This Master's programme provides students with leading edge skills and knowledge needed in the discovery and development of new medicines by international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for global healthcare markets; it is designed for graduates in pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, biomedical sciences and pharmacy and those employed in the pharmaceutical or related industries who would like to be totally up to date with current knowledge and practice in all major aspects of drug discovery, design and development; the course focuses on current trends and applications in modern drug discovery and reflects the important issues and challenges facing the highly globalised pharmaceutical industry in developing new products and bringing them to market; students electing to follow 1 of the optional routes through the programme would: (a) base their essential research and study skills coursework on material specific to their optional route; (b) undertake route-recommended modules at diploma level; and (c) work on a project or dissertation relevant to their optional route.