Pharmaceutical Science MPharmSci
Kingston University
Key Information
Campus location
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* UK students: £9,250 per year | international: £15,800 for the first year
Introduction
Why choose this course?
Do you see yourself as a research scientist? Working at the cutting edge of discovering, designing and developing new drugs for clinical purposes? If so, this four-year course is ideal.
You'll explore the sources of medicine, how medicines work, and how they can be formulated (such as via tablet, cream or inhaler), administered, analysed and tested.
The course shares its first two years with the Pharmaceutical Science BSc (Hons) programme and provides a wide understanding of all aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. In Year 3 you'll deepen your knowledge of natural product chemistry. You'll develop skills for testing and evaluating the safety and effectiveness of pharmaceutical products. In Year 4 you'll develop skills in experiment design, critical analysis, problem-solving and laboratory work.
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- You'll gain extensive practical experience in new laboratories after a £6.8 million investment.
- Kingston is ranked No.2 in London for pharmacy and pharmacology (Guardian University League table 2022).
- You'll take advanced masters-level modules in the Manufacture and Clinical Trials of Medicines and Advanced Organic and Medicinal Chemistry.
Admissions
Curriculum
What you will study
Year 1
Years 1 and 2 are shared with the Pharmaceutical Science BSc(Hons) course.
Year 1 introduces biology, chemistry and physiology, and pharmaceutical science itself. The Foundation Chemistry for Pharmaceutical Science module introduces formulation science, pharmacokinetics and molecular modelling, emphasising practical work and instrumental techniques. An academic skills module covers mathematics, statistics, generic study skills and information technology, giving you skills valued by employers.
Core modules
- Introduction to Spectroscopy and Experimental Techniques
- Academic Skills for Molecular Sciences
- Foundation Chemistry
- Bioscience 1
Year 2
Year 2 places emphasis on organic and medicinal chemistry and develops practical skills, especially in pharmaceutical analysis - important in relation to the actions and characterisation of drugs. Building on the pharmaceutical chemistry learned in Year 1, you will study the properties and formulation of pharmaceuticals. You will also study the effect of drugs on living systems and the principles of the immune system. There will be an introduction to micro-organisms in relation to human disease, their control and safe working practices. Year 2 features a focus on experimental pharmaceutical chemistry and developing skills for conducting independent laboratory investigations. There is also the opportunity to develop other transferable skills, important to your employability and career planning.
Core modules
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics
- Analytical Science
- Practical and Research Skills in Pharmaceutical Science
Year 3
Year 3 shares some modules with our Pharmaceutical Science BSc(Hons) degree, including a module that deepens your knowledge base in natural product chemistry, and another that develops and enhances your analytical skills, crucial for the testing and evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of pharmaceutical products.
Core modules
- Organic and Natural Product Chemistry
- Drug Development
- Topics in Pharmaceutical Science
- Optional modules
- Advanced Analytical Science
Year 4
In Year 4, you will spend half of your time working on your research project, enhancing your skills in experiment design, critical analysis, problem-solving and laboratory work. The project also provides an opportunity to display initiative and creativity. In addition, you will take advanced masters-level modules in the Manufacture and Clinical Trials of Medicines and Advanced Organic and Medicinal Chemistry.
Core modules
- Research Project
- Advanced Organic and Medicinal Chemistry
- Manufacture and Clinical Trials of Medicines
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
After you graduate
Pharmaceutical science is a growth area with good job prospects. Graduates work in areas such as research, development, regulatory affairs and pharmaceutical analysis. They also frequently progress to study for PhDs.
Types of jobs
- Research scientist
- PhD student
- Drug safety associate
- Strategic alliance manager
- Research assistant
- Quality control analyst
- Clinical trial project manager
- Pharmacy technician
- Microbiologist
- Optical assistant/dispenser
- Marketing research
- Medical publisher