Pharmaceutical and Chemical Research MRes
Subject and course type
- Chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences
- Postgraduate
The MRes in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Research at Kingston University provides you with the advanced laboratory and research skills required for your future career in the chemical and pharmaceutical science industry. This is an ideal stepping stone if you are interested in progressing onto a PhD.
You are reading:
Build on your passion for research
Develop your knowledge and technical skills and use your research to tackle real-life challenges of the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
During this one-year masters by research programme, our core modules will equip you with the subject expertise and skills to be able to undertake a major piece of industry demand-led original research.
This postgraduate research degree will provide you with advanced research training and experience in preparation for doctoral studies, a research-intensive career or to meet the demands of a growing chemical and pharmaceutical science sector. The programme covers areas such as pharmaceutical discovery, manufacturing, cosmetics, personalised healthcare, and biotechnology, as well as the energy industry, focusing on the development of sustainable materials chemistry.
The research and critical thinking skills you will gain on this programme will prepare you for roles in the field, whether within a laboratory setting, commercial setting or for PhD study.
Why choose this course
Throughout this course, you will gain subject specialist knowledge and skills to equip you to undertake an independent research project.
Two core modules will give you the subject expertise and specialist skills to delve into an industry-aligned research project.
You will gain advanced research method skills in one of the modules, to help you become a productive, ethical and competent researcher.
You will be able to tailor your specialism based on your interests, with a specialist module aligned to career pathways. The subject-specialist knowledge gained in the additional module will expose you to the Global pharmaceutical, Life Science and Sustainable Materials industries. You will consider the relevant regulatory frameworks that would be taken into consideration for new innovations.
Our use of industry-standard equipment to develop real-world skills has been commended by external professional accrediting bodies.
Our staff have a range of expertise, and are part of a thriving research department that contributes to national and international policy work. This ensures staff are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
You will join an active research group where you will undertake a research project, supported by a supervisor, in the rapidly-growing international pharmaceutical and chemical sector. Research projects will be offered in topics such as natural product chemistry, advanced formulations, nano materials, medicinal chemistry and sustainability, among others aligned with research group interests.
Course content
Modules
Core modules
30 credits
This module develops your advanced skills in statistical analysis, data collection, and data validation relevant to clinical and biomedical sciences. You will learn to apply data-informed approaches, follow the scientific method rigorously, and prepare to conduct research in line with a recognised researcher development framework. The module prepares you to design, analyse, and interpret high-quality scientific data for masters-level research.
30 credits
This module equips you with comprehensive expertise in methods that efficiently and sustainably produces novel products with industrial applications across (but not limited to) natural products, cosmetics, and nanomaterials. You will also choose the specialism to focus on during induction week. This includes cutting-edge science with strong industry relevance to prepare you for diverse career pathways.
You will examine the fundamental chemistry underpinning applied materials processes, while exploring advances in synthesis and formulation with an emphasis on sustainable protocols. This includes environmental impact, health and safety concerns and links to UN SDGs of employed processes, as well as EDI considerations to ensure inclusivity in design, testing, communication and user access when considering the introduction of new innovations to the market.
There will be common co-taught elements across the whole module to facilitate real industry environments of disciplines interacting with each other. Once you choose your specialism you will be assigned to specific workshops and lectures where in small groups you will build fundamental knowledge and practical competency in that specialism to prepare you for an aligned research project.
This module will operate with various routes dependent upon the research specialism you wish to pursue. Examples include the following.
Route 1: Natural Products with Pharmacognosy
You will be exposed to the global pharmaceutical industry, which will include natural product chemistry such as traditional/herbal/heritage medicines, their extraction, biological activity analysis and commercial value.
You will have an overview of different commercialisation processes including structure modification of key natural product skeletons, process optimisation, and sustainable/green synthesis or biochemical routes to natural and synthetic products.
Route 2: Advanced Formulations
You will be exposed to the core theories of chemistry that underpin the growing pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations industry, and how they are created.
You will explore the principles of human physiology and toxicology, including natural biological processes and the mechanisms by which chemicals or other external factors can disrupt normal functions (e.g. aging, scarring, burns) and induce toxicity.
This module will also expose you to industrial practices, legislative pathways for commercialisation and future trends.
Route 3: Nanotechnology and Sustainable Materials
You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the core theory behind the chemistry of nanostructures, nanomaterials, their synthesis, characterisation, and the environmental and social impacts associated with their use. There will be an emphasis on green chemistry approaches and sustainable practices within the field, addressing the life cycle assessment of nanomaterials and the challenges of regulatory frameworks.
You will have an opportunity to explore and apply some of the different techniques available for the synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials and their application in environmental, energy and/or biomedical processes.
120 credits
This will involve an independent research project that will be aligned to industry-specific challenges and will involve collaboration with our academic's research expertise – which you can explore on their staff profile pages – and the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industrial Advisory Group.
Career opportunities
Graduating with an MRes in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science from Kingston University opens doors to a range of careers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. You will be prepared to work in roles such as:
- PhD candidacy
- Medicinal chemist
- Natural product chemist
- Research associate/scientist
- Product development specialist/formulation chemist
- Quality control analyst
- Regulatory affairs associate
Kingston’s close connections with industry professionals will enhance your employability. Our goal is to prepare you for a dynamic career in chemical and pharmaceutical sciences.
Beyond providing a practical base for our courses, industry partnerships help us to maintain up-to-date courses that are relevant to the working environment. If you choose to study this course, you will benefit from the following.
- Real world experience through your MRes project, conducted in industry or in one of Kingston University's research institutes.
- The latest views from visiting speakers.
- Industry visits to gain insight into industry practices.
Teaching and assessment
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical work (e.g. laboratory reports) and coursework (e.g. assignments, case studies, oral presentations, poster presentations or research project). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, although it depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.
Types of assessment
- Coursework 100%
You will be part of a small class of roughly 10 students. There is opportunity for dedicated academic guidance and advice as well as the chance to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes; you may therefore be taught alongside postgraduates from other courses.
Fees and funding
| Fee Category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Full Time £11,900 |
| International | Full Time £20,000 |
Please note: fees do not include the additional bench fees that cover the cost of consumables and specialist materials or equipment.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations – Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
Specific courses may require uniforms, specialty clothing, or specific equipment like lab coats and safety shoes.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Pharmaceutical and Chemical Research MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
The Inspire the Future Scholarship offers a 40% reduction in fees for taught masters or postgraduate diploma courses with September start dates. 20 scholarships are available for progressing Kingston University graduates.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Inspire the Future Scholarship page.
International postgraduate students could receive up to £5,000 towards tuition in their first year of study.
For more information on how to apply for these scholarships, visit the International Scholarship page.
If you are a Kingston University undergraduate student progressing to a postgraduate degree (taught or research), you could get a 15% reduction in tuition fees.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Postgraduate Progression Scholarship page.
Kingston University offers a 10% discount on full and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees to our alumni.
For more information on how to apply for this discount, visit our postgraduate finance page.
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
If the postgraduate admissions tutor requires further information or wishes to invite you to further assessment by interview they will contact you directly. You will then hear whether your application has been successful.
If you do not clearly meet the standard entry requirements and the admission tutor wishes to see a portfolio from you, you will be sent an email asking you to upload your portfolio to your Kingston University OSIS account. Further details on how to do this will be provided at the time.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
