
Overview
- Degree awarded
- MSc/PGDip/PGCert
- Duration
- MSc 3yr PT, PGDip 2 yr PT, PGCert 1 yr PT
- Entry requirements
-
We require an honours degree (minimum Lower Second) or overseas equivalent in:
- pharmacy
- a related scientific or healthcare discipline.
We may consider non-graduates with professional experience and academic ability. See the advice to applicants section for more information.
You should have access to appropriate practice and facilities for workplace-based assignments. You must also have evidence of support from your employer to attend the residential teaching component and placements as necessary. Ideally, you will have a nominated work-based tutor to support you for the duration of the course.
- Number of places/applicants
- 25 places
- How to apply
Please apply via our online application form .
See the Advice to application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require, plus further information if you are a non-graduate.
We recommend you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.
Course options
Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | N | Y | N | N |
PGDip | N | Y | N | N |
PGCert | N | Y | N | N |
Course overview
- Enhance your skills and knowledge if you work in the NHS or private sector technical services as a pharmacy, health or biomedical professional.
- Learn from experts practicing in the NHS and industry who deliver lectures and workshops as part of the course.
- Cover topics such as quality assurance, quality control, production and clinical trials.
- Develop your network of like-minded professionals.
- Enjoy the blended delivery model, learning via remote and online learning in addition to study days in Manchester.
- Study at a university ranked 5th in the UK and 14th in the world for Pharmacy and Pharmacology (QS World University Rankings 2022).
Open days
Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days .
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2023, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £18250 (£7300 years 1 and 2 and £3650 year 3) -
PGDip (part-time)
UK students (per annum): 7300 per annum -
PGCert (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £7,300
Additional expenses
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 529 4563
- pgtaught.pharmacy@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/pharmacy/
- School/Faculty
-
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require an honours degree (minimum Lower Second) or overseas equivalent in:
- pharmacy
- a related scientific or healthcare discipline.
We may consider non-graduates with professional experience and academic ability. See the advice to applicants section for more information.
You should have access to appropriate practice and facilities for workplace-based assignments. You must also have evidence of support from your employer to attend the residential teaching component and placements as necessary. Ideally, you will have a nominated work-based tutor to support you for the duration of the course.
English language
International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. We ask for English language proof from applicants from countries that are not majority English-speaking countries.
Specifically, we require a minimum of:
- a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in writing;
- TOEFL, a minimum of: 575 paper-based 230 computer-based;
- Internet-based TOEFL of 90 with a minimum of 22 in each component.
See further information about requirements for your country .
English language test validity
Relevant work experience
You should ideally be working in technical services or QA services within pharmacy departments, but this is not essential. Students who don't work in these areas will need to have access to this work environment to complete many of the assignments. Support can be provided in helping secure these placements.
Application and selection
How to apply
Please apply via our online application form .
See the Advice to application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require, plus further information if you are a non-graduate.
We recommend you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.
Advice to applicants
All applicants must provide two satisfactory references on letter headed paper, signed and dated. Professional references can be provided in instances where you have been out of university for more than three years. Unfortunately, we cannot request references from your referees on your behalf.
You must provide a copy of your qualification if you are a graduate.
Non-graduates must submit a two-page document detailing your experience and reasons for applying for this course. Non-graduate candidates may be interviewed.
How your application is considered
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
Applications from international students will be considered on an individual basis.
The courseis based around UK pharmaceutical legislation, so please consider the relevance of this to your career before applying.
All international students considering application must upload a scanned copy of their passport as part of the application process.
Course details
Course description
Our MSc in Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance is aimed at pharmacy, health and biomedical professionals working in technical services for the NHS or private sector organisations who want to update their skills and knowledge while gaining an academic qualification.
This three-year part-time course allows you to choose from a range of optional units to enable you to develop in your chosen field of interest. Some units allow you to learn alongside students from other healthcare disciplines.
Some of the topics covered by the course are radiopharmacy, aseptics, production and clinical trials.
You will learn from experts from the NHS and industry, who deliver lectures and workshops as part of the course.
You will also be able to apply what you learn in practical workshops and visits to and placements in NHS and industrial environments.
PhD with integrated master's
If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.
