About the course
In the pharmaceutical industry, there is a real need for skilled graduates with up-to-the-minute understanding of this fast-evolving field. This course gives you the knowledge you need to be a professional scientist, able to work in areas where there are significant skills gaps.
This BSc (Hons) degree integrates the development of drug, cosmetic and hygiene products with emerging areas such as systems biology, pharmacogenetics and translational medicine – areas which directly address the needs of the UK pharmaceutical industry.
Drawing on the School of Life Sciences’ established strengths in biomedical research, the course starts by giving you a common core of chemical, biomedical and pharmaceutical knowledge. The emphasis then shifts to deeper study of areas such as medicinal chemistry; drug discovery; drug development; and pharmacology. You also explore business aspects of the pharmaceutical and associated industries, looking at how science has evolved to meet current industry demands.
Why choose this course?
- Benefit from a degree that trains you in both the traditional areas of pharmaceutical research and new, emerging areas important for the future of the pharmaceutical industry
- Follow a career in a field that is one of the most research-led in the UK and includes pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agrochemicals and veterinary medicine
- Gain a sought-after qualification in an area - such as systems pharmacology and medicinal chemistry – where a projected major skills gap has been identified
- Study a curriculum aligned to the areas of need identified by the British Pharmacological Society, including public health science and healthcare policy
- Gain valuable work experience through the School of Life Sciences’ strong links to the clinical and industrial sectors
- Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry, gaining work experience, building your CV and making contacts for the future
- If you need to step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year which guarantees a place on the degree course
Course Leader - Dr Gerta Cami-Kobeci
She joined the School of Life Sciences (SLS) as a Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Science Programme in January 2020, having previously lectured Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Hertfordshire. Gerta obtained her MPharm degree at Tirana University and PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Bath.
About the course
The Bedfordshire International Foundation Year (IFY) offers guaranteed progression* to a wide range of our undergraduate degrees, for those applicants who do not have the required qualifications or English language proficiency to join the first year of their chosen subject.
The IFY will help you improve your English language level, enhance your study and IT skills and increase your subject knowledge. This will help you succeed when you progress on to your main degree programme.
*subject to successful completion of the course
Why choose Bedfordshire International Foundation Year?
Unlike many university International Foundation programmes, The Bedfordshire IFY is delivered by the University of Bedfordshire and at the University of Bedfordshire. You will be a University of Bedfordshire student from day one.
The IFY offers guaranteed progression to over 75 bachelor’s degree programmes, via eight different pathways.
Each pathway is designed to accommodate students with a range of English language abilities from IELTS 4.5 upwards, and aims to take students up to IELTS 6.0 overall, or above, which is the requirement for undergraduate courses at the University of Bedfordshire.
The course also covers academic skills necessary to thrive in UK Higher Education and enables students to progress to their undergraduate degree, fully prepared and confident to face the challenges of a level 4 programme of study. Each pathway also offers a broadly subject-specific unit in the second semester, delivered by specialist staff from the relevant faculty, to offer you a programme specific to your subject area, as well as meeting your linguistic needs. In some cases, you may join an existing class for this session, further embedding you into university life.
Units
- Cell Biology (BHS012-1) Compulsory
- Chemistry (BHS022-1) Compulsory
- Human Anatomy And Physiology (BHS004-1) Compulsory
- Microbiology And Biochemistry (BHS002-1) Compulsory
- Molecular Genetics (BHS016-1) Compulsory
- Skills In Pharmaceutical Sciences (BHS011-1) Compulsory
- Drug Development (BHS024-2) Compulsory
- Human Metabolism (BHS023-2) Compulsory
- Immunology (BHS027-2) Compulsory
- Medical Physiology (BHS026-2) Compulsory
- Medicinal Chemistry And Pharmaceutical Business Development (BHS025-2) Compulsory
- Pharmacology (BHS021-2) Compulsory
- Skills In Science (BHS022-2) Compulsory
- Biomaterials For Drug And Cosmetic Formulation (BHS030-3) Compulsory
- Pharmaceutical Science Research Project (BHS026-3) Compulsory
- Pharmacogenetics (BHS028-3) Compulsory
- Pharmacology Of Disease (BHS032-3) Compulsory
- Systems Biology (BHS027-3) Compulsory
- Toxicology (BHS031-3) Compulsory
- Translational Medicine (BHS029-3) Compulsory
Assessment is integral in all units to check that you have met the threshold standards expected of all graduates. They are also linked to learning, designed to develop key subject-specific and transferable skills for future employment. The requirements of each assessment will be detailed in a formal assessment brief document and discussed in teaching sessions. Units with single assessments will be supported by formative development. The assessment tasks will include: - End of unit examination (unseen written examinations); - Problem-based learning, based on case studies, with poster presentation of findings; - Laboratory notebook and laboratory reports; - Literature review; - Business proposal; Oral presentation. Students are actively supported through their assessments both directly in subject specific areas by tutors, and by working with the Study Hub to provide targeted workshops to support academic skills development. The focal areas include an introduction to academic integrity, developing good academic practice, scientific writing, use of statistics, and communication of science to diverse audiences including presentation skills also aligned to assessment requirements. Throughout course delivery workshops and tutorials are used to support the development of academic skills, alongside the learning and the assessment process. All in-course assessments are supported by timetabled, interactive tutorial sessions with formative assessment tasks, as appropriate. In addition, assessments that are based around practical work will involve a briefing before, and a session after the laboratory work to explain further the expectations of the assessment and support specific tasks such as data analysis. Examinations are supported by timetabled revision sessions and by workshop sessions covering examples of past examinations and the expectations of examination questions at each level. To assist our learners, assignment briefs a uniform set of information and a consistent set of assessment criteria across the course. At the start of each level, students are given introductory session(s) that set out the expectations for each year. For entry points, several sessions are used to provide guidance and support to students joining the University. These provide details of support for the development of academic skills and learning from the School, the Study Hub and initiatives such as peer-assisted learning (PASS scheme). For students progressing between levels, introductory sessions are also provided to ensure the students are aware of the change in expectations of learning and assessment. This will flag areas such as expectations for increased selfdirected learning, critical thinking and analysis that are expected as students go through the learning process. A key aim for the school is the integration of transferable skills within learning and assessment to enhance employability. Our courses build awareness of business applications of knowledge with assessments that develop practical ideas and employability. This is supported by the Universitys Careers and Employability service throughout the course.
Why Study in the School of Life Sciences?
- Specialist laboratories in new £40m STEM building
- 92% satisfaction with Biological Science, NSS 2020
Entry Requirements
To learn more about the following UCAS entry requirement tariffs:
- 80 – 96 tariff points
- 96 – 112 tariff points
- 112- 120 tariff points
and information on qualifications to achieve those points visit beds.ac.uk/entryrequirements
You can check your qualifications are valid for UK universities through the UCAS Tariff Calculator
For International and EU entry requirements please visit your country page
Don't forget you may be eligible for one of our scholarships or bursaries
Entry Requirements
To learn more about the following UCAS entry requirement tariffs:
- 80 – 96 tariff points
- 96 – 112 tariff points
- 112- 120 tariff points
and information on qualifications to achieve those points visit beds.ac.uk/entryrequirements
You can check your qualifications are valid for UK universities through the UCAS Tariff Calculator
For International and EU entry requirements please visit your country page
Don't forget you may be eligible for one of our scholarships or bursaries
Graduates from this course may progress into diverse careers related to pharmaceutical and chemical sciences, including in academic or commercial research and development, or management and policy related roles in local and national government agencies.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
