MSc Pharmaceutical Analysis

Study Mode Part-time
Year of Entry 2025/26
Laboratory equipment

MSc

Pharmaceutical Analysis

Work in industry-standard facilities to get an introduction to pharmaceuticals from drug discovery to manufacture, and learn to use the  tools needed for their analysis.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £10,620 for the course

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    2 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    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.


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How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.

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

Thomas Bassindale
Thomas Bassindale
Deputy Head of Department

Staff profile for Dr Thomas Bassindale, Deputy Head of Department of Biosciences and Chemistry at Sheffield Hallam University

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 biomedical field. 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 


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Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Learn 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.

Department page

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

This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.


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.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Advanced Laboratory And Research Practice
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Applied Laboratory Practice
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Biopharmaceuticals And Drug Discovery
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Exam(50%)
Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
Research Project
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(100%)
The Analytical Approach
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Forensic Drug Analysis
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Innovations In Analytical Science
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Separation And Detection Science
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
Surface Analysis And Related Techniques
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Advanced Laboratory And Research Practice
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Applied Laboratory Practice
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Biopharmaceuticals And Drug Discovery
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Exam(50%)
Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
Research Project
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(100%)
The Analytical Approach
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Forensic Drug Analysis
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Innovations In Analytical Science
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Separation And Detection Science
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
Surface Analysis And Related Techniques
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-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. Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 are: Year 1: £3,540 Year 2: £7,080.

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.

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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, 133.1KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

Apply for September 2025

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Accommodation

We guarantee to find you an affordable place to live that’s close to campus and comes with all bills included

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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