Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences

How to design more effective and needle-free corona vaccines? How can we use nanoscience to better predict drug toxicity for humans? How can we personalise drug treatment and make it more sustainable?

How can we use Big Data to improve preventive drug programmes? How can we optimize chronic drug use in ageing populations? How can we develop a business case for a new drug and determine cost-efficiency of pharmaceutical programmes?

If you have a pharmaceutical bachelor degree or a bachelor degree in pharmacy, chemistry, or a related field such as biomedical sciences or biology with pharmaceutical elements, this two-year Master's degree programme will enhance your career in the exciting world of the drug development life cycle! We cover all drug-related elements, from basic target discovery to molecular drug design, from analysis of drugs and biomarkers to pharmacological design of applications, from toxicology and biopharmacy to clinical pharmacoepidemiology, post marketing surveillance, policy and business.

An unique asset of the master of Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences is that the lectures and research take place in an interdisciplinary Life Sciences environment from chemistry to statistics, from biology to medicine, from epidemiology to economics, management and business, with all activities situated within walking distance. Learning research by actually doing it is a second unique asset, and students will have the opportunity to design two large research projects according to their needs and talent. Teaching professors from the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (see http://www.rug.nl/research/grip/) as well as from the University Medical Center Groningen all work closely together, which is considered unique worldwide.

Lecturers will supervise you while you are independently performing experiments and go through the whole process of conducting a scientific drug-related study. The programme therefore is an excellent preparation for a succeeding PhD programme in the biological, medical or pharmaceutical sciences or for a career in industry, as a consultant or policy maker. You may choose a carefully designed track which will prepare you for specialist positions or you will be in the lead to design your own research programme.

This programme offers the Science, Business and Policy track. If you're interested in this track, be sure to attend this conference in July 2022 to find out more.

The programme also has an active student association, Pharmaciae Sacrum, where you will quickly feel at home and can join social activities (please also see the MPS Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/medpharmgroningen/)

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

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Why study this programme in Groningen?

Our Pharmacy education has been ranked number 1 among students in the Netherlands since 2015

Awarded 'Top Rated Programme' label (Keuzegids Masters 2017 and 2019)

Sustainability in drug discovery will be included in our master courses.

Unique interdisciplinary cooperation between preclinical, pharmaceutical, medical and economical research fields, with teaching professors within walking distance

Research and education cover all drug/vaccine-related aspects that are relevant to the drug development life cycle

Programme

You will be in the lead to choose a carefully designed track which prepares you for specialist positions. Most students choose a specialised research track. We offer three unique research tracks and a Science, Business and Policy track:

1) Pharmaco-epidemiology and -economics: The science that focuses on issues of drug/vaccine use in patients and the beneficial and side effects in populations, applying clinical trials and observational Big Database studies. 2) Drug Toxicology and Translational Technology: Focuses on adverse drug reactions and pharmaco- and toxicokinetics of drugs using innovative techniques. 3) Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering: Focuses on novel strategies for drug target-identification, drug development, and formulation. 4) Science, Business and Policy: Interested in the business side of science? You can combine this Master's programme with the Science Business & Policy profile.

Courses
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

Curriculum

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

Programme options
General research programme (track) Design and tailor your own two-year research programme of master modules, electives and research projects in the wide scope of pharmaceutical research covering the drug development life cycle. For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=6182
Drug Toxicology and Translational Technology (Research track) (track) Studying the safety of drugs is an important part of drug development. The toxicity of a substance is determined by the interactions of a substance at a molecular level, including interaction with receptors, enzymes, DNA and membranes in the body. In addition, the formation and detoxification of reactive metabolites and the level of exposure of the target tissues are important factors for toxicity. Exposure is largely determined by pharmacokinetics (toxicokinetics in case of toxic substances), which includes the rate and extend of absorption, distribution, metabolism including conversion into reactive metabolites and detoxification, and excretion. This field of study is often called ADME-Tox (Absorption, Disposition, Metabolism, Excretion – Toxicology). For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=6179 More information about this option
Pharmaco-epidemiology and Pharmaco-economics (Research track) (track) The vast array of available drugs and vaccines accentuate a clear need for drug designers, regulatory officers, pharmacovigilance experts, at the one hand. But there is also a need for pharmacists and other health care workers at the other hand, to know the determinants and health impact of drug use in ageing populations. Pharmacoepidemiology is the scientific area that through valid research advances the understanding of these topics. The specific track “Pharmacoepidemiology” covers the basics of the field by combining, basic medicine, pharmacy, epidemiology, biostatistics and demography. Further, the track allows for broadening expertise in laboratory drug sciences during a research project. It addresses pharmacists and pharmaceutical industry professionals who are involved with drug development or post-marketing surveillance as well as other professionals in the health care sector with an interest in drug epidemiology. For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=6180 More information about this option
Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering (Research track) (track) Pharmaceutical engineering is a fast growing science and it requires novel strategies for target-identification, drug development, and formulation. Are you interested in designing new drugs or biologicals, or in new ways to formulate them? The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, resistance to antibiotics and an ageing population require new views on drug development, as the current treatment arsenal provides insufficient disease-modifying capacity. The track Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering offers education in the most recent developments in these areas. For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=6181 More information about this option
Science, Business and Policy (track) Interested in the business side of science? You can combine this Master's programme with the Science Business & Policy profile. The SBP profile includes a six-month internship as a scientific advisor. For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=6183 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...

