A Master of Science (MSc) in Pharmacology is a 2-year postgraduate-level degree course dealing with drugs and the understanding of treatment procedures.The objective is to equip students with comprehensive theoretical knowledge and hands-on training, enabling them to merge post-genomic molecular biology insights with physiological functions and drug discovery processes.
The basic eligibility required to pursue an MSc in Pharmacology is B. Pharma/ MBBS/ BDS or a BSc. A Master's in Pharmacology provides a wide range of career prospects for graduates, like Lab technicians, senior scientists in toxicology & pharmacology, business development executives, and molecular biologists. The scope of this course is not limited to job opportunities. Rather, it also provides extraordinary capabilities and skills to pursue further research in esteemed institutes in India and abroad.
- MSc in Pharmacology Course Highlights
- What is an MSc in Pharmacology?
- MSc in Pharmacology Eligibility Criteria
- MSc in Pharmacology Admission Process
- MSc in Pharmacology Entrance Exam
- MSc in Pharmacology Syllabus
- MSc Pharmacology Top Colleges in India
- MSc Pharmacology Vs M Pharma
- MSc in Pharmacology Career Scope
- MSc in Pharmacology FAQs
MSc in Pharmacology Course Highlights
Here is a quick overview of a 2-year course in the field of Pharmacology:
Category | Explanation |
Name of the course | MSc Pharmacology |
Course Level | Post Graduation |
Duration | 2 years |
Eligibility | B. Pharma/ MBBS/ BDS/ BSc |
Top Recruiters | Pharmaceutical industries, consulting companies, biotech industries, Government and private agencies, research institutes, etc. |
Job prospects | Lab technician, Senior scientist in toxicology & pharmacology, Business development executive, Molecular biologist |
What is an MSc in Pharmacology?
MSc pharmacology is a postgraduate degree of 2 years. This course is designed for students interested in the field of drugs and biomedical specialization. The Pharmacology Master's degree aims to provide a theoretical, advanced understanding and practical experience of the nature of business based on bioscience knowledge and research, and opportunities for innovation. The core subjects are Medical Anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, drug discovery, and ethics, etc.
MSc in Pharmacology Eligibility Criteria
The minimum eligibility for admission in MSc Pharmacology in India is a graduation in life science with a minimum 55% aggregate marks (relaxation is given to SC/ST candidates) or B. Pharma with 60% marks (with a relaxation of 55% for SC/ST) or MBBS/BDS with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST). If you have completed MBBS/BDS, then you are eligible to directly take admission in the 3rd semester.
MSc in Pharmacology Admission Process
Once you have completed the minimum eligibility criterion, you can be admitted to MSc Pharmacology by following the given steps:
- Visit the official website of the respective college/university you are interested in and download the brochure to check the list of supporting documents.
- Fill out the admission form along with the last degree mark sheet, photos, Government ID, and special category certificate (if any), and submit the form in hard copy or soft copy.
- After successful completion of the form, you will be called for a Group discussion or a Personal Interview, and the final list of selected candidates will be displayed on the website.
- Keep on visiting the website for the notification and complete the admission process by submitting the fees and original documents to the admission section in the college.
MSc in Pharmacology Entrance Exam
Entrance exams like CUET PG, GATE, and GPAT are accepted for admission to the Master's in Pharmacology. If you have qualified for any of these exams, then you are eligible to be admitted to the MSc Pharmacology based on the merit list provided by the colleges/ universities.
