Pharmacy - Research, MPhil/PhD

Medway School of Pharmacy is a joint venture between the Universities of Greenwich and Kent. Since 2004, the School has invested heavily in facilities and equipment: it now houses strong and vibrant research groups that span a range of pharmacy-related areas. Staff have a wealth of research experience and UK and international links with both industry and academic institutions. Our excellent relationship with both Greenwich and Kent gives the School access to world-class research facilities. PhD studentships are awarded on a competitive basis and in a broad range of research areas, including chemistry and drug delivery, biological sciences and pharmacy practice.

The programme aims to give postgraduate students the integrated, broad-based research training needed to exploit the advances in pharmaceutical and biological sciences and pharmacy practice for conducting contemporary research. Normally, students register initially for an MPhil. After approximately 1 year to 18 months, the student can transfer to the PhD programme after the successful submission of a comprehensive transfer report. We also offer part-time MPhil/PhD programmes.

School

Medway School of Pharmacy

Location

Medway Campus

Attendance

3 years full-time 6 years part-time

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have:

Typically, a first class or 2.1 honours degree in an appropriate area OR taught MSc (distinction).

• Students educated in a language other than English should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above or an equivalent rating in another language testing system.

• Applicants with non-standard qualifications but significant experience should contact the School's director of research to discuss their application.

Attendance

Students are assessed through their thesis and an oral exam.

Career options

Graduates from this programme can pursue positions in the pharmaceutical industry, consultancy, the NHS and other parts of the public sector, and academia.

Research areas

• Chemistry and drug delivery
• Synthesis and biological evaluation of potential anti-cancer agents
• Structure-based drug design
• Quantitive structure-activity relationship (QSAR) predication of ADMET properties
• Controlled release
• Particle engineering
• Powder technology
• Pharmaceutical technology
• Novel drug delivery systems with a focus on respiratory drug delivery
• Pharmacology, cell and molecular biology
• Cancer gene therapy
• Immunology of allergic response
• Neuropharmacology
• Neurobiology (circadian rhythms)
• Control of microbial infection
• Ion channels and their role in disease states
• Pharmacy practice
• Rational cost-effective use of drugs
• Pharmaceutical care - with an emphasis on new models of care for specific patient groups
• Medicines management

Research projects

Recent topics include:

• Pharmaceutical services, ethics and pharmacy practice
• The use of targeted medicines using reviews to provide improved patient outcomes on transfer within primary and secondary care settings

Your time at university should be enjoyable and rewarding, and it is important that it is not spoilt by unnecessary financial worries. We recommend that you spend time planning your finances, both before coming to university and while you are here. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Find out more about our fees and the support available to you at our:

• Postgraduate finance pages
• International students' finance pages