Please note the Price per Module relates to 2024 entry. All other information applies to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
Medical Affairs MSc
Key information
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, two years to six years part-time
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
The Medical Affairs MSc course will give you the skills to operate as a bridge between the pharmaceutical industry and the wider medical community, including key thought leaders across a range of therapeutic specialisms, as well as with patient groups, regulatory authorities and beyond. The course builds from a sound appreciation of the clinical development of new medicines, to focus on understanding how to effectively link science and commercial activity, by providing scientific and commercial support for medicines. It is designed for scientists, physicians, pharmacists and allied health professionals. This is the world’s first MSc in Medical Affairs and still the only one on offer. This course is delivered in close partnership with the pharmaceutical industry. Many experts from pharma teach, run workshops, supervise dissertations and examine students. Pharma also employs most of our graduates.
Key benefits
- King's is ranked 22nd in the world for Pharmacy and Pharmacology (QS World University Rankings by subject 2024)
- Lectures and workshops are delivered by a mixture of academics and expert practitioners from the pharmaceutical industry.
- The course shares several common required modules with Clinical Pharmacology MSc, Drug Development Science MSc, and Stem Cell & Regenerative Therapies MSc, thus facilitating transfer between these courses.
- Direct practical experience of medical affairs through a one-week placement in industry.
- Accredited by PharmaTrain as a Centre of Excellence for the provision of state-of-the-art education and training in medicines development, which allows international transfer of credits
- A vibrant cohort of participants, studying both full-time and part-time.
- Modules are taught face to face with half of the time spent in workshops.
Medical Affairs is concerned with the development and lifecycle management of medicines. The MSc prepares bioscience graduates, physicians and pharmacists for a role in medical affairs in Pharma i.e. to make critical decisions and to execute strategic projects related to developing, commercialising, managing the medicine’s lifecycle and the use of medicines. This includes taking the company’s science to thought leaders in medical practice and to patient groups. Medical Affairs focuses on science and its application, not on sales. This MSc is not suitable preparation for a career in the lab. Students take 6 compulsory core modules in common with the other pharmaceutical medicine MSc courses, and that cover the syllabus of PharmaTrain. This gives the foundation knowledge of the research and development activities needed for new medicines. Students then begin their specialisation in Medical Affairs by taking two specialist modules. The specialist areas of medical affairs includes: the strategic roles and responsibilities of medical affairs; medical affairs as the company’s response to the changing environment; commercialisation of medicines, real-world evidence; patient engagement in the life cycle of medicines and achieving value for patients; the management of relationships with external stakeholders, medical education, ethical challenges in the industry; role of professional bodies, good practices, corporate and industry responsibility, regulations covering the sale and marketing of medicines, pharmacoepidemiology and the reporting of patient safety data with medicines. Students are offered direct practical experience of medical affairs through a one-week placement in industry. The placements are arranged by King's. Students complete their specialisation by writing an original research dissertation of up to 10,000 words in an area of medical affairs. In 2022 - 2023, four fifths of the students were directly supervised by a specialist employed in Pharma. The supervisors are recruited by King's. If you are studying full-time you will complete the MSc in one year, from mid-September to mid-September. Part-time study takes between two to six years to complete the MSc. Majority of the teaching is done in classrooms at the Waterloo campus. Students may also need to attend classes at nearby campuses e.g. Guys’ Hospital. For the placement, students need to travel to the host company. This is usually in and around London. Our teaching ensures that students have a rich and exciting experience from the start. Face-to-face teaching is complemented and supported with innovative technology and students experience elements of digital learning and assessment
Base campus
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
A Bachelor’s science degree with 2:1 honours is normally required. Applicants with a 2:2 (or overseas equivalent) will be considered where they offer significant work experience in a related field.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
D
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One reference is required: this should be academic but a professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
| Other | Optional | You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Lectures
Seminars
Independent Study
|
Module |
Lectures, seminars and feedback |
Self-study |
|
Per 15-credit taught module |
The total contact time for each 15-credit taught module is 32 hours. These sessions will include lectures, teacher-led and student-led group discussions based on the main areas of study. |
Each 15-credit taught module requires an average: 25 hours pre-course preparation, 40 hours researching and writing assignments, and 15 hours preparing for an MCQ exam. |
|
|
Throughout the year, you can expect to receive approximately 80 hours’ tutorials, supervision of dissertation research, plus ad hoc academic tutor meetings including assignment feedback. |
|
|
Dissertation module |
|
Approximately 200-300 hours researching and writing. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Exams
- Projects
The primary method of assessment for this course is a combination of assignments and on-line examinations. The MSc course also requires a project based in the area of medical affairs.
Coursework contributes approximately 50% and examinations approximately 50% to your final mark.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Required modules
You are required to take:
Medicines and the Healthcare Market (15 credits)
Ethics and Good Practice for Medicines (15 Credits)
The Regulation of Medicines (15 Credits)
Non-clinical and Early Clinical Development (15 credits)
Clinical Trials and Biostatistics (15 Credits)
The Safety of Medicines and Pharmacoepidemiology (15 Credits)
Design and Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use (60 credits)
You will also take the following specialist modules:
Strategic Medical Affairs (15 credits)
Practical Medical Affairs (15 credits)
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this course.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
Medical affairs is the fastest growing sector of employment in the pharmaceutical industry. And with the global focus of the course, you’ll have the expertise to work anywhere.
With no other Medical Affairs MSc courses available at any other university in the world, you’ll be joining an exclusive group of graduates trained by some of the top minds in the field.
