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Postgraduate

MSc in

Pharmacology and Education

This MSc is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the clinical, basic science and industrial aspects of pharmacology, alongside developing the skills to deliver exceptional teaching, assessment, course design and educational research – so you can inspire and lead in pharmacology education.

Course length 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Start date September 2025
Location Hull campus*
MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development

Discover Pharmacology and Education

About the programme

Now more than ever, Pharmacology plays a critical role in healthcare. Our MSc in Pharmacology and Education provides a unique opportunity to pass on your expertise to the next generation of pharmacology students and colleagues as a pharmacology educator or clinical researcher.

This course, which combines modules from the MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development with our Higher Education Academy-accredited MSc in Health Professions Education, is the only Master's programme in the UK to combine Pharmacology and Education.

Successful applicants come from a wide range of backgrounds, including clinical, pharmaceutical, biomedical, life or basic sciences, which creates a unique, stimulating and collaborative environment.

The MSc in Pharmacology and Education will provide you with a unique opportunity to advance your pharmacology knowledge while developing as an educator. The educational training and teaching opportunities may provide graduates with sufficient experience to successfully apply for Fellowship or Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy depending on experience (providing the post-nominal letters FHEA or AFHEA).

You will learn from experts in their field who are at the forefront of pharmacology, medicine or medical education. This includes external experts, our own clinical trials unit, pharmacology academics and our Health Professions Education Unit.

Tutors on the programme are leading scholars and practising experts in either a clinical, industry, academic or educational background. As well as learning from their expertise, you will be challenged to think differently and develop skills to become a self-directed learner.

The MSc programme is built around core modules that cover the fundamental principles of pharmacology, the clinical relevance of drugs for the major organ systems and the fundamental processes involved in clinical trials. Alongside the pharmacology component, there are core modules covering learning and teaching, assessment, and research methods to train the educators of tomorrow.

You will finish your year with us by conducting a significant research project focussing on generation of novel data to support and improve pharmacology education for both science or medical professions. We will support you to increase your chances of getting your work published. 

This course is an ideal option for intercalation. Read on to find out more.

You may also be interested in our MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development course.

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CONTACT US

pgtadmissions@hyms.ac.uk 01904 321690
Laura Sadofsky

Dr Laura Sadofsky,
Programme Director

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Meet the Programme Director

Book a one-to-one chat with Dr Laura Sadofsky to learn more about our MSc in Pharmacology and Education.

Get the answers to your questions about the course, studying at Hull York Medical School, support, finance and more.

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Course content

Modules

The programme is a 180 credit Master’s programme, with six core taught modules (20 credits each), and a core research project/dissertation (60 credits).

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

Teaching and assessment

How is the programme taught?

We place an emphasis on helping you to develop the self-directed learning skills that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as allowing you to flourish academically in your programme.

With our philosophy of research-led teaching, you will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and independent study. Some of these sessions maybe online, whilst others will involve external speakers. This combination of different teaching activities allows you to broaden and deepen your learning around the topics in this programme.

Pipetting in a flume cupboard

Teaching and assessment

How is the programme assessed?

You will be assessed on each module using a range of approaches, including written assignments, oral presentations, online activities and a dissertation. Please see the individual modules for assessment details.

There are two types of assessment:

  • Formative assessments: These are designed to provide you with an opportunity to obtain helpful feedback to enable you to develop your understanding of the both the type of assessment and the topic. They do not contribute to the final award mark.
  • Summative assessments: These assessments count towards the final module mark. They take place during and towards the end of each module. Feedback will be given for these assessments to help you understand the mark obtained but also to help with your academic development.

Teaching and assessment

What support is available?

This MSc is intensive and challenging but ultimately hugely rewarding. In addition to the student support services at the University of Hull, we also have our own dedicated student support team providing a range of pastoral services to all our Hull York Medical School students.

This programme develops you to become a self-directed learner – and therefore a lifelong learner. This may be a new skill to you to learn, but you will not be on your own; you will benefit from small teaching groups and high contact hours during your programme, so you always have someone to help you throughout your learning.

