Pharmaceutical Science MSc
Why choose this course?
This course will develop your knowledge of the design, development, analysis and production of medicines, the drug industry and regulatory affairs. It is particularly suitable if you are keen to enter employment in areas such as pharmaceutical marketing, formulation, regulatory affairs, process development, medical statistics and clinical trial organisations. You can choose to combine your studies with training in the fundamentals of management theory, which is especially suitable to those interested in taking up management positions in relevant organisations.
Pharmaceutical Science MSc
| Mode | Duration | Attendance | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 1 year | 3 to 4 days per week |
September 2021 January 2022 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement | 3 to 4 days per week plus placement year |
September 2021 January 2022 |
Pharmaceutical Science with Management Studies MSc
| Mode | Duration | Attendance | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 1 year | 3 to 4 days per week, plus selected weekends for Management Studies pathway |
January 2021 January 2022 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement | 3 to 4 days per week, plus selected weekends for Management Studies pathway plus placement year |
September 2021 January 2022 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
2020/21 entry
If you are planning to join this course in the academic year 2020/21 (i.e. between August 2020 and July 2021), please view the information about changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19.
Continuing students
Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2020/21 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2020/21. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas Course page.
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- You will gain in-depth understanding of strategies and architectures for designing and developing modern high quality software applications.
- Through a project dissertation you will study an area of interest in depth. This can offer valuable industry experience and is an excellent selling point when seeking a job or promotion.
- The Management Studies option will develop skills for managing teams and innovation. These skills are often sought by employers and are invaluable if you aim to start your own business.
What you will study
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Core pathway
Management Studies pathway modules
Core modules
Statistics and Quality Systems
30 credits
The module introduces students to the role of statistics and quality systems in modern analytical science. It demonstrates how a thorough understanding of statistical concepts, the analytical process and the quality systems and quality management paradigms collectively enable the consistent and reliable interpretation of analytical chemical data to support the economic requirements of a business organisation. The module aims are:
- To define analytical chemistry and the criteria that distinguish it from other sciences.
- To describe and appraise the analytical process in a systematic manner and emphasise the purpose of each stage.
- Provide the rationale for the use of statistics in chemical analysis and experimental design and the skills required to perform statistical testing and interpretation of chemical data manually, via a calculator and with software.
- To enhance students knowledge of the planning and development of quality systems in the analytical laboratory.
Pharmaceutical and Analytical Technology
30 credits
The module is intended to ensure that students are aware of the processes by which a drug is formulated into a medicine. It examines the effect that formulation decisions have on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicines, and on the pharmaceutical industry's business model. It includes the principles of pharmaceutical analysis and the application of pharmaceutical analytical techniques (both routine and non-routine) for the design, process- and quality-control of manufactured pharmaceuticals and process-intermediates. It is designed to enable students to review instrumentation choices when confronted with pharmaceutical issues and to select the appropriate tool(s). It also looks at the emerging quality assurance concepts of process analytical technology and quality by design. The module aims are:
- To analyse aspects of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing including process analysis.
- To extend the students' knowledge of total quality management and apply it to the analytical laboratory in the pharmaceutical industry.
- To provide current examples of the applications of the techniques studied in this course specifically to pharmaceutical problems.
Manufacture and Clinical Trials of Medicines
30 credits
This module introduces you to the different phases and types of clinical trials and the associated legal, regulatory and ethical issues. This includes statistical data analyses and how to manage and review clinical trial data in relation to evidence-based medicine. The technology and application of the manufacture of various medicine formulations are discussed and the place of biotechnological products introduced. The module also covers elements of medicines regulation with particular reference to the UK and European Union. Regulations are dealt with both within a general framework and specific areas including manufacturing, dealing with specialist products, regulation in clinical use, and licensing.
Design, Discovery and Development of Pharmaceuticals
30 credits
This module complements others on the course by looking at drug development from a medicinal chemistry perspective. It covers:
- key aspects of drug design, lead optimisation, pharmacokinetics and toxicology, with respect to drug development;
- how drugs are designed and developed from laboratory bench to approval; and
- the essential research which must be conducted as part of this overall process.
Project
60 credits
This module involves a research- or industry-based in-depth research project. You will develop your ability to critically evaluate your own work as well as the work of others, utilising analytical and laboratory skills.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Prepare a realistic and coherent project proposal, formulate aims and objectives and plan your own time to achieve stated objectives.
