Pharmaceutical Sciences

Overview

This programme is designed to provide an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of core areas of pharmaceutical manufacturing and research.



Summary

The aim the of MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences programme is to provide an academically challenging and vocationally relevant education and training in pharmaceutical sciences, both theoretical and practical. Students will acquire an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the subject, and achieve learning outcomes that enable them to be able to appreciate and apply acquired knowledge, skills and technological understanding primarily for the benefit of the pharmaceutical and related industrial sectors in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.



About

This course is designed to provide an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of core areas of pharmaceutical sciences, including drug discovery, development, formulation and delivery, quality assurance and evaluation of drugs, analysis of medicines and medicinal natural products and pharmaceutical instrumental methods.

The course increases the awareness of ethical issues and scientific integrity in the pharmaceutical sciences. It will provide you with the chance of specialisation in one of the core specialisms of pharmaceutical sciences through elective modules. As an MSc student you will learn how to formulate hypotheses, design and conduct a research project, analyse research data, and report results of research to peers.

Year One

Research Methodologies

Research Project

Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis

Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology



Year Two

Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery

A Honours Degree in subjects such as Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences or in a course that has significant amounts of chemistry and biology from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard.



English Language Requirements

English Language minimum requirement for International Applicants:



Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Attendance

This is an on-campus course, with a 12-week research project at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, UK.

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

This postgraduate programme is tailor-made to meet the demands of employers in the pharmaceutical industry sectors. It is suitable for those who wish to follow careers in pharmaceutical and related industries and also as academics in various universities to enhance and promote education in the pharmaceutical sciences area. As the proposed programme will have significant amounts of research elements, it is assumed that a number of postgraduate students from this programme may choose further postgraduate research studies such as a PhD.