Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £16,385 for the course
Course summary
- Combine taught modules with an extended research project in a professional lab.
- Learn to obtain and interpret analytical information from a variety of products.
- Apply good experimental design techniques and use statistical methods for data evaluation
- Analyse and interpret data with industry-standard management systems.
- Understand the background of drug design and development, and the wider industry.
On this course, you'll learn the skills required of an analyst and become familiar with the principles of modern instrumental analytical techniques, methods and statistics. You'll study the practice and theory of the field, and consider the pharmaceutical industry in detail.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
You learn through activities designed to challenge and support as you progress through the course. The aim is to give a theoretical and practical knowledge of your subject.
In the first semester, you'll be taught modules that provide a fundamental knowledge of pharmaceutical analysis. The Applied Laboratory Practice module will also introduce you to the practical and theoretical basis of research. Together these will give you a sound basis to carry out your Extended Research Project in semesters two and three.
You learn through
- lectures and seminars
- workshops and tutorials
- laboratory classes
- an extended research project
- working in a professional laboratory
Course leaders and tutors

Robert Bradshaw
Lecturer in Analytical ScienceRobert is a lecturer in Analytical Science specialising in Mass Spectrometry
Applied learning
You'll undertake a research project aligned with the current research interests of an academic member of staff, within our professional laboratories of the Biomolecular Research Centre.
You'll work within a real research group, fully supported throughout by your academic supervisor. The project will include a critical review of the literature relevant to your research project, the development of a project proposal, the development of research methods and the analysis, presentation and interpretation of experimental data. Since the project extends over two semesters, it allows you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the project and collect meaningful data, thus enabling an authentic research scientist experience.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- the pharmaceutical industry
- academic or industrial research
- quality assurance
- analytical laboratories
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- industry standard analytical equipment such as HPLC, NMR or GC
- cutting edge research instrumentation, such as in our mass spectrometry suite
Learn more about your department
Biosciences and Chemistry Facilities Tour
Take a look around the biosciences and chemistry facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with senior lecturer and recruitment lead Dr Susan Campbell.
Entry requirements
All students
A 2:1 in a relevant Honours degree is normally accepted as the entry requirement for the course. Applicants with alternative qualifications with academic attainment or skills in subjects which are directly relevant to the course will also be considered.
To be successful on this course, you must have relevant practical laboratory experience. Details of your laboratory experience must be specifically detailed in your personal statement and verified by one of your referees.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Applied Laboratory Practice | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Extended Research Project | Credits: 120 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Separation And Detection Science | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: Surface Analysis And Related Techniques | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Module: The Analytical Approach | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £9,910 for the course. The fee quoted on the online prospectus is for the whole course. Where a course is to be taken over more than one year, then the course fees are divided into annual fees through a financial calculation to which a rounding mechanism is applied. This can sometimes mean that there is a nominal variation between the quoted fee from the prospectus and the fee charged to the student. There are some circumstances in which a student taking a break in study or engaging in retakes may be charged an additional fee, which should be notified to them at the time.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £16,385 for the course. The fee quoted on the online prospectus is for the whole course. Where a course is to be taken over more than one year, then the course fees are divided into annual fees through a financial calculation to which a rounding mechanism is applied. This can sometimes mean that there is a nominal variation between the quoted fee from the prospectus and the fee charged to the student. There are some circumstances in which a student taking a break in study or engaging in retakes may be charged an additional fee, which should be notified to them at the time.

Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Biosciences and chemistry courses (PDF, 238KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.