Master in Pharmaceutical Sciences (part time)

Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a new international university jointly founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University China and the University of Liverpool UK as a joint venture. As an independent Sino-Foreign cooperative university, it captures the essence of both prestigious parent universities and is the first and only one of its kind approved by the Ministry of Education in China.

The University offers undergraduate degree programmes in the fields of science, engineering and management, and awards both its own Chinese degree and a degree from the University of Liverpool.

Overview

Pharmaceutical research is a frontier science worldwide. With the advancement of human civilisation and science, and the demand for a healthy life, pharmaceutical science and the pharmaceutical discipline have grown at an unprecedented rate.

To keep up with competition and demand, today’s global pharmaceutical industry requires high-level talent for research on new drug development, drug manufacturing, drug usage, pharmaceutical regulation and project management.

In China, with the improvement of relevant industry regulations, the demand for pharmaceutical management talents, which was not prominent in the past, has been strongly highlighted. In addition to other pharmaceutical science professionals, pharmaceutical regulatory and project management professionals have become necessary to address shortfalls in the development of China’s pharmaceutical industry.

MRes Pharmaceutical Sciences is a tailor-made major by XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy for the pharmaceutical industry at home and abroad. Built on the foundations of chemistry, biology, materials science, and management science, it covers fields including pharmaceutics, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical analysis, clinical pharmacy, and social and administrative pharmacy. The programme is committed to cultivating high-end international compound talents urgently needed by innovative drug R&D enterprises.

The graduates from the MRes Pharmaceutical Sciences programme, who are taught fully in English by professors from the UK, USA, China and other countries, will have the comprehensive ability to serve as senior applied talents in various fields of the pharmaceutical industry locally and internationally.

Graduates will be capable of engaging in drug discovery, manufacturing, quality control, and clinical application in research institutes, drug production and distribution enterprises, medical and health institutions, medical colleges and universities, drug inspection, drug supervision, and other fields.

XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy actively complies with Suzhou’s “China Pharmacy Valley” strategy. The programme aims to cultivate technical professionals in the fields of artificial intelligence drug discovery, natural medicinal chemistry, biopharmaceuticals, translational medicine, personalised medicine, precision medicine, cell and gene therapy, and more. The Academy also plans to provide talent support for the development of the national health industry.

Introduction to each pathway

MRes Pharmaceutical Sciences students have four pathways of study to choose from, which offer modules tailored to a specific focus in addition to the core modules of the programme.

Artificial Intelligence Drug Discovery and Development (AIDD) pathway：This pathway uses AI to enhance the efficiency and success rate of the research and development of drugs, including personalised medicine, promoting innovation in medicine. It aims to train interdisciplinary talents who can combine AI with pharmaceutical practice, thereby driving the pharmaceutical industry towards intelligent and precise development.

Pharmaceutical Management Pathway: This pathway is for students with a foundation in preclinical biological and pharmaceutical science. By choosing this pathway, students learn to design, assess, and improve strategies that span the entire drug development process, from initial drug design and discovery to securing patents and marketing. In addition, supplementary courses can focus on the strategic, policy, and regulatory aspects of drug development. This broad approach ensures graduates are well-prepared to navigate the complex landscape of drug development and contribute to the field as competent and strategic professionals.

Regulatory Science Pathway：This pathway helps students learn how to apply regulatory policies in the pharmaceutical research and development processes. It is suitable for applicants with backgrounds in fields like biology, pharmacy, medicine, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, law, and biochemistry.

Pharmaceutical Science Pathway: This pathway offers advanced education and training in pharmaceutical science, technology, industry and business management, and regulatory affairs. It is designed for pharmacists, pharmacological researchers, pharmaceutical sales representatives, and regulatory officers. Leveraging XJTLU’s English-language capabilities and global approach, it equips graduates for research in Western or Chinese universities, the pharmaceutical industry, or a government regulatory body. Students gain research experience and training in their chosen research laboratory and will interact with expert researchers in all aspects of pharmaceutical sciences. This pathway covers both theoretical concepts and practical training in key research techniques.

