Medical Affairs MSc

Key Information

Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time, Part time Duration: One year full-time, two years to six years part-time Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Course Essentials

Medical Affairs is concerned with the development and lifecycle management of medicines. The MSc prepares bioscience graduates, physicians, and pharmacists for a role in medical affairs in Pharma, focusing on science and its application, not on sales. This MSc is not suitable preparation for a career in the lab.

Students take 6 compulsory core modules in common with the other pharmaceutical medicine MSc courses, covering the syllabus of PharmaTrain. This gives the foundation knowledge of the research and development activities needed for new medicines. Students then begin their specialisation in Medical Affairs by taking two specialist modules.

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements: A Bachelor’s science degree with 2:1 honours is normally required. Applicants with a 2:2 (or overseas equivalent) will be considered where they offer significant work experience in a related field.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
• English language requirements: English language band D. Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test.

Teaching and Structure

Teaching Methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Independent Study

Module Structure

• Per 15-credit taught module: 32 hours of contact time, including lectures, teacher-led and student-led group discussions
• Dissertation module: Approximately 200-300 hours researching and writing

Required Modules

• Medicines and the Healthcare Market (15 credits)
• Ethics and Good Practice for Medicines (15 Credits)
• The Regulation of Medicines (15 Credits)
• Non-clinical and Early Clinical Development (15 credits)
• Clinical Trials and Biostatistics (15 Credits)
• The Safety of Medicines and Pharmacoepidemiology (15 Credits)
• Design and Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use (60 credits)
• Strategic Medical Affairs (15 credits)
• Practical Medical Affairs (15 credits)

Optional Modules

• None

Careers

Medical affairs is the fastest growing sector of employment in the pharmaceutical industry. With no other Medical Affairs MSc courses available at any other university in the world, you’ll be joining an exclusive group of graduates trained by some of the top minds in the field.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK: Full time £16,950 (2025/26), Part time FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £1,412 (2025/26), Per 60 credit module £5,650 (2025/26)
• International: Full time £47,700 (2025/26), Part time FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £3,975 (2025/26), Per 60 credit module £15,900 (2025/26)

Deposit

• MSc Full-time: £500 (Home), £2000 (International)
• MSc Part-time: The deposit is the full cost of the module

Additional Costs

• Books
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course handouts
• Society membership fees
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses and to the placement
• Graduation costs
• Accommodation fees

Funding

• Bursaries
• Scholarships
• Grants
• Tuition fees
• Living expenses
• Student loans
• Other financial help available at King's

Application Closing Date Guidance

• Full-time MSc: First application deadline is on 9 March 2025 (23:59 UK time). The final application deadlines for this programme are: Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time), Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
• Part-time MSc: We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, but you should submit your application at the latest two months before the module start date.

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Medical Affairs MSc at King's College London

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Degree Overview

The Medical Affairs MSc program at King's College London equips you with the skills and knowledge to navigate the bridge between the pharmaceutical industry and the healthcare field, encompassing thought leaders, patient groups, and regulatory bodies. It targets scientists, physicians, pharmacists, and allied health professionals.

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Key features:

• Pioneer and sole Medical Affairs MSc program globally.
• Deep collaboration with pharmaceutical industry.
Many industry experts participate in teaching, workshops, dissertations, and examinations. Most graduates secure employment with pharmaceutical companies.
• High ranking: King's is ranked 20th in Pharmacy and Pharmacology (QS World University Rankings by subject 2023).

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Outline

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Curriculum:

The program blends six core modules shared with other pharmaceutical medicine MSc programs, covering the PharmaTrain syllabus, with two specialist modules and a dissertation focused on Medical Affairs.

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Module breakdown:

• Core modules (6):
• Medicines and the Healthcare Market
• Ethics and Good Practice for Medicines
• The Regulation of Medicines
• Non-clinical and Early Clinical Development
• Clinical Trials and Biostatistics
• Drug Safety and Pharmacoepidemiology
• Specialist modules (2):
• Strategic Medical Affairs
• Practical Medical Affairs
• Dissertation (1):
• Dissertation Project (60 credits)

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Structure:

• One-year, full-time program (mid-September to mid-September) or
• Two to six years for part-time study

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Assessments:

A combination of assignments and online examinations contributes to the final grade (50% coursework, 50% exam).

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Teaching methods:

Face-to-face teaching, workshops, feedback sessions, tutorials, dissertation supervision, and ad hoc meetings with academic tutors.

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Assessment

Assessment methods:

• Coursework (50%): assignments, essays, projects, presentations
• Exams (50%): online multiple-choice question examinations

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Teaching

The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods to create a rich and engaging student experience:

• Lectures: delivered by academics and pharmaceutical industry experts
• Seminars: teacher-led and student-led discussions exploring key areas of study
• Tutorials: personalized instruction and feedback
• Dissertation supervision: individualized guidance for research project

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Careers

• Growing field: Medical affairs is the fastest-growing sector within the pharmaceutical industry, offering global career opportunities.
• Exclusive expertise: This program offers unique training by leading professionals, making graduates highly sought-after.
• Diverse career options: The program covers a broad range of sub-disciplines within medical affairs, opening doors to various positions.
• Ideal next step: Whether you are a recent graduate or have years of experience, this program paves the way for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Other

• One-week placement in the industry: Students gain direct practical experience in medical affairs through a placement arranged by King's.
• Dissertation supervised by industry experts: In 2022-2023, four-fifths of students received direct supervision from experts working in pharmaceutical companies.
• Accredited by PharmaTrain as a Centre of Excellence: This internationally recognized accreditation allows for the transfer of credits, enhancing global opportunities.
• Vibrant student community: The program attracts a diverse group of students with varying backgrounds and experiences.

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Tuition Fees

UK: Full time: £21,246 (2024/25) Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £1,770, Per 60 credit module £7,082 (2024/25) International: Full time: £33,258 (2024/25) Part time: FEES PER MODULE: Per 15 credit module £2,771, Per 60 credit module £11,086 (2024/25) MSc Full-time: Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment. The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000. If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer. If you receive an offer between 16 July and 15 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer. MSc Part-time: The deposit is the full cost of the module.