Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance & Regulation - Conversion Course - Grangegorman

What is Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance & Regulation?

F/T: Programme

This course is offered on a one year full-time basis followed by the completion a 6 months industry-relevant dissertation. It is designed to provide a bridge for graduates with a degree in science or related disciplines to the specific requirements of the pharmaceutical sector. The course offers a broad based curriculum covering aspects of quality assurance, auditing, manufacturing in the pharma/biopharmaceutical sectors.



P/T Programme:

The MSc in Pharmaceutical QA and Regulation provides specific education at postgraduate level in ‘Quality Assurance’ and Pharmaceutical Regulatory requirements, to scientists and other professionals who operate in the ‘Quality Environment’ of the bio/pharmaceutical industry (accounting for up to 25% of graduates in this sector).



There are more than 85 pharmaceutical companies in Ireland with 9 of the world’s top 10 pharma companies having substantial operations here. The course is tailored to those who wish to work in this sector. The course provides an industry-relevant, broad-based curriculum which focusses on the Quality and Regulatory Framework for the bio/pharmaceutical industry.



The course is flexibly designed to provide the knowledge, skills and competence required to work in the area of Quality Assurance. TU288 is offered on a two-year part-time basis. It is designed to consolidate, supplement and enhance the knowledge and experience of graduates currently employed in the pharmaceutical sector. It is aimed at those wishing to further their studies in aspects of quality assurance, regulation and validation.



Course Content

The course is divided into two stages – stage 1 and stage 2.



Stage 1 - The taught part of the programme (nine modules), is delivered to students over one academic year. All modules are assessed by assignment.



Stage 2 - On successful completion of the nine modules, students undertake a 6 months industrial based dissertation while working in their place of work.



The course employs a blended delivery approach with live and on-line lectures/workshops.



The following modules are currently offered:

Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Aseptic Manufacture (Drug Product)

Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance & Research Methods – 10 ECTS

Pharmaceutical Regulation, Validation and Statistics – 10 ECTS

Biopharmaceutical Manufacture (Drug Substance)

Process Technologies (Process, Facilities, Equipment & Utilities) - 10 ECTS

Quality Risk Management

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing & Management

Advanced Therapeutics & their Regulation

Innovative Medicines & their Regulation

Note: There are three 10 ECTS modules as indicated above, the remaining six modules are 5 ECTS.

Module Listing

Year One

Semester 1

Advanced therapeutics and their regulation [Mandatory]

Advanced therapeutics and their regulation [Mandatory]

Biopharm Manufacture drug production [Mandatory]

Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance & Research Methods [Mandatory]

Pharmaceutical Technologies (Process, Facility, Equipment & Utilities) [Mandatory]



Semester 2

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Management [Mandatory]

Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Aseptic Manufacture [Mandatory]

Pharmaceutical Regulation, Validation & Statistics [Mandatory]

Innovative Medicines and their regulation [Mandatory]

Quality Risk Management [Mandatory]

Quality Risk Management [Mandatory]



Year Two

Semester 1

Dissertation [Mandatory]

Minimum Entry Requirements?

Honours bachelor degree in science or related discipline at 2.2 grade or higher or equivalent qualification. Selection will be by interview.



Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate courses satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the course of study applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and may also take into account your work/life experience. Applicants will also be required to attend for interview.



Interviews will be virtual applicants do not have to attend in person.



Personal Statements are required for this course. Please remember to include this with your application.



If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Applications for full-time and some part-time postgraduate programmes commencing in September 2026 are now open. Applications for the remaining part-time programmes will open in February 2026. Please check individual course pages for application details.

F/T Programme: 1.5 years full-time, on-campus delivery.



Schedule:

This is a full-time course and students will normally have an average of 15 - 18 contact hours per week. The exact timetable will be confirmed before the commencement of each semester.



P/T Programme: 2.5 years part-time, blended delivery.



Schedule:

The course consists of 100% virtual online delivery. Students will normally have an average of seven contact hours per week, comprising lectures, case studies and discussion sessions. The modules are normally delivered on 2 evenings and a Saturday morning each week over the course of the semesters.



Tuesday & Thursday 6-9pm

Saturday 10am - 1pm



* Timetable subject to change.

Commencement Date: September 2026.