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Pharmaceutical and Analytical Science MSc

2026-27 (also available for 2025-26)

This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.

Start date

21 September 2026

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Places available (subject to change)

20

About the course

Reasons to study

1. Expert Knowledge: This course has been designed with input from Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists with a wide range of industrial and research experience. 
2. Industry Standard Facilities: Your learning will take place in purpose-built facilities, providing you with access to equipment found in industry  
3. Boosted Career Prospects: 94.8% of our graduates were in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating from the University.* 

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 21/22 

Are you looking to meet the growing demand for skilled Pharmaceutical and Analytical Scientists in the pharmaceutical and related industries?

Our cutting-edge course, crafted with insights from experienced Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists, offers you the perfect blend of industrial and research expertise.

Explore the world of pharmaceutical analysis, where you’ll master the testing of drug substances and the formulation of pharmaceutical drugs. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the latest technological advancements and applications in Pharmaceutical and Analytical Science. You’ll explore current and emerging drug formulation methods, alongside the instrumental techniques essential for analysing drug components.

We aim to prepare you for a successful career by providing:

Industry-Relevant Skills: Our curriculum is designed to equip you with the skills that are in high demand in the pharmaceutical industry. You’ll gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies and methodologies used in drug formulation and analysis, making you a valuable asset to potential employers.

Research and Development Expertise: By engaging in project work and research, you’ll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Comprehensive Understanding: The course covers a wide range of topics, from drug testing and formulation to regulatory affairs and quality control. This broad knowledge base will prepare you for various roles within the pharmaceutical and analytical science fields.

Our modules are delivered by experts who are leaders in their fields, ensuring you receive top-tier education. The course structure is designed to maximise your learning experience, with dedicated teaching time as well as hands-on project work.

The University is nestled within the heart of Huddersfield, a warm and welcoming town, known for its friendly atmosphere and diverse community. When you're not studying, you can enjoy an array of exciting activities and experiences. From cultural events and charming cafes to stunning scenery and fantastic transport links, there's plenty to do in and around the town centre.

Course detail

Research Skills

An introduction to key concepts of scientific research, including project planning, using scientific literature, the application of statistical methods, data processing and the process of creating a journal article from writing to submission. Part of the module will contain subject specific material appropriate to the student’s discipline.

Advanced Separation Techniques

This module introduces the theoretical basis and current and future developments in analytical separation techniques. Areas covered range from solid phase extraction; theory of chromatography; gas chromatography (GC); high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); capillary electrophoresis (CE), asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4) and sedimentation velocity in the analytical ultracentrifuge (SV-AUC). Tutorials are provided to support the lectures.

NMR Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry for Analytical Scientists

This module provides both a broad and in depth coverage of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. There is a large emphasis on developing your knowledge of the two techniques and you will be exposed to the most recent advances in instrumentation and their applications. You will explore advances in NMR design through a written assignment and you will also be able to demonstrate your ability to interpret spectral data in an exam.

Practical skills for Analysts

Extended experiments to develop, compare and assess methods for analytical problems carried out in small groups with lab reports.

Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Analysis

This module will consider the formulation of small molecules and macromolecules (e.g proteins and monoclonal antibodies) using advanced drug delivery systems. The application of advanced analytical techniques such as thermal and spectroscopic methods in drug development will also be appreciated. Latest trends in pharmaceutical development such as pharmaceutical nanotechnology and lipid based drug delivery systems will also be considered.

Pharmaceutical Preparations and their Testing

This module will consider the testing of drug substances and formulations in the Pharmaceutical Industry. A graduate analyst will be familiar with a wide range of analytical techniques but largely chemical in nature. This module will extend that knowledge to the testing of formulated pharmaceutical products and their other important attributes.

Molecular Medicine

This module will help you learn how understanding the biology underlying microbial (bacterial and viral) infection and disease, such as cancer, is important in the design of novel therapeutic agents. The module will outline examples of anticancer drugs, antimicrobials and drugs against other diseases (such as diabetes). In addition to a test that will assess your understanding of the topics, you will have the opportunity of independent learning in the form of a poster combined with a viva-type examination that will enhance your communication and interpersonal skills as well as critical thinking.

Research Project

​The overall aim of the project is to train you in methods of experimental design and either to develop new analytical methods (for example, to select by critical comparison and apply the most suitable method to a particular problem) or to solve a novel research problem in your subject area.


Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

  • A minimum of a lower second class honours degree in Chemistry, Biology or Pharmacy or a related subject.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Postgraduate Open Days


Learn more about Postgraduate Study at one of our upcoming Open Days

Come along to an on-campus Postgraduate Open Day and discover all there is to know about our wide range of postgraduate taught courses, research degrees and professional development options at the University of Huddersfield. 

Book now

Student Work

Enhance your career


Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as Analytical chemist, Clinical research associate, Clinical scientist, Clinical scientist, Immunology, Medical science liaison, Pharmacologist, Research scientist (life sciences), Research scientist (medical), Toxicologist.*

*Source: Prospects
**Percentage of the University’s postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating. (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021/22, UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

94.8%** Graduates employed

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services..

Research excellence

Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through research our staff remain up to date with the latest developments in their field, which means they can help you to develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant.

Find out more about our research staff and centres

Important information

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules:

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes:

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment, or pandemics.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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