Program Overview

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Drug Design and Discovery MSc

Course Overview

The Drug Design and Discovery course is designed for those looking to broaden their knowledge in the process of drug discovery and work in a related field.

Why Choose Drug Design and Discovery MSc at Middlesex?

This course will develop your knowledge and understanding of how drugs are made as well as offering you advanced knowledge of computational analytical and/or synthetic techniques.

What You Will Gain

Our academics have strong links and years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry will share their knowledge and expertise with you.

You will learn the knowledge and laboratory skills essential for pursuing careers within the drug discovery field including:

• Understanding of the principles of the drug discovery process as well as advanced topics such as, nanotechnology and/or cheminformatics
• Experience of analytical or synthetic techniques used in diagnostic and/or pharmaceutical research.
• High level of research and problem-solving skills
• Creativity, innovation or business acumen.

3 Great Reasons to Pick This Course

• Top 6 UK university in Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024
• Top 10 UK University for employability (UniCompare Rankings 2025)
• Excellent career connections

Modules

The main areas covered in the MSc are: Current topics in drug discovery including, computer-aided drug design, immunotherapy and nanotechnology; Research, management, and leadership; Ethics and intellectual property; Advanced laboratory techniques.

Current Trends in Drug Design and Discovery (15 credits) - Compulsory

The module provides students an insight into the science involved in the discovery of new drugs and the opportunity to develop in depth knowledge in the science involved within their selected topic.

Cheminformatics (15 credits) - Compulsory

Computer-aided drug design has become an important element in the drug discovery and development process and an indispensable tool in the pharmaceutical industry.

Experimental Design and Statistics (15 credits) - Compulsory

The module aims to provide students with the tools required to design effective and efficient experiments and to test scientific hypotheses.

Bioethics (15 credits) - Compulsory

The module aims to provide insight into a range of ethical issues that relate to professional practice, to research with humans, animals, embryos and stem cells, and to human reproduction.

Leadership and Management (15 credits) - Compulsory

The module aims to provide students with the knowledge of current theories and approaches to leading and managing people so that they can bring about a positive change in their team or organisation.

Research Project (60 credits) - Compulsory

The module aims to develop student’s skills in planning and execution of an analytical study and critical evaluation of real research results drawing on their acquired knowledge from other modules.

Advanced Bioanalytical Techniques (15 credits) - Optional

The module aims to examine advanced bioanalytical techniques that are used in biomedical research, for the analysis of products, for improving diseases understanding and for the analysis of disease biomarkers.

Advanced Organic Synthesis Techniques (15 credits) - Optional

This module builds upon the skills acquired in BMS3726 Organic Synthesis or an equivalent module and aims to provide a framework where students can apply existing and new knowledge of chemical transformations to the design and execution of a multistep synthesis of an organic molecule.

Immunotherapeutics and Immunoassays (15 credits) - Optional

This module aims to provide students with a sound knowledge of how immunoassays may be used in the diagnosis of disease.

Nanotechnology (15 credits) - Optional

This module aims to provide an overview of the applications of nanotechnology in drug discovery.

Intellectual Property and the Generics Industry (15 credits) - Optional

This module introduces students to the basic concepts of intellectual property relevant to medical research and development, pharmaceuticals, medical technology and public health.

Teaching and Learning

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

How We'll Teach You

The course is delivered by our academics and industry partners in person and via digital platforms.

Timetable

During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of:

• Online: 4 hours per week
• Independent study: 10 hours per week

Facilities and Support

Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas with and 600 computer spaces, with some areas open 24 hours a day.

Entry Requirements

We welcome your application regardless of your background or experience.

For this course, ideally, we are looking for these qualifications:

• A 2:2 honours degree or above or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject such as pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, pharmacology, chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, biomedical science, biology
• Graduate-level professional qualifications.

Careers

Our postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.

We are a top 10 UK University for employability (UniCompare Rankings 2025), and a top 10 UK university for industry connections and funding in Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024.

This MSc course provides a broad overview of the drug discovery and development process and is designed for as preparation for either PhD-level research or a career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.

Potential employers include pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, as well as contract research organisations.

Fees and Funding

The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year.

UK Students

• Full-time students: £10,700
• Part-time students: £71 per credit
• Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit

International Students

• Full-time students: £17,100
• Part-time students: £114 per credit
• Part-time students: £57 per dissertation credit

Financial Support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs.

Postgraduate Scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

• The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
• The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
• The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
• The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
• Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.