MSc Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 1 year
- Campus:
- City
About this course
Gain hands-on lab experience, carry out novel research and enjoy excellent employment prospects on the MSc Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery.
- Explore the process of discovery and development of new drugs and the quality control aspect of the pharmaceutical industry as you train to become a qualified pharmaceutical scientist
- Gain hands-on experience in relevant laboratory techniques with a 12 week research project
- Benefit from LJMU's £12 million investment in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities
- Enjoy excellent graduate employment prospects
This new course has been developed in association with industry leaders and promotes a critical awareness of the most recent advances in the field of Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery.
This programme is aimed at chemists and graduates with a chemistry background who have a passion for drug creation and at industrialists interested in moving newly developed drugs into the mass manufacturing arena. The course offers an integrated, stimulating and challenging programme of study, informed by contemporary research and responsive to the changing nature of the pharmaceutical industry.
Experienced course tutors offer specialist training in preparation for careers in the diverse areas of the pharmaceutical industry.
You will learn to use industry-standard apparatuses, including chromatographic equipment and spectrometers, tableting and particle sizing equipment, computing laboratory, molecular modelling software and thermal analysis equipment — including dynamic differential scanning calorimetry — plus chromatography, LC-MS and NMR instruments.
Zaid shares his experiences on the MSc Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery masters
Andreea talks about the benefits of studying MSc Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Research Methods
20 credits
20 credits
Gain the necessary core skills to effectively design, plan, perform and report scientific research.
Analysis, Structure and Function of Therapeutic Agents
20 credits
20 credits
This module will provide you with the knowledge and skills to apply analytical chemistry to the characterisation of pharmaceutical ingredients and predict their behaviour from their chemical structure.
Preformulation Strategies
20 credits
20 credits
This module will equip you with the core skills to examine the physical and chemical properties of pharmaceutical ingredients and predict their influence on in vitro and in vivo behaviour.
Formulation and Drug Delivery
20 credits
20 credits
This module will provide you with knowledge and skills to master the principles of pharmaceutical formulation and advanced drug delivery methods.
Approaches to Drug Design
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to enable you to develop an integrated understanding of the principles underpinning drug discovery process and the approaches and rationale of drug optimisation.
Product Development and Control
20 credits
20 credits
The aim of this module is to equip you with the core knowledge and skills to understand and apply the principles of good manufacturing practice to the production and quality control of pharmaceutical products.
Optional modules
Research Project
60 credits
60 credits
This module will provide you with the opportunity to conduct an independent, in-depth study of an agreed topic of research, carried out in an appropriate manner.
Placement Project
60 credits
60 credits
This module will provide you with the opportunity to conduct an independent, in-depth study of an agreed topic of research, carried out in an appropriate manner at an external placement provider.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
In semester 1 the majority of teaching will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and in semester 2 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The taught sessions of the Research Methods module only runs weeks 1-6. All 20-credit core modules feature 40-45 hours scheduled activities, which you are expected to attend. For the research project (which runs May to August) you will be expected to attend full time i.e. 9.00am-5.00pm.
Teaching methods
The stimulating and challenging curriculum is delivered through lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars, laboratory work and a four month research project with expert supervision.
Applied learning
This course includes a 12 week, full-time research project. During your independent research project, you will be appointed a LJMU-based Supervisor and an Industrial Supervisor if you are carrying out your project externally.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed through written examinations, written assignments, oral presentations and formative VLE interactive self-assessments.
Where you will study
You will study at the Byrom Street site in the University's City Campus. With an ongoing £12 million investment in laboratory facilities here and state-of-the-art research facilities in the newly developed Life Sciences building, you'll enjoy a first class study environment.
Postgraduate research opportunities
At LJMU, you can take the next step in your academic journey with a PhD or MPhil, available on a full-time or part-time basis. International students also have the option to study remotely.
- PhD duration: Up to 4 years full-time, or up to 7 years part-time
- Funding options: Choose between funded projects (with supervisors already in place) or self-funded study
Our Doctoral Academy is here to support you every step of the way—from your first enquiry through to successful completion—working closely with Schools, Faculties, and Professional Services.
For more details on postgraduate research and full details on how to apply, visit the Doctoral Academy website.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The programme offers cutting-edge, research-based training to enable you to become a qualified pharmaceutical scientist ready for employment in the pharmaceutical and related industries. The course is ideal if you want to work in drug discovery, development and manufacturing. You can look forward to excellent employment prospects in roles within drug design, lead compound discovery, formulation science, process development and product manufacture at large pharmaceutical companies, as well as specialist small and medium sized enterprises.
Tuition fees and funding
- Fee:
- £11,150
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
- Full-time per year:
- £18,250
International Scholarships and payment plans
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of postgraduate scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations such as the British Council and Chevening.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
A minimum 2:2 honours degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Biomedical Science or related science disciplines. Applicants with equivalent professional qualifications and experience, supported by a strong personal statement, will be considered.
Further information
- Extra Requirements
-
RPL
RPL is accepted on this programme.
International requirements
IELTS
- IELTS score 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
Other international requirements
Please note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via ECCTIS.
View country specific entry requirements
Contact LJMU's International Admissions Team for guidance on visa information. Further information is also available from our international web pages.
Further information
- Extra Requirements
-
RPL
RPL is accepted on this programme.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.