Global Pharmaceutical and Biotech Management MSc

Postgraduate

Develop the skills needed to tackle scientific, regulatory, and business challenges in the therapeutic sector, while developing leadership and strategy expertise for a career in global pharma and biotechnology.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
With Professional Placement

Duration

1 year full-time
Up to 2 years full-time with professional placement

Course code

EEST046

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

Key course content:

Contemporary innovation and discovery: understand what drives innovation and how ideas are transformed into successful, marketable products within the sector.
Leadership and commercial expertise: develop leadership skills in the context of and examine global market dynamics, product commercialisation, and economic and resource management.
Professional development: undertake business case studies and earn a CMI Level 7 Certificate on successful completion of the Leadership Management for Life Sciences module, creating a personalised leadership portfolio.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Industry-relevant curriculum: focuses on understanding global pharmaceutical and biotech industries, addressing topics such as market access, regulation and health economics, helping you prepare for roles in these fields.
Global perspective: gain insights from international guest speakers and explore global trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.²
Professional experience: combine scientific knowledge and business skills to develop a business case, work in teams and create a professional portfolio to launch your career.
Career-focused outcomes: prepare for leadership and management roles within healthcare, pharmaceutical companies and biotech industries. The course supports skill development for positions in policymaking bodies and global health organisations, such as the WHO.
Gain practical experience: boost your CV with an additional professional placement. See the modules for more details.²

Accreditation and professional recognition

Chartered Management Institute

This course is designed¹ to include the criteria set by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice. It is expected that students who successfully pass the module Leadership and Management for Life Sciences will be eligible to gain the award as an additional qualification.

What you'll study

Explore the complexities of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries by integrating management principles with global challenges. Focus on strategic management, innovation, regulatory frameworks and financial analysis tailored to the sector. Gain insights into supply chain dynamics, marketing strategies and the latest industry trends. Prepare for a leadership role in managing pharmaceutical and biotech enterprises in both national and international markets.

Modules

Product Frontiers: Innovation, Discovery and Development – 30 credits

Explore the discovery and early development phases of pharmaceutical and biotechnological products, integrating scientific principles with innovation strategies. Analyse drug development processes, ethical and regulatory considerations and global challenges while evaluating the roles of SMEs, big pharma and partnerships in driving innovation success.

Compulsory

Leadership and Management for Life Sciences – 30 credits

Explore effective leadership and management in the life science sector, blending academic theory with personal experiences and original case studies. Completion of this module results in the development of a personalised leadership developmental plan and a CMI Level 7 Certificate.

Compulsory

Innovation to Market: Economics and Commercialisation – 30 credits

Hone your ability to apply a commercial acumen to medicinal product development by exploring economic principles behind the discovery, development, marketing and commercialisation of new products with full consideration of intellectual property protection in global markets.

Compulsory

Clinical Trials, Evaluation and Regulatory Compliance– 30 credits

Enhance your ability to lead, interpret and report the findings of clinical trials to satisfy global regulators, shareholders and stakeholders. Develop strong data analysis skills within a global regulatory context, helping you make informed decisions and communicate them effectively in various global and local situations.

Compulsory

Master’s with professional placement

If you successfully secure a placement in industry within your first semester, this master’s with professional placement option allows you to extend your 12-month master’s course up to an additional year to complete the placement before starting your final 60-credit module.

Gain valuable industry insights and skills as you apply your academic knowledge and skills to a professional placement.
The placement must be sourced and secured by you during your first semester. Our careers and employability team are available to support you with the sourcing process.
Start your professional placement after completing the first 120 credits of your course.
The professional placement will be integrated into your course learning and outcomes. This will take the form of a reflective diary demonstrating your learning and engagement with the placement experience.
The professional placement option is subject to additional fees, living costs, visa requirements, availability, competitive application and university approval of the placement.²

For full terms and conditions please visit the extended master’s landing page.

Optional

Business Case Project – 60 credits

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include: 

online tests
coursework
presentations
reports
portfolios
projects
group work
individual assignments.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

The pharmaceutical and biotech industries are part of a globally relevant and pioneering area for which there is an ever-growing need for candidates suitable for employment. These areas include not only the development of new products, in response to global medical issues, but also in the increasingly vital application of a business management and marketing mindset. Within our Global Pharmaceutical and Biotech Management MSc we endeavour to provide a transformative multi-discipline suite of courses encompassing the application of the knowledge of leadership and business management within pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, in both national and international markets.
Steven Foster, Associate Head of School for Quality and Accreditation, School of Life Sciences, 2023

2 laboratory assistants working in a lab

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a chemical, biological or medical related discipline.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a chemical, biological or medical related discipline.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200 £1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured)	Not available
EU	£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary £1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600 £1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured)	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Successful graduates may seek positions in the following job roles: project manager (pharmaceutical/biotech, clinical trials manager, regulatory affairs specialist, business development manager (pharma/biotech), product development manager, medical affairs manager, quality assurance manager, operations manager (pharma/biotech), pharmaceutical consultant and supply chain manager (pharma/biotech).

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and strategically, both orally and in writing using a range of media to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences (such as stakeholders)
evaluate the current processes and developments in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors relating to the development of pharmaceuticals and biotech products for international markets
understand leadership and management theories and their application to international pharmaceutical and biotech sectors
reflect on your personal leadership strengths and development needs required within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries
demonstrate abilities to critically evaluate the principles of developing and proposing strategy for leading strategic change
demonstrate your ability to appraise and interpret a range of complex evidence/research data in relation to global needs, supply chains, legislation and policy, critically analysing its impact on strategic decision-making, development and delivery in relevant markets
appraise relevant evidence to enhance communication skills and behaviours in personal effectiveness, people management and team working, informing future leadership roles within pharmaceutical and biotech organisations
evaluate the economic and commercialisation factors influencing the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, including market dynamics, pricing strategies, intellectual property considerations, and the financial implications of product development and commercialisation in global markets
reflect on your knowledge, transferable skills and leadership qualities developed through your engagement on the course in becoming an effective and competent leader, informing the process of securing employment in a leadership role in the pharmaceutical or biotech sectors and developing a personal development plan
demonstrate the ability to integrate complex knowledge and skills from across the course in the critical analysis of a current pharmaceutical or biotech management problem, independently with supervision, demonstrating critical evaluation of the evidence that informs a realistic and viable business case report.

In addition, on successful completion of the Global Pharmaceutical and Biotech Management MSc with Professional Placement course, you will be able to:

show effective integration into a work-based environment and reflection on your learning and gaining of valuable workplace skills that will benefit your future employability.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.