Pharmacokinetics is vital to ensuring the safety of the clinical drugs we use to treat a huge range of illnesses and diseases.

It explores what happens to a drug when it enters the body, by examining how it is absorbed, distributed, metabolised and eliminated. It is a vital step in the process of drug delivery, and key to making sure drugs are safe and effective.

From drug discovery to formulation sciences, the Pharmacokinetics MSc at Aston is focused on building your understanding of research methods, and critical thinking skills for application inside and outside of academia. With broad training in both basic and advanced pharmacokinetics topics, you will develop the ideal skill set for an exciting career in the pharmaceutical industry or clinical sciences. This is further supported by training in a variety of in-vitro technical skills applicable to the pharmaceutical industry, alongside expertise in cutting edge pharmacokinetic software tools widely used by industry, regulatory agencies and hospital around the world.

By choosing to study this specialist pharmacy masters at Aston University, you’ll be joining a well-established and highly respected School of Pharmacy, that can trace its roots back to the establishment of the Birmingham Pharmaceutical Institution in 1847. We’re also the only Pharmacy School in the UK to hold a prestigious Regius Chair in Pharmacy awarded by HM the Queen, meaning you can be sure that you’re learning experience will of the highest of quality.

On successful graduation, you will be equipped with extensive specialist knowledge, and the transferable skills relevant to drug discovery, drug design and drug delivery for various careers in the pharmaceutical industry. In particular, within drug metabolism pharmacokinetics (DMPK) departments, supporting the clinical transition to apply pharmacokinetic principles in clinical trials, or clinical treatment optimisation through virtual clinical trial simulations.

You will also be suitable for other opportunities such as analytical sciences, formulation development, project management, regulatory affairs and scientific writing.

In addition, for those that wish to peruse a career in academic research or academia, this course is a well-placed stepping stone for PhD study at Aston or another leading institution.  

Graduates from our suite of Pharmacy masters programmes have gone onto secure roles with a variety of organisations across the public and private sector.

Recent graduate roles include:

• Associate Pharmaceutical Development Scientist
• Analytical scientist
• Laboratory Analyst
• Lecturer in Science
• PhD student
• Product Performance Chemist
• Quality Assurance Production Technician
• Quality Control Technician
• Research Associate
• Scientific Director