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Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology

MSc

Duration
Start date
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Suitable for applications.

Please note: We are no longer able to accept applications from international students for the September 2024 intake of this course. You are welcome to apply for the January 2025 intake. Home students can still apply for September 2024.

Overview

This full-time Master's programme provides a comprehensive overview of drug safety practices within the drug development process.

It addresses key aspects of preclinical drug evaluation through the study of:

  • Drug discovery and development
  • Safety pharmacology
  • Mechanisms of drug-induced toxicities
  • Regulatory affairs
  • Bioanalytical sciences

It will give you state-of-the-art training in preclinical toxicology, with an emphasis on the molecular in vitro and in vivo aspects of toxicology and safety pharmacology assessments.

As part of the programme you will undertake an original research project that will be the basis of your dissertation.

Delivered at the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, an internationally renowned research institution, the programme gives you the skills you need for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or regulatory bodies, along with the foundations for PhD study.

Drug toxicology and safety pharmacology lies at the heart of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and demand for highly skilled practitioners in this field is extremely high.

The course contains the perfect balance between theoretical learning in lectures and hands-on experience by putting our theoretical learning into practice. It has helped spark a greater in-depth interest and knowledge into science and science-related research. Manisha, MSc Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology

Entry requirements

To be admitted to the programme, applicants must have an undergraduate Honours qualification (minimum 2: 2) or equivalent in a scientific discipline, usually within chemistry, biology, pharmacy, biomedicine, or related fields. Candidates who do not meet these entry criteria but who can show relevant experience may also be considered.

For North American students a GPA of normally 2.0 and above (on a scale of 4.0), or an equivalent, is required.

English language requirements

If your native language is not English, or official language of your first degree is not English, you will need to pass a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The International English Language Testing System test (IELTS) administered by the British Council is the test which is preferred by the University.

You will need to achieve an overall score of at least 6.0, with at least 5.5 in each of the four sub-tests (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Testing facilities are available at most British Council overseas offices. When you take the test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

What you will study

This programme has a central core of modules in the first Semester which are designed to train you in widely used laboratory techniques, research methodology, and critical analysis and thinking.

The 30-credit Research Skills for Postgraduate Students module is designed around common laboratory techniques and skills including aseptic techniques, PCR, Western Blot, statistical analysis etc. You will have a series of workshops to learn these techniques with a lab session where you carry out the procedure. In addition, the module includes critique sessions and scientific writing workshops to enhance your theoretical skills.

The 30-credit first semester module entitled Toxicology & Safety Pharmacology will provide you with the core academic knowledge required in this field. During the first semester, you will gain knowledge of the breadth of cutting-edge research at ICT and either choose or suggest a research project plan.

In Semester 2, you will study a 20-credit Preclinical Models for Drug Evaluation module designed around protocols and techniques used in the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of drug potency and 20-credit Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity module designed around the recent understanding mechanism that leads to toxicity in drug molecules. Finally, you will study the 20-credit Case Studies in Drug Discovery module, which is designed around recent advances in the development of new medicines.

In Semester 3 (60 credits each), you will join research laboratories within the ICT, to undertake their 60-credit Research Project module. During this time, you will be trained in specialist laboratory techniques and conduct chosen research.

All module information is for 2023 entry, and is subject to change.

Learning and assessment

A wide variety of teaching methods appropriate to the learning outcomes of the individual modules are employed throughout the programme and are supported by the virtual learning environment provided by the University.

Students will experience lectures from ICT research/teaching staff and visiting clinicians and industrial researchers, small group workshops, one-to-one tutorials and practical classes.

Students will also attend the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics Research Seminar programme. Self-directed independent learning forms a significant component at MSc level; students will be supported to develop the attributes and skills needed for life-long learning and continued professional development.

Directed private study will involve students in a variety of activities, which include directed reading of selected textbooks and specified source literature, use of the virtual learning environment (directed web-based materials), report writing, preparing presentations to deliver to peers, and other assignments.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2024

  • Home: £9,462
  • International: £24,180

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

The largest destination of our graduates is enrolment in PhD studies (47%) including here at Bradford, as well as King’s College London, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Sheffield.

Career destination of our graduates include the NHS, Covance, Envigo, St James Hospital Leeds, Cyprotex, Chiltern, Perrigo, Dewsbury & District Hospital, Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, and Public Health England.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.