MSc Advanced Pharmacology
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: September
- Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time
Ranked: 2nd in the UK for Pharmacology & Pharmacy (Complete University Guide 2022)
Study with us
Studying our MSc in Advanced Pharmacology you'll receive the highest-quality teaching in the leading Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences by staff dedicated to your personal and scientific development.
Why this course?
Our Masters in Advanced Pharmacology will provide you with a comprehensive three-part postgraduate life sciences training.
Firstly, unlike many Masters courses, we offer you dedicated training in a broad suite of practical laboratory skills.
Secondly, this is complemented by two unique classes that develop your transferrable skills in statistics, presentations, career development, and ethics, as well as honing your science writing skills and your ability to design experiments and analyse sophisticated datasets.
Thirdly, our taught classes capture the excitement of cutting-edge research fields and you'll be taught by active researchers or practising clinical professionals.
A choice of classes allows you to select a pathway to suit your future aspirations. The programme has a special focus on how drugs and other chemicals affect the body in health and disease. You'll explore the development of new and improved medicines and the treatment of disease.

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Chat now!What you'll study
- vital transferable skills in statistics, communication, ethics, science writing & critical analysis of data
- two semesters of postgraduate laboratories, giving you the practical abilities & interpretational skills that will prepare you for your project & future career
- short optional classes in in vivo biology or drug discovery
- a compulsory Pharmacology class followed by a choice of either Clinical Pharmacology, or Applied Pharmacology
- a summer project in an active research laboratory
Future prospects
The course provides the perfect springboard to future training at PhD level or gives you a range of skills and experience that will prove attractive to employers from industry or the health-care provision sector.
Facilities
The course is taught in the state-of-the-art Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences.
Course content
Our aim is to provide you with classes that present the cutting-edge of our subject area, delivered using exciting and engaging teaching methods matched to the needs of postgraduate-level students. Please feel free to contact us if you want further details in the meantime.
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Postgraduate Studies in Pharmacology
Advanced Techniques in Biomedical Research 1 & 2
These two compulsory laboratory classes expose you to the key research skills relating to the biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology and immunology fields, help develop your skills in data analysis and report writing, and pave the way for a smooth transition into your Summer Research Project Advanced Topics in Biomedical Research.
Advanced Topics in Biomedical Research
A unique and innovative class designed with three outcomes in mind:
- become an expert in the field that you'll study for your summer research project & learn how to write a review paper that aims to be publication quality
- learn how a scientific research career really works from the experts & then write the outline of a hypothetical research grant application
- enhance your teamwork on a virtual project to develop a hypothetical drug from high-content screen, through in vivo testing in models, to transcriptomics & human clinical trials & pharmacogenomics. You'll not only learn how to manage a project’s timelines & targets, but also enter the world of big data manipulation and analysis
Research project
Choose from a selection of project topics in Semester 1, engage with your supervisor to plan the work, and then enter the laboratory at the end of May.
In Vivo Biology
Drug Discovery
Postgraduate Studies in Clinical Pharmacology
The aims of this class are:
- to develop understanding of neurodegenerative disorders & the common themes of protein aggregation & inflammation in the brain
- to develop understanding of the pharmacological control of global activity within the nervous system: epilepsy, anaesthesia & analgesia, use of sedatives & hypnotics
- to develop understanding of psychiatric disorders
- to develop understanding of drug dependence
- to develop understanding of endocrine disease & oral contraceptives
Postgraduate Studies in Applied Pharmacology
The aims of this class are:
- to develop understanding of adverse drug reactions
- to develop understanding of cancer chemotherapy
- to develop understanding of prevention & treatment of malaria
- to develop understanding of bacterial & viral chemotherapy
- to develop understanding of gastrointestinal disorders

We're shortlisted for University of the Year 2021 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Learning & teaching
The course is delivered through lectures, tutorials and hands-on practical sessions.
If you successfully complete the required taught classes, you can go on to take a laboratory project for the MSc.
Assessment
Assessment of taught classes is through the following:
- multiple choice tests
- computer quizzes
- problem solving scenarios
- poster & oral presentations
- essays
- formal written exams
The laboratory project is assessed through a written thesis.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements | Minimum second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in a biological or chemical discipline.
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English language requirements | You must have an English language minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with no component below 5.5). We offer comprehensive English language courses for students whose IELTS scores are below 6.0. Please see ELTD for full details. As a university, we now accept many more English language tests other than IELTS for overseas applicants, for example, TOEFL and PTE Cambridge. View the full list of accepted English language tests here. |
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non EU/UK) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde. The Pre-Masters programme provides progression to a number of degree options.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 100 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' sectionFees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Scotland | £9,050 |
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England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £9,050 |
International | £22,400 |
Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
Additional costs | International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Careers
After graduating, you'll be ideally qualified for positions in biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as hospitals and universities.
This course provides the background training for a career in:
- clinical pharmacology
- pharmaceutical & biotechnology industry laboratory research posts
- laboratory technical support
- medical/pharmaceutical/life science sales
Alternatively, you may wish to continue studies for an MPhil or PhD.
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in GlasgowApply
Please note there is no deadline for submitting applications.
Start date: Sep 2022
Advanced Pharmacology
Start date: Sep 2022
Advanced Pharmacology
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