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Drug Discovery MSc

1 year, starting in September 2025

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Develop expertise and specialist practical skills in drug discovery science, from target identification through to getting a drug to market.

Developed in consultation with industry experts, this course is aimed at students with a background in chemistry, biosciences, pharmacy or pharmacology who are looking to move into the exciting field of drug development.

You will become familiar with a range of concepts and research techniques in drug discovery including target identification and validation, screening platforms, optimisation of small molecule drugs and biotherapeutics, and the importance of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Depending on your undergraduate degree, you will also follow either a biology or chemistry training track alongside your drug discovery studies. This will enable you to gain a strong background in both disciplines, strengthening your subject-related and practical skills appropriate to your career aspirations.

Course highlights

  • Study at a Top 10 University, on a course developed in consultation with industry experts to ensure you graduate with the specific science skills sought after by the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Benefit from the expertise of leading academics from the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Life Sciences, ensuring your teaching covers the latest developments in medicinal chemistry, biosciences and pharmacology.
  • Gain hands-on experience of tackling complex, real-world challenges with our bespoke simulation of working in a commercial drug discovery team. This virtual drug discovery exercise will take you through multiple cycles of drug design and refining, giving you the opportunity to make realistic choices based on assay data and the chemistry of the drugs themselves.
  • The opportunity to study optional units tailored to your specific areas of interest.
  • A dedicated Personal Tutor who you can go to for academic and non-academic support.

Research projects

To ensure you graduate well equipped with the necessary research skills for a career in drug discovery you'll undertake an in-depth, full-time research project giving you valuable experimental experience.

Recent project examples include:

  • Design and synthesis of novel I2 imidazoline receptor ligands.
  • Role of extracellular vesicles in aggressive medulloblastoma.
  • Synthesis and enzyme kinetics testing of acyl-CoA thioester derivatives of fibrates.

Career prospects

As a Drug Discovery graduate, you’ll be well equipped for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or for further postgraduate study and research in medicinal chemistry, biomedical sciences and pharmacology. Our dedicated careers team offers individual guidance and help you decide between employment and further study.

Recent graduates are working in a range of companies as research scientists, as well as in roles such as process chemist, bioanalytical scientist, and Regulatory Affairs Officer.

Find out more on maximising your employability while at Bath.

Find out more about studying at Bath:

2025/26 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Year 1

Semester 1

You’ll choose 15 credits of optional units.

Compulsory units

  • Research skills and scientific communication

    10 credits

  • Techniques in Drug Discovery

    25 credits

Optional units

  • Organic, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry

    15 credits

  • Physiology, pathology and pharmacology

    15 credits

Semester 2

You’ll choose 10 credits of optional units.

Compulsory units

  • Research skills and scientific communication

    Continued

  • Techniques in Drug Discovery

    Continued

Optional units

  • Drug targets in the immune system

    5 credits

  • Research topics in natural products

    5 credits

  • Synthesis of medicinal compounds

    5 credits

  • The molecular biology of cancer

    5 credits

Summer

Compulsory units

  • Research project

    30 credits

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

  • Laboratory sessions
  • Lectures
  • Online resources
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Essay
  • Multiple choice examination
  • Online assessment
  • Practical work
  • Seminar
  • Written examination
  • Other

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Overall workload

You should expect to spend approximately 35 to 40 hours a week studying on your course. These hours consist of structured activities and independent learning. You will experience a mix of in-person teaching, that will take place on campus, and structured online learning delivered through the University’s virtual learning environment.

Structured learning activities

Typically, you can expect to spend between 15 to 20 hours on structured learning activities per week, of which approximately 60 to 90% will be in timetabled sessions on campus, and the remainder online.

In-person teaching and online activities

Timetabled sessions delivered in person on campus will be a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and practical laboratories. Online activities may include following a recorded lecture, or other learning materials, or joining a timetabled live interactive session through Teams or Zoom.

Independent learning

The remainder of your time outside these structured activities will be spent in independent learning which includes individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams.

To support you in your studies you will be able to access, outside of timetabled learning, facilities on campus and in Bath such as study spaces, computers, and the Library.

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

Dyuti smiling at the camera holding a coffee between both hands.
‘The chance to work alongside leading researchers and contribute to cutting edge research as part of my dissertation project was a real highlight for me.’
— Dyuti Dias Drug Discovery MSc (Graduating year, 2024)

Entry requirements

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a first or strong second-class Bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent.

To apply for this course, you must have an undergraduate degree in a chemistry (or chemistry-related subject, such as organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, medicinal chemistry), biochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, drug discovery or biomedical sciences.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Drug Discovery MSc

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

See the most recent fees for postgraduate courses.

Extra costs

You may need to purchase your own laboratory coat and safety spectacles for an approximate cost of £25.

If you receive an offer, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 when you accept to secure your place. This will be deducted from your tuition fee when you register.

IT requirements

For your course you will also need a laptop which runs either the Windows or Mac operating system.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information

  • Course title
    Drug Discovery
  • Final award
    MSc
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    TDUSL-DD01
  • Department
    Department of Life Sciences
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    31 July 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator
    The Office for Students (OfS)

Course enquiries