Welcome to Hull York Medical School
Postgraduate

MSc inPharmacology and Drug Development

Course length

1 year full-time,2 years part-time

Start date

September

Location

Hull campus

Apply now

Why study Pharmacology and Drug Development?

Discover how medicines move from scientific discovery to patient care. 

Our MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development provides an in-depth understanding of the science behind medicines and the journey from drug discovery to clinical application. Combining expertise from academic researchers, clinicians and industry professionals, the programme explores how new therapies are discovered, developed, tested and introduced into practice to improve health outcomes.

Pharmacology lies at the heart of modern healthcare, helping us understand how medicines interact with biological systems and how they can be used safely and effectively to treat diseases. Through this programme, you will develop a strong foundation in core pharmacological principles while gaining insight into the drug development pathway, from early drug discovery and preclinical research through to clinical trials and the evaluation of new therapies.

You will explore the mechanisms of action and clinical relevance of drugs across major organ systems, while developing an appreciation of the scientific, regulatory and ethical considerations involved in bringing new medicines to patients. Along the way, you will develop the critical thinking, analytical and research skills needed to address contemporary challenges in pharmacology and drug development.

A distinctive feature of the programme is its strong industry engagement. Through our partnership with global health and nutrition company Reckitt, every student is paired with an industrial mentor and gains valuable insights into contemporary drug development and the challenges of translating scientific discoveries into real-world healthcare solutions.

Whether your interests lie in pharmaceutical research and development, clinical research, healthcare, regulatory affairs, drug safety or further academic study, this programme will equip you with the knowledge, critical thinking skills and scientific understanding needed to advance your career.

You may also be interested in our MSc in Pharmacology and Education, a unique course that combines modules from the MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development with our Higher Education Academy-accredited MSc in Health Professions Education.

Who is this programme for?

MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development welcomes graduates from a wide range of backgrounds, including biomedical sciences, life sciences, pharmacology, pharmacy, medicine and other clinical disciplines.

By bringing together students with diverse academic and professional experiences, we create a unique, stimulating and collaborative learning environment that encourages innovation, critical thinking and scientific curiosity.

If you are passionate about understanding how medicines work and want to contribute to the future of drug discovery, development and patient care, this programme will provide an excellent platform to deepen your expertise and enhance your career prospects.

This programme is also an excellent option for students wishing to undertake an intercalated Master’s degree.

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Contact Us

pgtadmissions@hyms.ac.uk 01904 321690
Dr Nguok Ngie Su, Lecturer in PharmacologyView profile
Pharmacology and Drug Development

Watch:

Discover Pharmacology and Drug Development

Course overview

2 mins

A different kind of medical school

Our school

5 mins

University of Hull - Hull York Medical School

Online chat

Meet the Programme Director

Book a one-to-one online chat with Programme Director Dr Nguok Ngie Su to learn more about our MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development. Get the answers to your questions about the course, studying at Hull York Medical School, support, finance and more.

Book time with Dr Nguok Ngie Su

Industry experience

Industry partnership with Reckitt

A distinctive feature of our MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development is our partnership with leading global health, hygiene and nutrition company Reckitt.

Hull is home to Reckitt's global centre of excellence for health, where iconic brands such as Dettol, Gaviscon and Nurofen are researched, developed and manufactured. Through this partnership, you will gain valuable insight into how scientific discoveries are translated into products that improve health and wellbeing around the world.

The partnership complements your academic learning by providing opportunities to engage directly with professionals working in industry and to explore the realities of modern product development and innovation– from ‘bench to bedside’ and beyond.

Through this partnership, you will:

  • Receive one-to-one support from an industrial mentor from Reckitt
  • Visit Reckitt’s state-of-the-art Science and Innovation Centre in Hull
  • Learn from industry experts through guest lectures and taught sessions
  • Gain insight into the journey from scientific discovery to product development

Together, these experiences provide a unique perspective on the application of pharmacological science beyond the university environment and help you develop a broader understanding of careers within industry.

Why Pharmacology and Drug Development at Hull York Medical School?

