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University of Oxford: Pharmacology
| Institution | University of Oxford |
|---|---|
| Department | Pharmacology |
| Web | http://www.ox.ac.uk/study |
| graduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | +44 (0)1865 270059 |
DPhil
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MSc by Research The MSc by Research in Pharmacology aims to train students in one of the following research areas: cell signalling, cardiovascular pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, or neuropharmacology.
Prospective applicants are required to identify a potential Departmental supervisor(s) to develop a research project which is submitted as part of the online application.
The course does not involve taught modules examined by written papers. However, MRes students can attend lecture courses at a taught master’s level and foundation or preliminary level, as appropriate.
Lecture modules include:
-
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
-
Cell Signalling
-
Neuropharmacology
-
Neurodegeneration
-
Psychopharmacology
-
Drug Discovery.
There is also a wide range of courses and workshops that MRes students are able to attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for their research or general academic skills.
DPhil The DPhil in Pharmacology (DPhil) is a research-based course at Oxford, offering projects in molecular pharmacology, drug discovery, neuropharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, and more, within a world-renowned department.
A typical day or week in the first two to three years of the course will mostly focus on lab work and data collection and analysis. It will also involve reading of the literature, attendance of departmental seminars, lab meetings and skills training. Once sufficient progress has been made, laboratory research will taper off and efforts will focus on data analysis and interpretation and writing of the thesis.
DPhil students in the department are also offered the opportunity to be formally trained in, and to participate in, some elements of teaching to undergraduate students (eg as teaching assistants during practical classes in pharmacology for undergraduate students).
Prospective applicants are required to identify a potential departmental supervisor(s) to outline a research project to be submitted as part of the online application.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MSc by Research The MSc by Research in Pharmacology aims to train students in one of the following research areas: cell signalling, cardiovascular pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, or neuropharmacology.
Prospective applicants are required to identify a potential Departmental supervisor(s) to develop a research project which is submitted as part of the online application.
The course does not involve taught modules examined by written papers. However MRes students can attend lecture courses at a taught master’s level and foundation or preliminary level, as appropriate.
Lecture modules include:
-
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
-
Cell Signalling
-
Neuropharmacology
-
Neurodegeneration
-
Psychopharmacology
-
Drug Discovery.
There is also a wide range of courses and workshops that MRes students are able to attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for their research or general academic skills.
DPhil The DPhil in Pharmacology offers a wide range of cutting-edge research topics within a multi-disciplinary and world-renowned department.
Projects are offered across a broad range of sub-disciplines, including:
-
molecular and cellular pharmacology
-
calcium signalling
-
medicinal chemistry
-
drug discovery
-
cardio-vascular pharmacology
-
neuropharmacology
-
lysosomal disorders.
A typical day or week in the first two to three years of the course will mostly focus on lab work and data collection and analysis. It will also involve reading of the literature, attendance of departmental seminars, lab meetings and skills training. Once sufficient progress has been made, laboratory research will taper off and efforts will focus on data analysis and interpretation and writing of the thesis.
DPhil students in the department are also offered the opportunity to be formally trained in, and to participate in, some elements of teaching to undergraduate students (eg as teaching assistants during practical classes in pharmacology for undergraduate students).
Prospective applicants are required to identify a potential departmental supervisor(s) to outline a research project to be submitted as part of the online application.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
MSc
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The MSc in Pharmacology is a one-year taught course combining training in theoretical and applied knowledge of pharmacology principles to pre-clinical research in cell signalling, cardiovascular pharmacology, neuropharmacology and drug discovery.
Course structure 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 students achieve the core knowledge of the principles and practice of pharmacology. At the end of the term, you will sit a computer-based qualifying exam; passing this exam allows you to continue the course.
At the start of the second term, you will follow a short course in quantitative pharmacology.
During the following weeks, you will 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.
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.
Applicants are advised to visit the Department of Pharmacology website to obtain further information on current research themes.
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
The aim of the MSc taught course in Pharmacology is to provide students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical training that will enable them to integrate post-genomic molecular biology with physiological function and drug discovery.
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.
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
MSc (Res)
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MSc by Research The MSc by Research in Pharmacology aims to train students in one of the following research areas: cell signalling, cardiovascular pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, or neuropharmacology.
Prospective applicants are required to identify a potential Departmental supervisor(s) to develop a research project which is submitted as part of the online application.
The course does not involve taught modules examined by written papers. However, MRes students can attend lecture courses at a taught master’s level and foundation or preliminary level, as appropriate.
Lecture modules include:
-
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
-
Cell Signalling
-
Neuropharmacology
-
Neurodegeneration
-
Psychopharmacology
-
Drug Discovery.
There is also a wide range of courses and workshops that MRes students are able to attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for their research or general academic skills.
DPhil The DPhil in Pharmacology (DPhil) is a research-based course at Oxford, offering projects in molecular pharmacology, drug discovery, neuropharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, and more, within a world-renowned department.
A typical day or week in the first two to three years of the course will mostly focus on lab work and data collection and analysis. It will also involve reading of the literature, attendance of departmental seminars, lab meetings and skills training. Once sufficient progress has been made, laboratory research will taper off and efforts will focus on data analysis and interpretation and writing of the thesis.
DPhil students in the department are also offered the opportunity to be formally trained in, and to participate in, some elements of teaching to undergraduate students (eg as teaching assistants during practical classes in pharmacology for undergraduate students).
Prospective applicants are required to identify a potential departmental supervisor(s) to outline a research project to be submitted as part of the online application.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
Summary
The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
MSc by Research The MSc by Research in Pharmacology aims to train students in one of the following research areas: cell signalling, cardiovascular pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, or neuropharmacology.
Prospective applicants are required to identify a potential Departmental supervisor(s) to develop a research project which is submitted as part of the online application.
The course does not involve taught modules examined by written papers. However MRes students can attend lecture courses at a taught master’s level and foundation or preliminary level, as appropriate.
Lecture modules include:
-
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
-
Cell Signalling
-
Neuropharmacology
-
Neurodegeneration
-
Psychopharmacology
-
Drug Discovery.
There is also a wide range of courses and workshops that MRes students are able to attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for their research or general academic skills.
DPhil The DPhil in Pharmacology offers a wide range of cutting-edge research topics within a multi-disciplinary and world-renowned department.
Projects are offered across a broad range of sub-disciplines, including:
-
molecular and cellular pharmacology
-
calcium signalling
-
medicinal chemistry
-
drug discovery
-
cardio-vascular pharmacology
-
neuropharmacology
-
lysosomal disorders.
A typical day or week in the first two to three years of the course will mostly focus on lab work and data collection and analysis. It will also involve reading of the literature, attendance of departmental seminars, lab meetings and skills training. Once sufficient progress has been made, laboratory research will taper off and efforts will focus on data analysis and interpretation and writing of the thesis.
DPhil students in the department are also offered the opportunity to be formally trained in, and to participate in, some elements of teaching to undergraduate students (eg as teaching assistants during practical classes in pharmacology for undergraduate students).
Prospective applicants are required to identify a potential departmental supervisor(s) to outline a research project to be submitted as part of the online application.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
| Entry requirements | For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas |
| Location | University of Oxford University Offices Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JD |
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