What Can I Do With a Masters in Pharmacology?

A Masters in Pharmacology helps you understand how medicines and treatments affect the body — and how new ones are developed and tested. Whether you want to work in research, regulation, or industry, it opens the door to a variety of career paths. Taking time to explore what you can do with a Masters in Pharmacology can help you plan your next steps and get the most out of your degree.

So — what can you do with a Masters in Pharmacology?

That’s exactly what this guide is here for. I’ll walk you through the kinds of roles graduates go into — from research and clinical trials to medical writing and policy. We’ll look at some of the usual routes, plus a few you may not have considered. I’ll also tackle questions like “Is a Masters in Pharmacology worth it?” and “What jobs can I actually get?” Hopefully, by the end, you’ll feel a bit clearer (and maybe a bit less panicked) about where your degree could take you.

Most Pharmacology Masters are MSc programmes, blending lectures, lab sessions and just enough stress to keep things interesting. You’ll get a solid mix of theory and practical training to understand how the human body works — and how to test whether potential treatments actually make a difference (rather than just sound impressive on paper).

You’ll cover topics like physiology, cell biology and the biology of disease, and learn how to design experiments that explore how different substances affect the body. You’ll also dive into how these effects happen on a molecular level — all very clever, and sometimes a bit messy.

Here are a few things you might study:

• Systems and cellular biology

• Neurophysiology

• Research techniques in drug discovery

• Critical review in Pharmacology

• Macromolecular analysis

• Bioethics

Since many courses are designed with the pharmaceutical industry in mind, you’ll also learn about regulation, intellectual property and why paperwork matters more than you’d think.

Towards the end, you’ll usually take on a research project. That means picking your own topic, running your own experiments, and writing up your findings. It’s your chance to show future employers that you can manage a scientific project — and probably function with very little sleep.

Whether you want to work in research, clinical trials, or healthcare regulation, a Masters in Pharmacology gives you the knowledge and experience to take the next step.

There are several routes you can take depending on your background, career goals, and where you’d like to study:

Specialist MSc programmes:

Some universities offer Masters courses with a specific focus, such as clinical pharmacology, neuropharmacology, or toxicology. These are great if you already know which area of pharmacology you’re most interested in and want to build deeper expertise.

Conversion programmes:

If your undergraduate degree wasn’t in pharmacology or a closely related subject, some universities offer conversion courses. These are designed to help students from other science backgrounds build the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in postgraduate pharmacology.

Online and part-time study:

Many institutions now offer flexible study options, including part-time or online formats. These can be ideal if you're already working or have other commitments, as they allow you to study at your own pace.

Integrated PhD routes:

Some universities offer combined Masters and PhD programmes. These are ideal if you’re interested in a research career and want a clear path into doctoral study. The first year typically focuses on taught content, with later years dedicated to your research.

You can explore a wide range of Masters in Pharmacology and PhD options around the world. Related areas like drug discovery, biomedical sciences or toxicology might also be worth considering depending on your interests.

A Masters in Pharmacology can lead to careers in science, healthcare, or industry. You could work in research labs, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or government and charity-funded organisations.

Here are some jobs you might consider:

• Pharmacology scientist – studies how medicines affect the body in lab settings

• Clinical research associate – helps run and monitor clinical trials

• Toxicologist – checks how safe chemicals and treatments are

• Medical writer – explains scientific work in reports or articles

• Clinical pharmacologist – works with doctors to improve how medicines are used

• Medical sales representative – talks to healthcare staff about new treatments

You could also move into biotech, or public health, or continue with a PhD if you want to focus on research.

A Masters in Pharmacology can definitely help boost your salary compared to just having a Bachelor's degree. It’s not going to make you a millionaire overnight, but it does pay off in the long run.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Median salary for Masters graduates (5 years after completing the course): £43,400

• Median salary for Bachelors graduates (5 years after completing the course): £37,600

So, a Masters could give you a nice 15% bump in salary. Not bad for a couple of extra years in the lab, right?

For context, the average salary for a pharmacologist in the UK is around £42,250 a year. Entry-level roles start at about £37,500, but with experience, you could be looking at salaries up to £64,500 annually.

In short: your bank balance will probably thank you for investing in a Masters, even if your social life doesn’t.

I hope this guide helps you make sense of what you can do with a Masters in Pharmacology. It’s a focused degree, but your career options are broader than you might think.

First things first — don’t rush. Start looking into your options before final deadlines hit, so you’ve got space to think clearly.

Narrow things down early. Whether it’s research, regulation, clinical work or communication, having a shortlist now will save time later.

Talk to real people — students, alumni, or early-career professionals. They’ll give you honest insights you won’t find on course pages.

And finally, be clear on your goals. A Masters can open doors to specialist roles, but it’s a big commitment. Think about where you want it to take you — and whether further study (like a PhD) might be part of that.

Whatever you choose, the analytical and scientific skills you’ve built are hugely valuable — both in and out of the lab.