Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

The MEngSc Biopharmaceutical Engineering programme provides intensive training in the requisite skills for a professional engineer or scientist in the biopharmaceutical or related sector. The programme provides substantial coverage of the scientific, technical, management and regulatory issues associated with this industry. 

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. 

It is anticipated that graduates from this programme will play an important role in the development, design and operation of biopharmaceutical processes throughout the industry in the coming years.

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

Your career opportunities upon graduation from this programme are exemplary. 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.

View All Modules Here

This section links to general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

The programme provides students with an understanding of the principle scientific and engineering challenges involved in the design, operation and management of biopharmaceutical production facilities.

MEngSc Biopharmaceutical Engineering (T015) Part Time
EU          Year 1 - € 7100
nonEU    Year 1 - € 14550
EU          Year 2 - € 6760 ^aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 13860 ^aa
EU          Year 3 - € 2290 ^vb
nonEU    Year 3 - € 6772 <sup>vb

aa</sup>Second Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2024 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2023/24
^vbThird Year Fee applies to Students in 3rd Year in 2024 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2022/23
***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 

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 Biopharmaceutical Engineering FT
• MEngSc Chemical Engineering FT
• MSc Biotechnology FT

The teaching for this master’s takes place at the NIBRT facility, UCD, which is a purpose-built, multi-functional building replicating the most modern industrial bioprocessing facility. The total building area is approximately 6,500 m² over two floors.

The following entry routes are available:

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised