MSc in Pharmacology
Provided by University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division
About the course
The course is taught over one year from October to September, comprising three 10-week terms and a fourth summer term.
The first term covers core material using lectures, tutorials and practical work, and aims to ensure that all students achieve the core knowledge of the principles and practice of pharmacology. The subjects covered include cell and receptor pharmacology, tissue and organ pharmacology, and pharmacology of the nervous system. At the end of the term, students sit a computer-based qualifying exam; passing this exam allows them to continue the course.
At the start of the second term, students follow a short course in quantitative pharmacology, covering aspects of receptor pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.
During the following weeks, students attend lectures in advanced pharmacology topics which represent the research expertise of academic staff in the department. The lectures are organised into five themes or modules
- Cell Signalling
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Neuropharmacology I: Neurodegeneration
- Neuropharmacology II: Psychopharmacology
- Drug Discovery
Lectures are combined with weekly laboratory sessions, discussion forums, journal clubs and small group tutorials to promote critical analysis of primary research literature.
Students are expected to spend 15 hours per week on independent reading throughout the first and second terms.
The third term is mainly taken up by a hypothesis-driven research project which is expected to involve four months of experimental work, extending throughout the term and into the long vacation term.
Applicants are advised to visit the Department of Pharmacology website to obtain further information on current research themes.
Attendance
The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.
Resources to support your study
As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.
The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.
The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.
The Department of Pharmacology offers excellent IT facilities and support, up-to-date lecture and seminar room facilities. Meeting rooms are also available for social and networking events organised by the department and its students.
The department is well-equipped with state-of-the-art scientific equipment for electrophysiology, proteomic studies, confocal and live imaging, and molecular biology.
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course, either within the Department of Pharmacology or other University departments, is the responsibility of the Department of Pharmacology and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Project supervisors may be found outside the Department of Pharmacology subject to approval from the department.
Most students have the opportunity to meet their supervisors on a weekly basis during their research project.
Students also have the opportunity to meet termly with the Course Director, who acts as academic supervisor, to discuss academic progress
In the case of students who require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to a new range of skills, the Course Director will ensure additional support is provided.
Assessment
The short quantitative course, which takes place at the start of the second term, will be examined in a written paper.
The material covered during the advanced pharmacology modules is examined in a two-part paper at the start of the third term. In this exam students are required to:
- demonstrate synoptic knowledge of advanced topics in writing;
- critically analyse a research article.
At the end of the third term, students submit their dissertation and produce a poster presenting their research project. The latter forms the basis for a final oral examination.
Graduate destinations
In the past few years, of the students who graduated from the course, around 60% pursued further postgraduate studies (PhD, MD/PhD and MBA) and 15% found employment in research positions either in academia or industry shortly after graduation. The remainder embarked in careers in medical communications (10%) and in consultancy (10%). A minority chose careers in other sectors (5%), eg medical sales, patent lawyers and regulatory affairs.
Changes to this course and your supervision
The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.
Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.
For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.
College preference
Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs).
If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief introduction to the college system at Oxford and our advice about expressing a college preference .
If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide.
The following colleges accept students on the MSc in Pharmacology:
- Balliol College
- Christ Church
- Corpus Christi College
- Exeter College
- Green Templeton College
- Harris Manchester College
- Hertford College
- Keble College
- Kellogg College
- Lady Margaret Hall
- Linacre College
- Lincoln College
- Magdalen College
- New College
- Oriel College
- The Queen's College
- Reuben College
- St Anne's College
- St Catherine's College
- St Cross College
- St Edmund Hall
- St Hilda's College
- St Hugh's College
- St Peter's College
- Somerville College
- University College
- Wadham College
- Wolfson College
- Worcester College
- Wycliffe Hall
Enquire
| Start date | Venue | |
|---|---|---|
| 06 Oct 2025 | Distance learning | Book now |