MSc Pharmaceutical Industry Advanced Training (PIAT)

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

All applications must be submitted online. We're unable to accept applications by post.

What do I need to apply?

Please submit the following documents with your online application form:

• two references on letter headed paper or sent from work emails. We do not contact referees directly;
• official degree certificates (with translations if not in English) if you have already graduated;
• official university transcripts (with translations if not in English);
• a personal statement of approximately 300-500 words about why you wish to take this course, how it will affect your personal and professional development and your planned approach to making time to study. This statement should refer to your current role;
• full CV including voluntary experience;
• proof of English language proficiency (if required).

All international students must upload a scanned copy of their passport as part of the application process.

We prefer you to have one academic and one professional referee. If there are problems in getting an academic reference you can apply with two professional referees. We're unable to send offers until two references have been received.

To be on track to receive any type of award, we advise students to complete two units per year. For the PGCert, four units should be in completed in two years, while the PGDip requires eight units in four years and the MSc eight units in four years, plus an extra year for the dissertation.

When should I apply?

The two intakes are in September and January. All applications must be submitted before 28 August and 11th December respectively.

When will I hear about my application?

You will receive a letter/email from us within two weeks of submitting your application. This will inform you of the status of your application. If successful, you need to go online to accept the offer.

When can I take my next unit?

You can start mid-September and mid-January. In the first year of study we limit you to one unit per semester, but in subsequent years you may take on up to two units per semester. We have fixed submission deadlines of 11th January for September starts and 10th May for units started in January. You must complete a minimum of two units each year to stay on track to receive an award.

Do I need a degree?

While most of our students have a first degree in a scientific subject, we know that many people working in the pharmaceutical industry have experience directly relevant to their engagement in postgraduate study. We can accept applications if you have no first degree in a scientific subject, initially on a CPD basis. If you show an ability to study at postgraduate level and wish to continue, we can transfer you to MSc or PGDip after you have successfully completed four units.

Students without a first degree in science will be automatically registered on the CPD route in Industrial Pharmaceutical Sciences. Students with a first degree in science may register on this CPD route or directly on an MSc or Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) route, by default, on the Industrial Pharmacy pathway; students who complete more than five 15-credit units of an MSc or PGDip in the Pharmaceutical Microbiology pathway may choose to take their award in the name of that pathway at the point of exit. Students who exit with a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) will do so in Industrial Pharmaceutical Sciences. Units are subject to availability.

Pathways

• Industrial Pharmacy: This programme covers the industrial pharmacist role from formulation through to QA and QC, and also regulatory affairs and lean processes (including Six Sigma).
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology: We work with the Pharmaceutical Microbiology Interest Group (PharMIG) on the content and curriculum of this programme, ensuring that it is recognised as a leader within the field.

You can also take individual units as standalone CPD courses. Please contact us for further details of the units that can be taken.

Many of our units have been developed to support those seeking to build their QP portfolio and our team includes QPs who are willing to advise you on your development through this educational programme.

We offer a three-day annual school each year to allow you to meet fellow students and your tutors while attending workshops to support your learning and development in the units. You are strongly encouraged to participate in this event as a valuable face-to-face opportunity to engage with our team of expert tutors. It has been observed that those students who do engage with the event do better in their assessments in general.

Example dissertation titles

Below are examples of previous dissertations undertaken on the PIAT course.

• 'Comparison of the Chemical and Physical Stability of Three Different Dry Powder Inhalers containing Salmeterol Xinafoate and Fluticasone Propionate' - Joanne Ridgway
• 'Simulation of Modelling of Clinical and Pre-clinical Trial Supply Units' - Robert Jones
• 'Evaluation of Inspection Efficiency in a Sterile Vial Manufacturing Process' - Julia Deacon
• 'The Use of a Compaction Simulator in Preformulation' - Richard Iain Bell
• 'An Evaluation of the Impact of the Environmental Protection Agency on the Irish Pharmaceutical Industry' - Michael G Bizzell
• 'Physical Characterisation of a Multi-particulate Dosage Form using an Image Analysis System' - David K Brown
• 'Commissioning and Validation of a Small-scale Manufacturing Facility for the Production of Aseptically-prepared Products and the Subsequent Validation for a Specific Product Line' - Sarah Dawson
• 'Formulation of a Bioequivalent Immediate Release Tablet Preparation' - Roland T Green

'I enrolled on the PIAT course in the early stages of my career as an Analytical Scientist at Quay Pharma. Senior members of the team at Quay had benefitted from the course and believed it helped advance their careers. The course appealed to me because of the access to study materials and because I'd be taught by experts in their respective fields. PIAT gave me an opportunity to build expertise, allowing me to greater understand the fundamentals of working in the laboratory setting. This allowed me to progress quickly in my role and become more confident in my abilities. Furthermore, PIAT gave me access to study other sides of the industry that I may not have had the opportunity to otherwise. I was able to use the learnings from these units to give myself a wider understanding of the industry. Also the range of units available allowed me to tailor the course to suit my career path.'

Charles Adesuyi (graduate 2019)

'The PIAT programme broadened my scientific knowledge and has been invaluable in my career to date. Prior to commencing the course, I found that there were scientific terms bounced around by my colleagues that were unfamiliar to me. This prompted my search for a postgraduate course to improve my scientific knowledge. Colleagues from my previous employment had also undertaken the PIAT programme and found it beneficial, and so I enrolled. The units were strongly applicable to my role as a formulation manager. My scientific knowledge increased, and the unfamiliar scientific terms became known and understood. I would recommend PIAT to scientists/managers. Though it is challenging and requires dedication, the experience is rewarding and I found it a personal achievement.'

Our alumni have used the learning and opportunities gained from this course to advance their careers in a range of roles and areas.

Some have moved to management positions, while others have taken on roles with more responsibility, becoming team leaders, heads of projects or responsible for new and larger areas, regions or territories.

As part of the course, our students build networks of contacts and join a growing community of leaders within the industry.