Program Overview

Pharmaceutical Sciences (Sandwich) BSc

Overview

The UK pharmaceutical industry headquarters two of the largest global companies in pharma and employs 63,000 people, with nearly half involved in research and development (R&D). Ireland’s sector has similar success and accounts for more than 5% of global pharmaceuticals production. Graduates entering this space play an important role in the development of new medicines with global employment opportunities existing at all stages of the product pipeline. Our BSc degree course in Pharmaceutical Sciences aims to create the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists, able to work in all stages of the drug development process as part of a multidisciplinary team. You'll learn about drug discovery, formulation, manufacturing, and regulation with a focus on small molecule medicines. Working with some of the world’s leading researchers, you will be exposed to cutting edge technology that will feed into the pharmaceutical industry of the future.

Highlights

• Global Opportunities
• Industry Links
• World Class Facilities
• Internationally Renowned Experts

Course Structure

• Level 1: Introduction to pharmaceutical microbiology, foundational physical and organic chemistry, mathematical and statistical skills, and physiology.
• Level 2: Formulation and drug-delivery, medicinal chemistry, and analytical techniques.
• Level 3: Advanced formulation of small molecules, pharmaceutical analysis of complex systems, and research project.
• Year Out (Sandwich): Industrial placement for a minimum of 48 weeks.

People Teaching You

• Dr Peter Boyd, Director of Education, School of Pharmacy

Contact Teaching Hours

• Large Group Teaching: 6-8 hours per week
• Personal Study: 25 hours per week
• Medium Group Teaching: 4 hours practicals, 2 hours workshops, 2 hours tutorials

Teaching Times

• Full-time course taught across the week from Monday through to Friday (9-5pm)

Learning and Teaching

• Range of learning experiences, including lectures, workshops, tutorials, practicals, and research projects.
• Advisor of Studies and E-Learning technologies.
• Induction, personal tutor, and personal development planning.

Assessment

• Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:
  • The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.
  • Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.

Feedback

• Students receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources, including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study, and peers.

Facilities

• Students have access to large teaching laboratories.

Career Prospects

• The prospects of employment for a graduate with a BSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Sandwich) degree in the UK are high.
• Graduates can pursue careers in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry.
• Opportunities also exist in areas relating to research and development, manufacturing and supply, commercial or support functions.

Prizes and Awards

• A number of local employers and professional bodies sponsor prizes on an annual basis for best students in their level and module.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

• In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills.

Scholarships

• Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students.

International Scholarships

• Information on scholarships for international students is available.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £4,855
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £4,855
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £9,535
• EU Other: £26,600
• International: £26,600

Additional Course Costs

• Year 1 students are required to buy a laboratory coat at a cost of £13.
• Students on placement year are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.
• Students who take optional short placements are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs of around £20 to £100 per week.

Entrance Requirements

• A level requirements: BBB including Biology and Chemistry + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4
• Irish leaving certificate requirements: H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Biology and Chemistry + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O4 in Mathematics.
• Access Course: 80% average with no less than 70% in any module including sufficient relevant Level 3 modules in Biology and Chemistry (normally two Chemistry and two Biology). GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 or equivalent in Access Course.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 32 points overall including 6,5,5 at Higher Level including Chemistry and at least one of Biology (preferred), Mathematics or Physics + GCSE Biology grade C/4 or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC/4,4 + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4

English Language Requirements

• An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification.

International Students

• Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region.

How to Apply

• Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
• The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2026 is Wednesday 14 January 2026 (18:00).

Modules

• Properties and analysis of drug molecules
• Pharmaceutical Physiology - BSc
• Basic Skills for the Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Sciences
• Pharmaceutical and Applied Microbiology
• Mathematics and Statistical Skills
• Introduction to Dosage Forms and Unit Operations
• Pharma Lab Techniques
• Formulation for Industry
• Foundational Pharmacology
• Introduction to Drug Discovery and Design
• Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Preparing for industry
• Industrial Placement
• Pharmaceutical Innovation
• Industry: Quality, Regulation and Entrepreneurship
• Drug Design/Pharmaceutical Analysis BSc
• Advanced Delivery Systems for Large & Small Molecules BSc
• BSc Research Project Module

