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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences
Header image Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences

Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences

The Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences (MPS) Master trains you for a career in the design and use of modern medicines. It ranges from basic- to clinical research and prepares you for a career in academia, industry, policy, and business.

The MPS master’s program will train you for a career in the design and use of modern medicines. The training ranges from basic research to clinical research and prepares you for a career in academia, industry or policy and business.

Our master covers themes such as basic molecular drug discovery, analysis of drugs and biomarkers, pharmacology, toxicology, biopharmacy, clinical pharmacoepidemiology, post-marketing surveillance, policy and business. Altogether, this two-year Master's degree program will enable a quick start of a career in the exciting world of modern pharmaceuticals!

Our education program takes place in an interdisciplinary research environment covering all disciplines in medicine and pharmacy. The program is designed for ‘learning by doing’, which creates an open, stimulating and creative environment. The program is built by a few obligatory and elective courses followed by one or two large research projects and/or one internship project. Overall, we aim for a fluent combination of theoretical knowledge, academic skills and professional skills.

You can choose from the following tracks:

• A pre-clinical track in Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering (PDE)

• A clinical track in Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomics (P&P)

• A professional track in Science, Business and Policy (SBP)

Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences is a partner in the International Master in Sustainable Drug Discovery.


Our master's program is open for students with a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, chemistry, or a related field.


Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences
Course type
Master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60611
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Science and Engineering
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Interactive and personal study program by mentoring, courses in small groups and individual or group assignments.
  • Extensive hands-on training in research projects and internships.
  • Focus on modern themes such as: green chemistry, nanomedicine, vaccines and big data.
  • Supported by strong international research groups from the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) and the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG)
  • Annual career event with a network moment to meet potential employers.
  • Research and education cover all drug/vaccine-related aspects that are relevant to the drug development life cycle
Programme

When you start the program, choose one track that fits your interests best. This track provides a defined set of obligatory and elective courses that provides both focus and flexibility. This enables you to choose your own path in the exciting world of drug discovery! You will be in the lead to choose one of our tracks that can be adjusted to meet your own learning objectives:

1) Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering (PDE-track): This track is focussed on the pre-clincial aspects of drug discovery. You can specialize in themes such as: medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutical technology, translational technology and toxicology.

2) Pharmaco-epidemiology and -economics (P&P-track): This track focussed on the clinical aspects of drug discovery. You can specialize in themes such as: clinical toxicology, epidemiology, pharmacoeconomics, big data management, clinical trials and postmarketing survailance. For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60611-5528

3) Science, Business and Policy (SBP-track): This track enables specialization in the business and policy aspects of drug discovery and drug use.

In the first master year you choose courses and a research projects in pre-clinical and/or clinical research. In the second year of the master, you will receive a specialized and dedicated hand-on training for a career in business and policy.

CoursesCourse Catalog >
Academic Skills
Colloquium
Drug Development (5 EC)
Electives/Optional modules (10 EC, optional)
Essay (drug-related) (5 EC)
Master modules / Track specific modules (15 EC)
Research Project 1
Research Project 2

2-year programme. Credits per year: 60 ECTS, most courses are 5 ECTS.

In year 2 there is more freedom in your programme. You can choose from a list of electives, and your second research project can be done abroad as well as at the University of Groningen. If you choose the SBP-track, you will do a work placement of 40 ECTS.

Curriculum

2-year programme. Credits per year: 60 ECTS, most courses are 5 ECTS.

Programme options
Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering (PDE-track) (track)

This track is focused on the pre-clinical aspects of drug discovery.

You can specialize in themes such as medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutical technology, translational technology and toxicology. https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60611-5521

Pharmaco-epidemiology and -economics (P&P-track) (track)

This track focussed on the clinical aspects of drug discovery.

You can specialize in themes such as: clinical toxicology, epidemiology, pharmacoeconomics, big data management, clinical trials and postmarketing survailance. For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60611-5528

Science, Business and Policy (SBP, track) (track)

This track enables specialization in the business and policy aspects of drug discovery and drug use.

In the first master year you choose courses and a research projects in pre-clinical and/or clinical research. In the second year of the master, you will receive a specialized and dedicated hand-on training for a career in business and policy. For the complete curriculum, please see: https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60611-5526

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is recommended
  • For an average of 20 weeks
  • Maximum of 60 EC

Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions, often as a second research project. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
PharmacyUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Life Science and TechnologyUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Old curriculum: Major in Biomedical Sciences OR Molecular Life Sciences with a minor in Pharmacy - more information on Biology Student Portal

New curriculum: Students must follow specific courses in year 3 and complete a medical pharmaceutical BSc project - more information on LST Student Portal

BiologyUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Only accessible with the major Biomedical Sciences or Molecular Life Sciences, both in combination with a minor in Pharmacy.

ChemistryUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

Only accessible with the track Chemistry of Life, in combination with specific Pharmacy courses in the elective space.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
PharmacyUtrecht UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
BiologyAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Minor in Pharmacy, or other pharmaceutical courses

Biomedische WetenschappenAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Minor in Pharmacy, or other pharmaceutical courses

ChemistryAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

Minor in Pharmacy, or other pharmaceutical courses

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy, or related research fields focusing (e.g. Molecular Biology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences) on knowledge and skills at the interface of molecular and cellular biology, organic chemistry and biochemistry, and pharmaceutical sciences).

Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students from a Dutch HBO institute is published on: http://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission

other admission requirements

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Do you prefer an early decision on your request of admission? Don't wait until 1 May, but use one of the earlier deadlines for this Master's programme (for a course start on 1 September). If the University of Groningen has received your complete application before, then you will receive a decision at the latest on:

Application - Decision:

1 December – 15 January

1 February – 1 March

15 March – 15 April

1 May - 15 June

Please fill out the checklist to describe your pre-education.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy, or related research fields (e.g. Molecular Biology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences) focusing on knowledge and skills at the interface of molecular and cellular biology, organic chemistry and biochemistry, and pharmaceutical sciences. Laboratory experience and proof of academic scientific writing skills (such as thesis or research report) are required. The admissions board determines whether the specific contents of this/these course(s) meet the admission requirements of the master programme for which you applied.

additional subject

The Admissions Office will advise the Board of Admissions on your application, after which the board will decide if you meet the admission requirements in terms of general level of previous education and specific background knowledge.

language test

MAKE SURE TO VISIT http://www.rug.nl/fwn/fmns-programme/admissions/msc/language-requirements for all the necessary information about required language tests and minimum scores.

other admission requirements

BEFORE YOU APPLY Make sure to visit 'MSc Application Procedure' at www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission for all the necessary information about the procedure and admission requirements.

Registration procedure

The Board of Admissions will decide whether you can be admitted to the Master's degree programme.

Do you prefer an early decision on your request of admission? Don't wait until 1 May, but use one of the earlier deadlines for this Master's programme (for a course start on 1 September). If the University of Groningen has received your complete application before, then you will receive a decision at the latest on:

Application - Decision:

1 December – 15 January

1 February – 1 March

15 March – 15 April

1 May - 15 June

Please fill out the checklist to describe you pre-education.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 20700full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 24200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

The programme is an excellent preparation for a succeeding PhD programme in pharmaceutical, biological, or medical sciences (approx. 60%), for a career in industry (approx. 30%), as a consultant (5%) or as a policy maker (5%). More than 80% of the students find a job within 6 months after their studies.

Job prospects

During the degree programme you will learn and practice academic skills such as retrieving and systematic reviewing relevant literature on your topic, formulating hypotheses, design and perform experiments, and interpret, present and scientifically report your results.

Our students enter the local, national or global labour market based on their own preferences. We have a strong LinkedIn alumni network of more than 100 ex-MPS students that can help you to find a job. The local labour market is organized into the “Life Cooperative consortium”, which combines the efforts of tens of small and larger companies with more than 2,100 fte personnel working in the area of medical-pharmaceutical research and business. Due to favourable local dynamics and good international connections, this sector is growing fast. Also, the national and global job market is readily accessible to our students. The global atmosphere in our master's program with a concise international community prepares you well for the opportunities in the global labour market.

Finishing the Master's programme in Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences provides multiple career options. You are optimally prepared for careers in pharmaceutical research, business and policy.

You can find a position as researcher in organizations such as:

- Universities
- Academic and general hospitals
- Pharmaceutical, biomedical and food industries

You can also find a position in the pharmaceutical business or policy in organizations such as:

- Governmental and semi-governmental institutions such as the Medicines Evaluation Board, EMA or the Ministry of Health and Welfare
- Societal and patient organizations

- Pharmaceutical companies



Job examples

  • Universities
Research

Groningen Drug Research is among the best in the world

Research focuses in the Master's degree programme in Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences:

Research mainly concentrates on drug design, synthesis, production and analysis, drug targeting and delivery, pharmacology, engineering of drug applications, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, bio pharmacy, pharmaco-economics and –epidemiology, and clinical pharmacy.

And much more. Please have a look at the websites of the research institute related to the programme, the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy.

If you prefer a less research oriented programme, you may choose the 'Science, Business and Policy' profile. This profile prepares you for professions in a commercial, policy making and/or societal organization.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Campus TourMore information

Contact

  • Academic Advisors FSE (For questions regarding the programme)
  • Prof. Dr. Reinoud Gosens (Professor of Translational Pharmacology - for questions Pharmaceutical Design & Engineering trac)
    Email: r.gosens rug.nl
  • Inge de Graaf (Senior lecturer of Drug metabolism and Toxicology - for questions Toxicology & Drug Disposition )
    Email: i.a.m.de.graaf rug.nl
  • Eelko Hak (Professor of Clinical Pharmacoepidemiology - for questions Pharmacoepidemiology track)
    Email: e.hak rug.nl
  • studyscience@rug.nl Study Science (For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions)
    Email: studyscience rug.nl
  • 
						Testimonial of Radu Bulai

    The Master's programme offers you an opportunity to complete different research projects.

