Pharmaceutical Analysis MSc

Why choose this course?

This course offers key skills in pharmaceutical analysis, including measurement, scientific practice, evaluation and interpretation of data. You will study recent trends in analytical science and techniques and be introduced to pharmaceutical technologies, such as formulations and clinical pharmacokinetics. Through your research project, you will develop valuable research skills. Past projects have examined areas such as determining caffeine and its metabolites in human serum samples using GC-MS, and synthesis and use of compounds as probes for biochemical reactions.

The Pharmaceutical Analysis MSc (pathway not including Management Studies) provides exemption from Part A of the Mastership in Chemical Analysis, which is the statutory qualification for a public analyst.

What you will study

You will gain key skills in the specialised area of pharmaceutical analysis, including good measurement and scientific practice, evaluation interpretation of data, and other professional and organisational skills. In addition to studying core analytical techniques and their applications, you will be introduced to various pharmaceutical technologies, for example, formulations and topics such as clinical pharmacokinetics.

You may be offered a placement within industry (depending on your results and project availability) where you will carry out your independent research project.

The Management Studies option enables you to explore the fundamentals of management theory within the commercial and public sectors.

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.

After you graduate

Recent graduates have gone on to a range of roles, including:

pharmaceutical analysts in large and SME chemical/pharmaceutical companies;
teaching;
PhD research;
sales and marketing; and
managerial.

Students need to have a good honours degree in chemistry, pharmacy, life science, pharmaceutical science or a related subject such as pharmacology or biomedical science. Other degrees will be considered on an individual basis. If they do not hold a degree in one of the relevant subjects listed above, significant relevant experience will be considered. Students with alternative qualifications will also need appropriate experience in analysis. Each application is assessed on an individual basis and may be subject to additional requirements, such as undertaking short course(s), work experience and/or English language qualification(s). Meeting particular minimum entry requirements does not automatically guarantee a place.