the admissions process fairer. Further details on Contextual Admissions are available here.

Other Academic Requirements

View all Close all

English Language

If you are applying from outside of the UK, you will need to meet the English language requirements outlined here. This is a group 2 course.

Non-academic Requirements

View all Close all

Personal Statement

We are looking for students who are excited by science and motivated by curiosity and a desire to learn. A good understanding of Biology and Chemistry will provide the basis for building your knowledge in pharmacology. An interest in communication and team-working will help you to participate in the course and subsequently be successful in the scientific workplace.

As a guide your personal statement should tell us:

  • What interests you about pharmacology and what extra activities you have undertaken to support your interest in pharmacology or science in general
  • We are also interested in hearing about extra-curricular activities that have developed your team-working and communication skills and show how you can take initiative.
  • We also expect you to demonstrate awareness of current issues in pharmacology and science.

Please remember that your personal statement should focus on the subjects of pharmacology and science.

Health and Police Screening

Candidates accepted onto the course may have short opportunities to be in clinical areas. Before these in-person sessions, students will need to undertake self-assessment to prevent and minimise the spread of communicable diseases among staff and patients. Students will not take part in any invasive procedures. If you are concerned about a health issue, we advise you to contact us prior to applying.

This course may include research and work placement options that require applicants to have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. Read more about DBS checks here.

Recent Engagement in Education

Due to the demanding nature of the programme, it is important that applicants can demonstrate recent engagement in education. If the qualifications that you are applying on the basis of (e.g. Level 3 or degree level qualifications) were awarded more than five years ago (e.g. before summer 2020), it may still be possible for us to consider your application. In this case, we would look at supplementary level 3 qualifications, or relevant work experience, that you have undertaken within the last five years.

These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, following submission of a UCAS application.

The curriculum is based around seven core modules. These modules run alongside each other throughout the course, allowing you to understand topics from different perspectives and reinforce your learning. Your knowledge and skills in these topics will develop progressively through the course.

  • Fundamentals of science: Understanding how the body works and what goes wrong in disease.
  • Pharmacokinetics: How the body handles drugs.
  • Pharmacodynamics: How drugs exert their effects on the body.
  • Drug development and clinical trials: How drugs are discovered and developed as medicines.
  • Drugs in healthcare: How information from clinical trials and drug development is used to guide the use of medicines for patients in clinical practice.
  • Data and statistics: How to collect, manage, analyse, present and interpret research data relating to drugs.
  • Skills portfolio: Developing clinical trials, laboratory, presentation and personal skills required to be successful in a work environment and demonstrate this to employers.
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Year 1

In the first semester, you will be introduced to a broad spectrum of concepts across the seven modules. In the second semester, your focus turns to key drug targets, including inflammatory, infectious, cardiovascular and metabolic disease. You will look at each topic from the perspective of the different modules and accompany your theoretical learning with clinical and laboratory practicals, workshops and data analysis.

Throughout the course, you will be developing skills that will be imminently transferrable to future employment. In the first year, for example, developing both presentation and communication skills, you work in teams to prepare and make the case for a new drug. This includes pitching your ideas to a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style panel of judges, which has previously included St George’s Principal and industry representatives.

Year 2

In Semester 3 (the first semester of Year 2) you will continue your learning about key drug targets, focussing on neurological and psychiatric disease, cancer, reproduction, paediatrics and old age. You will develop your knowledge and skills around clinical trials design, data handling and pharmacokinetics. Weekly careers workshops help you find out about all the options open to you on completing the degree to help you select projects, placements and Year 3 modules.

Year 2 exams are at the end of Semester 3, so you can focus for the rest of the year on gaining practical experience. In the first half of semester 4, you will undertake a practical research project that will give you experience of clinical- or laboratory-based research. You will present the results of your study in a scientific symposium and write it up as a research paper. You will then spend six weeks gaining valuable work experience in industry, expanding your professional network and making vital contacts. Companies that took students last year include Astra Zeneca, Niche Pharmaceuticals, Airfinity, Takeda, Richmond Pharmacology, Boyd Consultants and CGX training. For example, students placed with LabCorp, a world-leading Life Sciences Contract Research Organisation, rotated through departments organising clinical trials, lab and regulatory work. 

At the end of your second year, you can also choose to take a ‘professional year’, applying for a placement in industry to develop your experience and enhance your CV, capitalising on our excellent links across the sector.

