Drug Development Science MSc

The Drug Development Science course is one of our three MSc courses in pharmaceutical medicine that are designed for those working in, or seeking to work in, the field of drug development, including pharmaceutical companies, Contract Research Organisations and regulatory authorities. The Drug Development Science course is a highly flexible study programme designed for those working in or seeking to work in the field of drug development. The course aims to provide students with expertise and skills in all aspects of medicine development, including pre-clinical testing, clinical development, drug regulation and drug safety.

Key benefits

• This course has been designed by, and is taught by individuals who are highly experienced in pharmaceutical medicine, with the many of our lectures delivered by current senior employees of pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities.
• King's is ranked 4th in the UK for graduate employability (Times Higher Education Global Employability University Rankings, 2020), and a recent review has shown that over 83% of our students are employed within the pharmaceutical industry within two years of graduation.
• The study programme is compliant with the European PharmaTrain initiative and thus allows international transfer of credits.
• The thought modules are almost all taught over one week, from Monday to Friday, 9.00 to 5.00, which facilitates part time MSc study by students who are employed in the industry and looking to further their careers.
• The course modules are supported by a programme of class tutorials which provide the non-technical skills that promote productivity, efficiency and effective communication in the workplace and for postgraduate academic study.
• The Three pharmaceutical medicine MSc course share five common core modules thus facilitating the possible transfer between Clinical Pharmacology, Drug Development Science, and Medical Affairs.
• Lecture and workshops are delivered by a mixture of academics and expert practitioners from the pharmaceutical industry.
• The course shares several common core modules with both MSc in Clinical Pharmacology and the MSc in Drug Development Science, thus facilitating transfer between these courses.

Course essentials

Forming a medicine from an active molecule is a multidisciplinary process. It is an activity that requires a large budget and takes several years to achieve. Importantly, it requires those who contribute to the activity to have a good working knowledge of whole development process. The Drug Development Science MSc equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage drug development projects and make critical decisions during the development of a medicine. It has been framed in such a manner that it will enhance the skills of those working in the pharmaceutical industry, who wish to take a leadership role in drug development and those who currently work in aligned clinical or scientific disciplines and wish to enter this field. Through a series of taught postgraduate level modules, it will bring participants into contact with world class scientists and clinical experts, who have developed active molecules for human use. Each module lays down a foundation of current practice and allows the participants to put this knowledge into practice, through practical drug development problem based exercises. The MSc requires modules totalling 180 credits to complete the course, including 60 credits from a dissertation of around 8,000 - 10,000 words. If you are studying the MSc full-time, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying for the MSc qualification part-time, your course will take up to six years to complete. 

Base campus

Waterloo Campus

Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry requirements

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Teaching & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures

Seminars

Group Tutorials

Independent Study

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. There are 30 hours of lectures, seminars and workshops per module. Each module requires two to four hours of pre- reading and also exam preparation.

 

For the MSc project there are approximately 80 hours of tutorials, plus supervision of dissertation research and ad hoc academic tutor meetings. Students could spend 200 to 300 hours researching and writing a dissertation.

 

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

• Coursework
• Exams

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations.  Forms of assessment may typically include written essays, presentations and on-line examinations.  Coursework contributes approximately 66% and examinations approximately 34% to your final mark.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment. 

Structure

Required modules

You are required to take:

Preclinical Science (15 credits)

Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (15 credits)

Biological and Advanced Therapies (15 credits)

Clinical Drug Development (15 credits)

Drug Development Statistics and Data Management (15 credits)

Drug Safety & Ethics (15 credits)

Dissertation (60 Credits)

Optional modules

You are required to take two of the three options, that may typically include:

Drug Regulatory Affairs (15 credits)

Healthcare Market Place (15 credits)

Healthcare Technology Assessment (15 credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Careers

Employability

It is expected that students who complete this course will be able to work in a medicines development field, opening up job opportunities that might have previously been beyond their reach and enhancing their value to their employers. Previous students have gone on to work in regulatory agencies, clinical research companies, leading pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies and pharmaceutical contract research organisations.   