- Critically evaluate the current literature.
- Carry out appropriate experiments in a safe manner (applying COSHH) and generate reliable data suitably analysed and apply appropriate statistical tests.
- Communicate the results of the project in a coherent report and in oral and visual manner.
Core modules
Statistics and Quality Systems
30 credits
The module introduces students to the role of statistics and quality systems in modern analytical science. It demonstrates how a thorough understanding of statistical concepts, the analytical process and the quality systems and quality management paradigms collectively enable the consistent and reliable interpretation of analytical chemical data to support the economic requirements of a business organisation. The module aims are:
- To define analytical chemistry and the criteria that distinguish it from other sciences.
- To describe and appraise the analytical process in a systematic manner and emphasise the purpose of each stage.
- Provide the rationale for the use of statistics in chemical analysis and experimental design and the skills required to perform statistical testing and interpretation of chemical data manually, via a calculator and with software.
- To enhance students knowledge of the planning and development of quality systems in the analytical laboratory.
Pharmaceutical and Analytical Technology
30 credits
The module is intended to ensure that students are aware of the processes by which a drug is formulated into a medicine. It examines the effect that formulation decisions have on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicines, and on the pharmaceutical industry's business model. It includes the principles of pharmaceutical analysis and the application of pharmaceutical analytical techniques (both routine and non-routine) for the design, process- and quality-control of manufactured pharmaceuticals and process-intermediates. It is designed to enable students to review instrumentation choices when confronted with pharmaceutical issues and to select the appropriate tool(s). It also looks at the emerging quality assurance concepts of process analytical technology and quality by design. The module aims are:
- To analyse aspects of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing including process analysis.
- To extend the students' knowledge of total quality management and apply it to the analytical laboratory in the pharmaceutical industry.
- To provide current examples of the applications of the techniques studied in this course specifically to pharmaceutical problems.
Manufacture and Clinical Trials of Medicines
30 credits
This module introduces you to the different phases and types of clinical trials and the associated legal, regulatory and ethical issues. This includes statistical data analyses and how to manage and review clinical trial data in relation to evidence-based medicine. The technology and application of the manufacture of various medicine formulations are discussed and the place of biotechnological products introduced. The module also covers elements of medicines regulation with particular reference to the UK and European Union. Regulations are dealt with both within a general framework and specific areas including manufacturing, dealing with specialist products, regulation in clinical use, and licensing.
Business in Practice
30 credits
This module runs on Saturdays.
This module is aimed at the practical needs of students from different academic contexts such as, but not limited to computing, science, medicine, biotechnology and the health services who are aspiring team leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs in business within the context of the commercial, public, voluntary, or academic sector.
The module introduces and uses activities and problem-solving to investigate business topics ranging from finance, accounting, budgeting, and marketing, to organisational management by developing the leadership skills to meet business challenges and cope with its complexity.
Project
60 credits
This module involves a research- or industry-based in-depth research project. You will develop your ability to critically evaluate your own work as well as the work of others, utilising analytical and laboratory skills.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Prepare a realistic and coherent project proposal, formulate aims and objectives and plan your own time to achieve stated objectives.
- Critically evaluate the current literature.
- Carry out appropriate experiments in a safe manner (applying COSHH) and generate reliable data suitably analysed and apply appropriate statistical tests.
- Communicate the results of the project in a coherent report and in oral and visual manner.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Work placement scheme
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Tier 4 visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Who teaches this course?
This course is delivered by the School of Life Sciences, and Chemistry in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing.
The Faculty's wide selection of undergraduate and postgraduate courses covers a diverse range of subject areas, from aerospace to geography; from maths and computing to biotechnology; and many more. Our collaborative set-up provides new opportunities for our students, and we design our courses with industry professionals to ensure you stay up to date with the latest developments.
School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry
The School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry is well known for the high quality of its undergraduate and postgraduate courses. These include full- and part-time foundation programmes.
Excellent facilities support our teaching – students benefit from new, purpose-built laboratories, equipped with state-of-the-art instruments. Strong links with industry and other key sectors ensure our students are well prepared for today's employment market. These include connections with hospitals and community pharmacies, accreditation from industry bodies, and involvement with active research groups.