Year 3

In the final year, you will look at latest advances and ‘hot topics’, including new therapeutic approaches to disease and cutting-edge drug developments, such as biological drugs, nanotechnology and gene therapy. You will use your career plans and experience to choose course modules to study to a more advanced level. Year 3 includes a written research project, where you get the chance to write a scientific review with support from a team of expert tutors.

Placement

All students will undertake six weeks of work experience with an employer e.g. from industry during the second year of the course. This will give you the opportunity to find out more about what it takes to be successful in the workplace and what you might want to do after this degree.

In 2021 and 2022, employers who offered work experience to our students include:

  • Pharmaceutical companies – Astra Zeneca, Roche, GSK, Takeda
  • Contract research organisations – LabCorp, Niche Pharmaceuticals, Richmond Pharmacology
  • Pharmacovigilance and regulatory affairs – Boyd Consultants
  • Research companies – HelloBio, Airfinity, Eurofins clinical diagnostics.

In addition to the guaranteed six weeks’ work experience, you will have the optional opportunity to apply for an external professional year. The application process for a professional year is to individual companies who advertise their opportunities and is competitive. If successful, you would undertake the professional year between Years 2 and 3. In 2021 and 2022 students were successful in gaining placement years with major companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Labcorp, Merck Sharp and Dohme and Sanofi. 

The supervised, hands-on experience you get with both types of placements is an excellent way to consolidate your learning and makes you extremely attractive to employers on graduation. You will gain experience of working as part of a team, demonstrating professional behaviour. You will be supervised and mentored by experienced professionals and receive support from a University tutor.

Our course is unusual in offering ALL students work experience, as well as supporting the additional professional year in those who are interested.

At St George’s we offer a broad range of learning environments which include traditional lectures, tutorials, interactive workshops, practical activities, and web-based delivery. The co-location of the University with a major hospital provides a unique opportunity to study and work alongside the full range of clinical professionals and their patients.

Studying on the Clinical Pharmacology BSc is an exciting learning experience, combining high-quality teaching and action learning or ‘learning by doing’, which we believe is the best way to learn. Each week, for example, you will learn clinical and laboratory research skills in practical classes. In ‘drug-based learning’ sessions you will work in small groups to solve clinical cases and research problems, for example, investigating the fictional case of footballer ‘Sydney Bafferman’ who collapses due to a cardiac abnormality, or working through a simulated experiment with researcher ‘Lorelei Sims’ to find out what she did wrong.

Our course includes lots of opportunities to find out more about careers that you could enter after this degree. Early in the course, lectures will be given by guest researchers or healthcare professionals. You will meet patients in workshops and have the chance to go on healthcare visits to hospital wards and pharmacy. In our regular careers series professionals discuss what it is like to work in different areas, such as pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations, clinical trials units, healthcare, hospital management, or regulatory affairs. Later in the course all students will have six weeks’ work experience in industry and gain practical research experience.

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Our expertise

Current students praise our friendly learning environment and the support they receive from the teaching team, who share their extensive experience as active research scientists and/or front-line clinicians with excellent industry connections.

Our course is led by Professor Emma Baker, a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) who was until recently the Clinical Vice President of the society, and Professor Iain Greenwood, also a BPS Fellow, who is a former Vice-President for External Affairs of the Society and has previously acted as editor for the British Journal of Pharmacology.

Assessment methods

The modules and skills are revisited several times over the three years of the course with increasing complexity to build your understanding and capabilities, tested through various and innovative forms of assessment.

In Year 1, you will be assessed by in-course quizzes, an end-of-year exam and compilation of a skills portfolio.

Year 2 assessment includes in-course quizzes, an end-of-semester 3 exam and research project paper, and continued development of your skills portfolio.

Progress on all Year 3 modules is evaluated by exams and in-course assessment, including oral and poster presentations, critical appraisals, lab reports, and a written research project report. You will complete your skills portfolio to earn badges to demonstrate your competence and skills to employers.

Emma Baker

Emma Baker

Course Director

Professor Baker is a clinical academic with roles in education, research and the NHS

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Iain Greenwood

Iain Greenwood

Course Director

Co-director of BSc Clinical Pharmacology. Head of Vascular Biology Research Section

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Jennifer Stott

Jennifer Stott

Lecturer

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Mark Preece

Mark Preece

Senior Lecturer

Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology with a strong educational background in the biomedical sciences

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Dagan Lonsdale

Dagan Lonsdale

Senior Lecturer

Lecturer and researcher in clinical pharmacology, consultant intensive care physician

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Christopher Threapleton

Christopher Threapleton

Module Leader

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While the St George’s programmes are recognised by many different countries, applicants are advised to check with their own individual national authorities if they wish to practise in their chosen country.

