This course is available through the following application route(s)
Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical manufacturing are key sectors in the Irish economy generating over 50 per cent of GDP. This sector has seen continued and sustained success with a number of high profile investments in recent years providing excellent job opportunities for graduates. The programme and its academic faculty are closely linked with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), which is a global centre of excellence for training and research in bioprocessing.
This MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering programme provides substantial coverage of scientific, technical, management and regulatory issues associated with this industry. This programme offers an internationally recognised high quality flexible curriculum, which follows the latest developments in science and technology. This programme is suitable for Science and Engineering graduates wishing to obtain a qualification which is highly relevant to the biopharmaceutical industry.
Class times for two year part time version:
Classes are delivered between UCD and NIBRT every Friday afternoon (during UCD term time) between 14.00 - 18.00. Students can attend either in person or online (note: lectures are not recorded and students attending online must do so between 14.00-18.00 on Fridays). The labs that take place during reading week approx 3 days (March) require in person attendance (exact dates to be confirmed each year).
The programme's teaching methods are highly interactive and varied and student learning is assessed using a variety of assessment methodology including exams, assignments, case studies and presentations. Students complete a research project which consolidates their basic knowledge of the course content and provides intensive research experience and training. The course content addresses the principal scientific and engineering challenges involved in the design, operation and management of biopharmaceutical production facilities.
Graduates from this programme are highly sought after and play an important role in the development, design and operation of biopharmaceutical processes throughout the industry in the coming years. Ireland is a world player in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical production.
The pharmaceutical industry in Ireland comprises a mix of international and local companies. Approximately, 120 overseas companies have plants in Ireland, including many of the largest pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies in the world including AbbVie, Amgen, Biomarin, BMS, Genzyme, GSK, Janssen Biologics (Ireland), Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi Shire, and many more. Upon graduation from this programme, you will enjoy an extremely high job placement rate with superlative career opportunities.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: YEAR 1 CORE MODULES: Year 1 Students must select all 6 modules in the module list, IMPORTANT - Students must select the Spring offering of CHEN40090 - Bioprocessing Laboratory. |
CHEN40670 | Biotechnology & Biopharma | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: YEAR 1 CORE MODULES: Year 1 Students must select all 6 modules in the module list, IMPORTANT - Students must select the Spring offering of CHEN40090 - Bioprocessing Laboratory. |
CHEN40720 | Principles of Biopharmaceutical Engineering (PT) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: YEAR 1 CORE MODULES: Year 1 Students must select all 6 modules in the module list, IMPORTANT - Students must select the Spring offering of CHEN40090 - Bioprocessing Laboratory. |
CHEN40730 | Animal Cell Culture Technology (PT) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: YEAR 1 CORE MODULES: Year 1 Students must select all 6 modules in the module list, IMPORTANT - Students must select the Spring offering of CHEN40090 - Bioprocessing Laboratory. |
CHEN40090 | Bioprocessing Laboratory | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: YEAR 1 CORE MODULES: Year 1 Students must select all 6 modules in the module list, IMPORTANT - Students must select the Spring offering of CHEN40090 - Bioprocessing Laboratory. |
CHEN40710 | Downstream Processing & Sterile Fill Finish (PT) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: YEAR 1 CORE MODULES: Year 1 Students must select all 6 modules in the module list, IMPORTANT - Students must select the Spring offering of CHEN40090 - Bioprocessing Laboratory. |
CHEN40850 | Cell Therapy Tech & Processing | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 7 of: YEAR 2 CORE MODULES: Year 2 Students must select 3 modules in Autumn and 3 module in Spring (CHEN40650 and 2 other modules) and the 30 credit project module. |
CHEN40110 | Facility Design and Operation | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 7 of: YEAR 2 CORE MODULES: Year 2 Students must select 3 modules in Autumn and 3 module in Spring (CHEN40650 and 2 other modules) and the 30 credit project module. |
CHEN40120 | Biopharmaceutical Industry Regulation and Management | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 7 of: YEAR 2 CORE MODULES: Year 2 Students must select 3 modules in Autumn and 3 module in Spring (CHEN40650 and 2 other modules) and the 30 credit project module. |
CHEN40630 | Bioanalytical Science for Biopharma | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 7 of: YEAR 2 CORE MODULES: Year 2 Students must select 3 modules in Autumn and 3 module in Spring (CHEN40650 and 2 other modules) and the 30 credit project module. |
CHEN40130 | Bioprocess Scale-up and Technology Transfer | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 7 of: YEAR 2 CORE MODULES: Year 2 Students must select 3 modules in Autumn and 3 module in Spring (CHEN40650 and 2 other modules) and the 30 credit project module. |
CHEN40650 | Research Methodologies | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 7 of: YEAR 2 CORE MODULES: Year 2 Students must select 3 modules in Autumn and 3 module in Spring (CHEN40650 and 2 other modules) and the 30 credit project module. |
CHEN40860 | Gene Ther & Vacc Tech & Proc | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 7 of: YEAR 2 CORE MODULES: Year 2 Students must select 3 modules in Autumn and 3 module in Spring (CHEN40650 and 2 other modules) and the 30 credit project module. |
CHEN40870 | GMP Manufact Advan Therapeutic | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 7 of: YEAR 2 CORE MODULES: Year 2 Students must select 3 modules in Autumn and 3 module in Spring (CHEN40650 and 2 other modules) and the 30 credit project module. |
CHEN40140 | Biopharmaceutical Engineering Project | Summer | 30 |
UCD is No.1 in Ireland and Top 50 in the world in QS Sustainability ranking.
Graduate Profile - Kate Ohle, Sanofi
"I undertook the Masters in Biopharmaceutical Engineering at UCD to build on my degree in Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering and to pursue opportunities in a growing industry. The course content was substantial. It was upto- date with both the current state of industry and cutting edge developments. I was able to complete the master’s while working full-time, as the lecture time-slots and assignments could be managed around my work/life balance. The lecturers were supportive and flexible in facilitating work commitments in terms of lectures and assignment submissions. UCD and NIBRT have a prestigious reputation in Industry, this was another reason I chose to do my master’s there. I would recommend this master’s to people who wish to develop themselves in the biopharmaceutical industry."
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
All EU & Non EU Welcome
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | T015 MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering Master of Engineering Science Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |