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Specialised training in all aspects of Drug Development from current innovations to unmet clinical needs.
This course offers specialised training in biomedical science with exposure to leading research scientists, biotechnologists and the pharmaceutical industry. It provides a foundation for a career in drug development and a comprehensive programme in research methodology, the translation of basic research into therapies into the clinic and the governance, ethical and social implications of health research.
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What will I learn?
- MSc
This is a full-time programme and students must take modules to the value of 180 credits: six core modules (120 credits) and a research project (60 credits).
*Module Availability - Modules offered on the programme may not run in every academic year. If there are any modules which are integral to your study you should check whether they are running in the relevant academic year.
Some of our key topics have included:
Formulating a scientific question Modelling diseases First into man Surrogate Markers in Clinical Trials Clinical Trial DesignAll students must complete an independent research project, normally with a supervisor from the Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre at UCLH or a NHS-funded research initiative run with conjunction with UCL. Some projects will be subject to ethical approval and CRB clearance, which should be discussed with your supervisor. Students should explore a research areas that interest them and make contact with the relevant departments to see if they can offer an MSc project. Alternatively, students can explore research activities taking place across UCL via IRIS (http://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/) by using the search engine.
- Recent Student Research Projects
Topic Title Supervisor Release of growth hormone from TIPS microparticles for sustained delivery Dr Richard Day Economic evaluation alongside the CARDAMON trial: proposed analysis Dr Rachael Hunter Transnasal Humidified Rapid Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange Dr Anil Patel Cardiac MRI Dr James Moon Kinesin Kargo Transport in Health and Disease Prof. Frank Kozielski Development of inhibitors against the human kinesin Kif14, a potential target for drug development in cancer chemotherapy Prof. Frank Kozielski Vaccine fibres: developing new formulations for safe and effective inculcation of immunity Dr Gareth Williams Does Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) cause its anti-inflammatory effect via up regulation of COX induced prostaglandin E2? Dr Alastair O'Brien Validation of a novel preoperative POSSUM score in elective orthopaedic surgery. Dr Ramani Moonesinghe Small molecule inhibitors of the HIF pathway in cancer drug development Dr Margaret Ashcroft Lymphocyte mediated endogenous opioid analgesia in the postoperative period. Dr Gareth Ackland In vitro optimization of chemical modifications of spliceswitching oligonucleotides for the treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia Dr Bernard Khoo Pharmacokinetic modelling of alternative dosing regimens of anti-infectives for paediatric patients in resource-limited areas. Dr Oscar della Pasqua (GSK) Surrogate decision-making in learning disability Dr Sarah Edwards Generalisability (external validity) of RCTs for antiretroviral therapy strategies for the treatment of naïve and experienced HIV-positive patients Dr Alejandro Arenas-Pinto Delineating a role for endothelium-derived C-type natriuretic peptide in the pathogenesis of septic shock Professor Adrian Hobbs Physicochemical properties and metabolic fate of tetrathiomolybdate (TTM), a copper chelator and sulphide donor. Dr Alex Dyson Clinical Research Activity in the EU Dr Ross Breckenridge What is the best way to Investigate a Brain Hemorrhage? Dr David Werring How does the production of superoxide change in neuroinflammatory disease? Professor Kenneth Smith Which factors influence a patient's decision whether or not to participate in a clinical trial? A qualitative and quantitative study comparing the acute and non-acute setting. Dr Sarah Edwards Factors that control neutrophil chemokine receptor expression Dr Andrew Williams Cardiac MRI Dr James Moon A Retrospective analysis into the discriminatory power of exhaled breath temperature monitoring in a population of mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects from healthy ex and current cigarette smokers. Dr John Hurst The design, synthesis and evaluation of new inhibitors of the kinesin Eg5 as lead drug candidates for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Professor Frank Kozielski The evaluation of clinical evidence and Cost effectiveness analysis based on NICE guidance: Drug treatment for breast cancer. Professor Nicholas Freemantle Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Tetrathiomolybdate Professor Mervyn Singer Development of a novel caspase 3-specific radiotracer for the detection of apoptosis in response to chemotherapy Professor Barbara Pedley Development of a Cardiac Patch Using the Novel Nanocomposite Polymer POSS-PCU Professor Alexander Seifalian Persisting blood propofol levels in the critically ill and levels of sedation following the termination of a long term (>72 hours) infusion Professor Mervyn Singer Klotho gene variants that can protect from adverse outcomes in CKD Dr Ben Caplin A Genetic Approach to Identify Biological Pathways Relevant to Stroke and its Subtypes. Dr Reecha Sofat Feasibility of using “bench-top” MRI for assessment of experimental stroke Dr Daniel Stuckey - Risk and toxicology
- Regulation
- Genome
- Inflammation
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Angiogenesis/Hypoxia
- Gene and Cell Therapy
- Obesity
- Postgraduate Diploma
The Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) comprises all of the taught modules from the full MSc, without the independent Research Project. It is designed to allow students to complete it within approximately 9 months.
