Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology MSc

Attendance mode

Entry year

Duration: 1 year; 1 year
Start date: September; September
Location: City Campus; City Campus

Suitable for UK and internationalUK and international applications.

Overview

This full-time Master's programme provides a comprehensive overview of drug safety practices within the drug development process.

It addresses key aspects of preclinical drug evaluation through the study of:

Drug discovery and development
Safety pharmacology
Mechanisms of drug-induced toxicities
Regulatory affairs
Bioanalytical sciences

It will give you state-of-the-art training in preclinical toxicology, with an emphasis on the molecular in vitro and in vivo aspects of toxicology and safety pharmacology assessments.

As part of the programme you will undertake an original research project that will be the basis of your dissertation.

Delivered at the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, an internationally renowned research institution, the programme gives you the skills you need for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or regulatory bodies, along with the foundations for PhD study.

Drug toxicology and safety pharmacology lies at the heart of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and demand for highly skilled practitioners in this field is extremely high.

This full-time Master's programme provides a comprehensive overview of drug safety practices within the drug development process.

It addresses key aspects of preclinical drug evaluation through the study of:

Drug discovery and development
Safety pharmacology
Mechanisms of drug-induced toxicities
Regulatory affairs
Bioanalytical sciences

It will give you state-of-the-art training in preclinical toxicology, with an emphasis on the molecular in vitro and in vivo aspects of toxicology and safety pharmacology assessments.

As part of the programme you will undertake an original research project that will be the basis of your dissertation.

Drug toxicology and safety pharmacology lies at the heart of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and demand for highly skilled practitioners in this field is extremely high.

Entry requirements

To be admitted to the programme, applicants must have an undergraduate Honours qualification (minimum 2: 2) or equivalent in a scientific discipline, usually within chemistry, biology, pharmacy, biomedicine, or related fields. Candidates who do not meet these entry criteria but who can show relevant experience may also be considered.

For North American students a GPA of normally 2.0 and above (on a scale of 4.0), or an equivalent, is required.

English language requirements

If your native language is not English, or official language of your first degree is not English, you will need to pass a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The International English Language Testing System test (IELTS) administered by the British Council is the test which is preferred by the University.

You will need to achieve an overall score of at least 6.0, with at least 5.5 in each of the four sub-tests (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Testing facilities are available at most British Council overseas offices. When you take the test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.

English language requirements

Your learning journey

All module information is for 2026/27 entry and is subject to change.

First year

Core

Preclinical Models for Drug Evaluation

The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and ability to solve complex problems and justify their decisions. Students will critically appraise current techniques and pre-clinical models used to evaluate potential anti-cancer drugs. Emphasis is placed on gaining practical experience with experimental techniques involved in using preclinical models. The module will address the ethics involved in experimental work with animals. Students will gain the ability to reflect on their practice to inform and plan their professional development.

The module is structured as a combination of lectures, tutorials, student directed learning activities and practical laboratory sessions.

Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity

The module aims to develop a critical understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying cellular toxicity. An emphasis is placed on emerging concepts that reflect the changing nature of modern drug development. The module will address the mechanisms responsible for drug target toxicity and the evolution of new preclinical strategies to identify and predict such mechanisms.

Case Studies in Drug Discovery

The module aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the background and current issues in research in the area of drug discovery. An emphasis is placed on broadening students' appreciation of the wide range of research in drug discovery

Cancer Therapeutics Research Project

The module aims to provide students with the skills to develop independence and originality in the application of knowledge and problem-solving capacity. An emphasis is placed on developing a comprehensive understanding of appropriate scientific techniques and how those techniques can be used to create and interpret knowledge.

Students will develop an understanding of appropriate procedures and issues surrounding safe conduct in the laboratory and compliance with regulatory and legal requirements; and further develop their analytical, critical analysis, time management and IT skills. In addition, students will develop an awareness of current issues in cancer therapeutics and safety pharmacology whilst working as part of a research team on a real-world project.

The module is structured as a combination of laboratory practical work plus student-directed learning activities.

Cancer Pharmacology and Regulatory Toxicology

The module supports students to develop a critical understanding of pharmacology and regulatory toxicology with a focus around cancer. Students will gain a systematic and critical understanding of the subject area. The module will address the role of regulatory toxicology and pharmacology in the context of drug development. Students will gain the ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts and will develop knowledge of anti-cancer drug development with particular emphasis on critical analysis of techniques.

Research Skills for Postgraduate Students

This module provides students with the knowledge and experience needed to develop core skills for undertaking scientific research projects and understanding research outputs in the form of research articles and presentations. This includes developing student competency in basic laboratory actions (eg liquid handling, calculations), experiencing widely used molecular biology and biochemical techniques, and developing students’ ability to critique the research literature via greater understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a range of different laboratory assays. Students will also develop their scientific reading, writing, data handling, data interpretation, critical analysis and communication skills as part of this module.

The module is structured as a combination of lectures, workshops, laboratory practical sessions, plus student-directed learning activities.

All module information is for 2026/27 entry and is subject to change.

First year

Core

Preclinical Models for Drug Evaluation

The module is structured as a combination of lectures, tutorials, student directed learning activities and practical laboratory sessions.

Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity

Case Studies in Drug Discovery

Cancer Therapeutics Research Project

The module is structured as a combination of laboratory practical work plus student-directed learning activities.

Cancer Pharmacology and Regulatory Toxicology

Research Skills for Postgraduate Students

The module is structured as a combination of lectures, workshops, laboratory practical sessions, plus student-directed learning activities.

Teaching, learning and assessment

A wide variety of teaching methods appropriate to the learning outcomes of the individual modules are employed throughout the programme and are supported by the virtual learning environment provided by the University.

Students will experience lectures from ICT research/teaching staff and visiting clinicians and industrial researchers, small group workshops, one-to-one tutorials and practical classes.

Students will also attend the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics Research Seminar programme. Self-directed independent learning forms a significant component at MSc level; students will be supported to develop the attributes and skills needed for life-long learning and continued professional development.

Directed private study will involve students in a variety of activities, which include directed reading of selected textbooks and specified source literature, use of the virtual learning environment (directed web-based materials), report writing, preparing presentations to deliver to peers, and other assignments.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Students will experience lectures from ICT research/teaching staff and visiting clinicians and industrial researchers, small group workshops, one-to-one tutorials and practical classes.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

Home: £9,940
International: £19,500

Tuition fee

Home: £10,189
International: Fees are currently under review and will be confirmed soon

Additional course costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding your studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

The largest destination of our graduates is enrolment in PhD studies (47%) including here at Bradford, as well as King’s College London, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Sheffield.

Career destination of our graduates include the NHS, Covance, Envigo, St James Hospital Leeds, Cyprotex, Chiltern, Perrigo, Dewsbury & District Hospital, Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, and Public Health England.

Career opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the careers section.

Support for your studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions. We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment. In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.

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Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.