You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.Aims
We aim to provide you with an understanding of core principles and features of pharmaceutical science and professional training.
Successful completion of the course will enable you to:
- critically apply knowledge of pharmaceutical technology and quality assurance to a range of specialist medicines management areas in pharmaceutical technology and quality assurance;
- critically analyse evidence to make judgements regarding complex quality assurance issues in pharmaceutical practice;
- lead on enhancing the achievement of standards and upholding necessary standards and legal requirements in specific areas of practice;
- apply in-depth knowledge and experience of techniques for evaluating and managing the risk to patients from pharmaceutical technology and quality assurance;
- take a proactive and self-reflective role in work.
Students who complete the full MSc qualification will achieve the objectives for the PGDip, and will also critically and creatively evaluate current issues in practice and conduct research that advances pharmaceutical technology, quality assurance and decision-making related to patient care.
Teaching and learning
We use a blend of online and face-to-face methods. This will include small group tutorials, workshops and experience-based learning. You will have a nominated tutor at the University and your practice base to provide guidance on work-based activities and written assignments.
You will engage in work-based learning and demonstrate this to the academic team by producing portfolios of evidence detailing your experiences gained during each visit or placement.
There will be a combination of remote study and face-to-face sessions. Dates are yet to be confirmed, but for 2022/23 they were as follows:
Remote study dates:
- Foundations of PTQA: 16, 23, 30 October and 6 November 2023
- Basic Intro to Radiopharmacy (optional dependent on experience) – 18 January 2024
- Intro to Radiopharmacy (TBC) – 22-26 January 2024
- Intro to Aseptics: 19-21 February 2024
- Intro to Production and Quality Control: 18-20 March 2024
Face-to-face study dates:
- Introduction: 20-21 September 2023
- Foundations of PTQA: 27-28 November 2023
- Intro to pharmaceutical science 2: 15-19 April 2024
Coursework and assessment
Each unit has a designated leader who is responsible for individual assessments, under the guidance of the course director. All assessments will be monitored and reviewed by the exam board.
You must satisfy the course requirements in Year 1 before you can proceed to Year 2 of the course.
Course content for year 1
In Year 1 you will take two compulsory course units covering the breadth of Pharmacy Technical Services:
- Foundations of PTQA (30 credits) Introduction to Pharmaceutical Science 2 (30 credits)
- Introduction to Radiopharmacy
- Introduction to Aseptics
- Introduction to Production and Quality Control
Course content for year 2
In Year 2 you will take two compulsory units:
- Advanced Pharmaceutical Science 1 (30 credits)
- Advanced Pharmaceutical Science 2 (30 credits)
You will be able to choose from the following 10 credit optional blocks to build the two 30 credit units:
- Radiopharmacy
- Preparation for Practice
- Medical Gases
- Clinical Trials
- Advanced QA
- Aseptics
- Role of the Qualified Person
- Production
- Quality Control
- Research Skills
Course content for year 3
You will complete your research dissertation.
Course unit details
There is flexibility through the range of optional units to allow you to develop in your chosen specialist field. Some units also provide the opportunity to learn alongside students from other healthcare disciplines.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Introduction to Pharmaceutical Science 2 | PHAR61730 | 30 | Mandatory |
Foundations of Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance | PHAR61780 | 30 | Mandatory |
Research Project | PHAR61810 | 60 | Mandatory |
Quality Control | PHAR61900 | 15 | Mandatory |
Aseptics Advanced | PHAR61910 | 15 | Mandatory |
Pharmaceutical Risk Mgmt and the role of the Qualified Person | PHAR61920 | 15 | Optional |
Pharmaceutical Medical Gas Testing | PHAR61930 | 15 | Optional |
Radiopharmacy Advanced | PHAR61940 | 15 | Optional |
Clinical Trials for the NHS | PHAR72090 | 15 | Optional |
What our students say
Visit the blog to read about recent graduate Stephen Bishop's experience on the course.
Facilities
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .
Careers
Career opportunities
Completing this course will help you develop your chosen career path within the pharmacy profession by gaining advanced pharmaceutical knowledge, problem solving skills and a critical awareness of the role of pharmaceutical services within the workplace.