Pharmacy - Research
Research within the School of Pharmacy covers a broad range of disciplines, ranging from material science, to drug discovery and clinical pharmacy. As such prospective students will have the benefit of working within a multi-disciplinary environment, with access to world class facilities and global leaders in their respective research areas.
| Award Name | Degree - Masters at UK Level 7 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Queens University Belfast |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters at UK Level 7 | Queens University Belfast |
Duration
4 Academic Years (Part Time) / 2 Academic Years (Full Time).
Entry Requirements
Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
Careers / Further progression
Career Prospects
Introduction
Most of our MPhil graduates have developed a successful career in pharmaceutical industries while others continued to pursue a PhD Degree within the University or in other high-ranking universities nationally or internationally. Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability.
Employment after the Course
Queen’s University offer extensive career development opportunities to PhD students. Further details can be accessed via the link below.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/
Further information
Entry Year: 2024/25
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Overview
The School of Pharmacy focuses its research activities on key areas of the pharmaceutical sciences and clinical and primary care aspects of pharmacy. Our research spans a wide range of scientific and professional disciplines. It is characterised by being multidisciplinary, internationally-connected and, ultimately, relevant to patients.
The School of Pharmacy is committed to research excellence. This is achieved through ambitious target setting, a key feature of our School Strategy, feeding into the broader University Strategy 2030. We will continually strive for research excellence, strategic recruitment and encourage/enable impactful internal and external collaborations. The SoP has as a broad portfolio of high quality research income and staff within the School publish widely in leading journals and present their work at national and international conferences.
Our research focuses on making real-world improvements for patients through our expertise in pharmaceutical science and practice. Research programmes are grouped into five key themes, which are mainly funded by UK/European Government sources, leading medical charities and importantly the pharmaceutical industry.
Subject Summary
Research within the School of Pharmacy covers a broad range of disciplines, ranging from material science, to drug discovery and clinical pharmacy. As such prospective students will have the benefit of working within a multi-disciplinary environment, with access to world class facilities and global leaders in their respective research areas.
Course structure
There is no specific course content as such. You are expected to take undertake 10 days of formal training which includes health and safety, laboratory techniques, academic writing etc… All students are closely supported by the school to obtain quantitative and qualitative data using a range of research methods. You will be expected to carry out your own research under the guidance of your supervisor, postdoctoral team and PhD students.
Over the course of study you can attend postgraduate skills training organised by the Graduate School.
To complete an MPhil qualification you will be required to submit a thesis and to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.
An MPhil programme runs for a standard period of 2 years with a minimum of 1 year.
The MPhil is open to both full and part time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a PhD study or a career within pharmaceutical industry.
If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question should align with those of our academic staff. More details can be found via the website:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPharmacy/Connect/AcademicStaff/
Research Information
Associated Research
School of Pharmacy works closely with both local and global pharmaceutical companies. This ensures a successful pipeline for the development of novel emerging healthcare technologies, designed specifically to deliver patient benefit.
Research Themes
1. Nanomedicine And Biotherapeutics
This area looks at the development of novel technologies and targeted therapies for advanced healthcare solutions including anticancer therapeutics, nano delivery of macromolecules; proteases in disease and natural peptides.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPharmacy/Research/ResearchThemes/NanomedicineandBiotherapeutics/
2. Pharmaceutical Materials Science And Formulation
This activity centres around the design, development and industrial translation of novel systems for patient-focused administration of difficult-to-deliver drugs including; HIV prevention and multipurpose prevention technologies; solid dosage forms and microneedles.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPharmacy/Research/ResearchThemes/PharmaceuticalMaterialsScienceandFormulation/
3. Drug Delivery And Biomaterials
The area looks at the development of materials which interface with the body and provide enhanced functionality, such as drug delivery, infection resistance or monitoring of levels of drug or host markers in 3 main areas, Photoactive Biomaterials, Polymeric Medical Devices and Sensor Development.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPharmacy/Research/ResearchThemes/DrugDeliveryandBiomaterials/
4. Infection And Antimicrobial Resistance
This comprises basic and clinical research to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of infection, in particular Respiratory Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Stewardship and Novel Antimicrobials and Anti-Infective Biomaterials
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPharmacy/Research/ResearchThemes/InfectionandAntimicrobialResistance/
5. Healthcare Delivery And Medicines Optimisation
This area encompasses the development and implementation of interventions that improve the health outcomes of patients in primary and secondary care including Systems of Healthcare Delivery; Quality of Care in Vulnerable Populations and Clinical Paediatrics.
Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process normally takes within 3 months of first registration, termed the Initial Review.
The Initial Review requires students to present their work in the written format to their supervisor. The feasibility of the project and the research plan will be reviewed by the supervisor.
The final assessment of the MPhil degree is both written and oral. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.
Learning Outcomes
A research degree offers students an opportunity to develop their capacity for independent research and critical thought. An MPhil allows students to explore in-depth an area of interest, developing skills to solve theoretical and practical problems within the field. Undertaking a research degree will enhance a student’s written and oral communication skills, providing the essential skills required for academic and industry leadership positions.
NI, GB and EU Postgraduate Admissions Enquiries
+44 (0)28 9097 3004
Postgraduate Enquiries: postgrad.admissions@qub.ac.uk
International Admissions Enquiries
+44 (0)28 9097 3004
International Enquiries: intl.admissions@qub.ac.uk
In person:
The Admissions and Access Service is located on Level 1, Lanyon North (see map). Normal hours are Monday to Friday 10.00am to 12.00 noon and 2.00pm to 4.00pm.