After completing this course, you’ll have covered the spectrum of sub disciplines within medical affairs and will be able to apply for a wide array of jobs. Whether you recently graduated from your undergraduate degree or you’ve been working for a few years, this course is an ideal next step towards an exciting role in the pharmaceutical industry.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £16,950 (2025/26)
Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £1,412 (2025/26), Per 60 credit module £5,650 (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £47,700 (2025/26)
Part time: Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £3,975 (2025/26), Per 60 credit module £15,900 (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
MSc Full-time:
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
MSc Part-time:
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit is the full cost of the module.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- Library fees and fines
- Personal photocopies
- Printing course handouts
- Society membership fees
- Stationery
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses and to the placement
- Graduation costs
- Accommodation fees
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Medical Affairs is concerned with the development and lifecycle management of medicines. The MSc prepares bioscience graduates, physicians and pharmacists for a role in medical affairs in Pharma i.e. to make critical decisions and to execute strategic projects related to developing, commercialising, managing the medicine’s lifecycle and the use of medicines. This includes taking the company’s science to thought leaders in medical practice and to patient groups. Medical Affairs focuses on science and its application, not on sales. This MSc is not suitable preparation for a career in the lab. Students take 6 compulsory core modules in common with the other pharmaceutical medicine MSc courses, and that cover the syllabus of PharmaTrain. This gives the foundation knowledge of the research and development activities needed for new medicines. Students then begin their specialisation in Medical Affairs by taking two specialist modules. The specialist areas of medical affairs includes: the strategic roles and responsibilities of medical affairs; medical affairs as the company’s response to the changing environment; commercialisation of medicines, real-world evidence; patient engagement in the life cycle of medicines and achieving value for patients; the management of relationships with external stakeholders, medical education, ethical challenges in the industry; role of professional bodies, good practices, corporate and industry responsibility, regulations covering the sale and marketing of medicines, pharmacoepidemiology and the reporting of patient safety data with medicines. Students are offered direct practical experience of medical affairs through a one-week placement in industry. The placements are arranged by King's. Students complete their specialisation by writing an original research dissertation of up to 10,000 words in an area of medical affairs. In 2022 - 2023, four fifths of the students were directly supervised by a specialist employed in Pharma. The supervisors are recruited by King's. If you are studying full-time you will complete the MSc in one year, from mid-September to mid-September. Part-time study takes between two to six years to complete the MSc. Majority of the teaching is done in classrooms at the Waterloo campus. Students may also need to attend classes at nearby campuses e.g. Guys’ Hospital. For the placement, students need to travel to the host company. This is usually in and around London. Our teaching ensures that students have a rich and exciting experience from the start. Face-to-face teaching is complemented and supported with innovative technology and students experience elements of digital learning and assessment
Base campus
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
A Bachelor’s science degree with 2:1 honours is normally required. Applicants with a 2:2 (or overseas equivalent) will be considered where they offer significant work experience in a related field.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
D
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One reference is required: this should be academic but a professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
| Other | Optional | You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Lectures
Seminars
Independent Study
|
Module |
Lectures, seminars and feedback |
Self-study |
|
Per 15-credit taught module |
The total contact time for each 15-credit taught module is 32 hours. These sessions will include lectures, teacher-led and student-led group discussions based on the main areas of study. |
Each 15-credit taught module requires an average: 25 hours pre-course preparation, 40 hours researching and writing assignments, and 15 hours preparing for an MCQ exam. |
|
|
Throughout the year, you can expect to receive approximately 80 hours’ tutorials, supervision of dissertation research, plus ad hoc academic tutor meetings including assignment feedback. |
|
|
Dissertation module |
|
Approximately 200-300 hours researching and writing. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Exams
- Projects
The primary method of assessment for this course is a combination of assignments and on-line examinations. The MSc course also requires a project based in the area of medical affairs.
Coursework contributes approximately 50% and examinations approximately 50% to your final mark.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Required modules
You are required to take:
Medicines and the Healthcare Market (15 credits)
Ethics and Good Practice for Medicines (15 Credits)
The Regulation of Medicines (15 Credits)
Non-clinical and Early Clinical Development (15 credits)
Clinical Trials and Biostatistics (15 Credits)
The Safety of Medicines and Pharmacoepidemiology (15 Credits)
Design and Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use (60 credits)
You will also take the following specialist modules:
Strategic Medical Affairs (15 credits)
Practical Medical Affairs (15 credits)
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this course.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
Medical affairs is the fastest growing sector of employment in the pharmaceutical industry. And with the global focus of the course, you’ll have the expertise to work anywhere.
With no other Medical Affairs MSc courses available at any other university in the world, you’ll be joining an exclusive group of graduates trained by some of the top minds in the field.
After completing this course, you’ll have covered the spectrum of sub disciplines within medical affairs and will be able to apply for a wide array of jobs. Whether you recently graduated from your undergraduate degree or you’ve been working for a few years, this course is an ideal next step towards an exciting role in the pharmaceutical industry.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £16,950 (2025/26)
Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £1,412 (2025/26), Per 60 credit module £5,650 (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £47,700 (2025/26)
Part time: Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £3,975 (2025/26), Per 60 credit module £15,900 (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
MSc Full-time:
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
MSc Part-time:
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit is the full cost of the module.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
- Library fees and fines
- Personal photocopies
- Printing course handouts
- Society membership fees
- Stationery
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses and to the placement
- Graduation costs
- Accommodation fees
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Application closing date guidance
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.
Full-time MSc:
Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2025 (23:59 UK time). The final application deadlines for this programme are:
- Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)
- Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
After the first application deadline in March:
- if the programme is not yet full, we will continue to accept applications until all available places are filled up to the final application deadlines above
- if the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications
Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline, and we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.
Part-time MSc:
We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, but you should submit your application at the latest two months before the module start date. Please note funding applications may be subject to specific deadlines.
Key information
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, two years to six years part-time
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
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