Industry-focused and with a view to getting you work-ready on graduation, our Clinical Pharmacology degree encompasses a broad spectrum of concepts and solutions – from understanding disease processes and identification of potential new drug targets to organising and running clinical trials, drug regulation and use in patients.

It has been purposefully designed with input from employers to ensure you develop the general and specialist skills they require, helping you stand out in the job market. Throughout the course you will develop transferrable skills, including oral and poster presentation, scientific writing, teamwork and peer observation, essential clinical and laboratory skills. Your competence in these will be recognised by accumulation of badges, which you can share – for example on a Linked In profile – to demonstrate your skills to employers.

Every step of your learning journey offers exciting employment possibilities, however, the six-week placement we provide every student in Year 2 provides particularly valuable workplace experience, making you highly attractive to employers. We work with dozens of small and large companies which span the full gamut of sector activities, including regulatory writing and clinical project management (e.g. Niche Pharmaceuticals), preclinical and clinical lab services (e.g. Charles River), regulatory affairs (e.g. DLRC) or medical communications (Chameleon).

Throughout the course, you will also learn about the culture and wide range of activities encompassed by Clinical Pharmacology from experts working in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, academia and regulation. Recent external contributors to the course include: Dr David Carlisle (Clinical Pharmacologist, Roche Pharmaceuticals), Dr Edd Humphries (Senior Research Scientist, Astra Zeneca), Dr Mark Bruce (Senior Director, Head of Translational Science and Drug Safety, ONO PHARMA UK), Chloe Bryan (Senior Clinical Research Associate, Quality Regulatory and Clinical Consultancy, Cambridge), Tim Hardman (Managing Director, Niche Science and Technology). External speakers contribute to module lectures e.g. on pharmacokinetics, drug development, drugs in healthcare, and through careers talks and panels.

After completing your degree you could go on to work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, managing drug trials or working in the laboratory for one of the many pharmaceutical companies or contract research organisations, or assist with research and test medicines on patients in clinical trials units, hospitals or GP practices. Potential employers include the NHS and many professional and regulatory organisations, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) or Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Alternatively, you could follow an academic route: teaching or researching disease mechanisms and identifying treatment targets for new medicines; or seek employment in the fields of scientific publishing, journalism, marketing and sales.

For more information on the range of career options, download our Clinical Pharmacology careers brochure (PDF). Should you wish to undertake further study or research at St George’s, you will be well equipped to apply for graduate-entry programmes, such as medicine or pharmacy.

Careers

  • Academia (teaching or research)
  • Bioanalytical company
  • Biomedical company
  • Biotechnical company
  • Clinical trials unit – industry or healthcare
  • Contract research organisation
  • Large pharmaceutical company
  • Publications house
  • Regulatory affairs

Facilities

St George’s is the only UK university, which specialises in healthcare education and is based on a hospital site, namely St George’s Hospital, which is where the Channel 4 television series 24 hours in A&E is filmed. We offer a unique opportunity to study and work alongside the full range of clinical professionals and their patients. Based in the thriving multi-cultural hub of Tooting in South West London, our location has the added advantage of being just a short tube ride from Central London and all the city lifestyle has to offer.

We also have a range of specialist health and academic facilities to support your learning, listed below.

Laboratories

Our science laboratories are fully fitted with equipment for pharmacology, biological, chemistry, biomedical, molecular biology practicals. This includes microscopes, spectrophotometers, DNA amplifiers, organ baths and specialist glassware. We also have audio visual equipment installed, so that microscope images can be projected onto large screens.

Clinical skills facilities

You will learn the clinical skills you would need to take patients through clinical trials. Our clinical skills areas are set up as needed for students to develop clinical skills, such as the measurement of vital signs, phlebotomy and drug administration. We have a simulation suite and resuscitation facility where students can practice what to do if a clinical trial goes wrong or if someone collapses.

Library and learning technology

Our modern health sciences library offers a wide range of books, e-books, academic journals and other resources to support you. You will also have access to online resources, such as the Canvas virtual learning environment and our Hunter discovery service to help you find the information you need. The library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and comprises silent, quiet and group learning areas, as well as four group discussion rooms.