Module Details

• Properties and analysis of drug molecules: Chemistry is the defining science of pharmacy. To understand anything about a drug – including its synthesis, determination of its purity, its formulation into a medicine, the dose administered, its absorption and distribution in the body, the molecular interaction of the drug with its receptor, the metabolism of the drug, its elimination of drug from the body – requires an appreciation and understanding of the chemical structure of the drug molecule and how the chemical structure influences the properties and behaviour of the drug both in the body.
• Pharmaceutical Physiology - BSc: A study of basic physiology and tissue morphology that defines normal and abnormal physiology within the main body systems including: gastrointestinal tract; cardiovascular system; respiratory system; urinary tract; nerve and muscle; central nervous system; endocrine system; reproductive system.
• Basic Skills for the Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Sciences: In the first two weeks of semester you will complete a range sessions in lectures, workshops and practical sessions to help you develop the key skills required to transition from 2nd level to 3rd level education.
• Pharmaceutical and Applied Microbiology: The application of microbiology to the pharmaceutical sciences including the structure, function, nutrition and metabolism of bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa relevant to the pharmaceutical sciences, bacterial genetics, antimicrobial agents and antimicrobial resistance, the basic principles and methods of sterilisation and disinfection, contamination of pharmaceutical products, an introduction to microbial biofilms and infectious diseases.
• Mathematics and Statistical Skills: Development of mathematical and statistical methods that are required for the theoretical and practical aspects of the pharmaceutical sciences and pharmaceutical biotechnology.
• Introduction to Dosage Forms and Unit Operations: A foundational introduction to common dosage forms, unit operations and aseptic techniques that are applicable to pharmaceutical scientists working in the fields of small and large molecule drug delivery.
• Pharma Lab Techniques: This module will provide students with advanced practical skills in laboratory techniques relevant to the pharmaceutical industry and lab-based research projects.
• Formulation for Industry: In this module, students will learn about the basics of formulation of pharmaceutical products and the science that accompanies this.
• Foundational Pharmacology: Designed to provide an introduction to the key principles of pharmacology, exploring the mechanisms by which many key classes of drug operate.
• Introduction to Drug Discovery and Design: The relationship between drug structure and biological function, focusing on how molecular properties influence therapeutic effects and side effects.
• Pharmaceutical Analysis: The design, workings and operating principles of a range of analytical instruments. Methodologies relating to the use of such analytical instruments in qualitative and quantitative pharmaceutical analysis.
• Preparing for industry: The pre-placement sessions and associated material provide information that can be used to assist students in preparing to apply for employment, and also to prepare them for the work environment.
• Industrial Placement: Students complete a placement of at least 48 weeks, between Level 2 and 3, with a relevant pharmaceutical sciences/pharmaceutical biotechnology industry.
• Pharmaceutical Innovation: To be advised
• Industry: Quality, Regulation and Entrepreneurship: This module will introduce students to the concepts of the commercialisation of pharmaceutical and biotechnological products.
• Drug Design/Pharmaceutical Analysis BSc: Semester 1: Pure drug analysis, formulated product analysis, analytical methods for stability testing, sample preparation methods, drug analysis in biological matrices, assay development and validation, control of errors in analysis, accuracy and precision, validation of analytical procedures.
• Advanced Delivery Systems for Large & Small Molecules BSc: Principles of modified release drug delivery, particulate drug delivery, oral modified release systems, transdermal and transmucosal delivery, buccal delivery, nasal and ocular delivery, advanced semi-solid systems, recombinant vaccine production and delivery, ‘smart’ devices, pharmaceutical materials science, engineered polymeric systems, molecular basis of diseases (genetics/genomics, proteomics, biomolecular target identification), genetic determinants of drug metabolism (pharmacogenomics), techniques used in molecular biology and pharmaceutical biotechnology (PCR, DNA sequencing, affinity protein purification), pharmaceutical recombinant therapeutic proteins, growth factors, therapeutic antibodies and delivery; nucleic acid delivery and therapeutics, high-throughput screening of putative therapeutic compounds.
• BSc Research Project Module: Lectures covering generic research skills; supervisor-led study sessions covering research techniques specific to the field of the project. Individual research project including project design and implementation; practical/fieldwork, literature searching; preparation of critical literature review and research report preparation; oral presentation of results. Case study including workshop, preliminary proposal, case study report and oral presentation of findings.