Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
Pharmaceutical Analysis, Technology and Biopharmaceuticals MSc
Key information
Our Pharmaceutical Analysis, Technology and Biopharmaceuticals MSc will enable you to develop your expertise to become an outstanding post-graduate pharmaceutical scientist ready to be employed in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, regulatory bodies or to become a highly competitive PhD candidate. The course is designed and delivered by experts in the field. It has a strong scientific approach, and we have specifically designed it to improve the skills of pharmacists and other chemistry/ biochemistry graduates. You will have the opportunity to work with leading experts on projects in our research-focused labs, where you will gain hands-on experience with the latest techniques and instruments.
Key benefits
- We are ranked 22nd in the world for Pharmacy & Pharmacology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
- Well-equipped laboratories give you lots of 'hands-on' time for a range of modern techniques and instruments.
- Located in the centre of London in an institute that is renowned for its international research profile.
- Opportunity to undertake an extended 6 months project of your choosing in the labs of internationally- rated scientists.
- Complementary attendance to a Joint Pharmaceutical and Analysis Group symposium at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London to meet with leading scientists from major pharmaceutical industries, regulatory bodies and to hear the latest discussions on pharmaceutical analysis and regulatory hot topics.
- A wide range of career options including pharmaceutical companies, biotech industries, regulatory bodies and research.
The course will allow you to gain the knowledge, practical and research skills that apply in all areas of pharmaceutical sciences covering the principles of pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and formulation of liquid and solid pharmaceutical products, which you will need for a career in the pharmaceutical industry, research institute or biotech. You will also be given the opportunity to specialise in the area of advanced pharmaceutical analysis, quality control and regulatory affair, advanced pharmaceutical technologies or advanced biopharmaceutical innovations. An integral component of the course is a laboratory research dissertation worth 60 credits where you will work in a research laboratory involved with independent research supervised by experts in the field. The MSc course is an interdisciplinary course of study with the aim to allow you to design, develop and quality control better medicines for the future.
Course Aims
- Design, develop and quality control better medicines to help people live longer, happier and healthier lives.
- Explore the principles of pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, and the formulation of liquid and solid pharmaceutical products – knowledge essential to any pharmaceutical career.
- Develop your interests or focus on a future career path by choosing to specialise in advanced pharmaceutical analysis, quality control and regulatory affairs, advanced pharmaceutical technologies or advanced biopharmaceutical innovations.
- Learn to conduct independent research, supervised by leading experts, during your laboratory research dissertation.
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
Minimum 2:1 first degree (or equivalent) in a Chemistry or Biochemistry-related discipline.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
Candidates with a 2:2 or equivalent may be considered if they have substantial relevant work experience.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
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 | Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references 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
You will be taught by and work alongside scientists who are experts in the field and who work in an internationally leading team. Your study time will be as follows:
Lectures: approximately 100 hours
Lab classes/tutorials: approximately 110 hours
Research project module: Six months
Self-study time: approximately 40 hours per week.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
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.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Exams
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include laboratory book records, laboratory reports, presentations, online quizzes and written exams. Coursework contributes approximately 80% and examinations approximately 20% 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.
Structure
Required modules
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take:
Optional modules
You are required to take one optional module from a list which will typically include:
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
Some of our recent graduates have gone on to study for a PhD. Others have transferred the skills and knowledge they developed with us to work in R&D laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry (including Pfizer, GSK and Novartis) or to positions with regulatory agencies. Our overseas students have taken up similar positions in their home countries.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £16,950 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £35,800 per year (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
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.
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
- Stationery
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
- Graduation costs
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.
The course will allow you to gain the knowledge, practical and research skills that apply in all areas of pharmaceutical sciences covering the principles of pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and formulation of liquid and solid pharmaceutical products, which you will need for a career in the pharmaceutical industry, research institute or biotech. You will also be given the opportunity to specialise in the area of advanced pharmaceutical analysis, quality control and regulatory affair, advanced pharmaceutical technologies or advanced biopharmaceutical innovations. An integral component of the course is a laboratory research dissertation worth 60 credits where you will work in a research laboratory involved with independent research supervised by experts in the field. The MSc course is an interdisciplinary course of study with the aim to allow you to design, develop and quality control better medicines for the future.
Course Aims
- Design, develop and quality control better medicines to help people live longer, happier and healthier lives.
- Explore the principles of pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, and the formulation of liquid and solid pharmaceutical products – knowledge essential to any pharmaceutical career.
- Develop your interests or focus on a future career path by choosing to specialise in advanced pharmaceutical analysis, quality control and regulatory affairs, advanced pharmaceutical technologies or advanced biopharmaceutical innovations.
- Learn to conduct independent research, supervised by leading experts, during your laboratory research dissertation.
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
Minimum 2:1 first degree (or equivalent) in a Chemistry or Biochemistry-related discipline.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
Candidates with a 2:2 or equivalent may be considered if they have substantial relevant work experience.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
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 | Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references 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
You will be taught by and work alongside scientists who are experts in the field and who work in an internationally leading team. Your study time will be as follows:
Lectures: approximately 100 hours
Lab classes/tutorials: approximately 110 hours
Research project module: Six months
Self-study time: approximately 40 hours per week.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
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.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Exams
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include laboratory book records, laboratory reports, presentations, online quizzes and written exams. Coursework contributes approximately 80% and examinations approximately 20% 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.
Structure
Required modules
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take:
Optional modules
You are required to take one optional module from a list which will typically include:
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
Some of our recent graduates have gone on to study for a PhD. Others have transferred the skills and knowledge they developed with us to work in R&D laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry (including Pfizer, GSK and Novartis) or to positions with regulatory agencies. Our overseas students have taken up similar positions in their home countries.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £16,950 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £35,800 per year (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
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.
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
- Stationery
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
- Graduation costs
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.
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.
Key information
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