MSc Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance

Year of entry: 2025

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 any required work experience. Ideally, you will have a nominated work-based tutor to support you for the duration of the course.

Full entry requirements

Number of places/applicants

40 places

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form .

See the Advice to applicant and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require, plus further information if you are a non-graduate.

The deadline for applications is 29 August 2025 . 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, aseptics, radiopharmacy, 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 17th in the world for Pharmacy and Pharmacology (QS World University Rankings 2024).

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 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £7,800
  • PGDip (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £7,800
  • PGCert (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £3,900

Additional expenses

Accommodation is provided at the Hyatt Regency for the study days in Manchester. If you have a very long distance to travel, or wish to arrive a day early for ease, this night will need to be funded by yourself or your sponsor.

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

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Telephone
+44 (0)161 529 4563
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/pharmacy/masters/
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 any required work experience. 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

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Relevant work experience

You should ideally be working in pharmacy technical services, 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 applicant and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require, plus further information if you are a non-graduate.

The deadline for applications is 29 August 2025 . 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 are preferred. Academic references may be accepted if you have recently graduated. 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, minimum 1,000 words, detailing your experience and reasons for applying for this course. Non-graduate candidates will be invited for interview.

How your application is considered

Your application will be reviewed by the Programme Director. If you demonstrate appropriate education, qualifications and/or experience, are successful at interview (if required) and have satisfactory references from appropriate colleagues you will be offered a place on the course.

Interview requirements

Non-graduate candidates will be invited for interview.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

Applications from international students will be considered on an individual basis.

The course is based around UK pharmaceutical legislation, and practice, 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 pharmacy technical services for the NHS or private sector organisations who want to update their skills and knowledge while gaining an academic qualification.

The PGCert gives an overall background to all areas of pharmacy technical services. In the second year of the programme you choose from a range of optional units to enable you to develop in your chosen field of interest.

Some of the topics covered by the course are quality assurance, radiopharmacy, aseptics, production, quality control, role of the qualified person, medical gas testing 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. You will need to have access to all areas of pharmacy technical services, either on site or via visits which should be arranged by your employer. This is fundamental to your learning.

Deadline for applications:

29 August 2025

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

This is a blended learning course combining distance learning with residential modules. Units will include a compulsory taught component delivered online and in Manchester that is supported by extensive experience achieved in the workplace and on visits to specialist facilities.

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 academic advisor at the University and your practice base to provide guidance on work-based activities and written assignments.

There will be a combination of remote study and face-to-face sessions. Provisional dates for 2025/26 are as follows:

Remote study dates:

  • Foundations of PTQA: 13, 20, 27 October and 3 November 2025
  • Basic Intro to Radiopharmacy (optional dependent on experience): 12 January 2026
  • Intro to Radiopharmacy: 19-23 January 2026 (TBC)
  • Intro to Aseptics: 16-18 February 2026
  • Intro to Production and Quality Control: 16-18 March 2026

Face-to-face study dates:

  • Introduction: 16-17 September 2025
  • Foundations of PTQA: Group 1: 20-21 November 2025, Group2: 24-25 November 2025
  • Intro to pharmaceutical science 2: 20-24 April 2026

Coursework and assessment

Each unit has a designated leadership team who are 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 each year before you can proceed to the next year of the course.

Course content for year 1

You will take course units covering a wide range of topics within:

- Foundations of PTQA (30 credits) - Introduction to Pharmaceutical Science 2 (30 credits):
  • Radiopharmacy
  • Aseptics
  • Production/QC

Course content for year 2

You will complete two course units:

  • Advanced Pharmaceutical Science 1 (30 credits)
  • Advanced Pharmaceutical Science 2 (30 credits)

You will choose six 10-credit options from the following subjects (three in each of the units above):

  • Advanced QA
  • Aseptics
  • Clinical trials
  • Medical gas testing
  • Preparation for practice
  • Production
  • Quality control
  • Radiopharmacy
  • Research methods
  • Role of the Qualified Person

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.

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Introduction to Pharmaceutical Science 2 PHAR61730 30 Mandatory
Foundations of Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance PHAR61780 30 Mandatory
Research Project PHAR61810 60 Mandatory

What our students say

Visit the blog to read about recent graduate Stephen Bishop's experience on the course.

Facilities

Face-to-face teaching will usually be delivered from the conference facilities on, or near to the University campus. There may be some practical sessions taking place on the University campus.

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.