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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chemical, Biochemical and Spectroscopic Analytical Methods
Overview
Summary of Lecture Content:
Semester 1
Lecture Topic Staff
1 Principles of Pharmaceutical Analysis (1) Sudhirkumar Shinde
2 Principles of Pharmaceutical Analysis (2) Sudhirkumar Shinde
3 Basic spectroscopic principles (1) Steven Bell
4 Basic spectroscopic principles (2) Steven Bell
5 Ultraviolet spectroscopy AP de Silva
6 Fluorescence spectroscopy AP de Silva
7 Titrimetric methods of analysis Sudhirkumar Shinde
8 Mass spectrometry (1) Panagiotis Manesiotis
9 Mass spectrometry (2) Panagiotis Manesiotis
10 NMR (1) Gosia Swadzba-Kwasny
11 NMR (2) Gosia Swadzba-Kwasny
12 Applied NMR spectroscopy Gosia Swadzba-Kwasny
Semester 2
13 BP standard chemical assay and pharmaceutical analysis Justin Tian
14 Applied analysis in solid dosage form development Justin Tian
15 Process-driven innovations in pharmaceutical analysis Justin Tian
16 Analysis of Biopharmaceutical Agents Wafa Al-Jamal
17 Formulated biologicals and analysis Wafa Al-Jamal
18 Microbiological Analyses Laura Sherrard
19 Enzyme Immunoassays Deirdre Gilpin
20 Radiochemistry and applications Laura Sherrard
21 Pharmacopoeias and Official Standards Garry Laverty
22 Data presentation of biological information: data handling/ processing/reporting Laura Sherrard
Summary of Practical Content:
• Workshop 1 & Practical 1: UV-Vis and Fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Workshop 2 & Practical 2: NMR spectroscopy.
• Workshop 3 & Practical 3: Mass spectrometry.
• Practical 4: Total protein assay.
• Practical 5: Phosphate assay.
• Practical 6: Assay of ibuprofen in commercial tablets.
Learning Outcomes
This module will provide an extensive overview of the theoretical principles and the design and operating principles of a range of spectroscopic instruments. Methodologies relating to the use of such instruments in qualitative and quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical and related products will be extensively covered and specifically related to analytical aspects of Pharmacopoeia monographs. The module will cover the design, workings and operating principles of a range of analytical techniques that are commonly used to characterise the physicochemical properties of finished products. It will also introduce, briefly, the cutting-edge innovations in pharmaceutical analysis for global pharmaceutical industry.
At the end of the module the students are expected to:
• Have a sound understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of key chemical, biological and spectroscopic methods applied to the analysis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and excipients.
• Read, understand and assimilate new information and subsume acquired knowledge into a concise format.
• Reflect on experimental outcomes and use this in relation to overcoming analytical method development orientated problems.
• Demonstrate problem solving skills.
• Perform advanced mathematical and statistical manipulation of data.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, including preparation and presentation of technical reports based on experimental results.
• Be able to work in a team, through participation in group projects.
• Demonstrate critical thinking through the validation of information (personal and literature data) and the application of theoretical knowledge to practical method development and problem solving.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of how to select and develop advanced analytical techniques and procedures to be used in the analysis of pharmaceutical and related products.
• Have developed the practical and related skills required to generate data and produce appropriate reports and SOPs in a GMP environment.
• Aware of current trends in pharmaceutical R&D, manufacture and associated innovations in pharmaceutical analysis department.
Skills
• Ability to prioritise activities and plan lab practical.
• Obtain and record relevant analytical data in correct format.
• Ability to perform data handling, interpretation of results and formulating conclusions.
• Ability to review literature, to produce written documents, including SOPs and written reports.
• Ability to perform statistical interpretation of data.
