Drug Discovery and Development: Multidisciplinary Science for Next Generation Therapeutics

The MSc in Drug Discovery and Development: Multidisciplinary Science for Next Generation Therapeutics at Imperial College London is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills required to innovate in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. This programme provides an in-depth understanding of the entire drug development process, from the initial identification of drug targets to the clinical evaluation of new therapeutics. Students will explore cutting-edge topics including molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and translational science, integrating these disciplines to foster a holistic approach to drug discovery. The course emphasizes practical skills through laboratory-based projects and collaborations with industry partners, preparing graduates to contribute effectively to research and development teams in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.

Throughout the programme, students will gain insights into modern drug development challenges such as precision medicine, biologics, and regulatory science, with opportunities to work on real-world problems through case studies and project work. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, innovation, and teamwork, reflecting the collaborative nature of the multidisciplinary field. Imperial College London's strong links with the pharmaceutical industry and research institutes offer students exclusive access to internships and networking opportunities, enhancing career prospects in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship.

The MSc program is suitable for graduates from backgrounds including biomedical sciences, chemistry, pharmacology, and related disciplines who aspire to become the next generation of scientists driving therapeutic innovation. By the end of the course, students will be well-equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, enabling them to contribute to the development of new medicines that can improve health outcomes globally. The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, laboratory work, and industry-facing projects, all within the vibrant academic environment of Imperial College London.

The course consists of an eight-month interdisciplinary research project, and a taught component on drug discovery science, including lectures, research seminars and group discussion sessions.

You also attend Journal Club, which is an assessed transferable skills course, which aims to develop presentation skills, whilst encouraging scientific debate, and providing the opportunity to broaden scientific knowledge.

At each Journal Club meeting you will work in a group and make a presentation about a seminal high impact paper. This will be followed by a chaired discussion/debate about the paper.

You will be assessed on your ability to organise the presentation in a logical manner, the use of clear PowerPoint slides, the clarity of the presentation and its scientific content.

MODULES

Taught modules currently offered include:

Module 1 - Introduction

• Standard Drug Discovery Model
• Small molecule drugs
• Biologicals
• Molecular Interactions in Proteins and Enzymes
• What makes a good drug?

Module 2 – The right targets

• Overview on target validation
• Systems Approaches in Drug Discovery
• Chemical Genetics
• Target selection and Biomarkers
• Protein modelling strategies

Module 3 – The right drugs

• In silico drug design
• Structural biology for drug design
• Bioanalytical Techniques
• High throughput screening
• High content screening
• Re-purposing drugs
• Fragment-based drug design
• Whole animal imaging
• Gene therapy

Module 4 – In the clinic

• Getting drugs to market
• Financing and protecting drug discovery
• Designing Clinical Trials
• Current therapeutic challenges in...
• Infection
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• Inflammation and COPD
• Neurodegenerative diseases

Module 5 – Forming an opinion

• Keynote lectures from high profile guest speakers covering past, future, and frontiers of the field

MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH PROJECT

The major component of the course is an eight-month long multidisciplinary research project on drug discovery and development, to be written up as a thesis.

You will select a research project from a range of proposals submitted by collaborating staff, and jointly supervised by at least one physical scientist and one scientist from the biomedical sciences or industry; the lead supervisor will be based at the College.

The projects are based entirely in the research laboratories of the supervisors, allowing you to benefit from interaction with postdoctoral and postgraduate researchers from each discipline.

You will also present your research findings at a one day MRes conference held at the beginning of September, which counts towards your overall assessment.

Satisfactory progress is monitored by a mid-term progress report completed by you and your supervisors. The course directors will regularly request feedback regarding your project progress, logistics and effectiveness of split site working, and will offer additional support whenever necessary.

Academic requirement: 2:1 degree or higher  in a relevant subject (particularly in subjects such as Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Biochemistry and Medicine) from a UK institution or an equivalent overseas qualification.

English language requirement: IELTS 6.5 (writing and speaking 6).

The Drug Discovery and Development: Multidisciplinary Science for Next Generation Therapeutics MSc program at Imperial College London offers a diverse range of financing options to support prospective students. Students are encouraged to explore various funding sources, including government-sponsored scholarships, university-specific bursaries, and external grants. Imperial College London provides several scholarship opportunities aimed at both domestic and international students, such as the Imperial College PhD scholarships, which sometimes extend to Master's programs based on research excellence and academic merit. Additionally, the college participates in UK and European funding schemes, which may include loans and grants to assist with tuition fees and living expenses.

For international students, Imperial College London offers the Imperial College PhD Scholarship for International Students, which provides full tuition fee coverage and a stipend to support living costs. Furthermore, students can apply for external funding sources, such as governmental research councils, industry sponsorships, and charitable organizations focused on healthcare and scientific research. For example, organizations like the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation occasionally offer fellowships and grants suitable for students in biomedical sciences and drug development programs.

Students are also advised to consider loans available through the UK government’s Student Finance scheme, which provides loans for tuition and maintenance costs for eligible students. Some students may also be eligible for part-time employment opportunities within the university or related industry placements, which can help offset costs. The program’s strong industry connections and collaborative projects often open avenues for funded internships and research assistantships, further supporting students financially.

Prospective students are encouraged to regularly check the official Imperial College London scholarships webpage and contact the admissions office for personalized advice on available funding and application procedures. By combining institutional, governmental, and external funding options, students can effectively manage the costs associated with this highly specialized multidisciplinary program. Overall, the program’s dedication to attracting talented students is reflected in the range of financial support schemes available, designed to facilitate access and promote excellence in the next generation of therapeutic scientists.

Tuition fees (2015–2016):

• Home/EU Full-time — £10,450
• Overseas Full-time — £29,300