University of Queensland
Master of Pharmaceutical Industry Practice
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 monhs
- Course Type: Master's
Break into the pharmaceutical industry with a competitive edge to succeed in your career.
Course overview
The award-winning Master of Pharmaceutical Industry Practice will equip you with industry-ready skills to support a career in the medicines and devices development sector. As part of this two-year full-time degree, you’ll have the option to apply for placement experience, research or coursework in your second year, depending on your progress in your first year and completion of career preparation interviews and workshops.
If you secure an industry placement, you’ll complete a minimum of 12 weeks of hands-on experience and gain insights into contemporary industry practice across areas such as drug discovery or clinical trials, medical and regulatory affairs or pharmacovigilance. You’ll be taught by leading educators, who were awarded the UQ Teaching and Learning Award for Programs that Value and Enhance Student Employability. With the industry networking opportunities provided throughout the program and unique placement and research opportunities or postgraduate coursework available, you’ll feel connected and ready to launch your career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To earn the Master of Pharmaceutical Industry Practice, students must complete 32 units, comprising:
- 16 units for all MPharmIndPrac Core Courses
- 16 units for MPharmIndPrac Elective Courses
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth two units.
Complete 16 units for all of the following:
- Drug Design and Formulation (four units)
- Pre-clinical Drug Development (four units)
- Clinical Drug Development and Biometrics
- Post-registration Life Cycle Management
- Device Development, Drug Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs and Governance
- Project Management and Commercialisation in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Science, engineering, medical/biomedical science, health sciences, pharmacy or pharmaceutical science, or equivalent or;
- The Graduate Certificate in Pharmaceutical Industry Practice from UQ.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification. Applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and who meet the minimum entry requirements for this program will be offered a place. On admission to the program, you will need to provide evidence of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your previous studies can be credited towards your postgraduate studies, provided they meet the relevant course requirements.
If you receive an offer of enrolment and you’ve undertaken prior learning, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The procedure is governed by the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy. Contact the university for more details.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Clinical trials research assistant
- Clinical research officer
- Regulatory affairs associate
- Quality assurance officer
- Quality control officer
- Drug safety associate
- Research assistant
- Project manager
- Medical affairs/medical science liaison
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $9,540 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 16 units (normally eight courses) per semester or year.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.