Industrial Pharmaceutics

Overview

Queen's University Belfast has developed a dynamic new MSc programme for students seeking careers in the global pharmaceutical industry. The new MSc in Industrial Pharmaceutics will prepare graduates with the expertise and skills required for employment in an industry estimated to be worth $1.2 trillion. Industrial pharmaceutics plays a vital role in the development, validation and manufacture of new medicines, ensuring their safety and quality, and MSc graduates will be able to avail of employment opportunities at all stages of the medicine development pipeline.



The School of Pharmacy at Queen's has an excellent global reputation and is highly ranked for both teaching and research. Active areas of research within the School include Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, Nanomedicine and Biotherapeutics, and Pharmaceutical Materials Science and Formulation.



Course Structure

Students will join a community of nearly 4,000 postgraduate students, having access to a dedicated hub for postgraduate students (The Graduate School), that provides state-of-the-art facilities for study, and high-quality training within a diverse interdisciplinary research-intensive Russell Group university.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.



Year 1

Core Modules

• Formulation of Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Products (30 credits)

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Emerging Technologies (20 credits)

• Research Skills and Methods (10 credits)

• Leadership and Project Management (20 credits)

• Characterisation Methods for Pharmaceutical Products (20 credits)

• Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs (20 credits)

• Research Project (60 credits)

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering or closely allied subject.



The School of Pharmacy reserves the right to interview applicants or review the content of their previous qualifications to ensure suitability to enter the programme.



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally not later than 31st July 2025.



In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder.



Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.



Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.

Assessment


Assessment Outline:

The course uses a variety of assessment methods relevant to a master's level of study. The assessments include: oral & poster presentations, group & individual assignments, case study reports, essay writing, written examinations and a final dissertation.

1 year (Full Time)

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

Professional Opportunities

Graduates from this course will be able to pursue a

career in a range of areas, such as;

• Pharmaceutical Industry (e.g. R&D, production, regulatory)

• Academia (research and teaching)

• Government agencies, such as drug licensing authorities

• Healthcare

• Scientific Research