Course Level:Postgraduate
Next Start Date: February 2024
Duration: 15 Months
Campus Location: University Square Campus, Luton
Attendance: Full-time | Part-time day
UCAS Code:N431

About the course

The development of safe and effective new drugs is a challenging and rewarding field. Our Pharmacology Master’s gives you the high-quality training, knowledge and key skills required to make your mark in the pharmaceutical industry and ultimately benefit wider society.

The course gives you a broad knowledge of drug discovery and development, focusing on the mechanisms of drug action at molecular level; the treatment of human diseases; and the latest cell and molecular technologies used in pharmacology. You gain an in-depth understanding of individual examples of modern drug research and development before moving on to specialise in one research area through the completion of a laboratory research project.

Intermediate qualifications available

  • Postgraduate certificate – 60 credits at Master’s level
  • Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Master’s level

Why choose this course?

  • Study the principles of drug design, pre-clinical evaluation, clinical trials, regulatory affairs and the application of new technologies in the drug discovery and development process
  • Explore the latest therapeutic concepts and principles relating to the causes, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases in current clinical practice
  • Develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of new technologies in cell and molecular biology
  • Work with our expert academic team, who are actively involved in research so you are up to the minute when it comes to current and emerging developments in the field
  • Gain a wide range of valuable practical and transferable skills as well as the ability to devise an experimental plan as an independent investigator

Course Leader - Dr Prashanth Bajpe

I joined the School of Life Sciences in May 2020 from the Francis Crick Institute, London. I obtained my PhD from Erasmus University Medical Centre from the lab of Peter Verrijzer in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The focus of my PhD was ubiquitination and the reversal of ubiquitination (de-ubiquitination) in the context of gene regulation. I helped discover an interesting protein complex of USP7-GMPS. This work laid the foundation for future works on the role of metabolic enzymes in gene regulation in Verrijzer’s group.

Find out more about Dr Prashanth Bajpe
The campus where this course is taught

Units

  • Cell And Molecular Biology (BHS001-6) Compulsory
  • Clinical Pharmacology And Therapeutics (BHS007-6) Compulsory
  • Drug Discovery And Development (BHS005-6) Compulsory
  • Molecular Pharmacology (BHS006-6) Compulsory
  • Pharmacology Research Project (BHS010-6) Compulsory

The assessment philosophy of the MSc Pharmacology Award conforms to the recommendations of the aspects of relevant QAA Benchmarks and Masters level descriptors. The methods used for the assessment of students achievements will correspond with the knowledge, abilities and skills that are to be developed through degree programme. Both formative and summative modes of assessment will be used. Evidence on which assessment of students achievement is based will include: formal written examinations; summative practical assessments; laboratory and other written reports; problem-solving exercises; oral presentations; individual planning, conduct and reporting of project work; and essay assignments. Evidence on which assessment of students' achievement is based may include: literature surveys and evaluations; collaborative project work; preparation and displays of 'posters' reporting project work; personal portfolios of learning achieved; computer-based assessments; and self and peer assessment. The course assessment strategy is compliant with the University of Bedfordshires Quality Assurance Regulations. The commitment to practical skills and the ability to communicate and interpret data through scientific report writing is emphasised at all units of the programme. As such, practical (laboratory) activities form a significant proportion of students assessment. Practical work will be assessed through written practical reports, portfolio of varied lab experiments, poster presentations and reflective laboratory diaries. Assessment throughout the units, most notably in the research project, will call upon abstract writing and journal review skills to promote critical thinking and integration of knowledge across the course units. The importance of oral communication skills is also acknowledged, as some of the units require students to undertake oral presentations as part of the unit assessments. Throughout the course, formative feedback will be provided in support of various tasks that include practical work in all four units, mini-projects, literature reviews, case studies and presentation prior to final summative assessments. Students' capability in carrying out research will be assessed through a research proposal, research project activities and presentations. Group work, including laboratory practical sessions, will help students to develop transferable skills such as taking initiative, communication, team working and decision making. Ability in oral communication will be assessed through presentations, including a poster presentation. All assessed work will be marked using the University's percentage based marking scheme. The pass mark for all units will be 40% or above. Students that fail to successfully complete the initial taught units may not be eligible to progress to the laboratory based research project stage of the course; this is determined by the Universitys regulations. Students who do not initially progress will be expected to undertake either referral assessments or, if necessary, retake failed units (no student can retake a unit more than once). When students pass the number of other units prescribed by the regulations, they will be able to undertake their research project.

Why Study in the School of Life Sciences?

  • Specialist laboratories in new £40m STEM building
  • 92% satisfaction with Biological Science, NSS 2020

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above.

The University of Bedfordshire warmly welcomes students from all over the world.

Individual courses may vary, but we generally require an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above. 

To ensure a smooth application process, we have dedicated pages with detailed information about country-specific requirements. You can find information on our generic entry requirements too, if your county is not listed.

English Language

The English Language requirement for this course is 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subtest) in IELTS, or an equivalent SELT. Have a look at our webpage for a list of English language qualifications we accept. If you do not have the required level of English for your chosen degree, we offer pre-sessional courses to enhance your language skills before commencing your studies.

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our international admissions team for further assistance. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant academic community.

 

Clicking this card will take you to /international/countries/

Entry Requirements


Applicants should have an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above.


The University of Bedfordshire warmly welcomes students from all over the world.

Individual courses may vary, but we generally require an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above. 

To ensure a smooth application process, we have dedicated pages with detailed information about country-specific requirements. You can find information on our generic entry requirements too, if your county is not listed.

English Language

The English Language requirement for this course is 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subtest) in IELTS, or an equivalent SELT. Have a look at our webpage for a list of English language qualifications we accept. If you do not have the required level of English for your chosen degree, we offer pre-sessional courses to enhance your language skills before commencing your studies.

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our international admissions team for further assistance. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant academic community.

 

How will this course improve my career prospects?

Graduates progress to careers in pre-clinical research; clinical research; drug licensing and regulatory affairs; medical information; medical writing; and medical sales.

You can also continue in higher education at Doctorate level (MPhil and PhD).

Fees and funding

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,350 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £14,600

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

Fees and funding


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £8,500 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,350 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £14,600

If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk

Extra costs for this course

Travel costs

During the course you will be making some study visits to industry and regulatory agencies. We estimate that the total spend on travel would be around £100.

*The information above is for guidance only. Exact costs may vary.

Extra Costs

Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here.

How to Apply

UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form

How to Apply


UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form