Pharmaceutical courses

About Pharmaceutical Sciences in Cardiff Metropolitan University

Course Overview

​This degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focuses on meeting the important societal need for appropriately qualified graduates in the pharmaceutical/life sciences sector. The course will be delivered in collaboration with our numerous contacts within the pharmaceutical sector, and will combine emphasis on the roles that the pharmaceutical sector contributes within society, with a series of fundamental science-based modules in pharmacology, toxicology, molecular biology, human anatomy and physiology, cell biology and genetics, infection and immunity, and biochemistry. 

Nutraceuticals Pathway

To capitalise on Cardiff Met’s particular strengths in the use of natural food products in a pharmaceutical setting, a ‘nutraceuticals’ option pathway is available on this degree.

Emphasis will be placed on the practical study of drug design, and the therapeutic and toxic effects of drugs on human tissues and systems. In practical sessions (based both in our bespoke pharmaceutical sciences laboratory, and in our general teaching laboratories), you will develop your competence with regard to relevant laboratory-based techniques, and your understanding of the use of these techniques to explore themes relevant to the pharmaceutical sector. 

You will also have the opportunity to study the research and development, manufacture, governance, and commercial activities of the pharmaceutical industry. External speakers will provide first-hand insights of the activities of, and career opportunities within, the pharmaceutical sector. Importantly, during a placement year (between the second and final years of your programme), you will gain valuable industrial experience by applying your knowledge/understanding of pharmaceutical science to a professional setting. This will allow you to develop your portfolio of relevant skills, competencies and expertise, and hence enhance your employability profile.

In addition to vocational graduate-level career prospects within the pharmaceutical industry, opportunities for further study are excellent and include other health-related higher degrees at Cardiff Met (at MSc, MRes and PhD level).

Employability & Careers

It is projected (see Business News Wales, 27/6/18) that Wales’s life sciences sector (of which the pharmaceutical industry is the biggest component) will jump from £23m in 2015 to £42m in 2027; thus, hundreds of extra jobs and tens of millions of pounds of growth will be added to the Welsh economy. 

BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences is a vocationally-focused programme, and its primary aims are for graduates to progress onto a career in the pharmaceutical sector, and to meet the important societal/sector need for appropriately qualified graduates in the growing pharmaceutical/life sciences sector. 

The pharmaceutical research activities of many of our research-active academics, and the availability of collaborators/stakeholders within the Welsh/UK/International pharmaceutical sector (both via the MediWales network, and via direct contact with existing partners), allow us to deliver innovative research/industry-informed ‘authentic learning’. Particular strengths at Cardiff Met in this regard include: 

• use of food products in a pharmaceutical setting (“nutraceuticals” – please note that, for those particularly interested in the ‘functional foods’ field, a 60-credit option pathway focusing on this theme is available); 
• exercise/sport-related applications of pharmaceutical products; 
• ageing/degenerative disease-related applications of pharmaceutical products); 
• the superior nature of our excellent laboratory facilities (including those within Cardiff Met’s Food Industry Centre). 

Finally, with regard to postgraduate study, existing opportunities within our department include MRes Health Science (Biomedical Sciences pathway), or MSc Biomedical Science, both of which would be attractive options for BSc Pharmaceutical Science graduates.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, include one English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U), minimum 60%

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS      :      6.0 overall* with no sub score lower than 5.5
• PTE         :      Overall - 52, Reading - 51, Speaking - 51,Listening - 51,Writing - 51

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