Pharmacology with Foundation

Pharmacology is the science of how drugs and other chemical substances interact with biological systems. It sits at the heart of medicine, clinical practice, and the pharmaceutical industry, providing the mechanistic understanding that connects molecular biology to the treatment of disease. From the development of new medicines to the regulation of existing ones, pharmacologists underpin the entire life cycle of drugs and therapeutics.

This four-year programme at Reading includes a foundation year, giving you a solid scientific grounding before you progress into the full pharmacology degree. The foundation year is designed to build the knowledge in chemistry, biology, and related sciences that the subsequent degree demands, providing a genuine pathway into the subject for students who meet the enthusiasm and aptitude requirements even if their prior qualifications are at the 104 UCAS point level. Once into the main programme, you will study how drugs act at cellular and molecular levels, how they are absorbed, distributed, and eliminated by the body, and how they are developed and tested for clinical use.

The programme runs full time across its four years.

Graduates in pharmacology enter careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, working in drug discovery, pre-clinical and clinical research, regulatory affairs, and medical communications. The NHS and other healthcare systems also employ pharmacologists in research, medicines management, and policy roles. Many graduates proceed to postgraduate study, whether to a research degree in pharmacology or a related discipline, or to professional qualifications in areas such as clinical research, toxicology, or pharmacy.

The field is consistently in demand, and the foundation year route makes it accessible to a wider range of students than traditional entry routes.