Program Overview

Clinical Pharmacology MSc(MedSci)

The Clinical Pharmacology MSc(MedSci) programme offers focused training integrating basic and clinical sciences, equipping students with essential skills to function effectively as a clinical pharmacologist in the 21st century. Students acquire core skills, enabling an appreciation of how to apply clinical pharmacological, regulatory, and ethical principles to the optimisation of therapeutic practice and clinical research.

Programme Overview

• The programme is one of a few UK postgraduate programmes that cover clinical pharmacology in sufficient detail to allow students to make an informed choice about pursuing clinical pharmacology as a career.
• Students gain hands-on experience in molecular methods and analysis, along with critical interpretation of genomic literature, enabling them to analyse, synthesise, and formulate an action plan for personalised patient care.
• The programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).
• Students learn the basics of molecular genetics and population genetics as applied to pharmacogenetics and gene therapy.
• The programme involves discussions about therapeutic issues in the commercial and academic research environments.
• Students undertake their own research project under expert supervision, allowing them to consolidate their knowledge and apply the skills they have acquired.
• The programme benefits from the close involvement of clinical academics and visiting lecturers from the pharmaceutical industry and national drug regulatory bodies.
• It is specifically designed to prepare students for future senior roles within pharmaceutical medicine.

Programme Structure

• The programme includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab work, project work, and team work.
• Core courses cover topics such as:
  • Applied Pharmacogenomics & Molecular Medicine
  • Applied Statistics for Clinical and Translational research
  • Clinical Pharmacology Dissertation
  • Drug Disposition
  • Medical Statistics
  • Pharmaceutical Medicine
  • Pharmacogenomics & Molecular Medicine - Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine
  • Principles Of Pharmacology
  • Topics in Therapeutics - Commonly used drugs
  • Topics In Therapeutics - General topics, Cardiovascular and Diabetes Drugs

Career Prospects

• Career opportunities include positions in academia, healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry, and return to more advanced positions within a previous clinical environment.
• Related job positions include anaesthetics trainee, clinical research fellow, medical doctor, medical sales representative, medical writer, pharmacist, and quality control supervisor.
• Some graduates go on to study for PhDs in fields like cardiovascular sciences, medicine (pharmacogenomics), molecular pharmacology, pharmacology, and one graduate also went on to teacher training (PGDE Secondary Biology).

Fees & Funding

• Tuition fees for MSc(MedSci):
  • Home & RUK: Full-time fee ｣11,367, Part-time fee ｣1,263 per 20 credits
  • International & EU: Full-time fee ｣34,470
• Fee status guidance is available.
• Deposits: International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of ｣2,000 when an offer is made.
• Deposits: terms & conditions outline the circumstances under which deposits will be refunded.
• Additional fees include a fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (｣370), submission of thesis after deadline lapsed (｣350), and registration/exam only fee (｣170).
• Funding opportunities include various scholarships such as the Beit-Glasgow Scholarship, Banco de Mexico, The Snowdon Trust Masters Scholarship, CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement, ANID (la Agencia Nacional de Investigaci y Desarrollo), University of Glasgow African Excellence Award, University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award, World Changers Glasgow Scholarship, and many more.

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in a relevant degree related to Medicine, Pharmacy, and Bioscience/Biological subjects.
• Applicants with degrees in Pharmaceutical Engineering, Bioengineering, Nursing, and Traditional Chinese Medicine may also be considered.
• A 2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) may be accepted if higher scores have been achieved in relevant subjects or modules.
• Significant relevant work experience may also be considered in addition to lower qualifications.
• English language requirements:
  • IELTS Academic and Academic Online: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome): 90 overall with no subtest less than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
  • Pearsons PTE Academic: 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
  • Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
  • Oxford English Test: 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • LanguageCert Academic/Academic Online: 70 overall with no subtest less than 65
  • Password Skills Plus: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II: Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
  • Kaplan Test of English: Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
• Alternatives to English Language qualification:
  • Degree from a majority-English speaking country
  • Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from a majority-English speaking country
• Pre-sessional courses are accepted from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow.

How to Apply

• Applications must be submitted online.
• Required documents include:
  • A copy of official degree certificate(s)
  • A copy of official academic transcript(s)
  • Official English translations of certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of English language ability (if first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for the programme
  • A copy of the photo page of the passport
• Application deadlines:
  • International & EU applicants: Various rounds with deadlines from 5th November 2025 to 8th July 2026
  • Home applicants: 21st August 2026

Related Programmes

• Biological & Biomedical Sciences
• Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Medicine
• Pharmacology