Why study Pharmaceutical Sciences at XJTLU?

This programme focuses on the cultivation of students’ comprehensive quality, through the close cooperation of industry, the University and the research institute for international, well-rounded practical talents for the pharmaceutical industry.

• •Pilot Project of XJTLU Stage 3.0：The MRes Pharmaceutical Sciences programme is based on the international teaching model and resource advantages of XJTLU. The Academy combines XJTLU 3.0 with the strategic goals of the China Pharmacy Valley, by adopting the close cooperation model of government support, enterprise participation and teaching. The programme actively cultivates practical international talents who can use what they learn to meet the demand of enterprises.
• •Profound academic accumulation：We have the academic heritage from our parent universities of Xi’an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool, an international academic staff composed of experts in various fields of pharmaceutical science and life science, and adjunct professors with profound industry experience. The University also has many strong departments for related disciplines, including biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and computer sciences, providing a strong foundation for interdisciplinary cooperation.
• •Seamless curriculum design, science teaching and the industry：The XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy closely cooperates with biomedical enterprise partners to set up professional modules and curricula in line with the development trends of the industry, making it both advanced in discipline and practical in knowledge and skills. The curriculum is designed to meet international first-class professional standards, and all modules are taught in English.
• •Participating in cutting-edge industrial research projects：Under the joint guidance of an academic supervisor and an industry adjunct supervisor and with the advantages of rich industrial resources, sophisticated scientific research equipment and a diversified international academic exchange network, students carry out high-level and cutting-edge research in the biomedical field.
• •Industrial environment and employment opportunities：The Academy is adjacent to Suzhou Biomedical Industrial Park (BioBAY), one of the most innovative and influential biomedical industrial parks in China with more than 500 pharmaceutical innovation companies, which could provide internship opportunities. During the master’s study period, students have the opportunity to join industry-university-research joint platforms such as the university-enterprise joint laboratories to participate in research projects and gain the opportunity to enter international high-end pharmaceutical companies earlier than others.

Knowledge and skills

By the time you graduate from the MRes Pharmaceutical Sciences programme, you will have gained:

• •the basic knowledge and experimental skills of chemistry, life science, basic medicine and other related basic disciplines necessary for pharmaceutical majors;
• •the basic theory, knowledge and skills of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmaceutical science, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacognosy and natural medicinal chemistry, and an understanding of the basics of clinical drug use;
• •preliminary training in scientific research methods, preliminary capabilities in drug discovery, drug design and production, drug quality control, lead compound drug screening and drug clinical application;
• •the ability to use information technology, literature retrieval methods and relevant mathematical knowledge and skills to analyse and solve problems related to the major;
• •an understanding of the regulations and policies of pharmaceutical administration, as well as the economic and management issues in the industry;
• •strong self-learning ability to lay the necessary foundation for receiving professional continuing education;
• •an understanding of the new scientific progress in this field and new knowledge of related disciplines;
• •a deep understanding of English culture, good oral English communication skills, and excellent English reading and writing skills to meet the needs of pharmaceutical internationalisation.

Why Choose XJTLU?

• Two Degrees: 1 from the University of Liverpool & 1 from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Bachelor's students)
• The University of Liverpool degree (Master's and PhD students)
• All degree courses are taught 100% in English.
• No knowledge of the Chinese language is required to apply to XJTLU.
• Learn free of charge Chinese alongside your course.
• A friendly international community.
• International Opportunities: "2+2" study route to the University of Liverpool, UK for undergraduate students (more than 3,500 XJTLU students are now studying at the University of Liverpool, UK through "2+2")
• International Opportunities: Wide range of study abroad opportunities in partner institutions in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, the USA, South Korea, Russia, etc.
• International Opportunities: Partnerships with multinational companies in the likes of HSBC, Standard Chartered, Siemens, KPMG, Alstom, Schneider, ICBC, etc.