IT facilities

We have five computer suites housing 260 workstations. Three of these suites are accessible 24 hours a day. It’s easy to find a free space with our handy real-time computer locator. We also have 75 self-service laptops available. Free Wi-Fi covers the whole campus, including all accommodation. You can use these resources to access your course materials, discussion boards and feedback through Canvas.

Student support

Whether you are heading off to university straight from school or college, or returning to education as a mature student, we want to ensure your experience is positive from the outset. At St George’s, you’ll be welcomed by a multicultural student and staff body of different ages, ethnicities, nationalities and backgrounds, all with at least one thing in common – an interest in healthcare, science and medicine.

Students frequently tell us they greatly appreciate the diversity of our student and staff body, as well as the patients who access healthcare services in the borough of Tooting. The University attracts a substantial number – over two-thirds – of ‘mature’ students, aged 21 or over when they start; many have family and caring responsibilities.

We offer a full range of academic support and student services across all institutes, departments and faculties, some of which are listed below. We take pride in offering a transformative educational experience underpinned by cooperation and collaboration between staff and students. Our innovative Student-Staff Partnership Grants (SSPGs), for example, provide funding for small projects led jointly by students and staff.

Personal tutor

On arrival, you will be allocated a personal tutor – someone you will see weekly to ask questions and discuss problems with, both academic and personal. The main purpose of a personal tutor is to monitor your progress, pick up and help you resolve any problems, whether academic or welfare related. Even if they don’t have the answer they will point you in the right direction towards the best people to deal with specific problems.

Induction programme

Within your first week at St George’s, you’ll take part in an induction programme to help with your orientation and introduce you to the course and the different study methods you will be using. Additional sessions provide advice and guidance about the Registry, Students’ Union, personal tutor system, safety, occupational health and sexual health awareness. 

Academic staff support

You’ll have access to your lecturers, usually by arrangement via email or our Canvas (our intranet) discussion boards. The clinical pharmacology course team are very responsive and usually answer queries and offer support quickly when contacted by email.

Academic link tutor

The Academic Link Tutor provides you with support on placement, acting as your link with the University and monitoring your achievement and assessment.

Mums and dads scheme

‘Mums and dads’ is a buddy scheme organised by the Students’ Union. Every fresher (first year student) has the choice of being assigned a ‘parent’ from the year above in their respective course. The returning student then acts as a ‘go to’ for advice about courses and university life, providing an additional support system during your first year, both academically and socially. They have been in your position and know the struggles of starting university; they also know all of the best pubs, clubs, restaurants, gyms and will help introduce you to your new St George’s family. 

Student Life Centre

Our Student Centre team can help you with almost any aspect of student life: finances, accommodation, exams and assessment, academic procedures, admissions, international queries, careers, disability and wellbeing, even finding your way around – whatever it takes to make you feel at home.

Careers service

Our careers service works to support current students and recent graduates to find and maintain a rewarding and successful career. As well as general workshops on topics such as writing a CV and developing interview skills, the service works with careers tutors from each course area to ensure there are careers activities specific to your programmes and future profession. You will also be able to book a one-to-one appointment with a careers consultant to discuss all aspects of careers and employability. This might include investigating options and making career decisions, gaining advice and guidance on where to look for jobs, CV and application checking, or booking in for a practice interview.  

Apply for this course through UCAS (the University and College Admissions Service) by 30 June 2024 (2024 cycle). 

How to apply

Application checklist

You must provide the following.

  • Full details of your Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) qualifications with grades.
  • Full details of your Level 3 (A Level or equivalent) qualifications with achieved/predicted grades.
  • A personal statement (more information about this document is available on the UCAS website). We recommend that you include in your statement a recognition that studying for a BSc in Clinical Pharmacology will include practice and study in a number of settings.
  • An academic reference from your current or most recent institutions with predicted grades.

Deferred entry

We will consider applications from applicants who wish to defer entry by a year, provided you plan to use the time constructively. If you are offered a place on the course and subsequently decide to defer, you must inform us by 1 June of the year of application.

After application

Acknowledgement emails are sent out as soon as we receive your application. Please make sure that your email account is able to accept communications from St George’s as we will mainly communicate with you via email.

Apply now

Duration

Three years, full time

Application Deadline

30 June 2024 (2024 entry)

UCAS Code

B210, institution code S49

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