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Progress from our established BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science course or a related discipline such as chemical engineering or chemistry. Specialise in the higher-level knowledge and skills required by the cosmetics sector and become employable in it.
This course will equip you with the skills needed to work in the cosmetics, personal care and fragrance industries in the UK and around the world, including formulation, quality control, safety and claims substantiation testing, regulatory framework, and business skills.
You will be taught by a wide range of academic staff and selected external experts, allowing you to gain skills and knowledge in a thematically coherent manner via lectures, teamwork, group presentations, new product development exercises, dermatology, and working in skin and hair technology labs.
We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, group tasks, problem-based learning (PBL) and lab experiments.
Assessment methods include written PBL group presentations, written examinations (both open and closed book), lab reports and a lab-based creative project. You will take four 30-credit modules in Stages 1 and 2, and a 60-credit Research Project in Stage 3.
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| a Canadian bachelor's degree | GPA 2.40 |
| a USA bachelor's degree | GPA 2.5 |
If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
We invite applications from holders of or those who hope to be awarded at least a second class honours degree in a relevant subject such as cosmetic science, science, technology, engineering, and maths. We also accept equivalent qualifications from other countries.
If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.
The fee for this course is:
*European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 23/24 admission you will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies. The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
As a Cosmetic Science graduate, you'll have a wide range of employment options in the cosmetic and related pharmaceutical industries. Sunderland is well-regarded by employers in the pharmaceutical sector and have worked with GSK for over 20 years.
The cosmetics and personal care industry is looking for appropriately trained cosmetic scientists; this is evidenced in wide-ranging vacancies worldwide. The current BSc Cosmetic Science course utilises a number of specialist speakers drawn from a cross-section of the industry and these contacts have highlighted a need for appropriately qualified graduates at both graduate and postgraduate levels in their specialist areas.
This course has been designed in consultation with our partners to ensure a relevant and contemporary curriculum, enabling you to develop the academic knowledge and practical skills required by companies involved in the regulation, manufacture, safety, marketing and distribution of cosmetic products.
According to the Society of Cosmetic Scientists, newly qualified cosmetic scientists can earn around £20,000 per year, rising up to over £50,000 per year as you gain experience and standing in the sector.
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