MSc Drug Discovery & Development

Our MSc Drug Discovery and Development course is ideal if you wish to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry, you will also have the opportunity to go on an optional professional placement.

We’ve designed this course to give you the knowledge and practical skills you need to become a valuable team member within the pharmaceutical industry. There’s an emphasis on the drug development process and the journey from discovery to product marketing, including quality control and regulatory science.

You’ll get deep insights into the molecular basis of disease, drug targets and their validation, identification of lead compounds, structure-based drug design, and analytical and synthetic techniques. You’ll also learn all about the regulatory and commercial aspects of management in the pharmaceutical industry.

By the end of this course you’ll have developed in-depth knowledge of biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and toxicology, and an understanding of research skills and scientific methods. Our aim is to produce scientists with expertise in drug discovery and development as well as non-scientists who are equipped to work in pharmaceutical work environments.

Why study with us

• You’ll learn about current and emerging trends in drug discovery, drug design and regulatory sciences through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions delivered by highly experienced academics and industry experts.
• We have excellent links with some of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical industry and you’ll have the opportunity to go on a professional placement and gain valuable work experience.
• You’ll be taught by research-active staff with extensive academics, industrial and clinical expertise.

Future careers

When you graduate you’ll be equipped with a knowledge and skills base that will allow you to pursue a range of scientific and non-scientific careers within pharmaceutical work environments.

Applicants should hold a 2:2 in Recent Hons Degree from a UK university (or its equivalent/Overseas equivalent) in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biology, Forensic Science, Biomedical Science, or a related subject. Or: a qualification or experience deemed to be equivalent to the above.