Venues

King's Buildings Campus

Content

Pharmacology is the study of how drugs produce effects on the body to treat disorders or change bodily functions. It brings together physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology.

You will study the effects of drugs on molecules, cells and tissues within the body and examine the side effects of drugs and the factors that affect, absorption, distribution and excretion.

Research in pharmacology aims to develop a better understanding of drug action and produce new drugs to improve patient care.

Year 1:
The main area you will study in Year 1 is the importance of biomedical sciences to medicine and health. You will learn how biomedical science discoveries and breakthroughs have led to medical and scientific advancement.

Year 2:
In Year 2, your studies will focus on the foundational understanding of biomedical sciences. This includes essential learning in biomedical disciplines.

Year 3:
In Year 3, your studies will focus more on your chosen subject area within biomedical sciences. Your courses will consider the concept of developing knowledge from experiments.

Year 4:
In your final year, your studies will centre on the idea of research in practice.

You will study one compulsory course - Drugs, Receptors and Therapeutics.

With individual support from a supervisor, you will complete a major research project.

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry:
4 Highers at AABB (by end of S5 preferred) including Biology and Chemistry. Maths or Physics recommended plus Maths at B and English at National 5. Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry recommended.

For entry to second year you would need Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry at AB or BA plus the above.

Widening access entry:
4 Highers at ABBB (by end of S6) including Biology and Chemistry. Maths or Physics recommended plus Maths at B and English at National 5. Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry recommended. Highers at BBB must be achieved in one sitting.