Postgraduate

MSc inPharmacology and Education

Course length

1 year full-time,2 years part-time

Start date

September

Location

Hull campus

Apply now

Course content
Modules
Teaching
Careers
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Applying

Why study Pharmacology and Education?

Our MSc in Pharmacology and Education combines advanced study in pharmacology with specialist training in learning, teaching and educational research.

Designed for graduates and healthcare professionals who are passionate about both science and education, the programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become an effective educator, researcher and leader in pharmacology education.

As the only Masters programme in the UK to combine Pharmacology and Education, this unique degree brings together modules from our MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development and our Higher Education Academy-accredited MSc in Health Professions Education. You will develop an in-depth understanding of pharmacology while exploring how people learn, how effective teaching is designed and how educational practice can be enhanced through research and innovation.

You will gain a strong foundation in core pharmacological principles, the clinical relevance of drugs across major organ systems and the processes involved in drug development and clinical trials. Alongside this, you will develop expertise in learning and teaching, assessment design, curriculum development and educational research methods.

Throughout the programme, you will explore contemporary challenges in both pharmacology and higher education, developing the critical thinking, analytical and leadership skills required to support future learners and educational communities.

A distinctive feature of the programme is the combination of educational development and industry engagement. Alongside specialist training in pharmacology and education, every student is paired with an industrial mentor through our partnership with global health and nutrition company Reckitt. This provides valuable opportunities to gain insight into how scientific knowledge is applied beyond academia while developing the skills to educate the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.

The programme culminates in a substantial research project focused on generating new knowledge to enhance teaching and learning in pharmacology or the health professions. You will be supported to disseminate your work through conference presentations and publication opportunities, helping you begin your journey as an educational scholar.

Whether your ambitions lie in academia, healthcare education, clinical research, professional training or educational leadership, this programme will equip you with the expertise to make a meaningful impact on future generations of learners.

You may also be interested in our MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development course, which focuses on the discovery, development and clinical application of new medicines.

Who is this programme for?

This MSc welcomes graduates and healthcare professionals who want to combine expertise in pharmacology with the skills to teach, assess and lead healthcare education.

Applicants come from a broad range of scientific, clinical and healthcare backgrounds, including pharmacology, pharmacy, biomedical science, life sciences, medicine and other health-related disciplines.

If you want to develop the skills to inspire future learners while advancing your own career, this programme provides an ideal platform to achieve your goals.

The 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

Watch:

Discover Pharmacology and Education

Course overview

2 mins

A different kind of medical school

Our school

5 mins

Why Pharmacology and Education at Hull York Medical School?

The only Masters programme in the UK to combine Pharmacology and Education

Develop expertise in both pharmacology and evidence-informed educational practice

Learn from specialists in pharmacology, clinical practice, industry and health professions education

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 engagement and mentoring

A distinctive aspect of the programme is the opportunity to learn from both educational specialists and industry professionals.

Through our partnership with Reckitt, every student is paired with an industrial mentor who can provide valuable insight into the application of pharmacology within industry settings. You will also have opportunities to engage with professionals from Reckitt through taught sessions and visits to their state-of-the-art Science and Innovation Centre in Hull.

These experiences complement your studies in pharmacology and education, providing broader perspectives on the translation of scientific knowledge into research, innovation and professional practice.

Research-led education

A key feature of the programme is its emphasis on educational scholarship and research. You will investigate real challenges in teaching and learning within pharmacology and the health professions, applying educational theory and research methods to develop evidence-based solutions.

As part of your dissertation project, you will undertake original research that contributes to the enhancement of pharmacology or health professions education. Our academic team will support you throughout the research process, from project design and ethical approval to dissemination of findings.

Many students also use the programme as a stepping stone towards further study, educational leadership roles or academic careers.

MODULES

The programme is a 180 credit Masters programme, with six core taught modules (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

Module options

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
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
Learning and Teaching
An introduction to the key principles of teaching and learning in the health professions.
Core
20 credits
Assessment and Feedback
Explore key principles and practices underpinning effective assessment and feedback.
Core
20 credits
Research Approaches in Health Professions Education
The module introduces you to key concepts in quantitative and qualitative research to form a research question, plan an appropriate methodological approach and method for data collection and analysis, and write a research proposal.
Core
20 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.
Core
20 credits
Dissertation
Undertake an independent research project focused on a topic at the intersection of pharmacology and education.
Core
60 credits

Teaching and assessment

How is the programme taught?

You will learn from experts in their field who are at the forefront of pharmacology, medicine or medical education. This includes external experts, our own Hull Health Trials Unit, pharmacology academics and our Health Professions Education Unit.

Tutors on the programme are leading scholars and practising experts in either a clinical, industry, academic or educational background. As well as learning from their expertise, you will be challenged to think differently and develop skills to become a self-directed learner, equipping 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 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.

Teaching and assessment

How is the programme assessed?

You will be assessed on each module using a range of approaches, including written assignments, oral presentations, online activities and a dissertation. Please see the individual modules for assessment details.

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 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. You will receive feedback on these assessments to help you understand your marks and support your academic development.

HULL YORK MEDICAL SCHOOL Stories

The MSc in Pharmacology and Education provides a deep insight into therapeutics, while allowing you to develop your knowledge and skills as an educator – preparing you to pursue a career in academia.

Programme Director

Dr Nguok Ngie Su

About the programme

Career prospects

Through studying this MSc, you will have the opportunity to expand your pharmacology and therapeutics knowledge as well as gaining insight into the clinical trials process. The course will equip you with practical knowledge to deliver exceptional teaching, assessment and research. This skillset is key for multiple roles within the industrial, medical and academic sectors.

This course will provide you with expertise to help you become a pharmacology educator and will be useful for those wishing to follow an academic or clinical academic career. In addition, this MSc will give you the knowledge and experience to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry and is likely to open job opportunities in drug safety, quality, regulation and compliance.

You will also develop the skills to allow you to further your academic career by pursuing a PhD.

Intercalation

An ideal option for intercalation

The MSc in Pharmacology and Education 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 possibilities such as Medical Advisers.

Discover intercalation

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: £12,420
Part-time (2 years): £6,210

International (including EU)

Full-time: £28,200
Part-time (2 years): £14,100

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.