MSc Pharmaceutical Analysis
Queen's University Belfast
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 23,150 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* international fee
Introduction
Acquire the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience for a career as a Pharmaceutical Analyst in Industry or Academia.
Why study this course?
Our industrial partners are always telling us they need people like you. Analysts are among the most sought after professionals with some of the highest employability rates.
You will receive practical training on state-of-the-art separation techniques, such as HPLC/MS and GC/MS, in the purpose-built Pharmaceutical Analysis lab designed in partnership with Agilent (a world-leading instrument manufacturer)
Please note:
Applications for this course received after 30th June 2022 may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.
Pharmaceutical Analysis Highlights
This programme is taught jointly between the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the School of Pharmacy by leading experts in the field.
Industry Links
- Our industrial partners have influenced the course structure, to tell us what they need from the latest analytical graduates. We have guest lectures from industry to tell you about the issues they face, out in the field.
Career Development
- Employability is a major perk of the course. Ireland, north and south, is a major hub for the Pharmaceutical industry.
World-Class Facilities
- Everything is on-campus, and the course is very hands-on and interactive. You will receive practical training on state-of-the-art separation techniques, such as HPLC/MS and GC/MS, in the purpose-built Pharmaceutical Analysis lab designed in partnership with Agilent (a world-leading instrument manufacturer)
Student Experience
- Dr Panagiotis Manesiotis, the course director, has a background in analytical and materials chemistry. His research covers Plastic antibodies: making from polymers what nature makes from proteins: creating more robust and less expensive antibodies. Environmental clean-up: engaging with the food industry and environmental protection agencies to recover valuable resources from waste and recycle them into useful materials – including phosphorus and nitrogen in food production waste, and even heavy metals from wastewater.
Ideal Students
You are probably a recent physical or life sciences graduate – chemistry, pharmacy and biology.
But you could equally be in work and want to develop your professional skills. If you are, we offer this course part-time as well, one day per week.
Career Opportunities
This programme is designed to prepare students for employment as analysts in the pharmaceutical and related industries.
There is currently a high demand, both locally and internationally, for graduates with analytical skills in this sector.
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
Employment after the Course
You might be working as a laboratory analyst or senior analyst, in quality assurance or quality control or in an industrial R&D facility.
You could be managing graduate recruits of your own, signing off the analysis and the quality of drugs and releasing batches into the world.
You could study further towards obtaining a PhD and continue towards an academic career.
The main focus of this degree is pharmaceutical analysis, but your training could open up career pathways in other areas, such as the food industry or environmental protection.
Employment Links
Many of our previous students have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Almac
- Randox
- Norbrook
- Pfizer
Curriculum
You’ll learn the theory behind state-of-the-art analytical techniques and have an opportunity to practice your skills using the most modern instrumentation.
You’ll be trained on techniques such as:
- Liquid and gas chromatography (HPLC, GC)
- Mass spectrometry (MS)
- Thermal Analysis (DSC, TGA)
- X-ray crystallography (PXRD, XRD)
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
You will also receive training on QA/QC aspects of the Pharmaceutical Industry. For your research project, you’ll spend 2-3 months in a laboratory. You have the option to do this in industry, for example in Almac.
Indicative Number of Modules Per Semester
- Full-time: Two Modules
- Part-time: One Module
List of Indicative Programme Modules
- Advanced Separation Science
- Chemical, Biochemical and Spectroscopic Analytical Methods
- Solid State Pharmaceutical Analysis Methods
- Quality Assurance/Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Research Project
Learning and Teaching
The course accommodates both full-time and employed part-time students.
Contact teaching hours (per week):
- Full-time: 12-20 hours
- Part-time: 8-12 hours
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
- Written examinations
- Continuous assessment
- Research project dissertation
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £10,609 for taught and research Master's courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
International Scholarships
English Language Requirements
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