Exam | Application Date | Exam Date |
AIIMS MSc Pharmacology entrance exam | May 15, 2025 | June 14, 2025 |
GPAT 2025 | April 21, 2025 | May 25, 2025 |
AP PGECET | April 30, 2025 | June 6 to 8, 2025 |
GATE 2026 | October 2025 | February 2026 |
CUET PG 2026 | February 2026 | March 2026 |
MSc in Pharmacology Syllabus
The curriculum for MSc Pharmacology for most universities is given in the format of assessment papers comprising three or four theory papers and additional practical examinations. Here is the curriculum followed by AIIMS Delhi:
Section 1 | |
General Pharmacological Principles and Applied Sciences | Toxicology |
Molecular Biology in Pharmacology | Isolation of Compounds from Herbal Sources |
Wonder Discoveries in Pharmacology | - |
Section 2 | |
Autonomic Nervous System | Central Nervous System |
Autocoids | Drugs Affecting Kidney Function and Cardiovascular System |
Drugs Affecting Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Systems | Drugs Affecting Uterine Motility |
Chemotherapy of Parasite Infections | Chemotherapy of Microbial Diseases |
Antineoplastic Agents | Immunomodulators |
Drugs Acting on Blood and Blood-Forming Organs | Hormones |
Section 3 | |
Experimental Pharmacology, Bioassay and Statistics and Recent Advancements | Instrumentation in Drug Analysis |
Biostatistics | Pharmacokinetics |
Drug Regulations | Drug Development Process |
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring | — |
MSc Pharmacology Top Colleges in India
In India, an MSc in pharmacology is offered by almost all medical colleges consisting including esteemed private and government colleges. Here is the list of some top colleges and their classification of ownership and fees.
NIRF Ranking 2024 | College | Location | Annual Fees |
1 (Medical) | AIIMS | Delhi | - |
2 (Medical) | PGIMER | Chandigarh | INR 6,440 |
- | Saveetha Medical College | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | INR 1,25,000 |
- | Medical College | Vadodara, Gujarat | INR 1,30,000 |
- | Teerthanker Mahaveer University | Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh | INR 1,00,000 |
MSc Pharmacology Vs M Pharma
Usually, students get confused between MSc pharmacology and M Pharma because they seem similar to them, whereas both courses are different. A quick comparison between the two courses that might be helpful for students to choose the correct course is given below:
Category | MSc Pharmacology | M Pharma |
Full Course Name | Master's in Science of Pharmacology | Master of Pharmacy |
Degree level | Post Graduation | Post Graduation |
Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
Eligibility | MBBS/ BDS/ B. Pharma/ BSc | B. Pharma from any recognized university. |
Job prospects | Lab technician, Senior scientist in toxicology & pharmacology, Business development executive, Molecular biologist. | Retail Pharmacies, Clinics, Quality control officers, Pharmaceutical marketing, etc. |
MSc in Pharmacology Career Scope
This postgraduate program opens up a wide range of career scopes in the private as well as the government sector. Here is the list of some potential private and government sector job profiles for MSc pharmacology graduates:
Private Sector | Government Sector |
Drug Safety Officer | Drug Inspector |
Medical Writer | Pharmacologist |
Clinical Research Associate (CRA) | Senior Scientist in Toxicology & Pharmacology |
Pharmacovigilance Officer | Molecular Biologist |
Retail Seller | — |
With several opportunities for an MSc pharmacology graduate, the job roles come with distinct pay scales. Here is the quick tabular data with the pay scale attached to the respective job roles.
Job title | Average Package (INR) |
Lab technician | 1.8 - 3.6 LPA |
Senior scientist in toxicology & pharmacology | 4 -10 LPA |
Business development executive | 3.6- 4.5 LPA |
Molecular biologist | 2.5- 5 LPA |
Drug regulatory officer | 4.5 - 5.5 LPA |
MSc in Pharmacology FAQs
Is it necessary to have a pharmacy background for an MSc in pharmacy?
It is helpful if you have a pharmacy background, but it is not compulsory. You can apply for admission to MSc Pharmacology with a graduation in any science field.
Are MSc Pharmacology and M Pharm Pharmacology the same?
No, MSc pharmacology and M Pharma are both postgraduate degree programmes, but they are not the same. Both programmes are different in their scope, course outcomes, and curricula. MSc pharmacology is more research-oriented, whereas MPharma prepares students to integrate academic knowledge with pharmacy practice.
Is GPAT mandatory for admission to MSc pharmacology?
No, GPAT is not mandatory to gain admission in MSc Pharmacology. Some universities also offer admission based on CUET-PG scores, and some universities take admissions based on their respective entrance tests.
