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MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering

MEngSc (NFQ Level 9)
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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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). 

About This Course

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. 

  • Apply their knowledge of biopharmaceutical production processes to design, equip and manage a biopharmaceutical production factility
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the concept and practice of independent research in specialised topics in biopharmaceutical engineering
  • Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of GMP and the regulatory issues involved in biopharmaceutical production
  • Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the challenges involved in the downstream purification of biopharmaceuticals
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of process control when applied to growth of mammalian cells in bioreactors
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific principles involved in the development of a biopharmaceutical production process
  • Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a design team for the development of a new production facility
  • Understand the engineering principles underlying the production of biopharmaceuticals

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.

Module Type Module   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."

MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering (T015) Part Time
EU          Year 1 - € 7280
nonEU    Year 1 - € 14550
EU          Year 2 - € 6930 aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 14550 aa
EU          Year 3 - € 2350 vb
nonEU    Year 3 - € 6772 vb

aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
vbThird Year Fee applies to Students in 3rd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2023/24
***Fees are subject to change

  • An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in a relevant Engineering, Science or Technology programme. However, all applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and relevant or extensive work experience will be taken into account.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent. For more information please click here.
  • Students must be working full-time in the Pharma/Biopharma or a related sector.
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes


All EU & Non EU Welcome


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering:

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T015
MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering
Master of Engineering Science

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
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