Drug Discovery & Development, MSc at University of Lancashire

Programme overview

The MSc Drug Discovery and Development prepares graduates for careers in the pharmaceutical industry, covering the drug development process from discovery to product marketing, including quality control and regulatory science. It is taught on the Preston campus through lectures, seminars and practical sessions by academics and industry experts.

Faculty: School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences | Duration: 1 year full-time (2 years with professional placement); part-time available | Intake: September 2027 | Location: Preston, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Compulsory modules cover research and laboratory skills, a research project, principles of drug discovery and formulation design, quality assurance, clinical and regulatory affairs, and nanomedicine and biotechnology products. An optional professional placement of 38 to 40 weeks is available.

Career pathways

Roles in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, academia or further study such as a PhD; industry links include AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals and Wockhardt UK.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A 2:2 (recent honours degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent) in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biology, Forensic Science, Biomedical Science or a related subject, or equivalent qualification or experience. Module transcript required with the application. One academic reference. Interview with academic members of the School. Applicants entering on experience must demonstrate its suitability on application and at interview. International applicants: IELTS 6.0 with no component below 5.5 (or TOEFL 600 paper-based/250 computer-based with TWE 4). Ghana: a lower GPA plus a Postgraduate Diploma (Ghanaian Pre-Masters), or a Higher National Diploma plus a Postgraduate Diploma, is accepted; WAEC/WASSCE English grade C6 (or SSCE grades A-D if studied 1993-2005) is accepted as evidence of English, or IELTS 6.0 with no component below 5.5.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,710 a year (2027/28). Full-time Source

International applicants: GBP 19,250 a year (2027/28). Full-time Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 1 year full-time (2 years with professional placement); part-time available

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