Program Overview

Course Details

Engineering - Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering

The Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering is a unique offering of the discipline of Process and Chemical Engineering designed to provide participants with a formal qualification in areas of particular topical interest to the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry.

Course Outline

The programme has been designed specifically for working professionals in the Engineering and Manufacturing Sectors, where participants will have the opportunity to:

• Gain a formal Level 9 qualification in Engineering
• Upskill/ Re-skill for the fast-growing pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors
• Avail of flexible study options - Part-time (18-months over 2 years); Maximum 45 months over 5 academic years.
• Experience hands-on training at the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) providing valuable insight, skills and knowledge that bridge the gap between academic teaching and industry practice.
• Balance work and education with blended learning with blocked lectures (elaborated further in course practicalities)
• Learn directly from the industry with guest lecturers from Pharma/Biopharma industries
• Enhance employability through continuing professional development and access to UCC Careers Services team.

Course Structure

This programme is principally organised to accommodate part-time students who are working in industry. The programme comprises 60 credits of taught modules, comprising both mandatory and elective modules.

• Students must take 9 mandatory modules worth 5 credits each to the value of 45 credits.
• The remaining 3 modules can be selected from a list of 4 modules worth 5 credits each to make up the final 15 credits of the total of 60 credits.

Modules

• Year 1, Semester 1 (Mandatory modules)
  • PE6010 Pharmaceutical Engineering (5 credits)
  • PE6011 Biopharmaceutical Engineering (5 credits)
  • PE6013 Powder and Particle Technology and Unit Operations (5 credits)
• Year 1, Semester 2 (Select 3 out of 4 modules)
  • PE6004 Biopharmaceutical Support Systems (5 credits)
  • PE6018 Pharmaceutical Process Validation and Quality (5 credits)
  • PE6019 Process Analytical Technology (5 credits)
  • CM6010 Introductory Pharmaceutical Chemistry (5 credits)
• Year 2, Semester 1 (Mandatory modules)
  • PE6012 Pharmaceutical Process Equipment, Materials and Mechanical Design (5 credits)
  • PE6016 Pharmaceutical Industry: Manufacturing and Optimisation (5 credits)
  • PE6026 Project Engineering - From Concept to Completion (5 credits)
• Year 2, Semester 2 (Mandatory modules)
  • PE6022 Aseptic Manufacturing Design (5 credits)
  • PE6024 Advanced Process Design and Safety Engineering (5 credits)
  • PE6027 Advanced Biopharmaceutical Engineering (5 credits)

MEngSc in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering

The MEngSc in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering is a similar programme to the PDip in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering, but comprises a research thesis or work-related research project (PE6021), worth 30 credits, carried out primarily in an industry or academic research laboratory between May and August during one academic year.

Individual Modules or Micro-Credits

Candidates who satisfy the programme eligibility criteria may, subject to the approval of the Programme Coordinator, be permitted to take individual modules, as part of UCC's commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and be provided with a relevant transcript of marks.

Course Practicalities

• Course Structure: Fundamentally, the modules are aggregated in blocks of 3, so for those taking the programme in part-time mode a candidate studies no more than 3 modules or 15 credits each semester.
• Attendance Information: The course has been designed to allow working professionals, especially those who are based outside Cork, or even Ireland, to effectively participate in the programme availing of both online materials and in-person lectures facilitating peer-learning and professional networking.
• Timetable: Each module has two in-person sessions per semester.

Assessment

All modules will be assessed via continuous assessment and will consist of live end-of-semester assessments or and online Canvas assignments as per UCC Marks and Standards.

Why Choose This Course

• This course has an excellent structure allowing participants to carry out further education whilst still working full-time.
• The structure of this course should be used as a baseline for other educational institutions as an excellent means of providing further education for full time working professionals.

Who Should Apply

• The aim of this (NFQ level 9) programme is to provide upskilling/re-skilling opportunities for working professionals in the Engineering and Manufacturing sectors.
• It is also aimed to fill the need for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Postgraduate Education of Engineers working in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Requirements

• Applicants must have a BE (Hons) or BEng (Hons) Degree or equivalent engineering qualification, with a minimum Second-Class Honours Grade II, or a level 8 BSc degree, with a minimum grade Second Class Honours Grade II, where the BSc graduate has a recognised qualification in process or Chemical Engineering.
• Under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants who do not meet the above academic entry requirements may be considered for admission and will be assessed on a number of factors including academic achievement, prior work experience relevant to any Engineering discipline, and personal statement.

Fees and Costs

• Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026: See the Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
• Deposits: If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
• Fee payment: Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How to Apply

• Check dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage.
• Gather documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC, and any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
• Apply online: Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.