Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
International/EU: £17,725 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
Course summary
- Study in state-of-the-art facilities, developing the skills you need to operate common analytical laboratory instruments.
- Learn to obtain and interpret analytical information from a variety of products.
- Apply good experimental design techniques and use statistical methods for data evaluation.
- Analyse and interpret data with industry-standard management systems.
- Understand the background of drug design and development, and the wider industry.
On this course, you'll learn the skills required of an analyst and become familiar with the principles of modern instrumental analytical techniques, methods and statistics. You'll study the practice and theory of the field, and consider the pharmaceutical industry in detail.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Throughout the course, you'll learn the fundamentals of analytical chemistry and how it is applied to pharmaceutical, environmental and materials analyses. You’ll work in industry-standard laboratories and teaching laboratories, alongside research-active staff who are renowned in their field.
You learn how to develop methods to determine the levels of active ingredients and contaminants in pharmaceutical preparations. You will understand regulations governing the analysis which demand that you work under a strict quality assurance and quality control regimes.
Modules may include Separation and Detection Science, Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery, and Biopharmaceuticals and Drug Discovery.
You learn through
- lectures and seminars
- academic advice
- a programme of laboratory classes
- full semester research project
Course leaders and tutors
Robert Bradshaw
Senior Lecturer in Analytical Science. Co-Placement Lead for Department of Biosciences and Chemistry.Robert is a lecturer in Analytical Science specialising in Mass Spectrometry
Applied learning
Laboratory experience and research project
To supplement the classroom activities there is a programme of laboratory classes. Your laboratory work is carried out in our teaching laboratories which are extensively equipped with the latest models of analytical instruments, such as HPLCs and GCs. This is supplemented by access to our research facilities where you have access to more sophisticated equipment, such as NMR and a suite of various types of mass spectrometers.
You will have the opportunity to conduct a semester-long investigative research project within the field of pharmaceutical analysis. This work will take place in cutting-edge, industry-standard laboratories and teaching labs under the supervision of world-renowned active research staff.
This work will be aligned with the current research interests of an academic member of staff within our specialist Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre. The project will include a critical review of the literature relevant to your research project, the development of a project proposal, design of research methods and the analysis, presentation and interpretation of experimental data.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- the pharmaceutical industry
- academic or industrial research
- quality assurance
- analytical laboratories
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work as
- methods development scientists
- drug development scientists
- compliance officers
- PhD students
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Biosciences and Chemistry Facilities Tour
Take a look around the biosciences and chemistry facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with senior lecturer and recruitment lead Dr Susan Campbell.
Equipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- industry standard analytical equipment such as HPLC, NMR or GC
- cutting edge research instrumentation, such as in our mass spectrometry suite
360 tour - biosciences and chemistry facilities
Entry requirements
All students
A 2:1 in a relevant Honours degree is normally accepted as the entry requirement for the course. Applicants with a 2:2 are also actively encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with alternative qualifications with academic attainment or skills in subjects which are directly relevant to the course will also be considered
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advanced Laboratory And Research Practice
Applied Laboratory Practice
Biopharmaceuticals And Drug Discovery
Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery
Research Project
The Analytical Approach
Elective modules
Forensic Drug Analysis
Innovations In Analytical Science
Separation And Detection Science
Surface Analysis And Related Techniques
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Biosciences and Chemistry (PDF, 131.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
