Intro

Our Pharmaceutical Sciences MRes will give you an extensive understanding of the research process and provides an integrated, employment-focused research training programme in pharmaceutical sciences. 

Working closely with our researchers with expertise across organic, inorganic, physical, analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry, you will discover how to design and undertake a substantial research project. The project allows you to demonstrate your creativity and initiative and to understand the relevance of scientific research to industry. You will also be attached to one or more of our research groups enabling you to work alongside postdoctoral and other postgraduate researchers with shared interests.

You will develop your lab-based skills using our specialist multi-disciplinary research facilities, preparing you for employment in industry or further academic study. 

A greater understanding of research literature and the wider research community will be gained through our specialist journal clubs with seminars from expert speakers as well as more informal student-led presentations.

You will also study some specialised taught modules covering advanced topics across modern pharmaceutical science and chemistry.

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years

Apply now for your place

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience
A 2:1 degree in a relevant subject. Students with a degree that does not fall within this category but who have significant relevant experience, will also be considered. All applicants should provide a full description of any research projects undertaken, relevant work experience and non-academic qualifications.

ATAS requirements
The JACS code for this course is B900, meaning that students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland will have to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they apply for a visa. Details can be found on the gov.uk website.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

View our English language courses

For pre-sessional English preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Course content

Course structure

The Pharmaceutical Sciences MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. The course is structured to include a significant research component which you will undertake throughout the course. In addition, a series of supporting taught modules further enrich your learning.

To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits: 40 credits from taught and subject-specific modules and 140 credits through the completion of the research project.

Areas of study

Core modules

  • MRes Research Project
  • Current Research in Pharmaceutical Science

Choose one from:

  • Industrial Manufacturing Processes
  • Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis
  • Monitoring Signalling Molecules in Neuroscience
  • Novel Medicinal Products: A Clinical Perspective
  • Techniques in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Analysis

Options*

  • Controversies in Science
  • Biological Membranes: Drug Targets and Disease
  • Applied Nucleic Acid Biochemistry
  • Omics for Diseases: Theory, Practice and Applications
  • Astrobiology
  • Applied Protein Biochemistry
  • Clinical Microbiology in the Post-antimicrobial Era
  • Nanotechnology Research: Therapeutics, Diagnostics and Advanced Pharmaceutics

You can also choose one module from the core module choices.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

 

Staff profile

Dr Angela Sheerin, Course Leader

Working in haematology and volunteering on the orthopaedics ward in a London hospital cemented that the medical sector was where I wanted my career to be in. My first degree is in Biochemistry BSc(Hons) sandwich, from the University of East London. During this degree I undertook a placement year at a London hospital in a Bone and Joint research group and fell for a career in research.

I did my PhD in molecular gerontology; Investigation of the composition of AP-1 during ageing and I came to the University of Brighton in 2000 as a research fellow and now I am a lecturer in the field of ageing, molecular biology, pathobiology, medical genetics, endocrinology and biochemistry.

Having an earlier career in research has allowed me to more effectively see how we can inform our teaching with relevant backdrops which will, hopefully, allow our students to see the bigger picture beyond the subject they are doing and see how it can be used for research.

I am an enthusiastic lecturer who likes to use new and modern technologies to translate knowledge to the students. I believe in 'hands on' practical experience as well as interactive learning through lectures, blended learning and flip learning.

Dr Angela Sheerin

Facilities 

You will gain theoretical and hands-on experience of a wide range of advanced chemical techniques, with access to our extensive range of modern instrumentation including:

  • high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
  • gas chromatography (GC)
  • mass spectrometry (MS)
  • nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
  • molecular (UV/Vis, IR) and atomic (MP-AES, AAS, ICPMS) spectroscopy
  • electrochemical analysis.

We provide industry-standard ChemOffice software, Reaxys and Scifinder subscriptions, and RSC and ACS journal article downloads to all chemistry students throughout the course.

Biosciences lab

Careers

The course intends to maximise both your personal and professional potential, and in particular provides a foundation for careers in research, industry, the public sector and academia.

On course completion, you will be equipped with practical research based training, plus the necessary transferable skills to prepare you for career progression.

Student testing liquid in glass beaker

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time)17,900 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that are included and any extras that you may be expected to pay while studying a course  in the School of Applied Sciences in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • Where required:
    • all students are provided with a laboratory coat, safety glasses and log book.
    • a budget to cover laboratory consumables and equipment for your final year project is included in the fees for all students.
    • access to key subject journals and subject specific databases is provided, as well as a site licence for industry-standard chemical drawing software.
    • essential instruction booklets (laboratory handbooks) are provided, as is project poster printing and thesis binding. However, you should budget for books, printing and stationery for personal study.
  • For our ecology and conservation courses there are compulsory field trips for which you should budget up to £200. There are also optional field trips for which you may choose to budget up to £2,700. You may also need to buy appropriate clothing for outdoor use.
  • DBS checks for MPharm students are included in the fee.
  • Costs for MPharm placement travel is reimbursed up to a specified amount depending on location of placement.
  • The independent mapping project is a mandatory part of the Geology BSc(Hons) involving independent fieldwork that is undertaken in the summer between years 2 and 3. The cost of this fieldwork is not included in the fee, and you will need to meet this additional cost yourself.
  • Travel and accommodation costs are included for all mandatory taught residential field trips, but you’ll need to provide your own food and drink.
  • Optional placements and day trips may include additional costs. This will vary depending on where and how long the field trip is but you should budget approximately £1,500.
  • Some students require specialist outdoor equipment and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) and should budget up to £100.
  • If you choose to take an optional paid placement you’ll be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation, food and drink.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses. Find out what free software is available from the University of Brighton.
  • In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you’ll find new Students’ Union, events venue and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our Moulsecoomb Place halls and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains so you can access all the exciting things happening in our home city.

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Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently?
We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

One of Time Out's 50 best cities in the world

“Brighton has… all the important parts of a sprawling cosmopolitan metropolis (connections to London in under an hour, an array of properly excellent restaurants, energetic late-night spots) … with the easy-breezy beachy attitude to life that makes you feel welcome in an instant.”
Time Out’s 50 Best Cities in the World, 2025

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy – as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and there are daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more about how we support your wellbeing.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Brighton Cricket Academy

Develop your cricketing skills in the UK’s largest indoor cricket facility alongside studying for a degree. Whether you can already play or you’re new to the game offers the opportunity to train with top coaches in our world-class training environment. 

Find out about the Brighton Cricket Academy.

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Take a tour of sport facilities on our Falmer campus

Student views  

Sneha Awate

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my one year of the Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences MRes at Brighton. It was an exciting year filled with new experiences and opportunities to learn from other students as well as staff.

"I have explored various new things and come across numerous challenges, but with the help of very experienced and helpful staff, I was able to overcome these difficulties and gain the confidence to carry out independent research.

"I have enjoyed working in state-of-the-art laboratories and believe that everything I have learnt here will be valuable throughout my life."

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

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