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MSc | Postgraduate Taught

Pharmaceutical Analysis with Industrial Placement

Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
2.2
Attendance
3 years (Part-time)
2 years (Full-time)
Places available
20 (Part Time)
60 (Full Time)

Acquire the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience for a career as a Pharmaceutical Analyst in Industry or Academia, augmented by relevant workplace experience in the industry.*

WHO ARE YOU?

You are probably a recent physical or life sciences graduate in chemistry, pharmacy or biology.

You could equally be in work and want to develop your professional skills. If you are, we offer this course part-time as well, one day per week.

WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?

Our industrial partners are always telling us that they need people like you. Analysts are among the most sought after professionals with some of the highest employability rates.

Experience in a pharmaceutical company can help you decide if you enjoy working in industry or prefer a research/academic career. Placements also improve employability prospects as many placement students get offered a job immediately after they complete their degree.

You will receive practical training on state-of-the-art separation techniques, such as HPLC/MS and GC/MS, in the purpose built Pharmaceutical Analysis lab designed in partnership with Agilent (a world-leading instrument manufacturer) and will have enhanced your skill set by extended industry experience.*

Placements on this course can be done in an appropriate company anywhere in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. They are open to both local and International students (subject to visa requirements).


PLEASE NOTE:

Applications for this course received after 30th June 2025 may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.

*subject to securing a placement.

This programme is taught in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering by leading experts in the field.

Pharmaceutical Analysis with Industrial Placement highlights

Industry Links

Our industrial partners have influenced the course structure and inform us about what they need from the latest analytical graduates.

We invite guest lecturers from industry who will tell you about the issues they face out in the field.

Career Development

Employability is a major perk of the course. Ireland, north and south, is a major hub for the Pharmaceutical industry. The industrial placement
adds to this advantageous situation.

World Class Facilities

Everything in Year One is on-campus and you will find that the course is very hands-on and interactive.

You will receive practical training on state-of-the-art separation techniques, such as HPLC/MS and GC/MS, in the purpose built Pharmaceutical Analysis lab designed in partnership with Agilent (a world-leading instrument manufacturer)

Student Experience

In the Complete University Guide 2026, Chemistry at QUB is ranked 13th out of 50 UK institutions for the study of the subject and is 2nd in the UK For Graduate Prospects (Outcomes) and joint 4th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (On Track).

Further Study Opportunities

The Industrial Placement year of this MSc will start after the students have completed their taught modules in May. Students can complete their research project on return to QUB or during their industrial placement (and that completes the course). There is a similar MSci with an International Placement year.

Course Structure

The aims and objectives of the course are to:
*prepare the student to move directly into graduate level employment in the chemical / pharmaceutical industry, or in a non-chemistry related industry, partly through the experience gained in an international placement;
*enhance their employability skills including the ability to work in a team, written and oral presentation skills, numeracy and preparation for self-motivated lifelong learning, professional development and service to society;
*gain appropriate knowledge and subject specific practical skills to permit students to progress to either an academic research degree (PhD) or an industrial research position;
*provide a practical research training through successful completion of a substantial piece of research in pharmaceutical analysis;
*undertake research at the forefront of the analytical sciences at an advanced level.

Course Details

You’ll learn the theory behind state-of-the-art analytical techniques and have an opportunity to practice your skills using the most modern instrumentation.

You’ll be trained on techniques such as:
Liquid and gas chromatography (HPLC, GC)
Mass spectrometry (MS)
Thermal Analysis (DSC, TGA)
X-ray crystallography (PXRD, XRD)
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
You will also receive training on QA/QC aspects of the Pharmaceutical Industry.

For your summer Advanced Practical Skills module, you will spend 10 weeks on a project chosen from three core course topics.

Indicative Number of Modules Per Semester

Full-time: Three Modules + research module and 9 months minimum placement module
Part-time: One or Two Modules + research module and 9 months minimum placement module

Indicative Proportional Mix of Time in Classes, Tutorials/Seminars/Labs, and Private Study in a Teaching Semester

Full time:

Contact time Year 1:
Lectures / Seminars 56 hrs.
Laboratory / Workshop classes 48 hrs.

Study time:
Coursework 50 hrs
Preparation of written/oral reports 96 hrs.
Private study / revision 150 hrs.

Contact time Year 2:
(over a minimum of 9 months)

Pre-departure seminar 2 hours
Placement update meetings 3 hours
Workplace hours: 1150 hours

Study time:
Preparation of written report 8 hours
Report writing 40 hours

List of Indicative Programme Modules

Advanced Separation Science
Solid-State Characterisation I
Spectroscopic Analysis Methods I
Solid-State Characterisation II
Spectroscopic Analysis Methods II
Quality Assurance/Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Advanced Practical Skills in Pharmaceutical Analysis
Industrial Placement*

*Students enrolled on a placement module will be offered training and support in preparation for their placement applications as well as during their industrial placement. Placements are competitively secured by the students and are not guaranteed by the University.

