Master's Programme in Biopharmaceuticals
120 credits
Innovative therapies such as novel vaccines, immunotherapies, and gene and cell therapy are examples of strategies used in a growing field of academic research and the biotech industry. In our Master's Programme in Biopharmaceuticals, you will follow the entire life cycle of biopharmaceuticals, from design to production, testing and usage. The programme provides you with a foundation for future academic research or biotech industrial career paths.
Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 2 September 2024
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Also required is 90 credits in in one or a combination of the following subjects: pharmaceutical sciences, cell biology, biotechnology, physiology, biomedicine, chemistry, biology.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
- Selection
-
Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies and a statement of purpose.
Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.
- Fees
-
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 72,500
- Total tuition fee: SEK 290,000
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2024
- Application code
- UU-M3078
- Additional information
-
In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit a programme-specific application summary sheet Pdf, 375 kB..
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
Autumn 2025 Autumn 2025, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 1 September 2025
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Also required is 90 credits in in one or a combination of the following subjects: pharmaceutical sciences, cell biology, biotechnology, physiology, biomedicine, chemistry, biology.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
- Selection
-
Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies and a statement of purpose.
Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.
- Fees
-
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 72,500
- Total tuition fee: SEK 290,000
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2025
- Application code
- UU-M3078
- Additional information
-
In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit a programme-specific application summary sheet Pdf, 375 kB..
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
About the programme
Biopharmaceuticals allow the treatment of previously difficult-to-treat targets, but the increased complexity comes with its own set of problems. The design and production of biological drugs differ from small molecular drugs, and you will study different strategies and the limitations and possibilities of these.
Through the courses in this Master's programme, you will learn about:
- design strategies,
- production of recombinant proteins,
- in silico analysis of biologics,
- pre-clinical and clinical testing,
- regulatory approval procedures,
- health economy.
The programme is run by active researchers at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Uppsala University. It is closely tied to world-renowned research groups within the field of peptide and protein drugs, pharmaceutical modulations and proteomics at Uppsala University. It is also run in collaboration with biotech companies in Sweden and will have dedicated mentoring moments throughout the programme.
The programme prepares you for a career in research and development in academia as well as in the industry, and to work with regulatory approvals and patent matters.
Student profile
The programme will consist of 30-50 national and international students. The students in the programme will hold a Bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences, cell biology, biotechnology, physiology, biomedicine, chemistry or biology. This allows you to learn from and build a network of people with different nationalities and a wide range of experience from diverse fields.
Degree
The programme leads to the degree of Master of Pharmaceutical Science (120 credits) with Drug Discovery and Development as the main field of study.
Content
In the first year, you will attend mandatory courses, starting with a foundation course covering relevant topics aimed to give all students the same starting point for the programme. You will read courses on design, life cycle analysis, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of biopharmaceuticals. You will also learn methods for pre-clinical testing of biological drugs, techniques for in silico analysis of biopharmaceuticals and strategies and methods for production.
During the second year, you will be able to choose from relevant courses at the University. Finally, you will do your master thesis for either 30 or 45 credits within a research group at Uppsala University or another University, a regulatory body or a biotech company.
Courses within the programme
Year 1
- Orientation course for Biopharmaceuticals, 7.5 credits
- Biologics, 7.5 credits
- Life cycle analysis of Biopharmaceuticals, 7.5 credits
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of biologics, 7.5 credits
- Pharmaceutical protein drug development, 7.5 credits
- Development of biologicals, 7.5 credits
- Proteomics for drug development, 7.5 credits
- Computer based pharmaceutical modelling, 7.5 credits
Year 2
- Elective courses for 15 or 30 credits - either from recommended tracks or other suitable courses at the University.
- Master's thesis for either 45 or 30 credits.
Learning experience
Teaching occasions will be in the form of lectures, practical projects, case studies and seminars. Practical exercise sessions are often connected directly to ongoing research in different labs or from the recent scientific literature.
Our lecturers are active researchers in their respective fields, associated with academic research, the biotech industry or working closely with biologics in the clinic.
The programme is taught entirely in English and will run on campus in Uppsala.
Career
The pharmaceutical industry is in constant demand for new and enthusiastic graduates with in-depth knowledge of the biological drug discovery and development process. This Master's programme will provide you with an excellent platform to pursue a career in, for example:
- pharmaceutical industry,
- biotechnology companies,
- public authorities,
- regulatory bodies,
- PhD studies in medicine, pharmacy and biotechnology.
During the programme you will start building your professional network through networking symposia, invited lecturers and the collaboration with Testa Centre. You will also build an academic network through the mentor programme, course leaders and invited lecturers.
Career support
During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.
Is this programme right for you?
Read interviews with our students.
Studies in medicine and pharmacy
Watch our video about the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy.
Register your interest
Keep updated about the application process.
Contact
- For programme-specific information, please contact programme coordinator Doreen Dobritzsch:
- doreen.dobritzsch@farmaci.uu.se
- For questions regarding admission requirements, please contact Study Counsellor Christina Ceder:
- pharmmaster@uu.se
- +46 18 471 44 36
- For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
- study@uu.se
Students
As a student you will find information about your studies in the student gateway.