📖Program Curriculum
The MSc in Pharmaceutical Development with Business Management is studied full-time over one year starting in September split into three equal-credit semesters.
The first semester aims to equip you with the necessary business skills and integrate this with the pharmaceutical science knowledge needed in product development and management. You will undertake two 15-credit modules learning alongside other business students together with a Product Development and Management module that integrates business aspects with the applied pharmaceutical sciences developing a blended skillset that will help set you apart on the job market.
The second semester continues to build on this knowledge but also has more laboratory-based modules to allow you to develop your laboratory skills and demonstrate how well you are able to apply the necessary pharmaceutical knowledge required within each session.
The Development of Biopharmaceuticals module recognises the importance of biopharmaceuticals within the pharma industry preparing you to contribute to this growing market upon graduation. According to global consultants McKinsey biopharmaceuticals could become the core of the future pharmaceutical industry. By far the fastest-growing part of the industry: biopharma’s current annual growth rate of more than 8% is double that of conventional pharma and growth is expected to continue at that rate for the foreseeable future.
The final semester allows you to specialise into an area of your interest with a project that can either be research or audit based in an appropriate subject relating to pharmaceutical development and business management.
You will complete 180 credits to obtain the master’s qualification comprising seven compulsory modules including the core Pharmaceutical Development with Business Management Project (60 credits).
There are also two interim awards available depending on how many modules (and credits) have been successfully completed: a Postgraduate Certificate for 60 credits to include the Product Development and Management module; and a Postgraduate Diploma for 120 credits to include all taught modules.
There’s never been a better time to study a postgraduate course at Keele. Our alumni can get a 20% discount off postgraduate tuition fees and that’s in addition to student loans for UK students that are now available through Student Finance England.
Close All
Core modules
PHA-40173 Product Development and Management (30 credits Semester 1)
This interdisciplinary module aims to provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the processes and underpinning principles that are involved in product development and bringing a product into market. It covers the pharmaceutical development process from the core principles in pharmaceutical science through technology processes and associated tools in product development from launch to post-market life cycle management in the context of appropriate regulatory frameworks.
MAN-40114 International Business Context (15 credits Semester 1)
The purpose of this module is to introduce theories around globalisation international trade and investment. It offers insight into a range of economic political technological processes that influence and are influenced by international business activities. You will develop a solid understanding of basic theories underlying the importance of international trade and investment enhancing your understanding of current events and their impacts.
MAN-40110 International Operations and Supply (15 credits Semester 1)
Explores how international operations and supply networks are designed managed controlled and adapted for different locations in the world. Covers the fundamental principles emergent models from around the world and current best practices in operations procurement supply and logistics management. Encourages critical thinking in the management of international operations and supply.
PHA-401743 Applied Pharmaceutical Analysis (30 credits Semester 2)
To produce new safe and effective pharmaceutical products scientists need to understand the properties of different chemical entities their formulation and their activities. On this module you'll explore a variety of the analytical techniques employed to establish this considering a range of important aspects relevant for the overall assessment of pharmaceutical products. You will learn to appreciate and apply existing analytical approaches in the pharmaceutical industry and propose strategies to improve current approaches as well as for novel pharmaceutical products.
PHA-40169 Quality by Design (15 credits Semester 2)
Quality by Design (QbD) is developed on the concept that quality should be designed into a product as most issues that arise relate to poor product design. QbD began to be adopted by pharmaceutical companies as the industry recognised that increasing testing does not always lead to improvement in product quality. This module mirrors the QbD processes adopted in pharmaceutical formulation and manufacture beginning by defining a target product quality profile then establishing key production parameters and a control protocol for the development processes.
PHA-40190 Development of Biopharmaceuticals (15 credits Semester 2)
Recombinant protein therapeutic agents have a profound impact on the treatment of many diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis diabetes haemophillia and cancer. The knowledge of recombinant DNA technology and cell biology has allowed for the large scale commercial production of such recombinant proteins. Recombinant proteins have also played a role in drug discovery research and been engineering to improve stability and modified biological actions. This module aims to equip students with the fundamental knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in protein science. You'll also gain hands-on experience working with laboratory instruments that are also used by the pharmaceutical industry.
PHA-40171 Pharmaceutical Development with Business Management Project (60 credits Semester 3)
This module offers the opportunity for you to specialise in a subject area of your choice and apply the theory learnt throughout the course developing transferable research skills. Project options range from the core science areas of pharmaceutics chemistry pharmacology pharmacokinetics recombinant protein expression or relevant business-focused projects or audits. We would also allow you to conduct this semester with companies if you are successful in securing your own research/audit position. Past student projects have included a toxicology study assessment of an anti-aging product and a computational chemistry project.
NEXT STEPS
Apply now
Visit us
Enquire about this course
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
This course is open to students from relevant science or healthcare backgrounds who want to enter the fast-paced pharmaceutical industry. We also welcome applications from students who are studying towards a medical or healthcare-related qualification and wish to intercalate with this course.
We are normally seeking a minimum of a 2:1 (upper second class honours) degree qualification or an equivalent overseas qualification in relevant science and healthcare subjects at undergraduate level (unless intercalating).
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
IELTS 7 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component. The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.
If you do not meet the English language requirements the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.
During your degree programme you can study additional English language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.
Show less
