Study pharmaceutical sciences abroad
An in-depth guide to studying pharmaceutical sciences as an international student.
Pharmaceutical sciences degrees abroad
Pharmaceutical sciences is the study of medicines and their effects on the human body. It is a multidisciplinary field encompassing aspects of biology, chemistry, toxicology, engineering, and physiology.
As a pharmaceutical sciences student, you’ll learn about every stage of the drug development process, from design and formulation, through to testing and manufacturing. You’ll explore how human health can be improved through the administration of medicine, and contribute towards pioneering research that could transform the lives of others.
Humans across the globe rely on the work of pharmaceutical scientists for their everyday health and wellbeing. By studying abroad, you’ll gain an appreciation of just how vital the pharmaceutical industry is. You’ll see how health needs and pharmaceutical practices differ across cultures, giving you a more thorough understanding of the field.
Pharmaceutical sciences program structure
There are plenty of options when it comes to studying pharmaceutical sciences. Completing a BSc over a minimum of three years is the most common route taken by students. Most bachelor’s programs will also include a sandwich year between the second and final years of study so that students can get useful industry insight and experience. As such, it’s not uncommon for undergraduate degrees to last upwards of four years.
If you decide to study in the US, you’ll select pharmaceutical sciences as your four-year major. In line with the country’s liberal arts system, you’ll work on your general education for the first two years of your program, before focusing entirely on pharmaceutical sciences-specific modules in the final half of your degree.
Once you’ve gained your BSc, you can enroll in a research-focused postgraduate course. After finishing an MSc in pharmaceutical sciences over one or two years, you can progress onto a PhD course, which usually takes around five years to complete.
Pharmaceutical sciences programs aim to provide you with the theoretical and practical expertise required to forge a successful career in the field. As such, you’ll likely be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and labs.
Although universities around the world will offer different elective modules, most pharmaceutical sciences programs will cover these core areas:
- Fundamentals of pharmaceutical sciences
- Scientific skills and methods in pharmaceutical sciences
- Drug structure
- Biopharmaceutics
- Drug design
- Infection and immunity
- Pharmaceutical policy
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing and control
Types of pharmaceutical sciences degrees
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How to study pharmaceutical sciences abroad
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Pharmaceutical sciences study abroad programs
Pharmaceutical sciences undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in pharmaceutical sciences
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Chemical Engineering / Pharmaceutical Sciences - BEng RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 5 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 40,248 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
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Pharmaceutical Sciences - BPharm Long Island University Brooklyn, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 35,736 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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Pharmaceutical Sciences - BSc Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 17,725 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Pharmaceutical sciences graduate programs
Master's in pharmaceutical sciences
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Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacoeconomics - MSc Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 23,281 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences
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Pharmaceutical Sciences, Environmental Toxicology - PhD Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 24,669 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Future pharmaceutical sciences careers
Pharmaceutical sciences is a fast-growing and ever-changing field. You’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing by working in roles across research, healthcare, academia, and government.
Most graduates go on to have a rewarding and fulfilling career in some of these positions:
- Pharmaceutical scientist
- Clinical research associate
- Biomedical researcher
- Regulatory affairs officer
- Pharmaceutical sales manager
- Medicines adviser
- Science journalist
It’s important to remember that a degree in pharmaceutical sciences does not qualify you to practice as a pharmacist. To gain legal certification as a pharmacist, you’ll need to have a bachelor of pharmacy (BPharm) degree, as well as a master of pharmacy (MPharm) degree.
If you’re unsure of how to land your dream job, talk to your University’s career advice service. They’ll be able to help you with everything from improving your CV, to securing work experience opportunities.