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Laura Sadofsky

HULL YORK MEDICAL SCHOOL Stories

The MSc in Pharmacology and Education provides a deep insight into therapeutics, while allowing you to develop your knowledge and skills as an educator – preparing you to pursue a career in academia.
Programme Director

Dr Laura Sadofsky

About the programme

Career prospects

Through studying this MSc, you will have the opportunity to expand your pharmacology and therapeutics knowledge as well as gaining insight into the clinical trials process. The course will equip you with practical knowledge to deliver exceptional teaching, assessment and research. This skillset is key for multiple roles within the industrial, medical and academic sectors.

This course will provide you with expertise to help you become a pharmacology educator and will be useful for those wishing to follow an academic or clinical academic career. In addition, this MSc will give you the knowledge and experience to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry and is likely to open job opportunities in drug safety, quality, regulation and compliance.

In the medical sector, an intercalating MSc can have a significant impact on your potential career opportunities. Understanding the science of medicines improves prescribing and can also open up possibilities such as Medical Advisers.

You will also develop the skills to allow you to further your academic career by pursuing a PhD.

Doctor desk with medical equipment, stethoscope and clinic tonometer and blood pressure measurement
Student examining fluorescence microscopy image
Medicine students on a hospital ward at Hull Royal Infirmary

Intercalation

An ideal option for intercalation

The MSc in Pharmacology and Education will help give intercalating medical students a deeper understanding and appreciation of prescribing.

In the medical sector, an intercalating MSc can have a significant impact on your application to deaneries and your potential career prospects. Understanding the science of medicines improves prescribing and can also open up possibilities such as Medical Advisers.

Discover intercalation

Entry

Entry requirements

Applicants must have previous training in human or mammalian biology (e.g. graduates from medical, biomedical, or biological undergraduate courses) and other related fields with a minimum 2.2 (Hons) degree or equivalent.

Intercalating medical students must have successfully completed a minimum of three years of an MB BS or comparable medical qualification.

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have one of the following:

  • IELTS: 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each component
  • PTE Academic: 61, with no less than 55 in each component
  • CAE and CPE (from January 2015): 176, with no less than 169 in each component
  • TOEFL: 87, with a minimum of 21 in each component
  • Trinity ISE: level 3 with Merit in all components
  • LangCert B2 Communicator High Pass (minimum score 33/50)
  • WASSCE: C5

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Fees listed are for 2025 entry. Fees are reviewed on an annual basis and may change for subsequent years.

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (Home) or International (including EU) student. Check your fee status on the University of York website.

UK (Home)

  • Full-time: £11,200
  • Part-time (2 years): £5,600

International (including EU)

  • Full-time: £25,900
  • Part-time (2 years): £12,950*

Applicants who are self-funded and assessed by the University of Hull as paying the overseas tuition fee rate are required to pay a non-refundable deposit at the point of offer. A place will not be guaranteed until the full deposit has been received. The University reserves the right to stop accepting deposit payments once course places are full and, as a result, may defer an offer to the next available intake. Find out more about the University of Hull Tuition Fee Deposit.

* The part-time study option is only available to international students who do not require a visa to study in the UK.

Funding

There are a number of funding options available to help with costs and support your postgraduate study. To apply for funding, you will need to hold an offer to study at Hull York Medical School.

Postgraduate Taught Widening Access Scholarship

The Widening Access Scholarship, offered as a £4,800 fee reduction, is available to two UK applicants who meet our eligibility criteria.

Hull York Medical School Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarships

Two International Scholarships, offered as a 20% reduction in tuition fees, are available to eligible applicants.

Graduate scholarship

A 10% reduction in tuition fees is available to graduates of the University of Hull and University of York.

Hull York Medical School Intercalated Student Bursaries

We offer two bursaries worth 50% of the tuition fee to intercalating Hull York Medical School MB BS students who meet widening participation criteria.

Intercalated Student Bursary

Two £2,400 bursaries are available for intercalating Medicine students from other UK medical schools who meet our eligibility criteria.

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applying

How to apply

To apply, please submit an online application on the University of York website.

You don’t need to complete your application all at once - you can save and finish it later.

Applications to this programme for September 2025 entry will close to overseas applicants on 30th June 2025 and to home applicants on 31st July 2025. 

Further information

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