Studying

The ageing population and the need for rapidly evolving medication solutions are factors that highlight the growing role and need of experts in pharmaceuticals, their use and regulatory processes in society.

In the Master’s Programme in Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety, you will:

• acquire a comprehensive overview of the life cycle of drugs and their use.
• obtain a unique perspective of Green and Sustainable Pharmacy as well as essential knowledge for managing the global sustainability challenge.
• be trained for research and development (R&D) oriented positions and as professionals for healthcare regulatory, management, policy-making and pharmaceutical industry positions.
• earn a Master of Science degree from a programme hosted by the Faculty of Pharmacy, a top-level drug research institute, with an extensive network of partners and considerable external research funding.

Please note that the degree earned in this programme does not qualify for legalized healthcare professional status in the EU area.

The scope of the Master’s Programme in Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety (MPHARM) is 120 credits (ECTS), equivalent to two years of full-time study. The target degree earned by the studies is a Master of Science. 

The two-year curriculum of the programme starts with a core study module on drug development and use, which is common for all enrolled students. In addition, the first semester includes courses for acquiring transferable academic skills as well as an introduction to our research themes. The students are encouraged to take an active role in becoming oriented in the research that is carried out in the department right from the beginning of their studies.

Starting from the second semester, each student will conduct studies according to a personalised study plan. Guidance is available from a nominated faculty member acting as a supervisor throughout the studies. To assist in tailoring of the elective elements of the curriculum, courses are organised under three study tracks:

1. Drug discovery, design and pharmacology

After completing the Drug discovery, design and pharmacology study track, the students are able to:

• Explain the drug discovery process and understand target finding, specificity, efficacy, and toxicity studies,
• Understand drug discovery from a methodological point of view,
• Understand how drug efficacy and safety are tested in preclinical phase,
• Understand how commonly used drugs are studied; how they act, how they modulate molecular, cellular and physiological processes,
• Understand druggability approaches for small/large/biological molecules,
• Plan and execute research projects,
• Appreciate clinical trial process and many of the translational challenges related to developing drugs,
• Examine scientific studies critically.      

2. Drug delivery and development

After completing the Drug delivery and development study track, the students are able to: 

• Explain all issues relevant to what is known as “ADME”: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs,
• Have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the subdiscipline of pharmaceutical research known as “pharmaceutics” including the formulation and manufacture of drugs, different dosage forms and drug delivery, pharmaceutical technology and physical pharmacy,
• Explain what is meant by “nanomedicine” and all issues related to the rational design of drug delivery nanoparticles,
• Describe key aspects pertaining to the process of preclinical and clinical studies that all potential drug molecules must pass through in order to become drugs. 

3. Medication safety and pharmaceutical regulation

After completing the study track, the students are able to:

• Understand the basic principles of medication safety risk management and their implementation in social and health services systems,
• Understand principles and methods of effectiveness research, economic evaluation and health technology assessment of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical services,
• Understand the role of regulatory operations in ensuring safe, rational and sustainable pharmacotherapy,
• Describe key theories and methodologies, and their application in above mentioned research areas.  

The student may also choose studies in an interdisciplinary manner according to her/his own interests. However, there will be only a certain amount of placements available at the different study tracks, and therefore, the placement according to the first preference of the student cannot be guaranteed at the time of applying to the Master’s Programme. 

Get acquainted with the  (in Instructions for students)*

Please note that the teaching programme only contains courses organized by the degree programme. The students can include in their studies also courses from other degree programmes and faculties (see list of examples on page), or studies conducted during an international exchange period.

*The page now displays the degree programme's curriculum 2023-2026. Curriculum 2026-2030 will be published by January 2026.

The programme’s official language is English. All courses are taught and can be completed in English.

The aim of the master’s thesis is to develop skills for independent scientific work and critical evaluation of scientific data.

The master’s thesis in the programme consists of a 30 cr research project under the supervision of a principal investigator within the faculty.

In addition to the research groups operating in the faculty, students are encouraged to explore the possibility of finding their thesis project within our extensive collaborative networks or suggest a topic of research according to their own interests.

Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. More than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.

As a student and member of the Student Union (HYY), you are entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, low-cost sports services and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.