MSc Pharmaceutical Industry Advanced Training (PIAT)

Course description

Developed in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, the PGDip and MSc courses in PIAT are postgraduate-level training designed for scientists and managers working in the pharmaceutical industry in the fields of product development, formulations, manufacturing and quality assurance.

Students without a first degree in science will be automatically registered on the CPD route in Industrial Pharmaceutical Sciences. Students with a first degree in science may register on this CPD route or directly on an MSc or Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) route, by default, on the Industrial Pharmacy pathway; students who complete more than five 15-credit units of an MSc or PGDip in the Pharmaceutical Microbiology pathway may choose to take their award in the name of that pathway at the point of exit. Students who exit with a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) will do so in Industrial Pharmaceutical Sciences. Units are subject to availability.

Pathways

Industrial Pharmacy: This programme covers the industrial pharmacist role from formulation through to QA and QC, and also regulatory affairs and lean processes (including Six Sigma).
Pharmaceutical Microbiology: We work with the Pharmaceutical Microbiology Interest Group (PharMIG) on the content and curriculum of this programme, ensuring that it is recognised as a leader within the field.

You can also take individual units as standalone CPD courses. Please contact us for further details of the units that can be taken.

Many of our units have been developed to support those seeking to build their QP portfolio and our team includes QPs who are willing to advise you on your development through this educational programme.

We offer a three-day annual school each year to allow you to meet fellow students and your tutors while attending workshops to support your learning and development in the units. You are strongly encouraged to participate in this event as a valuable face-to-face opportunity to engage with our team of expert tutors. It has been observed that those students who do engage with the event do better in their assessments in general.

Career opportunities

Our alumni have used the learning and opportunities gained from this course to advance their careers in a range of roles and areas.

Some have moved to management positions, while others have taken on roles with more responsibility, becoming team leaders, heads of projects or responsible for new and larger areas, regions or territories.

As part of the course, our students build networks of contacts and join a growing community of leaders within the industry.