Full 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.

• 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.

MEngSc Biopharmaceutical Engineering (T070) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9300
nonEU    fee per year - € 29100

***Fees are subject to change

Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/

• 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.
• These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 

Graduate Profile - Thomas Raju, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

“I chose UCD for its fantastic reputation for its post graduate courses. The campus is also the biggest in Ireland and its facilities are excellent. I chose this programme as a continuation of my bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and I wanted to further develop my learning in this area. The best part is that the course offers training in the bioprocess training facility in the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) which helped to greatly enhance my practical knowledge. The course is designed to give you a well-rounded education in a variety of aspects in the pharmaceutical industry such as cell culture, facility design, engineering modules, regulatory affairs, lean sigma methodologies etc. The course has helped improve my career opportunities and I have already been offered a job with a pharmaceutical company for when I finish my course. I believe I have gained more practical knowledge from the one year of study that will help me in my workplace.”

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

This programme is closely linked with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), which is a global centre of excelllence for training and research in bioprocessing. NIBRT offers a quality training and research experience not previously possible anywhere in the world. At the heart of the NIBRT building is the bioprocessing pilot plant, consisting of extensive upstream, downstream, fill-finish and the associated analytical facilities. These facilities are all operated in a realistic GMP simulated, operational manufacturing environment.

The following entry routes are available:

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