Staff teaching on this course
Research-led teaching ensures that the course content focuses on current trends and developments. Visiting speakers, who are experts in their field, and a careers and networking event also support this course.
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
What this course offers you
- The Pharmaceutical Science MSc course focuses on:
- the development, analysis and production of medicines;
- the drug industry;
- clinical trials; and
- regulatory affairs.
- You have the chance to study recent trends in chemical, biological and biotechnological therapeutics, coupled with the latest technologies. This is ideal if you wish to work in:
- marketing, sales or public relations;
- regulatory affairs;
- production, process development or medical statistics; or
- clinical trials.
- The course also provides a good basis for a further research degree.
- By choosing the Management Studies pathway, it will help to set your scientific knowledge in a vocational context. This makes it ideal if you want to work in a management position within the pharmaceutical and allied industries.
- The independent MSc research project gives you the chance to study an area of interest in greater depth and gain valuable research skills. Our students often find this an excellent selling point when looking for a job or promotion.
- We offer a variety of projects across a number of research areas, including:
- medicinal chemistry – such as synthesis of anti-cancer compounds and natural products;
- pharmaceutical technology – such as optimisation of tablet manufacture and formulation;
- clinical pharmacy – such as pharmacovigilance, clinical trial and medicines regulations; or
- some research projects in industry and research institutes.
- We regularly review our courses to make sure they remain up to date and that you graduate as a marketable industry professional.
- The taught courses aim to prepare you for the job market. Alongside your academic studies, you gain skills in:
- problem solving and organisation;
- data collation, review and synopsis;
- communication (oral, written and electronic);
- time management;
- computing; and
- co-operation and teamwork.
- A careers and networking event at the end of the course will help you build valuable contacts.
Fees for this course
Our modern teaching environment
There is a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Penrhyn Road campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment, including:
- the £9.8 million Eadweard Muybridge building with state-of the art laboratories, including labs dedicated to pharmaceutical science;
- new work areas and dedicated laboratories for research;
- specialist equipment, such as:
- gas and liquid chromatography;
- electron microscopy;
- a range of spectrometers, including mass spectrometers, infrared spectrometers and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers;
- nuclear science equipment;
- thermal analysis;
- x-ray diffractometers; and
- electrochemical analysis;
- computing laboratories and a team of IT technicians to offer assistance.
The library offers:
- subject libraries, plus a free inter-library loan scheme to other libraries in the Greater London area;
- online database subscriptions; and
- a growing selection of resource materials.
After you graduate
Where this course will take you
On completion of the MSc, you will:
- be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills relevant to a pharmaceutical science career in the pharmaceutical industry or public sector - such as clinical trials, regulatory affairs, formulation, quality control or marketing;
- have developed the necessary skills to plan, carry out and effectively communicate an extensive independent piece of research - which will allow you to carry out further research studies;
- have acquired new and/or improved practical skills, using a variety of equipment, techniques and instrumentation; and
- have developed a variety of key skills - such as communication, time-management, organisational and problem-solving skills, which are expected by future employers.
Recent graduates have gone on to a range of areas, including:
- drug manufacturing and pharmaceutical technology;
- drug formulation and analysis;
- clinical trials;
- pharmacovigilance;
- regulatory affairs;
- sales and marketing; and
- managerial.
Some have also gone on to study for a PhD.
Careers and recruitment advice
The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills such as CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements.
The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the opportunity to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting.
What our graduates say
How we work with industry partners
Our links with industry provide a practical base for our courses. They also help us to ensure your studies are kept up-to-date and relevant to the working environment. If you choose to study this course, you will benefit from:
- real-world experience thanks to your MSc project, which you may be able to take:
- in industry – past students have undertaken project placements in the pharmaceutical industry, for example; or
- in one of Kingston University's research institutes;
- the latest views from visiting speakers; and
- industry visits.
Current research in this subject
Many of our staff in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
Research in the Faculty is organised into several research areas, including the Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Group (BPSRG). This is an interdisciplinary group shared by Kingston University and St George's, University of London in which research is organised into the following themes:
- parasitology and microbiology;
- haematology/immunology/cancer biology;
- biomedical, pharmaceutical and instrumental analyses;
- medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry;
- clinical pharmacy and advanced drug delivery; and
- nutrition/exercise and sports science.
