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MSc Drug Discovery and Development

Contribute to the discovery and development of drugs that could potentially improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people. Join a field where the UK has long been a leader and study in one of the country’s top locations for pharmaceutical science.

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MPharm students working in the mock dispensary during a dispensing class
Course codeCID995
Duration1 year
Fee(s)View fees
LocationOn campus

Course summary

The innovative and industry-focused MSc Drug Discovery and Development course gives you the advanced knowledge and practical skills needed for a successful career in the pharmaceutical sector, or as a stepping stone to PhD research.

You’ll study a broad range of topics including pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical analysis, drug design, pharmacology, disease biology, proteomics, pharmacogenomics, and medicines regulation aligned with international ICH guidelines. The course allows you to specialise in areas that match your interests, such as formulation, quality control, or drug discovery.

Teaching is delivered by experienced academics with global expertise, supported by modern laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technology. A key feature of the course is a research project, designed around your interests and often involving real world challenges or collaboration with industry partners.

Graduates go on to a wide range of roles across drug design, clinical and pre-clinical research, product development, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical analysis. Previous students have secured roles with leading companies including GSK, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Eisai, Reckitt Benckiser, Covance, and Norbrook Laboratories. Many international graduates have progressed into regulatory, quality assurance, and pharmacovigilance positions, while others have moved into PhD study. This MSc is designed to help you contribute immediately and effectively in today’s fast-moving pharmaceutical environment.

What you'll study

Modules

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some of these options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific required modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Postgraduate module credits should total 180. If optional modules are available alongside core modules on your course, you should choose an amount that totals 180 credits.

How you'll learn

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, seminars, open learning, laboratory work, and group work. The master's project may involve collaboration with a pharmaceutical or related company. Previous projects have involved collaborations with the British Pharmacopoeia and companies such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Helena Biosciences, ThermoScientific, and Agilent Technologies.

Compared to an undergraduate course, you'll find that this master's degree requires a higher level of independent working and problem solving. Assessment methods include laboratory reports, oral presentations, case studies, critical reviews, examinations, and the master's project.

Entry requirements

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UK students

International students

Current students

Current undergraduate students of the University of Sunderland, please use this apply link.

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and been offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

View our programme specifications(opens in new tab) for further information about what the course covers, learning outcomes and the skills you'll gain when you graduate.