About Suzhou

You have the opportunity to live in one of the most culturally rich areas of China, with Suzhou’s UNESCO World Heritage gardens and canals famous around the world.

Suzhou combines its rich 2,500-year-old history with a drive to become one of the most modern cities in China. It has a population of more than six million and a GDP of a trillion RMB – far larger than those of many entire countries!

Alongside its beautiful tourist spots, Suzhou has many excellent learning resources and sports facilities, a great choice of shopping malls, cinemas and restaurants, and a variety of bars and nightclubs.

Today, the city’s canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China. The classical gardens in Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000.

Suzhou is located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in eastern China. Within Suzhou is Suzhou Industrial Park, one of the most competitive development zones in China. This area also contains the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (home to XJTLU), which sits beside Dushu Lake, one of two lakes in SIP.

Central Shanghai can be reached from Suzhou in just 30 minutes by high-speed train.

Library

XJTLU students have access to a wide range of library resources, from books and journals to electronic databases and articles. The library plays a key role as a research support and learning centre for the University, developing its collection by focusing on subject development and research requirements.

The library currently holds over 500,000 books, which are added to and updated throughout the year in response to requests from academic departments. It provides 22,000 square metres of space, housing 300 PCs and 2,500 seats for studying, discussion and computer and studio work.

Campuses

North Campus

Full of striking, architecturally impressive buildings, our North Campus provides state-of-the art teaching, laboratory, research and support facilities. This includes the award-winning and iconic Central Building, which houses our library.

The campus also has sports facilities, world class-fully equipped science and engineering laboratories, International Business School Suzhou, and design studios, as well as a variety of catering facilities, including Subway, Pacific Coffee Company, and many canteen-style fast-food options.

Landscaped gardens complement pieces of modern art to create a campus environment that has become one of the striking features of Suzhou Industrial Park.

South Campus

The first phase of our South Campus was opened to the public on 26 July 2016, as a major part of the University’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

Architecturally it contrasts our North Campus and features modern designs that complement the surrounding area. Eventually, the South Campus will satisfy the learning and teaching needs of approximately 6,000 XJTLU students as well as the University’s academic exchanges and research development plans. It will consist of eight buildings and be developed over two further phases:

Phase II: International Business School Suzhou at XJTLU

This phase will see the completion of a new building for International Business School Suzhou, set to open by the end of 2017.

PHASE III: XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and XJTLU Gym

Phase III consists of two buildings – the construction of the XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and a gym. Both buildings are expected to open by the end of 2018. The development of the School, in collaboration with financial services provider Gold Finance Group, is a significant part of XJTLU’s academic development strategy. It will mix digital media arts and film and television production and technology with performance and acting. The gym will provide improved and diversified sports facilities for students and staff on campus.

Living in University

When you come to XJTLU, you will have the opportunity to try a whole range of different sports and activities as well as developing any existing skills you already have.

Student clubs and societies

Student clubs and societies play an important part of student life. XJTLU has many organisations with themes such as art, sports, music, entrepreneurship, dance to name but a few. Some of the more established groups include a Model United Nations and the Student Union.

Another society, Intercom, provides a platform for all international students to arrange activities and events, and share ideas and experiences with the wider student body.

Catering

3 canteens, 3 coffee shops, Bar, Restaurants

Sports

Currently, 21 sports are offered through PE classes at XJTLU, including badminton, basketball, belly dancing, billiards, boxing, bridge, Chinese martial arts, football, free combat, body building, golf, popping, roller-skating, sport dancing, table tennis, taekwondo, tai chi, tai chi sword, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and yoga.

We have outside sport facilities that include basketball and tennis courts as well as indoor facilities, such as a golf training venue, gym, dance room, and table tennis room. There is also a football field located next to the new South Campus.