MSc by Research
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Key Information


Full-time

1 year

Part-time

2 years

Entry Requirements

See More

Campus

Brayford Pool

Flexible Start Dates

Programme Overview

The School of Pharmacy aims to produce passionate pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists who able to address many of the major healthcare challenges facing the world in the 2020s and beyond. Pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists have the potential to forge strong and unique bridges between science and healthcare to improve health outcomes, developing good relationships with patients, healthcare practitioners, and the pharmaceutical industry.

This research programme provides students with the opportunity to liaise with professionals in the pharmacy, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, and develop national and international collaborations. Previous research projects have involved work in the USA and across Europe and Asia. The School's research is focused in two main areas; Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery, and Clinical Pharmacy and Practice.

Postgraduate students in the School of Pharmacy can benefit from access to purpose-built laboratory space and specialist equipment, a wide range of training programmes designed to enhance research and transferable skills, and support from dedicated academic supervisors.

The School has strong links with the pharmaceutical industry and an important presence in the Lincoln Institute for Health. It collaborates with the Community and Health Research Unit (CAHRU), the Diabetes, Metabolism and Inflammation (DMI) group, and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM), as well as the Schools of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics, and Chemistry, and School of Life and Environmental Sciences.

Key Features

Conduct independent, original, and academically significant research

Benefit from training courses to develop key research skills

Supervision and support from academic staff

Present at talks and seminars to showcase your work

Enrol throughout the academic year

A student working in a lab

How You Study

Our research environment has been designed to support students through a specific framework. This covers all aspects of the postgraduate experience, including supervisor interaction, training, and access to facilities and allied support through the Postgraduate Research Lead and the Director of Research.

All postgraduate students are actively encouraged to prepare submissions to scientific journals in their field. Students are expected to present their findings to national and international conferences, and to participate in internal research meetings.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. Students will have meetings with their academic supervisor(s), but the frequency of these will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and stage of programme.

Placements may occur as part of the research programme, primarily to conduct research abroad (subject to appropriate ethical approval) or to visit a laboratory to use equipment or learn new techniques.

Research Groups and Topics

The School of Pharmacy is engaged in a wide range of research, including solid state drug development, personalised care, medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, biotherapeutics, and nanomedicine.

All applicants, whether self-funded, seeking support through a fellowship scheme, or in receipt of employer sponsorship, are encouraged to approach the School and discuss a proposed topic. The key to a successful research programme is to find a research subject that you are passionate about, and a supervisory team that has expertise in this area. All applicants are invited to contact the supervisors that you feel are best suited to your research area to discuss the process further. You can find out more about our research activities and our staff below.

If you are unsure which staff member could be an appropriate supervisor, our Postgraduate Research Lead, Dr Emma Wright, is available to facilitate introductions to potential supervisors.

All applicants are interviewed by potential supervisors to ensure the research topic can proceed.

Make an Enquiry

How you are assessed

The MSc by Research involves the writing of a Master's thesis under the supervision of a member of academic staff on a topic approved by the course supervisor. The MSc by Research is usually awarded based on the quality of the students thesis and students may defend their chosen research topic in an oral examination (viva voce).

How to Apply

Postgraduate Research Application Support

Find out more about the application process for research degrees and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page, which also features contact details for dedicated support with your application.

How to Apply
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Enrolment

To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October, February, or May, however you may start the programme at any point during the academic year.

In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.

Entry Requirements 2024-25

Entry Requirements

First or upper second class honours degree or a Master's in a relevant subject.

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/

Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/

If you are an overseas student, you may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate in order to enrol on this course.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Programme Fees

You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below. Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by your research proposal and will be calculated on an individual basis.

Programme Fees

Funding Your Research

Loans and Studentships

Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate research, from Master's and Doctoral Loans, to research studentship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.

Explore Funding Options
Two students working on a laptop in a study space

Samuel Wilson

MSc by Research Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences


The staff at Lincoln have been amazing and compassionate. The Master's by Research programme gives you the opportunity to develop your own research in a desired area and has been very challenging and fun.

Career Development

A research programme provides the opportunity to become a true expert in your chosen field, while developing a range of valuable transferable skills than can support your career progression. A research-based degree is also the most direct pathway to an academic career. Research degrees are a great chance to expand your network and meet diverse people with similar interests, knowledge, and passion.

The University’s Doctoral School provides a focal point for Lincoln’s community of researchers, where ideas and experiences can be developed and shared across disciplines. It also offers support and training to help equip you for both academic and non-academic careers.

Doctoral School

Research at Lincoln

Through our research, we are striving to change society for the better. Working with regional, national, and international partners, our academics are engaged in groundbreaking studies that are challenging the status quo. We also understand the importance of providing the best possible environment for pursuing research that can support our communities, improve lives, and make a tangible difference to the world around us.

Explore Our Research
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The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.