Modules

The course comprises six taught modules, three per semester as well as the project and placement modules.

Full time:
Year One
Advanced Separation Science: (Sept-Jan) will cover the most important separation techniques relevant to the Pharmaceutical Industry as well as method validation, stability of pharmaceutical compounds and sample preparation methods (20 CATS points).
Spectroscopic Analysis Methods I and II: (Sept-Dec and Jan-May) will cover the majority of modern spectroscopic techniques and their applications in pharmaceutical analysis as well as aspects of GMP and GLP (20 CATS points each).
Solid-State Characterisation I and II: (Sept-Dec and Jan-May) will discuss a series of solid state characterisation techniques and their application in pharmaceutical analysis (20 CATS points each).
These six modules include a large number of practical sessions, which involve conduct of experimental work using state-of-the-art analytical techniques and instrumentation, literature search and preparation of scientific reports.
Quality Assurance/Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry: (Feb-May) will cover QA and QC aspects of the Pharmaceutical Industry (20 CATS points).


In Year Two Industrial Placement students will experience an industry-based work environment and will have the opportunity to analyse and critically self-reflect on the experience of working in industry, communicating their conclusions in writing. They will develop an awareness and understanding of the structures, practices and ethos of an industrial workplace as well as developing a range of highly transferable skills which will maximize their future career prospects.

Industrial Placement students will have the opportunity to complete their research project (60 CATS points) on return to QUB or during their placement, with this being dependent on approval from both the industrial supervisor and the research project module coordinator. In the latter case students can submit their thesis and other necessary components upon return to the University following completion of their placement, with these aspects, and others, being assessed as per the requirements of the research project module.
The laboratory based research project (with accompanying dissertation) will provide training in how to tackle a research problem in pharmaceutical analysis and will include a strong emphasis on the development of critical thinking, analysis of data and independent research.

Part-time:
Year One
Students will take:
Advanced Separation Science (Sept-Dec)
Solid-State Characterisation I and II (Sept-Dec and Jan-May)
Year Two
Students will take:
Spectroscopic Analysis Methods I and II (Sept-Dec and Jan-May)
Quality Assurance/Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry.
Year Three
Students will undertake the Industrial Placement.
The research project can be undertaken on return to QUB or during placement, according to the preconditions.

People teaching you

Professor

School of Chem & Chem Eng
Prof. Małgorzata (Gosia) Swadźba-Kwaśny graduated from the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland (2005) with an MSc Eng in Chemical Technology. In her final year, she researched oxidations in ionic liquids under the supervision of Prof Chrobok. She then moved to QUB, where she studied acidic ionic liquids for her PhD degree, supervised by Prof. Ken Seddon at Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratories (QUILL). Following graduation (2009), Gosia worked a post-doctoral researcher at QUILL, and was involved both in fundamental studies of inorganic chemistry in ionic liquids, and in industrial collaborations with Petronas and Evonik. In 2015 Gosia won Queen’s University Research Fellowship in Green Chemistry (a tenure-track position) and established her own research group. She was promoted to a Senior Lecturer in 2019 and to a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry in 2021. Since 2018, Gosia has been the Director of the QUILL Research Centre. Gosia’s research interests lie in ionic liquids and other advanced liquid materials. She serves as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Chemical Engineering.

Professor; Head of School

School of Chem & Chem Eng
Professor Manesiotis is the Head of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.  He specialises in developing novel polymerisable building blocks for Molecular Imprinting for applications in bioanalysis, affinity separations, sensors, catalysis, and polymeric sorbents for environmental clean-up.

Professor; Pharmaceutical Analysis Course Director

School of Chem & Chem Eng
Professor Peter Nockemann, FRSC, is the Programme Director for the MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis at QUB. His research focuses on Inorganic and Materials Chemistry, with a keen interest in eco-friendly methods for processing rare and high-tech metals and improving energy storage solutions vital for renewable energy adoption. He completed his PhD in 2002 in Cologne, Germany, and subsequently worked as a post-doctoral fellow with Prof. Koen Binnemans at K.U. Leuven, Belgium. In 2008, he joined QUB as a Lecturer on an RCUK fellowship and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry in 2016. In 2019, he was appointed Chair in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry. Beyond academia, Prof. Nockemann co-founded and serves as director for the QUB spin-out company, Green Lizard Technologies Ltd., which aims to provide technological solutions for the sustainable and clean energy sector. He also co-founded Ionic Technologies Ltd. (former Seren Tech), playing a pivotal role in introducing new technologies for recycling rare-earth metals.

