Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Sciences

Benefit from teaching by expert staff with first-hand experience of pharmacy practice and the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Put your learning into practice with our innovative facilities including simulated environments and industry-standard equipment and laboratories. Apply your on-campus studies to relevant work experience opportunities and placements.

Three pharmacy students working together during a clinical skills session in the mock hospital ward

We offer undergraduate courses in Pharmacy, Biopharmaceutical Science, Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Cosmetic Science.

At postgraduate level you can study MScs in Drug Discovery and Development, Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Formulations, and Cosmetic Science, or extend your professional development as a pharmacist with a range of qualifications including Clinical Pharmacy (PGDip and MSc available), OSPAP, and the Trainee Pharmacist Foundation Programme.

A student dressed in a white lab coat and protective eyewear working at a fume hood in a pharmaceutical lab

Learn from expert staff who are at the forefront of current practice and research through their links with regional trusts and multinational companies.

Work in state-of-the-art clinical spaces including mock hospital wards and simulation suites, or in industry-standard laboratories with a range of analytical equipment.

Network with employers through placements, guest lectures, industry visits, and mentoring.

Why us?

We’re proud to be shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024

1st

Our Pharmacy and Pharmacology courses are 1st in the UK

Guardian University Guide 2025
100 years

We have over 100 years of expertise in teaching pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

GPhC accreditation

Our MPharm Pharmacy degree is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council

(GPhC)
Common first year

BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science, BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry share a common first year

Which allows you to easily change course at the end of the first year should another of these routes appeal to you
Placements

We offer longitudinal placements throughout all four years of MPharm Pharmacy, and 'sandwich year' placements for our Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science courses

Our Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science courses

Take a look below to find the right course for you.

Undergraduate courses

Student looking at medication in the pharmacy dispensary
Full-time

(MPharm) Pharmacy

Play a vital role in improving the health of patients. Become an expert in the design, development and therapeutic use of drugs. At Sunderland, we have been teaching pharmacy for almost 100 years, and we are accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council's new standards for pharmacy education.

Find out more about Pharmacy
A student in a white lab coat working in lab
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry

Study life at molecular level. Utilise the latest technologies in genetics, chemistry, computation and analytical sciences. Access expertise and resources that are used by our long-standing Biomedical and Pharmaceutical programmes. Develop transferable skills you can apply in a range of employment situations. Graduate fully equipped to work in pharmaceutics, biological research and clinical and pathological sciences.

Find out more about Biochemistry
Three students working in the Analytical Lab
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Integrated Foundation Year

This is a four-year version of our BSc (Hons) Biohemistry course with an integrated foundation year. Study life at molecular level. Utilise the latest technologies in genetics, chemistry, computation and analytical sciences. Access expertise and resources that are used by our long-standing Biomedical and Pharmaceutical programmes. Develop transferable skills you can apply in a range of employment situations. Graduate fully equipped to work in pharmaceutics, biological research and clinical and pathological sciences.

Find out more about BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Integrated Foundation Year
A student and lecturer carrying out an experiment in the lab
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry

Study small molecule drug discovery and design. Prepare for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or research institute. Be the next generation of chemical and pharmaceutical scientists. Experience a rich and diverse syllabus and learning experience. Benefit from industry and employer-relevant content.

Find out more about Medicinal Chemistry
A student carrying out an experiment in the lab
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry with Integrated Foundation Year

This is a four-year version of our BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry course with an integrated foundation year. Study small molecule drug discovery and design. Prepare for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or research institute. Be the next generation of chemical and pharmaceutical scientists. Experience a rich and diverse syllabus and learning experience. Benefit from industry and employer-relevant content.

Find out more about BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry with Integrated Foundation Year
Student in protective clothing working in lab
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science

Work in the challenging field of drug discovery and development. Play a vital role in sustaining the health and wellbeing of our society. Grow your employability and gain real world experience with a 48-week placement. You could find yourself working with multinational companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca.

Find out more about Biopharmaceutical Science
Two students working in lab
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science with Integrated Foundation Year

This is a four-year version of BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science with an Integrated Foundation Year. Work in the challenging field of drug discovery and development. Play a vital role in sustaining the health and wellbeing of our society. Grow your employability and gain real world experience with a 48-week placement. You could find yourself working with multinational companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca.

Find out more about BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science with Integrated Foundation Year
A cosmetic science student working in the lab
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science

Do you want to be part of an industry that is constantly evolving and generates billions of pounds a year? Our Cosmetic Science course allows you to gain expertise in the formulation, manufacture, regulation and quality control of cosmetic fragrance and personal care products. Enhance your employability with a year-long paid industry placement. Graduate fully equipped to work as a researcher or scientist for the cosmetics industry.

Find out more about Cosmetic Science
Student's hands spooning cream onto a surface beneath a microscope
Full-time

BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science with Integrated Foundation Year

This is a four-year version of our popular BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science course with an integrated foundation year. Gain expertise in the formulation and manufacture of cosmetic, fragrance and personal care products. Join an exciting and growing industry that offers creative and scientific careers and generates billions of pounds a year.

