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 will be in the lead to design your own research programme or may choose a clear track which will prepare you or specialist positions.
The programme also has an active student association called Pharmaciae Sacrum, where you will quickly feel at home and join social activities as well (please also see the MPS Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/medpharmgroningen/)
You will be in the lead to design your own research programme or may choose a clear track which prepares you for specialist positions. Most students choose a specialised research track. We offer three unique research tracks:
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.
Courses |
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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.
Programme options |
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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 |
Toxicology and Drug Disposition (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 |
Pharmacoepidemiology (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 |
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 |
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 |
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.
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:
Accessible with the major Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences. There are additional requirements for the majors Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Life Sciences. |
Biology | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:There are additional requirements for the majors Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Life Sciences |
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 |
Specific requirements | More information |
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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. |
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.
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
---|---|---|
Dutch students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 | |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 | |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 |
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. |
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.
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
---|---|---|
Dutch students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 | |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 | |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
01 May 2022 | 01 September 2022 |
Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
---|---|---|---|
EU/EEA | 2020-2021 | € 2143 | full-time |
non-EU/EEA | 2020-2021 | € 17500 | full-time |
EU/EEA | 2021-2022 | € 2168 | full-time |
non-EU/EEA | 2021-2022 | € 18500 | full-time |
Practical information for:
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 linked in alumni network of more than 100 ex-MPS students that can help you to find a job. What is more important, 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 finish 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 Linked In 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 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.
Read moreI still benefit from the interdisciplinary and hands-on character
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.
Read moreDevelopment stages of drugs
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