MSc Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance / Course details

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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.