Find out more about BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science with Integrated Foundation Year
a hand feeding rabbits in a cage on a farm
Full-time

FdSc Animal Management

Study a variety of animal-related topics including the fundamentals of animal husbandry and health, introduction to animal biological sciences, conservation and academic skill development. This course is ideal for learners who wish to study and work with animals in a range of contexts and those who wish to go on to further study or employment within the animal management sector.

Find out more about Animal Management
Students sitting in a lecture theatre
Full-time/Part-time

Customised Awards Scheme

Pick and choose the modules you want to study to build a tailor-made course. Available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, this course allows you to gain a qualification that closely matches your particular needs.

Find out more about Customised Awards Scheme

Postgraduate courses

A close up shot of cosmetic science equipment
Full-time

MSc Cosmetic Science

Progress from our established BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science course or a related discipline such as chemical engineering or chemistry. Specialise in the higher-level knowledge and skills required by the cosmetics sector and become employable in it.

Find out more about Cosmetic Science
Pharmacy students working in the mock hospital ward
Part-time

MSc Clinical Pharmacy

The PgDip/MSc in Clinical Pharmacy has been designed to align with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's (RPS) foundation and advanced pharmacist frameworks and the RPS's knowledge summary guides. Gain vital core skills and knowledge necessary to prepare for your role as an advanced pharmacist practitioner and prescriber, and use your portfolio assessments in building your RPS individual pharmacist portfolio.

Find out more about Clinical Pharmacy
Students carrying out a practical in the lab
Full-time

MSc Drug Discovery and Development

Contribute to the discovery and development of drugs that could potentially save millions of lives. Take on practical projects which have previously involved collaborations with leading companies such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Helena Biosciences.

Find out more about Drug Discovery and Development
A student carrying out an experiment in the lab
Full-time

MSc Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Formulations

Develop your knowledge in drug delivery systems for large molecules such as proteins, genes, and anticancer drugs that offer innovative ways to improve the health and wellbeing of our society. Focus on nanotechnology, dosage forms, pharmacokinetics, and statistical methods used in data analysis. Work alongside academics with broad research interests, including formulation of different dosage forms, pharmaceutical analysis, process chemistry, various drug discovery programmes, and drug delivery systems.

Find out more about Pharmaceutical and BioPharmaceutical Formulations
Pharmacy students working in the mock hospital ward
Full-time

PgDip/MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences for the Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme

Already a qualified pharmacist outside the European Economic Area and are looking to qualify as a registered pharmacist in the UK? Earn your qualification in the only University in the North of England to offer an Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme that is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Find out more about Pharmaceutical Sciences for the Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme
Two pharmacy students working in the pharmacy dispensary
Part-time

Trainee Pharmacist Foundation Programme

Further your skills and develop your undergraduate knowledge on the Trainee Pharmacist Foundation Programme. We'll support you with specialist training and provide opportunities for you to network with fellow trainee pharmacists.

Find out more about Trainee Pharmacist Foundation Programme
Pharmacy student putting medication on the shelf in the dispensary
Full-time/Part-time

Clinical Pharmacy via Study Centres

Do you live in Hong Kong and want to study Clinical Pharmacy delivered by a respected UK university? This course covers the principles of clinical pharmacy and a range of therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, dermatology, infections, dermatology, CNS, oncology and palliative care. A Masters qualification is highly sought after by employers and leads to professional progression and elevated levels of employment.

Find out more about Clinical Pharmacy via Study Centres
Student in the library
Full-time/Part-time

MPhil Master of Philosophy

Take your education to the next level. Choose the areas you want to study, and which questions you want to research. Take the initiative while we support you with advice, guidance and facilities.

Find out more about MPhil Master of Philosophy
Medicine
Full-time/Part-time

PhD Doctor of Philosophy

Refine your own agenda and do what you find interesting every day. Develop mastery of research methods that are appropriate to your chosen field. Discover things that no-one else has ever discovered.

Find out more about PhD Doctor of Philosophy
A book
Part-time

PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work

Take the fastest route to a PhD. Convert your previous research outputs into a qualification which will increase your employability and open up new opportunities. Progress your academic career and add credibility in applications for research funding.

Find out more about PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work
A stack of books
Part-time

Higher Doctorate

Take your academic career to the highest level. Make a very significant and sustained contribution to your subject. Gain an elite qualification that will mark you out as an outstanding contributor to your field.

Find out more about Higher Doctorate

Research courses

Partner Centres

Two pharmacy students working in the pharmacy dispensary
Part-time

Trainee Pharmacist Foundation Programme

Further your skills and develop your undergraduate knowledge on the Trainee Pharmacist Foundation Programme. We'll support you with specialist training and provide opportunities for you to network with fellow trainee pharmacists.

Find out more about Trainee Pharmacist Foundation Programme
Pharmacy student putting medication on the shelf in the dispensary
Full-time/Part-time

Clinical Pharmacy via Study Centres

Do you live in Hong Kong and want to study Clinical Pharmacy delivered by a respected UK university? This course covers the principles of clinical pharmacy and a range of therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, dermatology, infections, dermatology, CNS, oncology and palliative care. A Masters qualification is highly sought after by employers and leads to professional progression and elevated levels of employment.

Find out more about Clinical Pharmacy via Study Centres

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