*Module Availability - Modules offered on the programme may not run in every academic year. If there are any modules which are integral to your study you should check whether they are running in the relevant academic year.
- Postgraduate Certificate
The Postgraduate Certificate is an alternative option for students who can't commit to full-time study, or who only want a taster of the full MSc degree. It is designed to allow students to complete it within 9 months on one day only. Students registered for the Postgraduate Certificate must take two core modules totalling 60 credits.
Core Modules Credit Value Term MEDC0047 Drug Discovery 1 30 1 MEDC0048 Drug Discovery 2 30 2 *Module Availability - Modules offered on the programme may not run in every academic year. If there are any modules which are integral to your study you should check whether they are running in the relevant academic year.
- Who is the course for?
The programme is suitable for students who wish to gain the skills necessary for world-class healthcare research. Many of our students are doctors, allied health professionals or graduates in biomedical science who wish to pursue a lifelong career in academic health research.
- What are you looking for in prospective students?
This course requires a medical degree or a UK bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject (biological science, biomedicine, biophysics, chemistry, medicine), awarded with first or upper second-class honours. If you did not study your degree in the UK, please see our International Equivalences page.
If English is not your first language, you'll also have to provide evidence of your language ability, see more on our English Language Requirements Page. This course requires "Standard".
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How do I apply?
- Where can this course lead me in terms of careers and employability?
All current students are supported by the extensive services offered by the UCL Careers Service, as well as the department's own specialist Careers Day, which forms part of our annual calendar of events.
This MSc provides an ideal foundation for graduates who wish subsequently to undertake a PhD in biomedical science within UCL or elsewhere. In addition the course provides key transferable skills for those wishing to pursue careers in drug discovery.
Destinations of recent graduates of this course include:
- UCL Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine: PhD
- UCL Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine: Research Assistant
- PAREXEL: Pharmaceutical Service Specialist
- Imperial College London: Research Associate
- GlaxoSmithKline: Senior Scientist
- St George's Hospital: Consultant Physician
- Garvan Institute: Researcher
- Where does this course take place?
The course is taught on campys in Bloomsbury, the heart of London. We do not offer any online or distance courses at this time.
- When does the course run?
The term dates shown below are for 2021/22:
Term Dates First term Monday 27 September 2021 to Friday 17 December 2021 Second term Monday 10 January 2022 to Friday 25 March 2022 Third term Monday 25 April 2022 to Friday 10 June 2022 Students on full-time Masters programmes study for a full calendar year and students are expected to study beyond the end of the third term to prepare their dissertation in time for submission at the end of August.
- How much does it cost? What funding is available?
The tuition fees shown below are for 2022/23*:
Course UK Overseas MSc £14,700 £29,400 Postgraduate Diploma £9,800 £19,600 Postgraduate Certificate £4,900 £9,800 *Please check the prospectus for up-to-take information
Wondering how to fund your Master's at UCL? Watch a video on YouTube to learn about available funding options: How to fund your Master’s at UCL
Further information on fees can be viewed on the UCL Fees page. If you're unsure of your fee status, please see our Student Fee Status page and for funding opportunities visit our Scholarships and Funding page. Practical advice for prospective EU students concerning Brexit, as well as links to further information on the topic can be found here.
The Division of Medicine is offering bursaries of £5000 each to students on MSc Clinical Drug Development.
For full information and to apply, please read and complete an application form and return to Nick Bone by 31st July 2022.
- How do I apply?
- Contact
Course Tutor: Dr Ariane Chapgier
If you have any questions about Clinical Drug Development, please contact the Division of Medicine Postgraduate Admin team in the first instance: pgadmins@ucl.ac.uk
Clinical Drug Development News
£5000 Bursaries for CDD students
The Division of Medicine is offering bursaries of £5000 each to students on MSc and MRes Clinical Drug Development.
For full information and to apply, please read and complete an application form and return to Nick Bone by 31st July 2022.
Download Bursary Application Form
2018/19 Dean's List
Every year the Dean recognises the top 5% of students, in terms of academic performance, from across the Faculty. Congratulations to our MRes Clinical Drug Development student Caitlin Carr-Knox who made the Dean's List 2018/19.
2018/19 Dean's Research Prize
Congratulations to 2018/19 students Fatima Rahman, MRes Clinical Drug Development, chosen for excellence in research to represent their programme at the Dean's Research Prize event.
Interested in taking a PhD?
You could also consider our MRes Clinical Drug Development which will provide excellent preparation for post-doctoral study.