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PGCert Drug Discovery and Development

Designed with input from leading pharmaceutical industries, the PGCert Drug Discovery and Development from University of Birmingham provides comprehensive training in the drug discovery and development process.

Quick Facts

  
Full-Time Duration: 6 months
Starting in: September
Tuition Fee: £8,580 per full
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

Across 3 modules you will gain knowledge of initial target identification, target validation, preclinical development, all the way through to clinical trial designs, thus providing a line of sight from patient to drug target.

With an overview of some of the key therapeutic areas including respiratory and inflammation, oncology and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, you will gain an understanding of what makes a successful drug and opportunities for re-purposing of existing drugs from one therapy area to another.

You will learn of the latest research techniques used in target identification studies and in both in vitro and in vivo target validation. Preclinical development of candidate therapeutics will cover both small molecule and biological approaches and drugs screening approaches for small molecule and biological drugs.

This programme is suitable for:

  • Undergraduates and PhD students with a biomedical science background wishing to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry
  • Post-doctoral research scientists wishing to move from academia to a career in the pharmaceutical industry
  • Research scientists already employed in the pharmaceutical industry who require training for career advancement

Courses included:

  • Target Identification, Validation and Preclinical Development
  • Current and Emerging Drugs in Key Therapeutic Areas
  • Rationale for Clinical Trials, Key Concepts and Features

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

This Drug Discovery and Development programme from University of Birmingham is ideal for undergraduates and PhD students with a biomedical science background wishing to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry, post-doctoral research scientists wishing to move from academia to a career in the pharmaceutical industry, and research scientists already employed in the pharmaceutical industry who require training for career advancement.

In recent years it has become much more common for people to switch between academic and industry careers (in both directions). Therefore, this course will enhance the employability of individuals by providing them with the transferrable skillset and cross-sectorial training to conduct a career in the pharmaceutical industry as well as in academia.

Knowledge across different therapeutic areas is desired by pharmaceutical industry. This is because it is common to switch from one therapeutic area to another, and also because of the shift towards “mechanism” based drug discovery. The drive to re-purpose drugs also requires staff with an understanding of mechanisms that are common across therapeutic areas.

The course will also equip individuals with the key concept of “line-of-sight” from patient to target, which has become a key concept that the pharmaceutical industry look for in potential employees to combat late stage drug failures.

Requirements

Satisfactory completion of a relevant science subject first degree with at least 2:1 classification.

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