University of Brighton
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Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences
BSc(Hons)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 3 years

    With placement year 4 years

    UCAS code FB12

    About the course

    Pharmaceutical and chemical sciences provides academic and professional training in chemical, pharmaceutical and analytical sciences. As you work through the course you will examine how these disciplines are used in the development, production and quality control of pharmaceutical and related products.

    The course was designed in consultation with local and national pharmaceutical companies. Graduates are eligible to apply for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2014. Entry requirements for students thinking about starting a course in 2013 can be found in the online prospectus. Individual offers may vary

    A-levels:
    ABB. A-levels must include chemistry.

    BTEC
    DDM.

    International Baccalaureate:
    34 points, specified subjects.

    Access to HE Diploma
    pass (at least 45 credits at level 3), with 15 credits at distinction and 30 at merit or above. Must include 12 credits in chemistry.

    GCSE (minimum grade C) or Access Equivalent
    at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.

    Foundation degree/HND
    /HNC may enable you to start the course in year 2.

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

  • Course content

    Course structure

    In year 1 you will study a broad range of topics which provide a foundation for the more specialised topics which follow. Practical laboratory skills are emphasised throughout the course. In the final year you will be able to choose from a range of modules enabling you to study areas that reflect your own interests and career aspirations.

    You also have the option of spending year 3 in a professional placement, gaining valuable work experience before coming back to university for the final year.

    Areas of study

    The course covers the broad areas of chemistry, pharmaceutical science and analytical science.

    Syllabus

    Year 1
    Chemical and Molecular Sciences
    Pharmacology
    Cell Biology and Biochemistry
    Analytical Chemistry
    Laboratory work
    Mathematical Skills

    Year 2
    Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
    Biopharmaceutics, Physical Pharmacy and Dosage Forms
    Analysis
    Pharmaceutical Microbiology
    Scientific Information
    Introduction to Statistics

    Optional placement year

    Final year
    Drug Development, Formulation and Product Design
    Dosage form design
    Advanced Chemistry
    Medicinal Chemistry
    Advanced Analytical Science
    Research Project

    You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:

    Programme Specification

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2013-14. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    BSc Hons Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences  [P3EG006]
    UK/EU (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    International (Full Time)12,900 GBP

  • Location

    Location Help Moulsecoomb

    Located to the north of Brighton city centre, the Moulsecoomb campus offers students an excellent learning environment and a wide range of facilities. It is the largest of our five campuses with over 8,000 students.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • Staff profiles

    Dr Gerry Gallacher - Course leader

    My research and expertise involves areas of organic chemistry, synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and bio-organic chemistry and I lecture in these areas. The UK has a strong and vibrant history of drug discovery and production. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the strongest industries in the UK and this course is designed to equip students to work in this industry in areas of research, production, analysis and quality control. Graduates are also able to move into research in related areas such as biotechnology and pharmacology, either in universities or industry.

  • Student views

    Angela Merges

    I’m originally from the United States and I recently completed the Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences (PCS) course at the University of Brighton. 

    The PCS course was great because it exposed you to all aspects of chemistry including: physical, organic, inorganic, analytical, and pharmaceutical chemistry.
    In addition to the variety of chemistry that is studied, the opportunity to do a placement really proved to be invaluable. I chose to do academic research within the university and found it to really help my presentation skills, time management as well as learning what was necessary for professional calibre research. Additionally, I was asked to present the results of my final year project at the international IUPAC conference and I truly believe the skills I learned throughout my time on the course as well as my placement year were the reason. 
    The University’s facilities were also commendable; there are several places to meet and socialise in addition to ample outdoor space to enjoy when the weather is nice.  Transport is also very convenient with bus stops and a train station in close proximity. Brighton is such a fantastic city, and with more pubs than days of the year there’s always some place new to explore; the beach is also a great place to go when exams stress you out!

  • Career opportunities

    Many graduates are employed in the pharmaceuticals sector - some in large multinationals, others in smaller local companies. Recent posts have included research and analysis laboratory work, and office-based pharmaceutical regulatory affairs. Many other graduates progress to postgraduate study before beginning a career in industrial or academic research. Some have taken up PhD places at Brighton and others at Cambridge University, Imperial College, and University College London, and some take up teaching.

    Visit the careers service website.

Applying for 2013 entry

We have limited places available on this course.

Please call us for advice 01273 644644

International applicants should call
+44 (0)207 250 6749

Application process
Book your open day place
Other courses like this
Find out more

01273 642090
Email pabsschooloffice@brighton.ac.uk

If you are an international student, contact us on:

+44 (0) 207 250 6749
international@brighton.ac.uk

 

Visit the school that delivers this course

Six reasons to study chemistry at the University of Brighton