Explore the complete pathway from drug discovery to clinical application
Learn from academic experts, clinicians and industry professionals
Receive one-to-one support from an industrial mentor through our longstanding partnership with Reckitt

MODULES

The programme is a 180 credit Masters programme, with six taught modules (five core and one optional - 20 credits each), and a core research project/dissertation (60 credits).

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

Filters

  • Foundations of Pharmacology

    You will learn, discuss, and critically analyse key pharmacological topics such as the general principles of drug action, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and adverse drug reactions which underpin the drug development process.

    Core

    20 credits

  • Practical Research Skills in Pharmacology

    Experimental pharmacology goes hand in hand with the need to develop practical lab skills.

    Core

    20 credits

  • Bench to Bedside I: Design and Discovery

    Examine the work that goes on before a drug is given to humans. This will include learning the core concepts of drug design, from target selection, through in vitro and appropriate testing and thinking about the most suitable formulation.

    Core

    20 credits

  • Bench to Bedside II: Clinical Trials

    You have designed a drug – but what next? This module will give you a detailed overview of clinical trials.

    Core

    20 credits

  • Drug Regulation and Safety

    Get hands-on experience understanding the key role that regulations play in the drug development process, from initial discovery and pre-clinical studies, through clinical trials, obtaining marketing authorisation and post-marketing activities.

    Core

    20 credits

  • Dissertation

    In this phase of your studies, you will get the opportunity to put your new skills to the test by undertaking a substantive research project within the field of pharmacology to produce novel exciting data, with the opportunity to publish the results.

    Core

    60 credits

  • Therapeutics

    The use of drugs underpins modern medical practice. Explore the use of drugs in cardiovascular, cancer, gastrointestinal, renal, respiratory, rheumatological, and endocrine disease as well as areas of uncertainty around the prescription of medicines.

    Optional

    20 credits

  • Analytical Skills in Pharmacology

    Gain experience of specific analytical laboratory techniques as a means of illustrating key techniques used within the process of drug development.

    Optional

    20 credits

University of Hull - Hull York Medical School

Teaching and assessment

How is the programme taught?

You will be based in our Centre for Biomedicine and benefit from their academic, educational and industrial expertise, as well as being taught by scholars from departments such as the Hull Health Trials Unit and other leading clinical and industrial experts. You will receive high quality tuition into the principles and process of clinical trials, covering a range of crucial topics including study rigour, participant recruitment, data analysis and interpretation and appropriate regulatory and governance issues associated with modern clinical trials.

We place an emphasis on helping you to develop the self-directed learning skills that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as allowing you to flourish academically in your programme.

With our philosophy of research-led teaching, you will be taught through a combination of practicals, lectures, seminars, tutorials and independent study. Some of these sessions may be online, whilst others will involve external speakers. This combination of different teaching activities allows you to broaden and deepen your learning around the topics in this programme.

You will explore how the pharmaceutical industry works via one-to-one sessions with a pharmaceutical tutor, a site visit, and seminars delivered by experts from pharmacological industry.

You will finish your year with us by conducting a significant research project in either basic or applied pharmacology to generate novel and cutting-edge research findings. The project, which can be lab or non lab based, will be supported by clinical and industry supervisors in the Centre for Biomedicine.

Teaching and assessment

How is the programme assessed?

Assessments take place throughout your programme and include oral presentations, essays, portfolio, practical write ups, poster presentations, and project work. Details of these are included with the module information.

There are two types of assessment:

  • Formative assessments: These are designed to provide you with an opportunity to obtain helpful feedback to enable you to develop your understanding of the both the type of assessment and the topic. They do not contribute to the final award mark.
  • Summative assessments: These assessments count towards the final module mark. They take place during and towards the end of each module. Feedback will be given for these assessments to help you understand the mark obtained and help with your academic development.

HULL YORK MEDICAL SCHOOL Stories

I was able to work with Reckitt’s medical affairs team and gain an insight into how a pharmaceutical research project is approached from an industrial perspective. The breadth of content and information you are exposed to on this programme sets you up for absolute success within the pharmaceutical industry. I have gone into my role with a great foundation of expertise in all areas of pharmaceuticals, making me a knowledgeable employee who is ready for anything.
MSc Pharmacology and Drug Development graduate

Alanis Beckitt

About the programme

Career prospects

This MSc equips you with the key skills essential for effective design, delivery and interpretation of laboratory and clinical data. This skill set is key for multiple roles within the industrial, medical and academic sectors, both in the UK and internationally.

