Master of Science in Industrial Pharmacy

The Industrial Pharmacy programme is an advanced interuniversity programme that delivers graduates who are able fulfil the various roles of an industrial pharmacist at a pharmaceutical company. This includes, among other things, drug production and drug analysis, quality control, the development of galenic forms, the registration of medicinal preparations, and clinical research.

Subsequent Master's Programme
1 year 60 credits
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dutch
About the programme
Programme summary
Find out more
Off to a good start
After graduation

What

The Industrial Pharmacy programme is an advanced interuniversity Master’s programme that prepares pharmacists to fulfil thearious roles of an industrial pharmacist at a pharmaceutical company. This includes, among other things, drug production and drug analysis, quality control, the development of galenic forms, the registration of medicinal preparations, clinical research, regulatory affairs, and the marketing of pharmaceutical products.

For whom

The admission requirements depend on your prior education (type of degree, country of issue etc.) or additional experience.

Structure

During the first and the second term, the teaching activities take place at the different partner universities: Ghent University, KU Leuven, and the University of Antwerp. The first term also comprises preparation time for the Master's dissertation.

The second term starts with an intensive preparation phase for the Master's dissertation (in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company). This is followed by the second-term course units as well as a scheduled processing phase and the actual writing phase for the Master's dissertation. The Master's dissertation takes the form of a written report that is presented at a public defence.

Labour Market

The job opportunities for industrial pharmacists are manifold. In the first place, our graduates find employment at pharmaceutical companies, as drug production or drug analysis manager, quality manager, ... . Those of our graduates who have a commercial mindset and business experience or a background in economy, are eligible for the position of product or sales manager, publicity and information manager, medical writer or other more commercial-administrative positions.

Additional job opportunities can be found at cosmetics companies, hospital pharmacies, the government, and in the food industry. Industrial pharmacists also find employment in an academic research context, as do holders of a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Alternatively, they can take on administrative positions at medical departments. Graduates can obtain an official recognition (“Qualified Person”) from the Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment (the former Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Environment). In order to be eligible for this recognition, however, they must embark on a work placement of at least six months at a EU-based pharmaceutical production unit. This work placement is not a part of the academic study programme. Graduates who wish to embark on such a work placement, should get in touch with prof. dr. T. De Beer.