VU University Amsterdam

Leiden University

Utrecht University

University of Groningen

All Research universities

Radboud University Nijmegen

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Pharmaceutical Sciences	VU University Amsterdam	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Bio-Farmaceutische Wetenschappen	Leiden University	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Pharmacy	Utrecht University	No additional requirements
Biology	Utrecht University	Additional requirements More information: Accessible with programme Molecular Life Sciences; minor in Pharmacy or other pharmaceutical courses
Pharmacy	Utrecht University	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Pharmacy	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Life Science and Technology	University of Groningen	Additional requirements Additional requirements: knowledge minimum More information: Students must follow a specific set of courses in year 3 and complete a medical pharmaceutical Bachelor project.
Chemistry	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Only accessible with the track Chemistry of Life, in combination with specific Pharmacy courses in the elective space.
Biology	University 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.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Biomedische Wetenschappen	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Minor in Pharmacy, or other pharmaceutical courses
Biology	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Minor in Pharmacy, or other pharmaceutical courses

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Molecular Life Sciences	Radboud University Nijmegen	Additional requirements More information: Minor in Pharmacy, or other pharmaceutical courses

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More 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.

Specific requirements

More 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 you pre-education.

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	01 May 2023	01 September 2023
EU/EEA students	01 May 2023	01 September 2023
non-EU/EEA students	01 May 2023	01 September 2023

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
additional subject	The Admissions Office will advise the Admissions Board 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.
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.
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 Admissions Board 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 student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	01 May 2023	01 September 2023
EU/EEA students	01 May 2023	01 September 2023
non-EU/EEA students	01 May 2023	01 September 2023

Tuition fees

Nationality	Year	Fee	Programme form
EU/EEA	2022-2023	€ 2209	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2022-2023	€ 18850	full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch students International students

After your 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.

The programme therefore is an excellent preparation for a succeeding PhD programme in pharmaceutical, biological, or medical science (approx. 60%) or for a career in industry (approx. 30%), as a consultant (5%) or policy maker (5%). More than 80% of the students find a job within 6 months after their studies and we have a strong LinkedIn alumni network of more than 100 ex-MPS students that can help you to find a job. More importantly, in the Groningen area the “Life Cooperative” combines efforts of tens of small and larger businesses with more than 2,100 fte personnel working in the area of medical-pharmaceutical research and business, and is growing fast.

We also offer students who want to seek for a career abroad a global atmosphere, with small international academic student communities, which will prepare you for challenging global job positions.

When you have finished the Master's programme in Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences, you will have multiple career options. You are optimally prepared to start a research career but you can also choose for a position that links science to business and policy. We have a strong LinkedIn network of MPS alumni who can help you with preparing your career and finding job positions.

Researcher (usually as a PhD) in a variety of organizations:

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

Positions linking medical pharmaceutical sciences to a business or policy strategy in:
* Governmental and semi-governmental institutions such as the Medicines Evaluation Board, EMA or the Ministry of Health and Welfare
* Societal and patient organizations, and the Life Cooperative

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 now Brochure Events Contact

Dutch brochure English brochure

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
Study Science E-Mail (For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions)
Email: studyscience rug.nl

I still benefit from the interdisciplinary and hands-on character

– Koen Pouwels

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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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Development stages of drugs

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When choosing your degree it is important to know which ground of the development stages of drugs you will cover within your future programme.

Our education and research covers a great deal of the last development stages, as you can see in the following diagram: http://www.rug.nl/fse/beta-studie/testimonials/development-stages-groot.jpg

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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/

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