Program Overview

Biopharmaceutical Development MSc

The Biopharmaceutical Development MSc is a postgraduate program designed to provide students with specialized industry-relevant experience and theoretical knowledge in the field of biopharmaceutical development. The program is delivered in partnership with Labcorp Drug Development and aims to fast-track talented scientists into the biopharmaceutical industry or further research in an academic environment.

Course Overview

The course focuses on the discovery and development of large molecule drugs, including monoclonal antibodies, biosimilars, antibody-drug conjugates, and gene therapies. Students will receive practical hands-on training in protein purification, characterization, formulation, and assessment of binding function, as well as the use of cell-based assays to look at drug potency.

Course Structure

The course is 12 months long, taught on campus at the University of Leeds, and consists of three semesters. The first semester covers an introduction to the field, management of intellectual property, discovery, manufacturing, and non-clinical testing of biopharmaceuticals. The second semester explores clinical trial design and develops an integrated drug development plan. The third semester involves a substantial research project, where students can utilize the techniques and skills learned during their time at Leeds.

Modules

The course includes the following modules:

• Introduction to Pharmaceutical Science and Commerce (15 credits)
• Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (15 credits)
• Integrated Drug Development Plan (15 credits)
• Biopharmaceutical Development: Clinical (15 credits)
• Practical Skills for a Regulatory Environment (30 credits)
• Biopharmaceutical Drug Discovery and Non-Clinical Testing (30 credits)
• Bioscience MSc Research Project (60 credits)
• Clinical Trials (15 credits)

Learning and Teaching

The learning and teaching on the course are designed to prepare students to work in industry or academia. The course will challenge students to think creatively, solve problems, and develop strong communication and teamwork skills. Students will experience a wide range of teaching methods, including formal lectures, interactive workshops, and practical classes.

Assessment

A variety of assessment types are used throughout the course, including submissions to regulatory authorities, client reports, and presentations to industry panel members. There are no written exams, and all assessments are performed by in-course assignments, including a dissertation report arising from the research project work.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally have a bachelor's degree with at least a 2:1 or equivalent in a Biological Sciences subject or Bioprocessing or Biochemical Engineering. Relevant experience may be taken into account. English language requirements include IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

Fees

The tuition fees for the program are:

• UK: ｣16,000 (Total)
• International: ｣35,500 (Total)

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Scholarships are also available to help fund the Masters program.

Career Opportunities

The course will help give students the experience and skills to become highly employable in the biopharmaceutical industry or academia. On completion of the course, students will have the relevant knowledge and experience to fast-track their career as, for example, an analytical scientist, project manager, or coordinator, in areas such as research, quality control, manufacturing, non-clinical, clinical, and market access.

Research Areas

Research areas for the substantial research project may include:

• Engineering of biomolecules
• Development of biopharmaceuticals
• Identification of druggable targets in human disease
• Biophysical properties of biopharmaceuticals
• Engineering effective gene therapies
• Gene editing as a therapeutic strategy

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and has received national recognition, including the Princess Royal Training Award in 2020 and 2023, as well as the Advance HE Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) in 2025.