Clinical Drug Development PGDip

Program Overview

The Clinical Drug Development PGDip is a postgraduate diploma program designed for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of clinical drug development, clinical trial design, and clinical trial management. The program offers a unique modular format, allowing students to study part-time and complete the course over one academic year. Graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in the pharmaceutical and clinical research industry, including positions such as Clinical Research Associate, Medical Science Liaison, and Regulatory Affairs Specialist.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Clinical Drug Development PGDip

is a postgraduate diploma program designed for individuals seeking a deeper understanding and insight into the area of Clinical Drug Development, Clinical Trial design and Clinical Trial Management in the following key areas:

• Drug Design
• Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Drug safety and pharmacovigilance
• Clinical trial management e.g.
(clinical research associates)
• Pharmaco-economics
• Marketing
• Regulatory Affairs
• Quality Assurance
• Medical Sales
This program offers a unique modular format, allowing students to study part-time and complete the course over one academic year (3 terms).

Objectives:

• Equip graduates with the academic background and specialist skills required to carry out clinical drug development in a contract research organization, pharmaceutical industry, or health service environment.
• Empower professionals with the skills and understanding needed for fast progression within the industry and contract research organisations (CROs).
The program aims to provide a multidisciplinary perspective, facilitating students' skills in various aspects of clinical drug development.

Outline:

Structure:

Eight compulsory modules and an optional dissertation make up the Clinical Drug Development program. Students must take seven of the eight compulsory modules and one optional module, depending on their interests and career aspirations.

• The course fee is charged per annum for the first two years.

Modules:

Compulsory:

• Drug Discovery and Pre-Clinical Research and Development: Introduces students to the drug design process and explores various aspects of pre-clinical research and development.
• Clinical Study Design: Provides students with an in-depth understanding of how clinical studies are designed, planned, and implemented, covering various study designs and the rationale behind each approach.
• Practical Aspects of Clinical Research and Early Drug Development: Explores the practical aspects of conducting clinical trials, covering aspects like trial planning, participant recruitment, and data collection.
• Ethics and Regulation in Clinical Research: Provides students with the ethical and regulatory considerations involved in conducting clinical trials, covering international regulations and guidelines for research ethics.
• Health and Pharmaco-Economics: Equips students with a deeper understanding of health economics in relation to clinical trials, exploring cost-effectiveness analysis, drug pricing strategies and market access, providing a broader context for the role of clinical research within the healthcare system.
• Dissertation (Optional): Students have the option to pursue a research-focused dissertation, offering them an opportunity to delve deeper into a specific area of interest within the field.

Assessment:

This program uses various methods of assessments, including:

• Essay-style questions
• Short answers
• Multiple-choice questions
• Presentations
• Group discussion
• Seminar participation

Teaching:

This program employs diverse teaching approaches to cater to different learning styles, including:

• Seminars
• Self-directed learning
• Reading lists and journal articles
Students also receive guidance and support from experienced academics, including a dedicated academic advisor assigned to them throughout their studies.

Careers:

This program equips graduates to pursue various careers within the pharmaceutical and clinical research industry, including positions such as:

• Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
• Clinical Research Coordinator/Clinical Project Manager
• Medical Science Liaison/ Medical Affairs Specialist
• Regulatory affairs
• Drug safety specialist/Pharmacovigilance
• Pharmacoeconomics and Market Access specialist
This program also lays the foundation for further research or PhD study in related areas of clinical drug development and drug discovery.

Other:

The Clinical Drug Development PGDip can be completed part-time over nine months (three terms), allowing flexibility for individuals who wish to study alongside existing work commitments.

Home: £8,450 Overseas: £19,300EU/EEA/Swiss studentsUnconditional depositHome: Not applicableOverseas: £2000Information about depositsPart-time studySeptember 2024 | 2 - 4 yearsHome: £8,450 Overseas: £19,300EU/EEA/Swiss studentsThe course fee is charged per annum for the first 2 years.