The Drug Development Science course is one of our three MSc courses in pharmaceutical medicine that are designed for those working in, or seeking to work in, the field of drug development, including pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations and regulatory authorities. The Drug Development Science course is a highly flexible study programme designed for those working in or seeking to work in the field of drug development. The course aims to provide students with expertise and skills in all aspects of medicine development, including pre-clinical testing, clinical development, drug regulation and drug safety.

Key benefits

• This course has been designed by, and is taught by individuals who are highly experienced in pharmaceutical medicine, with the many of our lectures delivered by current senior employees of pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities.
• The study programme is compliant with the European PharmaTrain initiative and thus allows international transfer of credits.
• The taught modules are almost all taught over one week, from Monday to Friday, 9.00 to 5.00, which facilitates part time MSc study by students who are employed in the industry and looking to further their careers.
• The course modules are supported by a programme of class tutorials which provide the non-technical skills that promote productivity, efficiency and effective communication in the workplace and for postgraduate academic study.
• Lecture and workshops are delivered by a mixture of academics and expert practitioners from the pharmaceutical industry.

Course essentials

Forming a medicine from an active molecule is a multidisciplinary process. It is an activity that requires a large budget and takes several years to achieve. Importantly, it requires those who contribute to the activity to have a good working knowledge of whole development process. The Drug Development Science MSc equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage drug development projects and make critical decisions during the development of a medicine. It has been framed in such a manner that it will enhance the skills of those working in the pharmaceutical industry, who wish to take a leadership role in drug development and those who currently work in aligned clinical or scientific disciplines and wish to enter this field. Through a series of taught postgraduate level modules, it will bring participants into contact with world class scientists and clinical experts, who have developed active molecules for human use. Each module lays down a foundation of current practice and allows the participants to put this knowledge into practice, through practical drug development problem based exercises. The MSc requires modules totalling 180 credits to complete the course, including 60 credits from a dissertation of around 8,000 - 10,000 words. If you are studying the MSc full-time, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying for the MSc qualification part-time, your course will take up to six years to complete. 

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

Entry requirements

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 medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) or a 2:1 first degree in pharmacy, pharmacology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry or related subject, or overseas equivalent. Applicants without a degree but with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. Employment within a relevant industrial environment would be advantageous but is not essential. We will require one satisfactory reference. If you have completed your degree in the last three years, this should be an academic reference. 

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a countrySelect a countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustralasiaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechia (Czech Republic)Democratic Republic of the CongoDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFijiFinlandFranceGabonGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHome Fee Status StudentsHondurasHong Kong SARHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRepublic of the CongoRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé and PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt Kitts and NevisSt. HelenaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & the GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandThe GambiaTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWalesYemenZambiaZimbabwe

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.  

PLEASE NOTE - For standalone modules and part-time study, we accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. However, please bear in mind that all modules are filled on a first-come-first-served basis so it is advisable to apply as soon as possible.

All applicants will need a degree in a health or biomedical science related discipline, and relevant work experience. We would not normally interview potential students, but reserve the right to if deemed necessary.

Potential students are encouraged to speak to one of the course organisers to determine whether or not they would be able to complete the course.

Overseas applicants who will require a visa to enter and study in the UK should note that they will be unable to obtain a Tier 4 student visa for standalone modules or part-time study. A visa can only be obtained for the full-time study option of this programme.

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.
Reference	Yes	One reference is required: 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 & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures

Seminars

Group Tutorials

Independent Study

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. There are 30 hours of lectures, seminars and workshops per module. Each module requires two to four hours of pre- reading and also exam preparation.

For the MSc project there are approximately 80 hours of tutorials, plus supervision of dissertation research and ad hoc academic tutor meetings. Students could spend 200 to 300 hours researching and writing a dissertation.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

• Coursework
• Exams

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include written essays, presentations and on-line examinations. Coursework typically contributes to 50% and examinations 50% to  your final mark. 

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:

Non-clinical and Early Clinical Development (15 credits)

Clinical Trial Management (15 credits)

The Safety of Medicines and Pharmacoepidemiology (15 Credits)

Clinical Trials and Biostatistics (15 Credits)

Medicines and the Healthcare Marketplace (15 Credits)

Ethics and Good Practice for Medicines (15 Credits)

The Regulation of Medicines (15 Credits)

Practical Drug Development Science (15 credits)

Design and Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use (60 credits)

Optional modules

There are no optional modules for the 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.

Careers

Employability

It is expected that students who complete this course will be able to work in a medicines development field, opening up job opportunities that might have previously been beyond their reach and enhancing their value to their employers. Previous students have gone on to work in regulatory agencies, clinical research companies, leading pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies and pharmaceutical contract research organisations.   