Professor

School of Chem & Chem Eng
Prof. Steven E. J. Bell received his PhD from Queen's University Belfast (QUB) and worked at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory and the University of York before returning to QUB where he is a Professor of Physical Chemistry. His research centres on nanomaterials and Raman spectroscopy. He has a particular interest in the application of Raman methods to real world problems and is an expert on material and advanced technologies for healthcare. He has undertaken projects on the development of novel nanomaterials for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and catalysis, application of metal nanoparticles and nanoparticle assemblies as sensors, diagnostic applications of photonic sensors, vibrational spectroscopy forensic analysis, detection and identification of drugs of abuse, explosives and paint evidence, trace analysis of DNA/RNA and quantitative Raman spectroscopy for chemical analysis on foodstuff and pharmaceuticals.

Teaching Times

FT hours: term 12-20hrs pw and 35hrs pw placement. Lectures/practicals will be run over 1-2 set days each week to accommodate day-release schemes. Teaching may be available outside normal teaching hours to support employed part-time students.

Learning and Teaching

This innovative course accommodates both full-time and employed part-time students.

CONTACT TEACHING HOURS (per week in term time):

Full-time: 12-20 hours
Part-time: 8-12 hours

Excellence

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.
On the MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis with Industrial Placement we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts and develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society. We make use of innovative technologies and a world class library to enhance their development as independent, lifelong learners.

Learning opportunities

Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
A good balance of practical and taught classes across all aspects of the programme, including hands on training on the state-of-the-art analytical laboratory designed and build in partnership with Agilent Technologies. Significant aspects include: analytical method development, problem solving and safe working practices and transferable skills (such as report writing, oral presentations, IT, teamwork, critical thought) and the application and development of this technical portfolio within a company.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Continuous assessment
  • Successful completion of research project and Industrial Placement (including submission of activity log and Placement report essay).

Facilities

The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has seen substantial strategic investment in building new state-of-the-art research laboratories for synthetic and analytical chemistry, as well as catalysis research, with accommodation for over 50 researchers.

A £4 million investment in research and teaching laboratory space has significantly modernised and further extended our facilities, with recently added equipment including an environmental SEM facility, powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction equipment, a high-end confocal Raman microscope, 400 & 600 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, and a 500 MHz solid-state NMR spectrometer, the first instrument of this type in Northern Ireland. A further investment of £1.2M resulted in an Ion-mobility qTOF MS and a SAXS instrument - both unique in Northern Ireland - being added to the School's instrument facilities.

Further School facilities include two additional NMR spectrometers, three mass spectrometers, and additional powder XRD, ICP-OES, BET and Hg porosimetry equipment, a CD spectrometer and a HPLC/GC instrumentation, as well as standard spectrometer and computational facilities.

An in-house team provides analytical services to internal and external stakeholders using their dedicated instrument suite. 15 technicians provide support for microanalysis, glass-blowing, mechanical engineering, electronics, computer management and laboratory safety.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofChemistryandChemicalEngineering/OurSchool/Facilities/

What our academics say

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Chemistry, Pharmacy or a closely allied subject. Performance in key modules will be taken into consideration.

Applicants with relevant work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 30th June 2025 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

Please note: a deposit will be required to secure a place.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

This programme is designed to prepare students for employment as analysts in the pharmaceutical and related industries.

There is currently a high demand, both locally and internationally, for graduates with analytical skills in this sector.
Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 24 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Employment after the Course

WHERE YOU MIGHT BE IN FIVE YEARS' TIME?

You might be working as a laboratory analyst or senior analyst, in quality assurance or quality control or in an industrial R&D facility.

You could be managing graduate recruits of your own, signing off the analysis and the quality of drugs and releasing batches into the world.

You could study further towards obtaining a PhD and continue towards an academic career.

The main focus of this degree is pharmaceutical analysis, but your training and placement experience could open up career pathways in other areas, such as the food industry or environmental protection.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Employment Links

Many of our previous students have gone on to work for companies such as:

Almac
Randox
Norbrook
Pfizer
Abbvie
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £7,300
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £7,300
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £25,800
International £25,800

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Where students are undertaking a professional internship (industrial placement) they are required to pay a placement charge to the University. When the placement charge for the academic year is published, it will be available on page 11 of the Tuition Fee Schedule at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Feesandfinance/FileStore/Filetoupload,1527396,en.pdf.

Students are required to buy a laboratory coat and laboratory glasses in year 1 at a combined cost of approximately £20. Students can use a locker each year but will have to provide their own padlock.

Students also have the option to join the Royal Society of Chemistry at a cost of approximately £20 per year.

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications 

1.1  Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications. 
1.2  You will be required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course.
1.3  This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/EPS/terms-and-conditions/

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

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Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

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