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    Drug Discovery Summer School
    In-person Program

    Drug Discovery Summer School

    by King's College London

    Study how medicines move from discovery to clinical trials and safety monitoring, with King’s researchers in pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and cell biology.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Drug Discovery Summer School at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Undergraduates, graduates or experienced professionals

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 18+

    Location / Region

    London, United Kingdom

    Cost

    £2,550; £3,525

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Applications open

    9 November 2026

    Get next-cycle reminder
    BiologyMedicineScience
    Accommodation: Single en-suite rooms
    Meals: Self-catering
    Certificate / Outcome: Completion certificate and transcript
    Sessions / cadence: Monday–Friday; 4–5 campus hours/day
    Study workload: 45 contact; 105 independent hours
    Tutors / faculty: King’s academics and researchers
    Academic credit: 15 King’s; 7.5 ECTS; 4 US credits

    Drug Discovery Summer School summary

    Drug Discovery connects the science of developing medicines with clinical trials, regulation and safety monitoring. Teaching draws on pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and cell biology.

    You learn through interactive lectures, workshops and seminars, then demonstrate your understanding through coursework and a team presentation.

    It suits someone testing an interest in pharmaceutical sciences who wants assessed academic study. Credit transfer depends on the home institution’s approval.

    What is Drug Discovery Summer School?

    Drug Discovery Summer School is a King’s College London academic course examining how medicines are developed, tested, regulated and monitored. Its scientific focus combines pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and cell biology with the practical decisions involved in moving a candidate drug toward clinical use.

    Students learn from academic researchers through interactive lectures, workshops and seminars on campus. Team presentations and coursework provide assessed opportunities to explain the science, while intended field visits may connect classroom learning with pharmaceutical practice.

    Why Succeed highlights Drug Discovery Summer School

    • The curriculum follows medicines from discovery through clinical trials to monitoring after public use, giving students a connected view of pharmaceutical development.

    • Teaching brings together researchers in pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and cell biology.

    • An equal split between coursework and presentation rewards both scientific understanding and communication.

    • Published credit equivalence gives students a concrete basis for discussing transfer with their home institution.

    Who is Drug Discovery Summer School for?

    Best for

    Someone interested in medicines discovery who wants to connect biological mechanisms, clinical evidence and pharmaceutical regulation through assessed study.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light introductory experience or a dedicated independent laboratory research placement; this course emphasizes taught academic work, coursework and presentations.

    Is Drug Discovery Summer School worth it?

    The course can be worthwhile if you want to understand the whole medicines development process before pursuing further pharmaceutical study. Researcher-led teaching and assessed work provide a stronger basis for reflection than attendance alone.

    The workload makes it a substantial academic commitment, and residential budgeting also needs to cover meals and local travel. If academic credit is central to your decision, secure your home institution’s approval before relying on a transfer.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    £2,550; £3,525; includes Academic tuition., Course materials., On-campus Wi-Fi., Access to libraries, classrooms and catering facilities., Certificate on completion., Extracurricular activities, excluding travel., Accommodation with the residential package..

    Accommodation

    Single en-suite rooms

    Meals

    Self-catering

    Provider details

    Review the King's College London provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; London, United Kingdom.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Drug Discovery Summer School need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Begin gathering academic and English-language evidence several weeks before the application cycle begins; allow extra time for international travel planning.

    Main challenge

    Balancing intensive teaching, independent study and team presentation work.

    Typical preparation

    • Gather evidence of academic eligibility and English proficiency, and prepare your personal statement.

    • Ask your home institution about credit transfer before committing.

    • Review basic pharmacology vocabulary and identify questions about clinical trials or drug safety.

    • Plan accommodation, meals and local transport, and read the cancellation terms before making non-refundable bookings.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in pharmaceutical science through assessed academic work.

    What do students do on Drug Discovery Summer School?

    You study the scientific and regulatory decisions involved in developing medicines through interactive teaching and collaborative work. Coursework and a team presentation let you demonstrate your understanding.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore the drug discovery pipeline and the different types of medicines.

    2. 2

      Examine drug action, efficacy, formulation and safety testing.

    3. 3

      Study clinical trial design, ethical principles and medicines regulation.

    4. 4

      Consider pharmacovigilance and communication of scientific findings.

    5. 5

      Complete coursework and contribute to a team presentation.

    Drug Discovery Summer School dates and deadlines

    Programme dates

    19-30 July 2027

    Upcoming

    Applications open

    9 November 2026

    King’s 2027 summer-school application cycle.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Be at least 18 at the course start.

    • Current or former undergraduate enrollment, or substantial relevant professional experience.

    • Meet the minimum UK 2:1 equivalent academic grade requirement.

    • Have CEFR C1 English proficiency or equivalent.

    How much does Drug Discovery Summer School cost?

    Tuition-only fee

    £2,550 — 2026 two-week course rate.

    Funding or discounts

    • Residential package: £3,525 — 2026 tuition and accommodation rate.
    • Application fee: £65 — Separate, non-refundable application charge.
    • Partner fee waiver: Application fee waived — For applicants from partner institutions.

