Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc (Hons) - 2027/8
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 6
Final award and programme/pathway title
BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Sciences
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| Ord | Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| DipHE | Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| CertHE | Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | UCJ10020 | 360 credits and 180 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with PTY | UCJ10021 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Programme Leader
ZARMPI Panagiota (Chst Chm Eng)
Date of production/revision of spec
14/08/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- Transform individuals to confident pharmaceutical scientists with broad but also deep, subject-specific expertise, capable of applying knowledge independently in professional or research environments.
- Foster practical, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities, emphasising applications to real-world pharmaceutical challenges.
- Promote integration, synthesis, and personalisation of scientific knowledge, allowing learning pathways to be tailored to individual interests and career aspirations.
- Encourage evidence-based decision making and research literacy by critically interrogating primary literature, regulatory guidelines, and emerging technologies, and designing appropriate investigative or analytical approaches, including in areas beyond established knowledge.
- Prepare graduates for potential careers in the pharmaceutical industry, contract research organizations (CROs), regulatory agencies, and academia, as well as a wide range of related professions requiring critical and analytical skills.
- Enhance transferable, digital, and professional capabilities, including the use of computational methods, modelling software, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools, while developing the critical skills required to evaluate outputs, maintain academic integrity, and apply these technologies responsibly within pharmaceutical and scientific contexts
- Offer interested students the opportunity to gain a year of practical experience in an industrial or professionally relevant setting, applying their pharmaceutical science skills in a real-world environment (4-year programme only)
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Demonstrate foundational knowledge of core chemical principles, including analytical chemistry, organic structure and physical processes. | K | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Apply basic mathematical and statistical techniques to solve problems and analyse data in chemistry, pharmaceutical science and related disciplines. | CP | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Explain key concepts in pharmaceutics and physiology, including the molecular and physiological basis of human body function. | KC | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Perform and interpret fundamental laboratory and analytical techniques safely and accurately, with an understanding of data reliability and limitations. | CP | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Develop essential transferable skills within a scientific context. | T | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Integrate and apply advanced knowledge of organic chemistry, to explain mechanisms relevant to drug design and synthesis | KC | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Analyse and interpret complex chemical and pharmaceutical data using advanced spectroscopic, analytical, and computational techniques, demonstrating increased independence and critical evaluation | CP | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Evaluate the relationships between drug formulation, biopharmaceutics, and pharmacological response, linking physicochemical properties to drug delivery and therapeutic outcomes. | KC | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Design and carry out more complex experimental and technical procedures in pharmaceutical and chemical contexts, demonstrating improved accuracy, problem-solving, and awareness of methodological limitations. | CP | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Demonstrate enhanced transferable skills through effective scientific communication, collaborative project work, and the application of digital technologies, computational modelling, data analysis software, and AI-enabled tools to support problem-solving, evidence evaluation, and decision-making in pharmaceutical sciences | T | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Critically evaluate and apply advanced concepts in medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and formulation design to solve complex problems in drug discovery and development | KC | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Apply advanced analytical and modelling techniques to predict and rationalise drug behaviour and performance. | CP | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Evaluate regulatory frameworks and quality requirements governing the development, manufacture, and approval of medicines. | KC | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Design, execute, and manage an independent research project, demonstrating the ability to generate, analyse, and interpret original data using appropriate experimental and computational methods. | CPT | BSc (Hons) | |
| Communicate complex scientific and research findings effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrating professional, ethical, and collaborative practice. | CT | BSc (Hons) | |
| Be able to leverage subject and transferable skills in a work environment to acquiring knowledge of new techniques as appropriate (PTY 4 year programme) | PT | CertHE, DipHE |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over three academic years, consisting of 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). Modules are either 15 credits or multiples of 15 credits.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Full-time with PTY
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and the optional professional training year). Modules are either 15 credits or multiples of 15 credits.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHE3053 | TOPICS IN COMPUTER MODELLING | Optional | 15 | 1 |
| CHE3062 | MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY | Optional | 15 | 2 |
| CHE3066 | METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATIONS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY | Optional | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students must select four optional modules out of a choice of six optional modules.
As part of the approval process the following new modules have been developed and will be added to the programme once available:
BSc Research Project
Pharmacokinetic Modelling
Rational Formulation Design
Advances in Pharmaceutics
Advanced Pharmacology
Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEP008 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING MODULE | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| CHE3053 | TOPICS IN COMPUTER MODELLING | Optional | 15 | 1 |
| CHE3062 | MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY | Optional | 15 | 2 |
| CHE3066 | METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATIONS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY | Optional | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students must select four optional modules out of a choice of six optional modules.
As part of the approval process the following new modules have been developed and will be added to the programme once available:
BSc Research Project
Pharmacokinetic Modelling
Rational Formulation Design
Advances in Pharmaceutics
Advanced Pharmacology
Professional Training Year (PTY) -
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | Y | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
The school of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This programme is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Digital capabilities: Pharmaceutical science increasingly uses digital approaches to generate and interpret scientific data. You will develop skills in computational tools, statistical analysis, digital laboratory systems, molecular modelling, and data visualisation. You will also understand the responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), for data interpretation, literature analysis, predictive modelling, and research workflows
Employability: You will develop technical, analytical and professional skills relevant to pharmaceutical research, development , manufacturing, and regulatory sectors. Laboratory training, research projects, teamwork, scientific communication, and professional training opportunities will support workplace application.
Global and cultural capabilities: You will develop awareness of the global nature of pharmaceutical science, including international approaches to medicine development and regulation. Collaborative learning will enhance communication, teamwork, and appreciation of different perspectives.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: Practical investigation, research activities, and problem-solving will develop your ability to respond to uncertainty, evaluate evidence, adapt approaches, and make informed scientific decisions.
Sustainability: You will explore environmental, ethical, and societal responsibilities in pharmaceutical science, including sustainable approaches to drug discovery, formulation, manufacturing, and laboratory practice through responsible resource use
To transfer to the MSci students need to achieve an average mark of 50% at Level 4 and an average mark of 55% at Level 5.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2027/8 academic year.