Leiden University has a long tradition in pharmaceutical sciences. Over the last 20 years however, the emphasis has shifted from a traditional pharmacy education to a research-oriented training in pharmaceutical sciences. This research orientation in the teaching programme is unique in Europe and enjoys a highly international profile.

The education programme is designed and organised by the Center for Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (CBPS) of Leiden University, which participates nationally in the Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research (LACDR), a research school in which the Department of Pharmacochemistry of the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam also takes part. The LACDR in its turn is partner in the ULLA consortium, an international collaboration in research training between institutes of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Uppsala, London, Leiden, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Paris. The CBPS is surrounded by a Science Park, which includes several biomedical research institutes and biotechnological companies. Information on the CBPS and the LACDR is available via the website www.lacdr.nl

Objectives
All tracks are intended for students with a recognised education in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmacy on the bachelor level. The Master of Science degree guarantees thorough research experience with a profound theoretical basis. Master of Science students in Leiden work in a multi-nationality environment and can operate on the international market.

In the Master of Science tracks Communication, Education and Science-Based Business, specific career opportunities in science related professions can be explored. All students with a Master of Science degree are admissible to a PhD programme.

Structure of the Master of Science programme
The strength of the Master of Science programme is its individual approach: for each student an individually tailored programme will be designed. Key element of this programme is research, embedded in one or two student's own research projects, which include practical laboratory work and writing one or two master's theses.

A Master of Science programme consists of a major research project, a minor research project (research tracks) or internships (other tracks), and a number of advanced courses in pharmaceutical sciences. The major and minor research projects in a Master's student programme should preferably be accomplished in different disciplines of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences. The minor research project and a Science-Based Business internship may be arranged in a pharmaceutical industrial setting. Finally, the Master's programme comprises a literature study (research tracks) and optional components which can be additional courses or traineeships.

More information on the MSc Program in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences in Leiden