MSc in Pharmacology and Education

Be at the forefront of pioneering work in drug development and education

Now more than ever, Pharmacology plays a critical role in healthcare.

If you are interested in becoming a clinical researcher, and passing on your expertise to the next generation of pharmacology students and colleagues, the MSc in Pharmacology and Education is ideal.

This programme combines modules from the MSc in Pharmacology and Drug Development programme with our Higher Education Academy-accredited MSc in Health Professions Education programme.

Health Professions Education students

About the programme

Our MSc in Pharmacology and Education will provide you with a unique opportunity to advance your pharmacology knowledge alongside developing as an educator.

You will learn from experts in their field who are at the forefront of pharmacology, medicine or medical education. This includes external experts, our own clinical trials unit, pharmacology academics and our Health Professions Education Unit.

As well as learning from their expertise, you will be challenged to think differently, to become a reflective practitioner and to develop skills to become a self-directed learner.

The MSc programme is built around core modules that cover the fundamental principles of pharmacology, the clinical relevance of drugs for the major organ systems and the fundamental processes involved in clinical trials. Alongside the pharmacology component, there are core modules covering learning and teaching, assessment and research methods to train educators of tomorrow.

You will finish your year with us by conducting a significant research project focussing on generation of novel data to support and improve pharmacology education for both science or medical professions. We will support you to increase your chances of getting your work published.

This is a unique course which allows you to gain an in depth knowledge of pharmacology and therapeutics, whilst developing key educator skills – allowing you to develop the skills to be in good standing for a career in academia.

Dr Laura Sadofsky Programme Director

Laura Sadofsky

Modules

The programme is a 180 credit Master’s programme, with six core taught modules (20 credits each), and a core research project/dissertation (60 credits).

Foundations of pharmacology

In this module you will have the opportunity to learn, discuss and critically analyse key pharmacological topics, such as the general principles of drug action, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and adverse drug reactions which underpin the drug development process.

Tutor: Dr Monica Arman
Term: Autumn
Credits: 20
Proposed assessment: Essay submission 100%

Learning and teaching

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the key principles of teaching and learning in the health professions. This module will enable you to confidently prepare, deliver and evaluate teaching sessions in your area of practice. You will be introduced to scholarship in teaching and learning, and promote professional values.

Assessment: Written assignment (100%)

Assessment and feedback

You will be provided with the framework to analyse and review your experiences in assessment and feedback. You will learn to engage critically with the literature relating to assessment and feedback and use case studies to explore the relationships between assessment, feedback and learning.

Assessment: Group wiki project (10%), written assignment (90%)

Research approaches in health professions education

The module will introduce you to key concepts in quantitative and qualitative research in order to form a research question, plan an appropriate methodological approach and method for data collection and analysis, and write a research proposal. The module can be used to develop your dissertation project.

Assessment: Group wiki project (10%), written assignment (90%)

Therapeutics

The use of drugs underpins modern medical practice. In this module you will explore the use of drugs in cardiovascular, cancer, gastrointestinal, renal, liver, rheumatological, and endocrine disease as well as exploring areas of uncertainty around the prescription of medicines. Your training will be delivered by practising clinicians and research scientists teaching in tandem.

Tutor: Dr David Allsup (Haematologist)
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Proposed assessment: Oral presentation 40%, essay submission 60%

Bench to bedside II: Clinical trials

So you have designed a drug – but what next? This module will give you a detailed overview of clinical trials. You will reflect on the different elements of trial design, understand the phases of clinical trials, all the time developing your skills in evidence synthesis and critical appraisal; crucial for underpinning evidence based practice.

Tutor: Dr Judith Cohen
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Proposed assessment: Patient information sheet 40%, clinical trial protocol abstract 60%

Dissertation

This module will provide you with the experience of conducting independent research and presenting your findings in written and spoken form. The dissertation is an opportunity for you to study a topic related to education and pharmacology.

Term: Spring - Summer
Credits: 60
Proposed assessment: Project presentation 20%, dissertation 80%

An ideal option for Intercalation

If you are considering taking a year out from your undergraduate Medicine programme to intercalate, and you are interested in developing your pharmacology and pedagogy knowledge and skills, this programme is ideal.

We believe that that our MSc in Pharmacology and Education will help give you a deeper understanding and appreciation of prescribing, as well as giving you a competitive edge when applying for foundation year training and jobs.

How is the programme taught?

We encourage all of our students to be lifelong self-directed learners. You will have numerous opportunities to immerse yourself in the subject, enhance your knowledge and gain new skills, but you will be the driving force behind your own learning and development.

We employ a variety of teaching and learning techniques to deliver this programme. These include structured sessions led by clinicians and / or tutors as well as a blended route to mix face-to-face study days with online learning

How is the programme assessed?

You will be assessed on each module using a range of approaches, including written assignments, oral presentations, online activities and a dissertation. Please see the individual modules for assessment details.

Careers

Through studying this MSc, you will have the opportunity to expand your pharmacology and therapeutics knowledge as well as gaining an insight into the clinical trials process. Alongside this, the course will equip you with practical knowledge to deliver exceptional teaching, assessment and research. This skill set is key for multiple roles within the industrial, medical and academic sectors.

This course will provide you with expertise to help you become a pharmacology educator and will be useful for those wishing to follow an academic or clinical academic career. In addition, this MSc will give you knowledge and experience to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry and is likely to open job opportunities in drug safety, quality, regulation and compliance as well as Consumer Safety, Quality Managers, Clinical data associate, or clinical data managers.

In the medical sector, an intercalating MSc can have a significant impact on your application to deaneries and your potential career prospects. Understanding the science of medicines improves prescribing and can also open up possibilities such as Medical Advisers.

Finally, this MSc should give you key skills to allow you for further your academic career by pursing a PhD.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have previous training in human or mammalian biology (e.g graduates from medical, biomedical or biological undergraduate courses) and other related fields with a minimum 2:2 (Hons) degree or equivalent.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate evidence of proficiency in English Language with an IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic test, with minimum score of 6.0 in all four language competences (listening, reading, speaking and writing).

Intercalating medical students must have successfully completed a minimum of three years of an MB BS or comparable medical qualification.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

The fees for part time study are for the current year only, fees for subsequent years are subject to confirmation.

UK (home) tuition fees

Full time (1 year): £9,730
Part time (2 years): £4,865

International (including EU) tution fees

Full time (1 year): £23,300
Part time (2 years): £11,650

Funding

Graduate Scholarship

We are pleased to offer a 10% reduction in fees to University of Hull and University of York undergraduate students and alumni applying to this Masters programme.

More information

Loans

Government Postgraduate Masters Loan

If you're starting a Masters you may be entitled to a government-backed loan of up to £10,609. Visit the Government website for details.

Other sources of funding

Our parent universities also have details of further funding opportunities. Please see the University of Hull and the University of York websites for details.