 

 

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £18,900 per year (MSc, 2022/23)

Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £1,575 (MSc, 2022/23), Per 60 credit module £6,300 (MSc, 2022/23)

International:

Full time: £29,310 per year (MSc, 2022/23)

Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £2,325 (MSc, 2022/23), Per 60 credit module £9,300 (MSc, 2022/23)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

Full-time MSc:

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000.

· If you receive an offer on or before 31 March, payment is due by 25 April 2022.

· If you receive an offer between 1 April and 30 June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.

· If you receive an offer between 1 July and 31 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.

· If you receive an offer between 1 August and 21 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

· If you receive an offer from 22 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer. If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

 

Part-time MSc:

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place, which is the full cost of the module.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
• Library fees and fines 
• Printing course handouts 
• Personal photocopies 
• Society membership fees 
• Stationery 
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 
• Graduation costs
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions

Funding

• Course essentials
• Entry requirements
• Teaching & structure
• Careers
• Fees & Funding

Forming a medicine from an active molecule is a multidisciplinary process. It is an activity that requires a large budget and takes several years to achieve. Importantly, it requires those who contribute to the activity to have a good working knowledge of whole development process. The Drug Development Science MSc equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage drug development projects and make critical decisions during the development of a medicine. It has been framed in such a manner that it will enhance the skills of those working in the pharmaceutical industry, who wish to take a leadership role in drug development and those who currently work in aligned clinical or scientific disciplines and wish to enter this field. Through a series of taught postgraduate level modules, it will bring participants into contact with world class scientists and clinical experts, who have developed active molecules for human use. Each module lays down a foundation of current practice and allows the participants to put this knowledge into practice, through practical drug development problem based exercises. The MSc requires modules totalling 180 credits to complete the course, including 60 credits from a dissertation of around 8,000 - 10,000 words. If you are studying the MSc full-time, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying for the MSc qualification part-time, your course will take up to six years to complete. 

Base campus

Waterloo Campus

Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Loading...

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures

Seminars

Group Tutorials

Independent Study

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. There are 30 hours of lectures, seminars and workshops per module. Each module requires two to four hours of pre- reading and also exam preparation.

 

For the MSc project there are approximately 80 hours of tutorials, plus supervision of dissertation research and ad hoc academic tutor meetings. Students could spend 200 to 300 hours researching and writing a dissertation.

 

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

• Coursework
• Exams

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations.  Forms of assessment may typically include written essays, presentations and on-line examinations.  Coursework contributes approximately 66% and examinations approximately 34% to your final mark.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment. 

Structure

Required modules

You are required to take:

Preclinical Science (15 credits)

Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (15 credits)

Biological and Advanced Therapies (15 credits)

Clinical Drug Development (15 credits)

Drug Development Statistics and Data Management (15 credits)

Drug Safety & Ethics (15 credits)

Dissertation (60 Credits)

Optional modules

You are required to take two of the three options, that may typically include:

Drug Regulatory Affairs (15 credits)

Healthcare Market Place (15 credits)

Healthcare Technology Assessment (15 credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

It is expected that students who complete this course will be able to work in a medicines development field, opening up job opportunities that might have previously been beyond their reach and enhancing their value to their employers. Previous students have gone on to work in regulatory agencies, clinical research companies, leading pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies and pharmaceutical contract research organisations.   

 

 

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £18,900 per year (MSc, 2022/23)

Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £1,575 (MSc, 2022/23), Per 60 credit module £6,300 (MSc, 2022/23)

International:

Full time: £29,310 per year (MSc, 2022/23)

Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £2,325 (MSc, 2022/23), Per 60 credit module £9,300 (MSc, 2022/23)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

Full-time MSc:

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000.

· If you receive an offer on or before 31 March, payment is due by 25 April 2022.

· If you receive an offer between 1 April and 30 June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.

· If you receive an offer between 1 July and 31 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.

· If you receive an offer between 1 August and 21 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

· If you receive an offer from 22 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer. If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

 

Part-time MSc:

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place, which is the full cost of the module.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
• Library fees and fines 
• Printing course handouts 
• Personal photocopies 
• Society membership fees 
• Stationery 
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 
• Graduation costs
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions

Funding

Application closing date guidance