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 2023

Location Primarily based at the University of Hull*

Discover Pharmacology and Education

Course content
Teaching and assessment
Careers
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Applying

About the programme

Now more than ever, Pharmacology plays a critical role in healthcare. If you are interested in becoming a pharmacology educator or clinical researcher, and passing on your expertise to the next generation of pharmacology students and colleagues, the MSc in Pharmacology and Education is ideal.

This programme combines modules from the MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development programme with our Higher Education Academy-accredited MSc in Health Professions Education programme.

Our MSc in Pharmacology and Education will provide you with a unique opportunity to advance your pharmacology knowledge alongside developing as an educator.

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.

As well as learning from their expertise, you will be challenged to think differently, to become a reflective practitioner, and to 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 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.

*You will be based predominantly at the University of Hull. The optional education modules are delivered primarily through distance learning, with optional face-to-face opportunities at the University of York campus.

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CONTACT US

pgtadmissions@hyms.ac.uk 01904 321690

Dr Laura Sadofsky,
Programme Director

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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).

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.

Intercalating at Hull York

Student examining fluorescence microscopy image

Medicine students on a hospital ward at Hull Royal Infirmary

Pharmacology students and staff working in the lab

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.

Teaching and assessment

How is the programme assessed?

Assessments take place throughout your programme and include oral presentations, essays, project work, group wikis and abstract and clinical trial protocol reviews. Details of these are included with the module information.

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.

Support and wellbeing

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 an insight into the clinical trials process. Alongside this, the course will equip you with practical knowledge to deliver exceptional teaching, assessment and research. This skill set 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 knowledge and experience to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry and can open job opportunities in drug safety, quality, regulation and compliance.

Through studying this Masters, you will also develop the skills to allow you for further your academic career by pursing a PhD.

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 students

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: 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)

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Fees listed are for 2023 entry; fees for subsequent years are subject to confirmation as fees are reviewed on an annual basis and may change.

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.