Within industry, this MSc is likely to open job opportunities in drug safety, quality, regulation and compliance as well as Consumer Safety, Quality Managers, Clinical Data Associate, or Clinical Data Managers, alongside the more traditional lab roles. You will also develop the skills to further your academic career by pursuing a PhD.

In this video, three of our graduates give an insight into their jobs with our industry partner Reckitt in a variety of specialisms, including consumer safety, clinical data, and research and development lab roles.

Intercalation

An ideal option for intercalation

The MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development will help give intercalating medical students a deeper understanding and appreciation of prescribing.

In the medical sector, an intercalating MSc can have a significant impact on your application to deaneries and your potential career prospects. Understanding the science of medicines improves prescribing and can also open up career opportunities including Medical Advisors.

Discover intercalation
University of Hull - Hull York Medical School

entry

Entry requirements

Applicants must have previous training in the life sciences (e.g. graduates from medical, biomedical, pharmacy or biological undergraduate courses), chemistry/pharmacology or other related fields with a minimum 2.2 (Hons) degree or equivalent.

Intercalating medical students must have successfully completed a minimum of three years of an MB BS or comparable medical qualification.

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have one of the following:

  • IELTS: 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each component
  • PTE Academic: 61, with no less than 55 in each component
  • CAE and CPE (from January 2015): 176, with no less than 169 in each component
  • TOEFL: 87, with a minimum of 21 in each component
  • Trinity ISE: level 3 with Merit in all components
  • LangCert B2 Communicator High Pass (minimum score 33/50)
  • WASSCE: C5

Applicants who do not meet our English Language requirements may be required to complete the University of Hull’s Pre-Sessional English course as a condition of their offer to study on the programme.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Fees listed are for 2027 entry. Fees are reviewed on an annual basis and may change for subsequent years.

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (Home) or International (including EU) student. Check your fee status on the University of York website.

UK (Home)

  • Full-time: £14,390
  • Part-time (2 years): £7,195

International (including EU)**

  • Full-time: £34,050
  • Part-time (2 years): £17,025

The fees listed for part-time study relate to the current year only; fees for subsequent years are subject to confirmation.

The part-time study option is only available to Home (UK) students, or those international students who do not require a visa to study in the UK.

Applicants who are self-funded and assessed by the University of Hull as paying the overseas tuition fee rate are required to pay a non-refundable deposit at the point of offer. A place will not be guaranteed until the full deposit has been received. The University reserves the right to stop accepting deposit payments once course places are full and, as a result, may defer an offer to the next available intake. Find out more about the University of Hull Tuition Fee Deposit.

Funding

There are a number of funding options available to help with costs and support your postgraduate study. To apply for funding, you will need to hold an offer to study at Hull York Medical School.

Postgraduate Taught Widening Access Scholarship

The Widening Access Scholarship, offered as a £4,800 fee reduction, is available to two UK applicants who meet our eligibility criteria.

Hull York Medical School Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarships

Two International Scholarships, offered as a 20% reduction in tuition fees, are available to eligible applicants.

Graduate scholarship

A 10% reduction in tuition fees is available to graduates of the University of Hull and University of York.

Hull York Medical School Intercalated Student Bursaries

We offer two bursaries worth 50% of the tuition fee to intercalating Hull York Medical School MB BS students who meet widening participation criteria.

Intercalated Student Bursary

Two £2,400 bursaries are available for intercalating Medicine students from other UK medical schools who meet our eligibility criteria.

Explore funding
University of Hull - Hull York Medical School

Applying

How to apply

To apply, submit an online application on the University of Hull website.

You don’t need to complete your application all at once - you can save and finish it later.

Apply now

HULL YORK MEDICAL SCHOOL Stories

The MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development will give you an in-depth knowledge of drug development within an academic, clinical and industrial setting. This critical mix of knowledge and interaction with our expert teachers will open exciting opportunities to broaden your career prospects.
Programme Director

Dr Nguok Ngie Su

Further information

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