Staff:
Dr P. Nockemann Contribution: 5 Lectures / 3 seminars
TBC Contribution: 7 Lectures / 4 seminars
Prof. Steven J. Bell Contribution: 5 Lectures / 2 seminars
Dr M. Swadzba-Kwasny Contribution: 4 Lectures / 2 seminars
Prof. Ryan Donnelly Contribution: 1 Lecture
Dr Diarmaid Murphy Contribution: 1 Lecture
Summary of Lecture Content:
Week Lectures Lecturer
1 Introduction to the Solid State 1 – Thermodynamics, Polymorphs and Interactions PN
2 Introduction to the Solid State 2 – Physical Properties and Processes TBC
3 Thermal analysis (Isothermal Calorimetry, DSC and TGA) 1 MSK
4 Thermal analysis (Isothermal Calorimetry, DSC and TGA) 2 MSK
5 APPLIED Thermal Analysis (TGA, DSC, & ITC) MSK
6 X-Ray crystallography including Power X-Ray Diffraction 1 PN
7 X-Ray crystallography including Power X-Ray Diffraction 2 PN
8 X-Ray crystallography including Power X-Ray Diffraction 3 PN
9 APPLIED X-ray Diffraction PN
10 Optical and Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM) 1 TBC
11 Optical and Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM) 2 TBC
12 Surface area analysis DC
Break
16 Particulate Analysis & Technology DM
17 Measurement of water content (KF, DVS) TBC
18 IR and near-IR spectroscopy SJB
19 APPLIED Infrared Spectroscopy SJB
20 Raman spectroscopy SJB
21 APPLIED Raman Spectroscopy SJB
22 Formulated product analysis- most common formulation RD
23 Data presentation of chemical information: data handling; data processing SJB
24 Solid State NMR spectroscopy MSK
25 Combining Solid State Analytical Techniques 1 TBC
26 Combining Solid State Analytical Techniques 2 TBC
Practicals
Total 24 hrs: 6 x 4hrs practicals
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module the students are expected to:
• Perform enhanced laboratory and instrumentation skills related to solid state characterisation techniques.
• Apply the theoretical background of solid state characterisation techniques to the analysis of pharmaceuticals and related products.
• Apply basic and advanced procedures used in the solid-state characterisation of pharmaceutical and related products.
• Possess practical skills associated with spectroscopic instrumentation and techniques including thermal analysis, X-Ray diffraction techniques, solid-state NMR, IR/Raman spectroscopy, microscopy and analysis of particulate materials.
• Read, understand and assimilate new information and subsume acquired knowledge into a concise format.
• Reflect on experimental outcomes and use this in relation to overcoming analytical method development orientated problems.
• Demonstrate problem solving skills.
• Perform advanced mathematical and statistical manipulation of data.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, including preparation and presentation of technical reports based on experimental results.
• Be able to working in a team, through participation in group projects.
• Demonstrate critical thinking through the validation of information (personal and literature data) and the application of theoretical knowledge to practical method development and problem solving.
• Have a sound understanding of advanced analytical techniques and procedures used in the analysis of pharmaceutical and related products.
• Have the practical and related skills required to carry out such techniques/procedures and in the production of appropriate reports.
• Have developed skills to understand and identify suitable technique/s for application to specific pharmaceutical product type.
• Translate theoretical knowledge of the subject into practical methodology and applications.
Skills
• Ability to obtain and record characterisation data using common solid-state techniques.
• Ability to perform data handling, interpretation of results and formulate conclusions.
• Ability to produce written reports utilising IT skills.
MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis Industrial Placement
Overview
Course Contents
The content will vary as each placement is different. An appropriate job description should be provided by the placement provider and should reflect the content of the placement. As such the syllabus will comprise undertaking the approved work placement, maintaining a summary or activity log whilst on placement and submitting the required essay. The workload must be a minimum of 1,200 hours to maintain equivalence with that expected for a 120 credit module. Note that 9 months is therefore the expected minimum for the duration of a placement (i.e. 9 months at an average of 4 weeks per month and 35 hours per week giving 1260 hours, which is in excess of that required.). Work may be split over multiple placements within the maximum 15 month period normally available.
