Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Essentially, pharmacy is the science of pharmaceuticals (medicines). It studies their structure, physicochemical properties, preparation method, dosage and administration, pharmacodynamics (or effects), safe and secure handling of medicines, etc. Our broad study programme focuses on medicines as well as on patients. In recent years, the patient has increasingly come to the fore. Hence, a landscape emerges with two types of pharmacists, as it were: the scientifically trained pharmaceutical care provider, and the expert in the field of drug development, production and control. Pharmaceutical science is an applied science that uses methods taken from chemistry, biology and physics for the study of therapeutically valuable substances, with applications in medicine and all other health-related sectors, and in the food industry.

To be accepted into this study programme (from 2022-23 onwards), you must have taken an admission test.

• Bachelor’s programme

The study programme is well-geared to later professional practice, and you will already be prepared for your social role as a medical expert. There is an optimal balance in terms of teaching methods with plenty of room for practising basic insights and cross-curricular practicals. At the same time, you will receive progressive training in independently acquiring and critically processing information about drugs. Guidance is also provided in acquiring and practisingbasic insights, the introduction to academic/scientific research and the exploration of the broad pharmaceutical field.

• Master’s programme

In the Master in Pharmaceutical Care, the emphasis is on the safe and secure, and cost-efficient use of medicines. The study programme prepares you well for a role as a medical expert. You can also progress to the advanced Master’s in Hospital Pharmacy, Clinical Biology, Industrial Pharmacy or a doctorate.

The Master in Drug Development focuses on pharmaceutical research and aims to prepare you more specifically for a position in industry and research, whether or not after completing the advanced Master’s programme in Industrial Pharmacy or Clinical Biology or after completing your doctorate.

A Bachelor’s degree also grants access to Master’s degrees other than those listed here. An overview can be found under the ‘ Postgraduate Studies’ tab.

Both the Master in Pharmaceutical Care and the Master in Drug Development lead to the degree of ‘pharmacist’. The versatility of the study programme gives graduate pharmacists a wide range of career options. Recent figures indicate that more than 40% of graduate pharmacists develop a career outside the traditional pharmacy sector. This results in a clear shortage of pharmacists in the labour market. The demand for licensed pharmacists (responsible pharmacist, deputy or substitute pharmacist) is substantially greater than the supply. Outside the traditional pharmacies, many pharmacists end up working in hospitals (after a two-year specialization, work placement included) and other care institutions where they provide pharmaceutical services. In the pharmaceutical industry, there are countless opportunities for pharmacists in the most diverse positions. We also find pharmacists outside the pharmaceutical industry, such as the food industry (food safety), cosmetics, the animal feed sector, etc., where many people find their way to research and development. Finally, you can also develop a career with the government, in scientific institutions of the government or in education (university colleges). Personal testimonials from graduates offer a look at the broad field of work.