MSc Natural Product Drug Discovery
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
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Course Overview
On our one-year Master’s programme in Natural Product Drug Discovery, you'll gain the key skills, and discover the latest cutting-edge methods, in natural product discovery. Natural products are an incredibly important source of biologically active compounds for both human healthcare and agriculture, and recent technological advances mean that their application can now be fully explored.
This Master’s course in Natural Product Drug Discovery will equip you with theoretical and practical knowledge in the science of natural product discovery, from microorganisms to plants and animals. Your studies will include nutraceuticals and herbal extracts, antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance and the major human diseases. You'll learn from academic and industrial experts who are currently active in natural product research and drug discovery.
Your learning will combine lectures, seminars and laboratory practicals, as well as an independent research project and self-guided study. Our expert team is based across the Norwich Research Park, including the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, and the John Innes Centre. Guest speakers from the pharmaceutical and biotech sector will also present sessions covering topics such as the industrial applications of natural product research.
We place an emphasis on translational research and the drug discovery process, taking natural products from bench to bedside. And you’ll gain a thorough cross-disciplinary grounding with a unique mix of organic chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry and microbiology. This would be ideal preparation for a research-based career, while you may also consider careers in research design, R&D sections of medical industry, scientific writing or research management.
Careers
Career Pathways
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- R&D positions in industry
- Scientific writing
- Research management
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
On this course, you'll gain key research skills and exposure to the latest cutting-edge methods in natural product discovery. This includes how to biologically profile natural products, and how to investigate them as therapeutic agents.
The interdisciplinary nature of the course will prepare you for more advanced studies in the area of your choice. Previous graduates have successfully found positions in industry, research institutes or continued their studies through a PhD.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2.
Degree Subject
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related subject.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related subject.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in Listening and Reading with 6.0 in Writing and Speaking)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £14,325
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International Students: £29,200
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.