Industry based research project:
Students will have the opportunity to complete their research project during their industrial placement, with this being dependent on approval from both the industrial supervisor and the research project module coordinator. In these cases, 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.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will have:
• Demonstrated an ability to adapt to an industry-based work environment
• Analysed and critically self-reflected on the experience of working in industry, communicating their conclusions in writing
• Developed an awareness and understanding of the structures, practices, and ethos of an industrial workplace
• Developed a range of highly transferrable skills which will maximise their future career prospects
Skills
During the successful completion of this module, students will develop a range of skills related to:
• Problem-solving and team-working
• Independent working and time/project management
• Critical reflection on experiential learning
• Adaptation to new working environments, dynamics, and systems
• Confidence, self-awareness, and self-effectiveness
• Interpersonal skills
Staff: Prof P. Manesiotis Contribution: 2 Lectures
CHM and PMY academic staff Directing research project
• Summary of Lecture Content:
• Lecture 1: Performing a literature review
• Lecture 2: Writing a dissertation thesis
Lab-Book, Data & Record Keeping 40%
The students will submit alongside their thesis their lab notebook and an electronic copy of their supplementary data (such a calculations or spectra) on a CD/USB. Some supervisors can ask for a hard copy of this data also but this is on a case-by-case basis, however the student must hand this data in if asked.
The lab notebook will be assessed by both the supervisor and the second assessor for its content including level of work conducted, thoroughness, legibility and clarity. An average of the marks will be used for the final total.
Thesis 50%
The thesis will be marked by both the supervisor and the second assessor and an average of the marks used for the final total. The marking will be split into three sections:
Introduction 30%
Results and Discussion 40%
Experimental/Methods 30%
The student should submit a draft of their thesis to their supervisor by the date set at the start of the project to receive feedback before their final submission. Following feedback from the supervisor, students should submit two bound copies for marking.
Oral Presentation 10%
The presentation will take the form of a 12 minute PowerPoint presentation plus 3 minutes of questioning on the presentation and associated area. All supervisors and second assessors are obliged to attend these presentations. It is advised that the students prepare this well in advanced and at least one practice talk is presented so that feedback may be given.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module the students are expected to:
• Have experience in scientific research at a level appropriate to the Master’s degree i.e. professional scientific research
• Have experience in data collection and analysis.
• Be able to contribute, design and communicate scientific research in a written form.
• Perform enhanced laboratory and instrumentation skills related to analytical and characterisation techniques of pharmaceuticals and related products.
• Apply the theoretical background of analytical and characterisation techniques to the analysis of pharmaceuticals and related products.
• Read, understand and assimilate new information and subsume acquired knowledge into a concise format.
• Reflect on experimental outcomes and use this in relation to overcoming analytical method development orientated problems.
• Perform advanced mathematical and statistical manipulation of data.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, including preparation and presentation of technical reports based on experimental results.
• Be able to working in a team, through participation in group projects.
• Demonstrate critical thinking through the validation of information (personal and literature data) and the application of theoretical knowledge to practical method development and problem solving.
• Apply detailed knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety legislation to ensure safe working practices in a laboratory environment.
• Identify and assess risk within a working environment.
Skills
• Literature and practical research.
• Ability to communicate scientific research.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Problem solving.
• Good numeracy, literacy and IT skills (spreadsheets, word-processing, structure drawing and modelling etc.).
• Independent learning.
• Time management and personal prioritisation skills.
• Risk assessment in a laboratory environment.
• Critical thinking.
Summary of Practical Content:
Workshop 1 & Practical 1: HPLC instrumentation and familiarisation with procedures and software.
Workshop 2 & Practical 2: HPLC method development.
Workshop 3 & Practical 3: HPLC method validation and assay of pharmaceutical mixture.
Workshop 4 & Practical 4: Gas chromatography.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module the students are expected to:
• Perform enhanced laboratory and instrumentation skills related to modern separation techniques.
• Apply the theoretical background of separation techniques to the analysis of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals and related products.
• Apply basic and advanced procedures used in the chromatographic analysis of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals and related products.
• Possess practical skills associated with analytical instrumentation and techniques including HPLC, GC, IC, TLC and GPC.
• Read, understand and assimilate new information and subsume acquired knowledge into a concise format.
• Reflect on experimental outcomes and use this in relation to overcoming analytical method development orientated problems.
• Demonstrate problem solving skills.
• Perform advanced mathematical and statistical manipulation of data.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, including preparation and presentation of technical reports based on experimental results.
• Be able to working in a team, through participation in group projects.
• Demonstrate critical thinking through the validation of information (personal and literature data) and the application of theoretical knowledge to practical method development and problem solving.
Skills
• Ability to obtain and record relevant analytical data.
• Ability to perform data handling, interpretation of results and formulating conclusions.
• Ability to produce written reports utilising IT skills.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
