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
- Work in state-of-the-art facilities on exciting practical projects.
- Explore the fundamental principles of molecular pharmacology and biotechnology.
- Enhance your laboratory skills from experimental design through to interpretation of results.
- Learn how to synthesise new drugs, or produce them from genetically modified microorganism.
- Develop as an autonomous learner capable of reflecting on learning, knowledge and professional practices.
This course has been designed to respond to the increasing need for professional pharmacologists and biotechnologists. You'll learn to translate laboratory medical research into clinical applications, and study topics such as diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of disease. Throughout, you'll learn to apply medical biotechnology, biopharmaceutics and drugs.
Graduate view
'I acquired transferable skills which increased my competence in my current work as a lecturer- and developed my confidence.'
Olumuyiwa Olorunyomi, MSc Pharmacology and Biotechnology, 2017 graduate
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
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.
On this course, you’ll work with researchers and academics who are expert and renowned in the field, and do so in cutting-edge industry-standard facilities.
You’ll tackle theoretical topics including pharmacology and advanced cell biology, as well as technical topics such as sub-cloning, cell culture and quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR)
Research skills and statistical analysis are developed throughout the program and applied to pharmacological and biotechnological problems or case studies. New elements of Genomics and Proteomics have been introduced, which allow you to apply basic science knowledge and skills to experimental study design. Modules may include Fundamentals of Laboratory Practice, Cell Biology and Applied Laboratory Practice.
You learn through
- lectures and seminars
- a programme of laboratory classes
- a full semester research project
Applied learning
Laboratory experience and research project
All practical classes are led by academic staff whose research incorporates the latest pharmacological and biotechnological techniques.
Practical skills are developed throughout the course and you gain experience in molecular biology techniques such as quantitative real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), sub-cloning and cell culture.
Core to the program are practical classes where you gain experience in a range of the latest techniques used in the determination of essential pharmacological parameters.
Research skills and statistical analysis are developed throughout the program and applied to pharmacological and biotechnological problems or case studies. New elements of Genomics and Proteomics have been introduced allowing students to apply basic science knowledge and skills to experimental study design, and management and data analysis.
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:
- academic research
- the industrial biotechnology sector
- the health biotechnology sector
- the pharmaceutical industry
- environmental sector
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- AstraZeneca
- Danone
- Eli Lilly
- Certara
- BD Biosciences (San Francisco Bay Area, US
- PhD Researcher at St George’s University of London
- Associate member at Higher Education Academy (UK)
- HR Operations at Deloitte India (Offices of the US)
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.
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'.
Equipment and facilities
On this course you work in state-of-the-art facilities including
- industry-standard instrumentation in teaching and professional labs
- an analytical and mass spectrometry suite
- a state of the art cell culture suite
- a professional microscopy suite
360 tour - biosciences and chemistry facilities
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
Biotechnological Approaches To Pharmacology
Cell Biology
Fundamentals Of Pharmacology
Molecular Biology And Biotechnology
Research Project
Elective modules
Biopharmaceuticals And Drug Discovery
Cellular And Molecular Basis Of Cancer
Genomics And Proteomics
Translational Research
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 £11,222 available 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, 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.