    What's included

    Academic tuition., Course materials., On-campus Wi-Fi., Access to libraries, classrooms and catering facilities., Certificate on completion., Extracurricular activities, excluding travel., Accommodation with the residential package.

    How to apply to Drug Discovery Summer School

    1. 1

      Complete your personal details in the undergraduate application form.

    2. 2

      Choose Drug Discovery and select a residential or tuition-only option.

    3. 3

      Prepare your personal statement and submit academic eligibility and English-language evidence.

    4. 4

      Pay the application fee and enter the payment reference, unless exempt through a partner institution.

    5. 5

      Check and submit your application; King’s normally responds within five working days.

    6. 6

      If offered a place, pay the course tuition fee to confirm it.

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    What does Drug Discovery Summer School cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Drug discovery and development

    Explore the development pipeline and distinguish small-molecule medicines, biologics and gene therapies.

    Drug action and safety

    Study drug-target interactions, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, toxicology and safety pharmacology.

    Clinical trials

    Examine trial phases, design choices, blinding and the ethical principles behind clinical studies.

    Regulation and pharmacovigilance

    Explore medicines regulation and how drug safety is monitored after medicines reach the public.

    Scientific communication

    Learn to explain scientific findings through lay summaries, coursework and team presentations.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Drug Discovery Summer School?

    A typical day during the program.

    Campus teaching

    Expect 4–5 hours daily, usually 09:00–13:00 or 14:00–18:00, with 45 contact hours overall.

    Independent study

    The syllabus allocates 105 hours to independent study alongside contact teaching.

    Example social schedule

    An illustrative undergraduate timetable shows 18:00–20:00 activities Monday–Thursday, including a welcome reception and walking tour.

    Who teaches on Drug Discovery Summer School?

    King’s academics and academic researchers teach the course, including experts in pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and cell biology. Teaching uses interactive lectures, workshops and seminars.

    Where do students stay on Drug Discovery Summer School?

    Residential plan

    • Great Dover Street rooms: Single en-suite rooms have showers, with linen and towels provided.
    • Kitchens and meals: Shared kitchens are available, and students should budget separately for meals.
    • Residence facilities: The residence lists Wi-Fi, a gym, study areas, common rooms and laundry facilities.
    • Security support: King’s residences have 24-hour security cover, with secure access and communal-space CCTV.

    Non-residential plan

    • Tuition-only option: Students can choose tuition without the residential package.
    • Campus and activities: Tuition includes campus facilities and extracurricular activities, excluding activity travel.
    • Campus food outlets: Campus cafés and food outlets offer places to buy refreshments and meals.

    Great Dover Street Apartments has refurbishment works during 2026–27, with possible noise disruption.

    What happens after Drug Discovery Summer School?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Build understanding for further study in medicines discovery and pharmaceutical sciences.

    Develop scientific explanation and presentation skills.

    Receive a certificate on completion.

    Receive a final mark on a Record of Agreed Results transcript.

    Discuss external academic credit with your home institution.

    Academic credit transfer is always at the home institution’s discretion.

    Where does Drug Discovery Summer School take place?

    The course takes place on campus at King’s College London in central London. Residential students stay at Great Dover Street Apartments, approximately a 10-minute walk from Guy’s Campus and London Bridge station.

    Students arrange their own airport transfer and budget for local travel.

    Drug Discovery Summer School FAQs

    The course covers pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and cell biology, including the drug development pipeline, clinical trials, regulation and pharmacovigilance.

    Applicants must be at least 18 and currently or previously enrolled in an undergraduate degree, or have substantial relevant professional experience. The course also requires a UK 2:1 equivalent academic grade and CEFR C1 English.

    Coursework contributes 50% of the final mark and a presentation contributes 50%. Students work in teams on presentations and complete coursework.

    The syllabus specifies 45 contact teaching hours and 105 independent study hours. Students should expect 4–5 hours on campus per day, usually in a morning or afternoon teaching block.

    The syllabus states equivalence to 15 King’s credits, 7.5 ECTS or 4 US credits. Credit transfer is decided by the student’s home institution.

    The residential package uses Great Dover Street Apartments, with single en-suite rooms, showers, linen and towels. Non-residential students can book tuition without the residential package.

    Students should budget separately for meals. Great Dover Street Apartments has shared kitchens, and King’s campuses have food outlets.

    The course aims to incorporate field visits, but they are described as planned teaching opportunities rather than guaranteed activities.

    Alternatives to Drug Discovery Summer School

    For students still at school, these medicine and biology options offer related routes to compare.

    Alternatives to Drug Discovery Summer School

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Great Dover Street
    • Student Experience | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
    • Information for applicants | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
    • Summer at King's | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
    • Undergraduate Summer School | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
    • Summer and Winter Programmes Terms and Conditions 2027
    • Drug Discovery module syllabus
    • Drug Discovery

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course requirements reviewed

    • Session assignment checked

    • Application opening verified

    • Assessment weights checked

    • Study workload reviewed

    • Reference-cycle fees identified

    • Residential arrangements reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.