
Open days and events
Chat with current students and King's staff to find out about the courses we offer, life at King's and ask any questions you may have.
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.
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.
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
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.
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.
You are required to take:
You are required to take two of the three options, that may typically include:
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
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.
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
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.
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.
You are required to take:
You are required to take two of the three options, that may typically include:
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
Full-time MSc:
We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible as we may need to request further information from you to assess your application. This is particularly important if your application is successful and you are required to meet any offer condition, and/or you need a Student Visa to study here at King’s.
Our first application deadline is on Friday 25 March 2022 (23:59, UK time).
After this date, the programme will close at any point once it is full. If there are places still available, the programme will remain open until the final application deadlines below:
· Overseas (international) fee status: Monday 11 July 2022 (23:59, UK time)
· Home fee status: Friday 29 July 2022 (23:59, UK time)
Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline listed and we are unable to process any further offers because places are filled before the final application deadlines.
Part-time MSc:
We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible as we may need to request further information from you to assess your application. This is particularly important as applications will be considered subject to the availability of places.
We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, but we request that you submit your application at the latest one month before the module start date.
Please note funding applications may be subject to specific deadlines.
Chat with current students and King's staff to find out about the courses we offer, life at King's and ask any questions you may have.
Discover your accommodation options and explore our residences.
Ask our current students and staff the questions you really want answered.
Want to know more about studying at King's? We're here to help.
King's is right in the heart of the capital.