MSc Drug Discovery Science at University of Sheffield

Programme overview

A one-year MSc on the drug discovery and design techniques used in the pharmaceutical industry to discover new chemical entities. Teaching covers pharmacology, toxicology, genomics and computer-aided drug design, with access to screening and analysis facilities.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Department: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences | Duration: 1 year full-time | Intake: September 2027 | Location: Sheffield, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core modules are Statistics and Laboratory Techniques, Drug Design, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Research, Presentation and Professional Skills, Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Synthesis, and a Drug Discovery Research Project of around 12 weeks. Students take 30 credits from options such as Genomic Approaches to Drug Discovery, Cancer Biology and Chemical Biology.

Career pathways

The course trains students for drug discovery roles in the pharmaceutical industry; Sheffield graduates have been hired by companies such as GSK, Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Other routes include academic research, healthcare and manufacturing.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Engineering or Traditional Chinese Medicine / Pharmacy. Degrees in other subjects are considered if they include at least one module from Area 1 (General, Medicinal, Natural Product, Organic or Pharmaceutical Chemistry) and one from Area 2 (Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology or Toxicology). International applicants: IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component, or University equivalent. No references and no supporting statement are required.

Domestic applicants: GBP 14,345 a year (2027/28). 1 year full-time MSc tuition fee for 2027-28 entry. Source

International applicants: GBP 36,055 a year (2027/28). 1 year full-time MSc tuition fee for 2027-28 entry. Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 1 year full-time

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