MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
- Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 18,200 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no application deadline for postgraduate courses
** International full-time study |£11,400: home full-time study. Additional fees may apply
Key Summary
Step into a career shaping the future of healthcare.
Kingston University's MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis provides the expertise needed to drive advances in drug development, formulation and safety. Whether you aspire to work in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory bodies or research, this course opens doors to a wealth of career opportunities. You’ll work with cutting-edge technologies and gain work experience that will give you a competitive edge in the global pharmaceutical sector.
With a focus on emerging trends in drug safety, pharmaceutical technology, and regulatory frameworks, this course equips you to make a significant impact in the global pharmaceutical industry.
If you aspire to a management role within the pharmaceutical and allied industries, you can adjust your course to support your career goals. The option of the Management Studies pathway combines technical study with a chance to explore the fundamentals of management theory within the commercial and public sectors.
Why choose this course
Kingston University’s MSc Pharmaceutical Analysis blends in-depth theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on learning, preparing you for a rewarding career in the pharmaceutical industry. You’ll explore key areas such as analytical techniques, quality control, drug development processes, and regulatory standards.
The course equips you with the skills to analyse and test pharmaceutical products using industry-standard technologies. You will learn how to identify and manage risks, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and apply your knowledge to solve real-world problems. In addition to studying core analytical techniques and their applications, we’ll introduce various pharmaceutical technologies, for example, formulations and topics such as clinical pharmacokinetics.
With access to state-of-the-art labs and industry-relevant case studies, you’ll be fully prepared to tackle the challenges of pharmaceutical analysis. We've invested heavily in the development of new facilities including laboratories for teaching and research to provide students with access to ultra-modern equipment in a wide range of teaching facilities.
At Kingston, we foster close industry links. Many of our staff in the Faculty are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
The course also offers research opportunities that allow you to specialise in areas such as drug safety, formulation science, or analytical techniques. Your research project invites you to apply your knowledge in a practical context. Our emphasis on practical learning and real-world applications means you’ll leave ready to make an impact in pharmaceutical science.
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree on the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Pharmaceutical Analysis MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
- Gangolli Scholarship
- Inspire the Future Scholarship
- International scholarships
- Progression Scholarship
- Discounts for Kingston University alumni
Course content
You will gain key skills in the specialised area of pharmaceutical analysis, including good measurement and scientific practice, evaluation interpretation of data, and other professional and organisational skills. In addition to studying core analytical techniques and their applications, you will be introduced to various pharmaceutical technologies, for example, formulations and topics such as clinical pharmacokinetics.
You may be offered a placement within industry (depending on your results and project availability) where you will carry out your independent research project.
The Management Studies option enables you to explore the fundamentals of management theory within the commercial and public sectors.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Work placement scheme
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University enable students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. Although the University supports students in finding a placement and organises events to meet potential employers, the responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. You may find securing a professional placement difficult as they are highly competitive and challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare and apply yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.
Modules
Core modules
- Molecular and Atomic Spectroscopy
- Pharmaceutical and Analytical Technology
- Project
- Separation Science
- Statistics and Quality Systems
Teaching and assessment
Guided independent study (self-managed time)
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
Support for postgraduate students
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
Your workload
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Pharmaceutical Analysis pathway: 32% scheduled learning and teaching
- Pharmaceutical Analysis with Management Studies pathway: 32% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
How you will be assessed
Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical work (e.g. laboratory reports) and coursework (e.g. assignments, case studies, oral presentations, poster presentations or research project). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, although it depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.
Types of assessment
- Core pathway: Coursework 50%, Exams 32%, Practical 18%
- Management pathway: Coursework 54%, Exams 24%, Practical 22%
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Class sizes
You will be part of an intimate cohort of 20–40 students which provides dedicated academic guidance and advice as well as the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes; you may therefore be taught alongside postgraduates from other courses.
Whether you aim to work in research, production or regulatory roles, the MSc Pharmaceutical Analysis will open doors to diverse, rewarding career paths.
In addition to studying core analytical techniques and their applications, you’ll have the option to follow the Management Studies pathway. This approach is tailored specifically to enhance your career opportunities after graduation.
Graduates have gone on to work in a variety of industries, including in the public sector. Graduates work in areas such as quality control, ensuring products meet required standards, or in medicinal chemistry or drug discovery. Other relevant roles include teaching, PhD research, sales and marketing, and in managerial positions.
Links to business and industry
Our links with industry provide a practical base for our courses. They also help us to ensure your studies remain up-to-date and relevant to the working environment.
If you choose to study this course, you will benefit from real-world experience. You can either undertake an industry placement, or complete a collaborative research project with other laboratories. Past students have taken placements in the pharmaceutical industry, forensic labs, analytical consultancies, hospital labs and research labs; or
MSc students at Kingston also benefit from the latest views from visiting speakers and industry visits from global researchers and pharmaceutical companies.