    – Radu Bulai
    Read more

    Radu Bulai - Student of the MSc Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences

    During my Bachelor of Chemistry, I became interested in the application of organic chemistry in drug discovery. I therefore took the opportunity to gain more in-depth knowledge of themes around drug discovery by embarking on the Master of Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences. During that Master’s programme, I soon realised how in-depth the programme is and how they try to relate the different parts of the drug design process to each other. It’s not just about focusing on one part of the drug manufacturing and marketing process, but also about trying to keep in mind all the past or future steps that will be involved.

    The Master’s programme offers you an opportunity to complete different research projects. At the moment I am doing my final research project, which focuses on a protein that promotes cancer. I am involved in designing, synthesizing, and testing a particular type of molecule that triggers degradation of this particular protein. Once I graduate, I would like to continue research in the field of drug design and drug syntheses. I am already applying for a position to continue research as a PhD student. After obtaining a PhD I’ll be open to industrial or commercial career opportunities where I can broaden my knowledge further.

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  • 
						Testimonial of Lotte de Vries

    By the end of the programme, I truly felt like a professional and was treated as such.

    – Lotte de Vries
    Read more

    Lotte de Vries - Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences

    I have completed a bachelor's degree in Chemistry at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences before enrolling for an MSc in Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences. I initially had to complete a pre-master before starting the master's program, which lasted for one semester (30 ECTS credits). The pre-master was challenging, but it served as excellent preparation for the master's program.

    In the first year of the master's programme, I pursued the Research track in Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering, and in the second year, I switched to Science Business and Policy (SBP). During the first year, I conducted a research project in Molecular Biology in the group led by Ody Sibon. This research focused on PKAN disease and explored a potential pathway for a future medication. In the second year, I completed an internship at the Trimbos Institute, where I focused on providing policy advice regarding cannabis vaporizers. I investigated both the scientific and policy aspects to ultimately offer recommendations.

    I chose the master's programme because, after my bachelor's degree, I realized that I wanted to be closer to finding solutions in the field of medicine, particularly medications. Despite my passion for chemistry, it felt distant from the ultimate goal of finding cures for diseases. My dream was always to design pharmaceuticals, which was achievable within MPS, especially in the Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering track. Additionally, I appreciated the flexibility within MPS, where you could shape your entire master's programme according to your preferences. You could choose any course you liked and even switch tracks during the two years. The freedom appealed to me because I hadn't yet defined exactly what I wanted to do. In the end, I went in a completely different direction than I had originally planned. I also noticed a great deal of passion from alumni and lecturers, which was highly motivating.

    What I find remarkable about the program is that everyone I encountered, from students to professors, was always very motivated to help. Every lecturer I had was deeply passionate about their subject and was always willing to assist students. By the end of the programme, I truly felt like a professional and was treated as such. I couldn't have been better prepared for the working world, thanks to the attitudes of the people who make this master's program possible.

    Some tips I have for incoming master's students are to make choices within your programme that align with your career goals. In my first year, I realized that I preferred not to work in a lab, so I switched to SBP. Additionally, I recommend talking to as many people in the programme as possible about their experiences to discover where your passion lies. There are numerous opportunities, but it requires a bit of assertiveness. Don't hesitate to seek help when needed; everyone is very helpful!

    My ambitions after the master's program are diverse. I will soon start as a scientific sales representative at a large Canadian biotech company. Ultimately, I want to have a policy-related role in the pharmaceutical industry or a management position within a scientific company. My main goal is to stay close to research in a part that has a significant impact.

    Close
  • 
						Testimonial of Koen Pouwels

    I still benefit from the interdisciplinary and hands-on character

    – Koen Pouwels
    Read more

    What I truly like about the MPS programme is that you can tailor your programme to match your own interests and skills. I still benefit from the interdisciplinary and hands-on character of the Master at my current job as mathematical modeller and health economist at Public Health England in London.

    I am still working on several questions that are being addressed during the Master, including how we can fight antibiotic resistance, how to make optimal use of Big data to improve healthcare and how to assess the potential economic value of new drugs. The opportunity to design and perform two large research projects in areas of your choice allows you to make a better informed decision about your future career path. These research projects learned me what I like to do most and inspired my further career choices. By providing the opportunity to work with and learn from various experts from pharmacy and medical sciences, the programme offers an excellent preparation for a future career in academia, government or industry.

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Study associations

Pharmaciae Sacrum

G.F.S.V. 'Pharmaciae Sacrum' is the study association for students of Pharmacy in Groningen.
Pharmaciae Sacrum, Latin for 'holy pharmacy', was founded on 12 December 1881, making it the oldest study association in Groningen and the second oldest in the Netherlands. G.F.S.V. 'Pharmaciae Sacrum' organizes various events, including lectures, sports days, excursions and drinks parties. It also publishes a newsletter called Foliolum.
https://www.psgroningen.nl/
Read more