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £16,950 per year (MSc, 2025/26)

Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £1,770 (MSc, 2024/25), Per 60 credit module £7,082 (MSc, 2024/25)

International:

Full time: £47,700 per year (MSc, 2025/26)

Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £2,771 (MSc, 2024/25), Per 60 credit module £11,086 (MSc, 2024/25)

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 
• Library fees and fines 
• Printing course handouts 
• Personal photocopies 
• Society membership fees 
• Stationery 
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 
• Graduation costs
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions

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.

• Course essentials
• Entry requirements
• Teaching & structure
• Careers
• Fees & Funding

Forming a medicine from an active molecule is a multidisciplinary process. It is an activity that requires a large budget and takes several years to achieve. Importantly, it requires those who contribute to the activity to have a good working knowledge of whole development process. The Drug Development Science MSc equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage drug development projects and make critical decisions during the development of a medicine. It has been framed in such a manner that it will enhance the skills of those working in the pharmaceutical industry, who wish to take a leadership role in drug development and those who currently work in aligned clinical or scientific disciplines and wish to enter this field. Through a series of taught postgraduate level modules, it will bring participants into contact with world class scientists and clinical experts, who have developed active molecules for human use. Each module lays down a foundation of current practice and allows the participants to put this knowledge into practice, through practical drug development problem based exercises. The MSc requires modules totalling 180 credits to complete the course, including 60 credits from a dissertation of around 8,000 - 10,000 words. If you are studying the MSc full-time, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying for the MSc qualification part-time, your course will take up to six years to complete. 

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 medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) or a 2:1 first degree in pharmacy, pharmacology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry or related subject, or overseas equivalent. Applicants without a degree but with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. Employment within a relevant industrial environment would be advantageous but is not essential. We will require one satisfactory reference. If you have completed your degree in the last three years, this should be an academic reference. 

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a countrySelect a countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustralasiaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechia (Czech Republic)Democratic Republic of the CongoDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFijiFinlandFranceGabonGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHome Fee Status StudentsHondurasHong Kong SARHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRepublic of the CongoRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé and PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt Kitts and NevisSt. HelenaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & the GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandThe GambiaTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWalesYemenZambiaZimbabwe

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.  

PLEASE NOTE - For standalone modules and part-time study, we accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. However, please bear in mind that all modules are filled on a first-come-first-served basis so it is advisable to apply as soon as possible.

All applicants will need a degree in a health or biomedical science related discipline, and relevant work experience. We would not normally interview potential students, but reserve the right to if deemed necessary.

Potential students are encouraged to speak to one of the course organisers to determine whether or not they would be able to complete the course.

Overseas applicants who will require a visa to enter and study in the UK should note that they will be unable to obtain a Tier 4 student visa for standalone modules or part-time study. A visa can only be obtained for the full-time study option of this programme.

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.
Reference	Yes	One reference is required: 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

Lectures

Seminars

Group Tutorials

Independent Study

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. There are 30 hours of lectures, seminars and workshops per module. Each module requires two to four hours of pre- reading and also exam preparation.

For the MSc project there are approximately 80 hours of tutorials, plus supervision of dissertation research and ad hoc academic tutor meetings. Students could spend 200 to 300 hours researching and writing a dissertation.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

• Coursework
• Exams

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include written essays, presentations and on-line examinations. Coursework typically contributes to 50% and examinations 50% to  your final mark. 

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:

Non-clinical and Early Clinical Development (15 credits)

Clinical Trial Management (15 credits)

The Safety of Medicines and Pharmacoepidemiology (15 Credits)

Clinical Trials and Biostatistics (15 Credits)

Medicines and the Healthcare Marketplace (15 Credits)

Ethics and Good Practice for Medicines (15 Credits)

The Regulation of Medicines (15 Credits)

Practical Drug Development Science (15 credits)

Design and Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use (60 credits)

Optional modules

There are no optional modules for the 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

It is expected that students who complete this course will be able to work in a medicines development field, opening up job opportunities that might have previously been beyond their reach and enhancing their value to their employers. Previous students have gone on to work in regulatory agencies, clinical research companies, leading pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies and pharmaceutical contract research organisations.   

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £16,950 per year (MSc, 2025/26)

Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £1,770 (MSc, 2024/25), Per 60 credit module £7,082 (MSc, 2024/25)

International:

Full time: £47,700 per year (MSc, 2025/26)

Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £2,771 (MSc, 2024/25), Per 60 credit module £11,086 (MSc, 2024/25)

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 
• Library fees and fines 
• Printing course handouts 
• Personal photocopies 
• Society membership fees 
• Stationery 
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 
• Graduation costs
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions

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

Related courses in this study area

Clinical Pharmacology MScMedical Affairs MScStem Cell & Regenerative Therapies: From Bench to Market MScAnalytical Toxicology MSc